The Small Business Mentors Every Business Owner Should Have
Building a movement is lonely business. You can scrap for wins, build systems, and hustle through the chaos—but the boldest founders all have one thing in common: They collect mentors who challenge, provoke, guide, and help them see what’s possible and what’s missing.
At Un_Standard, we believe in business mentoring for growth—real relationships, not just “networking.” Here’s who belongs in your movement’s corner.
The Blind Spot Spotter
You don’t need someone who’ll tell you what you want to hear—you need someone who sees what you’re missing.
Traits:
- Calls out your weak spots, biases, and pet projects.
- Asks the uncomfortable questions (“Are you sure this launches you forward?”)
- Celebrates your losses as much as your wins—because each has a lesson.
Un_Standard move: Run regular reviews with your Spotter after every quarter. Let them audit your priorities before you hit the launch button.
The Process Pro
Brilliant strategy dies in bad systems. A mentor who “gets” process will help you build workflows that don’t collapse under growth.
Traits:
- Obsesses over bottlenecks, handoffs, and execution.
- Has launched (and relaunches) companies, teams, or products—successfully and messily.
- Pushes for automation, clear accountability, and documented playbooks.
Un_Standard move: After every major failure, bring your Process Pro in for a clarity sprint retrospective. Build a movement-ready plan, not just a patched system.
From Idea to Growth
The Story & Strategy Challenger
Your narrative is only as strong as its ability to withstand skepticism.
Traits:
- Asks, “Why now?” and “Why you?” until you go beyond surface answers.
- Can sniff out a “me-too” pitch a mile away.
- Helps you turn brand mush into a rallying cry.
Un_Standard move: Have them grill your About Us, elevator, and mission statements every quarter. Pitch your story to them first, not investors.
The Revenue Rainmaker
Everyone needs a mentor who knows sales, customer development, or how to bring dollars through the door.
Traits:
- Prioritizes bottom line, scaling focus, and how to pivot pricing when markets shift.
- Pushes you to deliver value before you ask for commitment.
Un_Standard move: Align your biggest project goals with the Rainmaker’s input before launch—they’ll find gaps in your profit plan, guaranteed.
The Radical Contrarian
The right contrarian shakes you out of your comfort zone.
Traits:
- Deeply curious, never settled
- Blunt with feedback, creative with solutions
- Challenges every “best practice” without apology
Un_Standard move: Invite a Contrarian to review your quarterly roadmap; let them kill your weakest project. Often, what you’re most afraid to cut is what’s most holding you back.
How to Build (and Work With) Your Mentors
- Stay open: Mentor relationships die under ego and defensiveness.
- Schedule honesty: Ritualize feedback and truth-telling—don’t just ask in crisis.
- Connect movement to impact: Align your biggest initiatives and innovation sprints with your mentors’ brutally honest wisdom.
Mentorship Isn’t a Shortcut. It’s Your Edge.
Template mentors—like template strategies—won’t move you. But when you build your Un_Standard board of advisors, you’re building growth on clarity, creativity, and connection.
Ready to surround yourself with the best minds for your next level?
Book a Movement Mentorship Audit With Un_Standard →
You might also like
David Garrard
Agent Provocateur & Chief Creative Officer at Un_Standard. David helps ambitious brands unearth clarity, break the rules that hold them back, and co-create movement-level growth. When not challenging the status quo, he’s in the kitchen inventing new flavors or chasing after his three cats: Hallie Tosis, Lester Een, and Jim G. Vitis. #BeUnStandard
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.