Last month, I said that 2018 would be the year of the expert for me so I’m highlighting the importance of seeking out (and actually listening to) people with expertise and experience as a business owner. To keep the advice going, I’m sharing with you the results from the Mentorship Roadshow “lightning round.” Each of the 11 mentors who attended summed up their wisdom for the group. I share tips from four of the fabulous women who took time from their busy schedules to help other entrepreneurs accelerate their growth.

  • Renee Lewis from Pensare Group, which creates strategies for growth that are repeatable and predictable, urged aspiring entrepreneurs to do their market research. “If you haven’t talked to 100 people about what it is you’re trying to do, you haven’t done enough yet. Begin to use the words that people use. They will tell you the need, you just need to know the solution.”
  • Faye Coleman of FEC Enterprises started and sold a government contracting consulting company and gave advice to entrepreneurs thinking about their exit strategy. Faye said, “Surround yourself with people who are your advocates and supporters. Stay true to the reason why you started your company in the first place.”
  • Kim Bryden of cureate, which connects large and small businesses so dollars circulate in the community, sounded the rallying cry for women buying from women. We should be buying from each other – it’s important for us to have a transition of wealth with one another. She also encouraged entrepreneurs to identify their micro-communities. “Find out who are those 2-3 archetype personas that you’re going to go after.”
  • Julia Westfall, CEO of Hera Hub DC and co-host of the Mentorship Roadshow echoed Faye’s advice about building a community to support you, which is no surprise since Hera Hub is dedicated to providing a supportive community for women. She also gave advice about finding your customer in the vein of Renee and Kim. You are not your customer.

I hope these are useful to you and that you will stay tuned for more tips from my co-hosts, Monica Kang and Julia Westfall. I will link to their blogs in the coming weeks for their perspective on the event and to multiply the effect of their mentorship!