Finding Mentors as an African Entrepreneur

Youth entrepreneurship has been more recognised lately. We now see it as a critical solution to youth employment in Africa. However, starting a business as a young person can be a daunting and challenging task. But, like everything else, it’s easier when you’re not doing it alone. Mentorship and networks play a crucial role in supporting and nurturing young entrepreneurs in Africa. 

It involves pairing a less experienced entrepreneur with an experienced entrepreneur who can provide guidance advice and support as they navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. Mentorship is crucial for young entrepreneurs in Africa because it can help them avoid common pitfalls and learn from the experiences of those who have gone before them.

However, mentorship has it’s challenges. Finding the right mentor can be difficult, and building a solid and effective mentoring relationship can be challenging.

To address these challenges, there is a need for more significant investment in mentorship programs in Nigeria. This includes programs that can help to connect aspiring entrepreneurs and job seekers with experienced mentors, as well as training and support for mentors themselves.

In this article, we would be exploring how to find the right mentors to guide your journey as an African entrepreneur. You will also discover tips for building valuable relationships and mentorship networks.

WHY DO AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS NEED MENTORS?

Mentorship is critical in achieving success as an entrepreneur or job seeker in Nigeria. It provides guidance, support and encouragement to those starting their careers and and helps to build a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. 

One of the critical benefits of mentorship is that it can help to bridge the gap between education and employment. In Nigeria, many young people graduate from university or vocational training programs without the skills and experience needed to succed in the job market. A mentor can provide pratical guidance and advice on translating academic knowledge into real world skills and experience.

WHAT QUALITIES SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A MENTOR?

As a mentor you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the career and life of your mentee. But being a truly great mentor is about more than just having experience in the field. Certain qualities are key to fostering growth and change for both mentee and mentor. Qualities like a passion for learning for instance and a commitment to helping others achieve their best.

You are not just a role model and a leader, but you also have the knowledge and experience that others look up to and rely on for guidance. As a mentor, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the career and life of a mentee. But being a truly great mentor is about more than just having experience in the food. 

For any mentee who has been mentored successfully they would have noticed something special about their mentor. They were passionate about helping you reach your goals and discovering the best version of yourself. Great mentors don’t just provide advice, they genuinely care about the success of their mentees and are willing to go all out of their way to help them achieve it. 

Also “The best mentors are excellent listeners, extremely patient, and skilled at extracting  insights from conversations”. A good mentor understands the power of relationships, skilled mentors know the importance of networking, collaboration and relationship-building in achieving success and they use these tools to create a supportive environment for their mentees.

HOW YOU CAN BUILD A STRONG NETWORK TO CONNECT WITH MENTORS

Building a strong network and finding mentors is crucial for millennial entrepreneurs looking to overcome the challenges they face. The following tips will benefit you in building your network.

● Attending network events and industry conferences: This is a great way to meet like-minded individuals and industry experts who can become valuable mentors. These events provide opportunities to network with professionals  who have experience and knowledge in your field.

For example let’s say you are a millennial entrepreneur in the tech industry. Attending a tech conference, such as a developer conference or a startup summit can expose you to successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders who can provide guidance and support. 

● Join professional organizations and associations related to your industry can provide access to a network of professionals who share similar goals and challenges. For example if you’re an aspiring fashion entrepreneur, joining a fashion industry or a local business chamber can connect you with established fashion entrepreneurs who can offer valuable insights and guidance.

● Utilize online networking platforms: In today’s digital age, online networking platforms have become powerful tools for building connections and finding mentors to help you overcome challenges and accelerate your growth. 

HOW TO APPROACH A POTENTIAL MENTOR

So you’ve identified someone who could be a good career coach for you. If they’re someone who’s known in the industry, then chances are high that they will have a public-facing email address or a social media account where they can be reached easily. If not, see if there are other ways of getting in touch with them (maybe through mutual friends)

Next, find out about their availability. It’s important that both parties feel comfortable enough with each other so neither feels taken advantage of by agreeing upon one specific schedule while another might actually suit better.

Also as you are reaching out with your mentorship request, it’s important to set the standard of what the mentoring relationship will be like for both you and the mentor. Define the essentials, like your level of commitment what sort of communication you expect, set goals and allow space for questions. 

Once you have found a good mentor keeping in touch regularly is important. Be honest about how things are going for you and don’t be afraid to ask feedback and advice! The perfect mentor should be able to give valuable insight into how they overcame similar obstacles in their own career or what have worked differently for them. It’s this level of self-awareness that will help you thrive.

And don’t forget to express gratitude for the work they do for you. 

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO LEARN FROM INDUSTRY LEADERS

Attending conferences, workshops and seminars is an often overlooked form of professional development. Such opportunities allow you to step outside your daily routine, engage with others in your field and explore new ideas and perspectives. 

You are much likely to achieve a goal when you belong to a supportive, encouraging group of peers who meet regularly, provide progress updates, hold each other accountable and celebrate each others victories.

CONCLUSION

Mentorships can be a great way to advance along your career path, but only if you find the right mentor and approach them correctly. There are different types of mentors. Some are people who have been in your shoes, who have done what you are trying to do now, and may even have taken on similar roles. Others might be industry experts or thought leaders who have established themselves as authorities on a particular topic or skill set (for example, social media marketing).

Ultimately, however it’s important to remember that a mentor will help you reach your goals. If you feel like a mentorship is right for you, then go ahead and reach out, But don’t be discouraged if people turn down your mentoring request or don’t answer at all, it happens all the time.

You just need to keep looking and and reaching out to multiple mentors until someone agrees to work with you continuously. And this is how you would find the best mentor for you.