Where have all the mentors gone?

Us entrepreneurs are interesting beasts.  Full of our own ideas and thrust to put things into action, but for many of us there is a bit of a hole that needs filling. 
As many a Sir David Attenborough programme will tell you, so many other species in this world learn from those that have done it before, nearly always a parent, but occassionally a wily ally or two.  How to swim, how to fly, how to dig yourself a den, how to defend it, and how to live to fight another day.
And so it's also the case with entrepreneurs, there are so many places and people to go to for advice and help.  So much so that it can rapidly become white noise.  Particularly over the past few years as the government and authorities have understood that enterprise is central to the prospects of our great town/region and country.  Certainly I myself have benefitted from advice when I was starting up, much of it though, I have to say, pitched at such a low level that I left never to return.  Indeed, one advisor sat and listened to me outline my plans, produce marketing plans and other strategies and could do nothing except to ask why I had even asked to see them. Such was level of detail I had already been involved in.  But I would wholly defend these types of agencies and the work they do in dispensing advice and helping each and every person looking to start a business.

But what about those of us who are looking for a mentor? Someone who really has been there and done it, someone who you can approach with an idea or a query relating to your business. Someone who sits outside of these local advisors and isn't restrained by targets to increase jobs/businesses in the local area.  What about those mentors who really have taken a start up business and taken it national, or understand the 'think big' mentality, but also know the very practical pitfalls. Those that have thought big and made it happen, where are they?  I guess I'm talking about someone you can pick the phone up to and ask for advice.

And how does someone like me get to speak to them, meet them and be mentored by them?

I confess I don't know the answer to that. Perhaps it is different for everyone.  But I am one of those people who likes to learn from others, and likes to bounce ideas off.

As someone pointed out to me, the ideal mentor is someone that you respect in business and someone you can create a clear structure of support with.  I agree with that, There has to be both of those things in order to really benefit both parties.  As someone who has done a little mentoring myself I know that I as the mentor feel more fulfilled when I'm learning as well.

After all when the tiger cub is taught how to run, catch and eat it isn't kept close.  It is sent out into the big wide world to fend for itself - but always with some valuable lessons and advice.