Why Every Successful Entrepreneur Has This Type of Mentor with Seth Buechley

God gives people experiences and gifts for the purpose of others, not just for themselves.
– Seth Buechley

Why Every Successful Entrepreneur Has This Type of Mentor | Behind the Scenes with Seth Buechley

This is a very special episode for me as I was able to sit down with my friend and mentor, Seth Buechley. You hear me talk a lot about the importance of the right mentor, but how does it even happen?

You don’t necessarily go out looking for a mentor, but there are ways to attract the right one when you are ready. With several multi-million companies under his belt, a consulting firm, and numerous entrepreneurial pursuits, Seth knows the importance of the mentor/mentee relationship.

Today you will learn what to look for in a mentor, how to find one, and what makes a mentor so different from a coach or guru.

Read the Full Show Notes Below…

For this episode of the CarrotCast, we sat down in the studio with my mentor, Seth Buechley, to discuss mentorship – how to find a mentor, how to be a mentor, and what you should look for when entering into a mentorship relationship.

What Is A Mentor?

There are several defining things that make up a mentor, differentiating them from a coach or guru. A mentor is someone you will have a personal relationship with. You will know them.

They will know you. And they will genuinely be rooting for your success. A guru is someone who is highly educated in a particular field, however, their message is to many, not personalized for you.

You may be able to learn a lot, but this is not a true mentor. A coach will know you, however, their role is usually to help you to reach a specific goal, not something long-term. A mentor is someone who will walk beside you through every up and down.

Why Do You Need a Mentor?

I know what I know, but I don’t know what I don’t know. Read that one again.

In life and in business, it is important to have outside insight. To have someone in your corner who truly loves you and who is rooting for your success. This is especially true if you are a first-generation entrepreneur.

As your business begins to grow, if you haven’t seen what a business should look like, then you don’t know what you don’t know. This is where a mentor becomes critical. Their unique experience can offer insight to help you see around the next corner.

How Do You Find a Mentor?

Seth was fortunate because he had a natural mentor in his father. But if you’re not as lucky, you’ll want to do a few key things to ensure you find the right person. You don’t go out, choose a mentor, and sign a mentorship agreement. It doesn’t happen that way.

Typically, it is a natural process that happens over time. When looking for a mentor, you should always be worthy. Remember this person’s time is valuable. Do not come across as needy. Instead, be ready to take the wisdom provided, and act upon it to take the next step.

In 2016, after losing his father and his business mentor, Phil, Seth found himself without a mentor. He met someone at a conference he liked and instead of coming off as a little strange in his approach, he hired him for a job. It wasn’t just about the job, it was about building context and a relationship.

What Should You Look for in a Mentor?

As Seth put it, don’t just write this down, get it tattooed on your arm. When you are looking for a mentor, you will need to think of these key things.

Your mentor should not only have wisdom but be willing to share. There are so many talented people out there who don’t realize that part of our job as human being is taking what we have learned, and sharing it with others who are walking a similar path.
You need to know each other. You should know them, and they should know you. They need to know your motivations, pitfalls, and what makes you tick.
They should love you. Not a squishy kind of love or one that expects something in return. Rather, they should genuinely care about you and want the best possible outcomes for you.
You and your mentor should have a basic alignment of values. While opposites can work together well, it can be hard to dig deeper when you have disagreements about fundamental beliefs.

The Importance of Mentoring Others

At our last CarrotCamp, when speaking to the group, Seth used a visual of a ladder. There was a person in the middle with a hand reaching up and the other reaching down. Buying into mentoring is buying into this idea that God gives people experiences and gifts for the purpose of others, not just for themselves.

When you are looking for a mentor, you are asking them to stop, and to care about you. Why shouldn’t you do the same? Everyone has something to offer someone else. Whether it be through book learning, business, or life experience.

If you don’t believe you can mentor, it is likely that you are either too self-absorbed to relinquish the time or you are self-deprecating, not believing you have something anyone would want. Either way, if you are looking for a mentor, start by finding out who you can go out and help.