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The Benefits of Virtual Mentoring for Small Businesses
by Zoe Devitto
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January 2, 2024
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Through virtual mentoring, entrepreneurs can connect online with someone who can help guide them in their business journey. Let's explore the big benefits for entrepreneurs. 

What is Virtual Mentoring?

Mentoring is a program that brings people with a common background together in a formal or informal partnership where one receives guidance and coaching from experienced professionals to help pursue their goals. Virtual mentoring is typically done via phone, video conferencing or email. 

With many professionals working remotely, virtual mentoring creates an accessible space where entrepreneurs can receive strategic support and valuable guidance from business mentors regardless of location. 

Knowledge transfer is a great way to pass on valuable strategies, skills and ideas to the next generation of entrepreneurs. 

A well-organized virtual program serves to benefit both mentees and mentors by empowering them with resources such as forums, mind-mapping techniques, plan templates, online courses and an accessible platform to reach out to mentors situated anywhere in the country. 

For instance, you might have heard inspiring success stories of other small business owners and want to follow in their footsteps. Take Damian Sanchez, for example, who started up the D.C. Mosquito Squad as a part-time venture. He then grew the business exponentially and now has over 40 employees, serving 3,500 customers across the city. This doesn’t mean you must drop everything, move to D.C., and start your mosquito-treatment home service agency. You can learn from the experiences of small business owners and entrepreneurs like Damian by signing up for a mentoring program. 

Benefits of Virtual Mentoring

Setting up a business can be an isolating experience where you might feel like a lone sailor on a treacherous expedition. A business mentor can help empower you in your entrepreneurial journey. And the mentor doesn't even need to meet you in person. There are many benefits to getting guidance virtually. 

Flexibility and Convenience

Thanks to video conferencing technology, you can meet business mentors at a time convenient to everyone involved. This is an excellent benefit for startup business owners who may also be juggling another job or family caretaking responsibilities. 

A tremendous upside of virtual mentoring is that it is not restricted to a specific location. Many people have relocated from urban cities to the suburbs or rural communities in the past few years.  If you are one of them, virtual mentoring can provide greater flexibility in accessing leadership and business-building advice, making location no longer a factor. 

Accessibility to More Mentors

Virtual mentoring also encourages more mentors to sign up for business mentoring programs. That's because while mentoring requires a commitment of time and energy, business experts who are still working professionals or busy in retirement can better manage their time with a flexible virtual program. More mentors mean more experts for you to work with.

You may have several mentors. Perhaps you work with one mentor on starting your business and general business questions. You may also want to work with an expert in your particular industry, one who knows the licenses you need or effective marketing campaigns for your type of business. 

Builds Relationships and Networks

A remote setting provides a sanctuary to participants that helps foster quality relationships, underscoring honesty and trust. This inspires authentic relationships between mentors and mentees, creating an environment conducive to open communication and building mutual trust.  

Mentors have often amassed a network of essential business connections--investors, suppliers, industry experts--who can help open doors for you. Build a relationship with your mentor, and you could be introduced to their network of movers and shakers in the business world. 

Solves Traditional Challenges

The nature of products or services might have changed, but the path to business ownership has some of the same challenges from decades ago: 

Consulting with a business mentor can be an effective way to learn tried and tested strategies to resolve these traditional challenges of becoming an entrepreneur. It’s easy to get caught up in your head. A business mentor helps you get out of the rut and gain a fresh perspective by being a sounding board for ideas, questions, doubts and concerns.   

Free or Low Cost 

Through many local communities and leadership organizations, like SCORE, business mentorship services are usually free, so cost is not usually a barrier. 

Virtual mentors can be a valuable part of your support system--whenever and wherever you need them. Whether you're just starting, growing or ready to exit a small business, explore SCORE's mentor program today. 

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About the author
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Zoe Devitto
Zoe is a content marketing strategist for SaaS brands like FollowUpBoss, Mention, and more.
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