About Mentor

Great ideas and a creative mind is not enough to ensure the long term survival of the average new business when four in ten businesses stop trading within their first three years.

Darren Connolly set up mentor with the aim of providing advice and business mentoring for new businesses, making the process as simple and stress free as possible.

"There is a lot of good advice out there from a number of different sources but it tends to be piecemeal and not how and when you want it. Mentor is all about making your vision a reality by working with you every step of the way"

Dreaming of a new business?

Many people like you stop themselves setting up a new business when it has been a dream for a number of years. You may have the necessary skills and resources to make a success of setting up a new business, but there are just too many unanswered questions and risks involved.

“I just don’t have the time, energy or experience.”
“I want financial security so it’s just too risky.”
“I would find it lonely not being around work colleagues.”
"I don't know how to run a business"
“I don’t want to fail”

It’s you, your business, and the market place.

With so many questions and so few apparent answers it is not surprising that many people do not follow their dream of setting up a new business. Where do I begin? The good news is that setting up a new business is not rocket science. Many entrepreneurs have established successful businesses with far less ability and know how than you!

There are three key elements to new business: you, your business, and the market place. With these three recognisable parts identified, we can then start the process of breaking them down, undertaking research and carrying out analysis. When you know what obstacles are ahead of you, it is much easier to prepare for the journey. Then each of your fears can be addressed in turn.

Follow the foot steps in the sand.

Uncertainty and risk usually mould two types of person that are faced with the potential for new business, those that freeze and ignore the opportunity, and those that dive head first into the venture with no clear direction.

The good news is you are not the first person to set up in business, many people have failed but there are many examples of businesses that have succeeded against apparently insurmountable odds. We can learn from those that have been there before, learn from their mistakes and successes and prepare for your own personal journey.

Why not just go it alone?

Even the most experienced and successful entrepreneurs will tell you that they would have preferred an easier ride along the way, they would have benefited from outside help. They would have benefited from another person to listen to their thoughts and emotions, someone to bounce ideas off, motivate and support them.

According to Chris West, co-author of the acclaimed The Beermat Entrepreneur, "Would-be entrepreneurs need an elevator pitch, a first customer and a mentor. It's that important."

What can mentor offer my business?

Project Management

Mentor has a very pragmatic approach to new business. From research to planning to implementation, we take you step by step through the process of setting up a business.

Mentor has a unique way of collaboratively working online so that you can stay in control of your project no matter where you are in the world. It could also be an ideal method to plan and set up your business without having to leave your existing job.

Experience

You can utilise your mentor's experience of setting up a number of different businesses from a wide variety of industry sectors.

Business partner

Because we intend to build long terms relationships, mentor will take the time to get to know you and your business from day one.

Business contacts

Let your mentor do the leg work in contacting and liasing with people and businesses so you can concentrate on your core business.

Researcher

Many businesses do not have the time to research and source valuable information, where necessary your mentor can do this for you.

Moral support

Your mentor will be there to offer support when you need to share ideas, aspirations and fears.