For the overworked entrepreneur and startup founder, mentorship can be a great way to get extra help with your startup. Some of the best mentors are other entrepreneurs who have been where you’re trying to go. But finding a good mentor isn’t always easy.

Now, let us first explore the term entrepreneur mentorship.

What’s an entrepreneur mentorship?

Mentorship is a relationship between two people — in this case, a mentor and a mentee. The mentee gets advice from the mentor on how to improve his or her business, and in return, the mentee helps the mentor by sharing information or ideas.

The word “mentor” has often been used in business settings as shorthand for someone who gives advice or guidance. Entrepreneurial mentorships take that idea one step further by providing a structured relationship between someone who is already established in business and someone who is just getting started. Mentorships can be useful to both parties: An experienced entrepreneur might find it helpful to have someone else look at some of his or her ideas and help identify areas that could use improvement. Someone who is just starting out has access to valuable insights from someone with more experience

Here are some tips to find an entrepreneurial mentor.

#1 Target your search

Choose someone who already has what you want. If your goal is to find a mentor who will help you grow an international business, don’t waste time with someone who only operates locally. If you’re a first-time entrepreneur looking for guidance on how to manage cash flow, find someone who has experience in this area.

#2 Tailor your query

Once you have your goals firmly in mind, tailor your approach so that it best fits your mentoring needs. For example, if you’re trying to get in touch with a public figure and his or her assistant is screening emails, consider sending a letter addressed directly to the individual. Or if your intended mentor is someone who is involved in many projects, consider offering a short proposal or outline of topics or questions that might be useful to the person.

Know what kind of mentor you need. Think about the role a mentor plays in your life — coach, cheerleader, or adviser. Do you need someone to permit you to take risks? Are you looking for feedback on a specific issue? Do you need guidance when it comes to hiring? Does someone have contacts that could be helpful as your business grows? Think through your needs and know

#3 Ask around

Talk to people in your network — family members, friends and acquaintances — about who they know that has started a business or who is currently running a successful one. If they can’t point you toward someone they personally know, ask if they belong to any clubs or professional organizations where they might be able to make some introductions. If these efforts don’t turn up anyone, broaden your search by searching online for local entrepreneurship or business organizations that offer mentorship programs or match mentors with aspiring entrepreneurs.

Asking for help might feel intimidating at first, but it could prove very beneficial in the long run especially if you’re just getting started with your business idea or trying to gain traction