Have you ever had a great idea for a business but didn't know how to construct that vision? Many people have dreams of starting or running their own business but don't have the knowledge or experience to do it on their own. That's where the right business mentor comes in.

Successful Entrepreneurial Coach Josh Griz: Nine Reasons
Successful Entrepreneurial Coach Josh Griz: Nine Reasons Why Every Business Owner Needs A Mentor Josh Griz

Let's start with a fun fact. Did you know who mentored Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg? Steve Jobs. What about Bill Gates? Did he achieve everything all by himself? No, he didn't. And guess who his mentor was — the evergreen Warren Buffet.

So, when it comes to growing a business, having a mentor can be invaluable. A good mentor can help you avoid common mistakes, advise you on what works and what doesn't, and help point you in the right direction. But with so many different types of mentors out there, it can be tricky to find the right mentor for your business.

Not every leader is a visionary mentor. The right mentor will help you choose attainable goals and give you the tools to see that goal come to life. Here's how to start looking for the right mentor for you and your business.

1. Evaluate your requirements.

The path to finding a business mentor is not easy, but the rewards are worth it. Making the decision to find a business mentor is an important first step. Take some time to think through what type of guidance and personality will work best with your style so that you can be successful. What kind of person do you respect? Who will keep you inspired along the way?

2. Prioritize the qualities of your mentor.

There are many qualities that make up a good mentor, but there is one thing they all have in common: the desire to help you succeed. A successful person with experience and knowledge of your industry and business will be able to offer guidance on how best to achieve personal and professional goals while also being genuine about their concerns about what's going right or wrong.

3. Source mentoring recommendations.

When you're looking for a mentor, there are plenty of resources that can help. You could contact your industry trade association or even just get someone's advice on who might be good at helping with your business needs — whatever suits your personality best.

4. Focus on building relationships.

Building relationships is the key to success. We all have different networks of friends, family members and colleagues who can help us get ahead in business. Investing your energy into building connections with other businesses will ensure you have a group of people around you to give you sound advice in your decision-making process.

5. Build a solid relationship and get ready to learn.

Mentorship is a long-term investment that you should be thinking about now. Be mindful of your mentor's time, show gratitude for what they have done already and find ways to add value to make an impact on their life and yours. Around 90% of SMBs agree that mentors directly impact their success and growth.

6. Consider their area of expertise.

Not all mentors are created equal, so you want to make sure that you find someone knowledgeable and experienced in the field you're looking to grow in. If you own a bakery, a mentor in the construction industry may not be the best decision.

7. Remember, value-based decision-making is important.

I was on the fence for a long time about whether or not I should hire a mentor to help me take my business to the next level. I was listening to a speaker at a business conference, and something he said changed my life forever: "How can you expect people to pay you money to mentor them when you won't even hire a mentor for yourself?" Those words burned in my chest like hot lava. I hired a business mentor the next week.

In my experience, it's essential to be open-minded about the type of mentor you want. You might find that your needs, vision and goals change over time, and so should your mentors at each stage of your business career. So be flexible, keep revisiting your business goals and objectives and keep in mind that you may need to change or take the guidance of more than one mentor in the future.

8. Prioritize clear communication and trust.

Communication is the backbone of any successful relationship. It's important for mentors and mentees to be able to communicate with each other so that mentoring sessions can go off without a hitch. Always look for a mentor who is trustworthy, clear and extremely effective at communicating. Lack of trust and effective communication will only increase frustration, quickly followed by disappointment, which may lead to discouraging feelings and even business setbacks.

9. Consider the success stories of potential mentors.

One of the best ways to find a mentor is by looking at their success stories. Can you name any businesses that they ran? What was the reasoning behind why those ventures were successful, and what lessons do you think will be learned from them for your future business endeavors?

It is up to you to do the research and implement everything you learn into your business. You should never expect the mentor you work with to do the work for you. Your mind should be set on learning, implementing and picking up every single win along the way.

In the words famously attributed to John Wooden, "Delayed gratification is a virtue." It's not about finding a mentor quickly but rather finding someone who can help guide your business and professional journey.