When starting a new business, you are sure to encounter a multitude of questions. Although there are resources out there that can give you basic answers, you really need guidance from someone that has been in your shoes. You need someone that can help you develop and grow your business to the level you desire.

Here are five reasons that you really need to have a business mentor.

1. Avoid Big Blunders

Mistakes are in fact a great way to learn, but some mistakes are costly and time-consuming. A good business mentor will take a good look at your business plan and help you avoid making some of the same mistakes that possibly he/she made when they started their business.

2. Help with Business Structuring and Plan

Although business owners put a great deal of time and effort in starting their businesses, many of them don’t spend nearly enough time figuring out the exact structure of their business. The business structure is just as important as the operations, and a good mentor will help you put your business plan into action as well as giving you guidance on the proper structure.

3. Future Success

Having a good mentor can help guide your thoughts in a better direction. For example, maybe you were thinking in terms of a few thousand a year in profits. Mentors will help change your way of thinking and encourage you to think big. They can help you think ahead in terms of where you want to be ten years from now.

Like anyone else, you want your cut of success. You don’t want to dream it; you want to live it. That is why a good business mentor is crucial to the future success of your business.

4. Selecting Team Members – Hiring Employees

Hiring the right people for your business is a huge determining factor for your business success or failure. Mentors can help you determine who is best for your company and help you build a winning team. You want people that will be team players, and you, as the business owner need to provide the inspiration for your team in order for them to help your business succeed.

5. Real World Experience

Let’s face it, you can have any college degree you want and pass just about any test on any subject given. You earned your degree and you know what you have learned, but do you have experience in the real world? If you are new to business and haven’t ever owned or managed a business, you are in for a real treat.

Although you have the basic education needed to start your business, you need someone with real world experience. A good mentor will have just that. They will share their experiences with you and help you develop and grow your business based on a plan that has worked for them and others in the real world.

Finding the right mentor for your business will give you the basis to start on and will help you meet your business goals.