Startups Anonymous Est. 2013 · Read-only archive
Questions

Overwhelmed: looking for a mentor

I am an entrepreneur based in Gaborone, Botswana (Yes in Africa). I have only recently found this website and it has been a Godsend. I didn’t know that as entrepreneurs we go through almost the same experiences in business no matter what part of the world you are in, so that’s really reassuring. In business as an owner, you often feel very lonely as everyone else depends on you, you have to be the strong one basically and as such you end up finding it very difficult to speak honestly/ openly with anyone for fear of being judged or people finding out that it’s not as rosy as it appears to be. So my question is, is there anybody out there, preferably older (I am 28), with lots of year in business, self-made who wouldn’t mind being my mentor of sorts, or at least just someone I could talk to from time to time when I am feeling overwhelmed by it all. Someone I can be open with and who can offer advice, I don’t need anything just advice from time to time.

I realize that this may not be the best place to put such a request, but I want to find someone who has gone through difficulty in business but managed to find their way out and is now successful in business.

Moderators note: We wouldn’t normally post requests such as this, however we thought this might lead to a greater discussion about ways to connect outside of SA. 

2 answers from the community

AAnonymous· Apr 15, 2015

I would like very much to help you. I am a entrepreneur myself. I started, operated and successfully sold 6 businesses. I am a woman now in my 70s and do volunteer work with Renaissance Entreprenreurship Center in San Francisco. I started my first business with no money and learned how to stitch together a successful company. I also had two small children to support.

I also am a believer in "visioning" what you want to create.

If you sit and worry you will create exactly what you worry about. (And what you don't want)

I sell workbooks for visioning using Steve Jobs as a role model. You can visit my website www.fearlessvisionproject.com and my email is lynne@ fearlessvisionproject.com.

AAnonymous· Apr 16, 2015

Hey there! Glad to hear from another African entrepreneur, especially a Motswana (most I know are from other regions). Are you on facebook? Email me 1dd1926a at opayq dot com Then I can invite you to a private FB group for African entrepreneurs (including some in the diaspora).