Me, myself and Jude – Why every entrepreneur needs a mentor

Starting a business is one of the scariest and most exciting things you’ll ever do in your life.

If you can take the constant worry of wondering whether you’re going to make enough money each month, matched with the amazing high you feel each time someone pays for your products or services, then being an entrepreneur is the right path for you.

It can be a lonely road at times, so make sure you embrace a little Americanised ‘woo woo’ and get some positivity into your life!

My business is three months old and I’ve already experienced all of the above, so my positivity comes in the shape of Jude – a wonderful coach, mentor and friend. She was my boss back in the day when we were slaves to the same corporate giant, and we quickly bonded over the daily trials and tribulations of the workplace.

She’s intelligent, articulate, funny and swears like a trooper. She has an uncanny knack of making you think about things in a completely different and upbeat way, which is kind of annoying when you’re in the mood to wallow in self-pity.

She escaped the machine first and went on to start her own consultancy business. It was the nudge I needed to start wondering if that possibility was also open to me, With a lot of gentle encouragement from her along the way, I followed eight months later and started ThatCopyGirl.com a food, drink and lifestyle copywriting business. 

Since then, I’ve regularly checked in with Jude for business advice, honesty, and a healthy dose of reality.

We have some of our best chats when we’re out walking her dog, with literal time and space to think aloud. In the early days, I shared my fears about not yet having a regular set of clients in place, and Jude sensibly pointed out that I’d only been in business for three weeks!

Talking through ideas and situations with someone more experienced in business can be a lifeline at times. You can ask the questions that you feel you’re already ‘supposed to know’ like how to pick a trustworthy accountant, write a contract, or where to get business insurance from.

Choosing a business mentor that can provide both practical advice and positive vibes can make a huge difference to your mindset. Worries and hurdles that seem impossible to navigate are picked apart until they’re a manageable size.

And of course, the celebrations are twice as loud and doubly proud when you share your successes with the person that helped you to achieve them. Every entrepreneur needs a positive business role model in his or her life – who is yours?

Charlotte Moore followed her passion to become a freelance copywriter, specialising in food, drink and lifestyle brands at www.thatcopygirl.com She shares her love for being a vegan-curious foodie by writing a blog www.lottielovesfood.com, and is always planning her next holiday to the US with partner David.

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