Texas Border Business
By Angela R. Burton, District Director, SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District
January is not only the start of a new year but it’s also National Mentoring Month. According to Inc. magazine, engaging a mentor is a must for entrepreneurs… John C. Maxwell once said, “One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.”
Personally, I’ve had wonderful mentors throughout the years…those mentors found ways to inspire professional growth and encourage me to keep going. They’ve also acted as a sounding board to bounce ideas off of and helped me build my invaluable business network.
On the other hand, I have found myself mentoring others. I love to share skills, knowledge, and expertise. I believe a mentor should be non-judgmental and because of my military background, I believe others are motivated by a mentor/leader who sets a good example. I also believe a mentor provides guidance and takes a personal interest.
The SBA recognizes that supporting entrepreneurship is a team effort. That’s why SBA deploys a resource partner network to offer free or low-cost mentoring, counseling, and training to help budding entrepreneurs start, grow, expand and recover.
One of those resource partners is SCORE. SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, they have provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs.
With SCORE, entrepreneurs are not alone on their business journey.
Both you and your mentor will work together to identify key areas to focus on to build your business success. Your mentor will act as an accountability partner, providing you with the guidance and resources you need to take the next steps toward advancing your business.
SCORE mentors assisted Brian and Mary Schalk owners of Grace Heritage Ranch in Lyford, Texas. Brian initially reached out to the SBA and attended several workshops which were followed up with a referral to a SCORE mentor. Brian received advice on market research and focused on taking many of SCORE’s online courses. With mentoring and information, the Schalk’s were able to expand their rural agri-tourism business.
If your new year plans include starting or growing a business, I highly recommend visiting www.score.org. At this website, visitors can request a mentor from the two SCORE chapters in the Lower Rio Grande Valley District by entering your zip code or a mentor/expert can be assigned that’s ideal for your business needs. Mentoring is at no cost and entrepreneurs can meet with one or several mentors via email, video chat or face-to-face at the local chapter.
If you are interested in learning more about SCORE and volunteering as a business mentor, instructor or administrator please visit www.score.org or contact the SCORE RGV at 956.453.8832 for the Rio Grande Valley or SCORE Corpus Christi at 361.879.0017 for the Coastal Bend area.
The word “mentor” came from ancient Greece literature. In Homer’s epic The Odyssey, Odysseus was away fighting for 20 years. During his absence, Telemachus, the son he left as a baby, grew up under the supervision of Mentor, an old and trusted friend. When the goddess Athena decided it was time to complete the education of young Telemachus, she visited him disguised as Mentor and they set out together to learn about his father. Today, we use the word mentor for anyone who is a positive, guiding influence in another person’s life. With our many small business programs, SBA strives to be that positive guiding force during your entrepreneurial journey.
