I am starting up a business and would like to get the assistance of a mentor. However, it seems that every programme I investigate simply costs a fortune. While I understand the need to charge for services (since this is the business I am in) it becomes very difficult to fund a start-up AND pay a mentorship fee. Please assist?
Good question and a real conundrum. In South Africa in particular, great strides have been made in start-up and small business support – at least from an activity perspective.
There are a wide range of service providers currently offering a variety of support services to start-up and existing small enterprises. One proviso in this regard however, is that given South Africa’s apartheid legacy, the majority of this support is geared toward black-owned enterprises.
Given your expressed frustration, though, I can only assume that this is not the case for you and your business.
In this instance, I would instead advise you to take a careful look around your social and business networks, where you are sure to know someone who runs their own business. One thing I do know about small business owners, having been one myself, is that they love to share from their experiences, and tell their stories. In fact, most of the time small business owners don’t even need an invitation to do so. Ask anyone married to one!
My advice would be to plug your own networks in search of a mentor or free ‘over a cup of coffee’ advice on a monthly basis.
Mentorship providers
In case you’re still stuck, consider the following four service providers for mentorship support to business owners.
Business Partners.
Business finance, property finance & mentorship, tel +27 11 713 6600 or email enquiries@businesspartners.co.za. For more information visit Business Partners.
Raizcorp.
Incubator, mentorship, financing and investment, business support, tel+27 11 5 662 000 or email enquiries-kv@raizcorp.com. For more information visit Raizcorp.
Aurik.
Incubator, business enterprise support (mentorship), tel +27 (0)11 447 5575 or email enquiries@aurik.co.za or pavlo@aurik.co.za. Visit Aurik for more information.
The Hope Factory.
Mentorship and training of potential black entrepreneurs, tel +27 (0)11 479 0608 or email chenaik@saica.co.za or visit The Hope Factory.