Running your own business is an incredibly rewarding experience. It can, however, also be a very overwhelming journey! For any small business owner, the guidance and support of a mentor are invaluable and can transform your business. Here, I’ll explore how to access powerful small business mentoring in Scotland from a range of sources.
Scottish Business Mentoring through Scottish Chambers of Commerce
- Where? Scotland wide
- Who? Established Scottish businesses with a “steady turnover”
- Cost? Free
Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Network operate “Scotland’s largest peer-to-peer business mentoring support network”. Aimed at growing businesses and social enterprises, they have helped over 10,000 businesses so far. With a pool of 950 mentors available across the country, Scottish Business Mentoring is a great option. The service is open to any established Scottish businesses and social enterprises with a steady turnover. They report fantastic results for a range of companies across a variety of industries, from web development to environmental consultancy. Their aim is to provide a confidential sounding board, and therefore offer honest, encouraging advice, to help “unlock your business potential.”
Business Gateway’s Business Mentoring Scheme
- Where? Scotland-wide, but search your local area on their website
- Who? Available to any ambitious businessman or woman
- Cost? Free (subject to availability)
Business Gateway has a fantastic Mentoring scheme, which is free, though subject to availability. This service is run through a partnership between Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce. They match “experienced mentors with ambitious businessmen and women”, and mentors give their time to the project freely. You can meet with your mentor for a couple of hours each month for a chat or call them for additional support. Organisations that have taken advantage of this scheme have reported increased success. For example, many have documented increases in productivity, turnover and employee numbers. In addition to one-to-one mentoring, the Business Gateway service also offers the option for group mentoring. Here, eight to ten companies meet with a mentor together to share their experiences.
King’s Trust Support for Starting a Business
- Where? Scotland wide
- Who? 18 to 30-year-olds
- Cost? Free
Aged 18-30? The King’s Trust “Support for Starting a Business” scheme has helped over 91,000 young people start their own businesses in the UK. The Enterprise Programme is application-based, but if accepted, you will be matched with a suitable mentor for up to three years. Both online and in-person mentoring is available to help support you as you develop the business and even help you apply for funding.
Creative Edinburgh
- Where? Edinburgh
- Who? Creatives seeking guidance, advice and expertise in their respective creative fields
- Cost? £150
Creative Edinburgh‘s mentorship scheme is open to members – you can join for free! The programme costs £150, with a £135 concession for low-income applicants, and 30% discount for Creative Edinburgh Plus Members (which is a £30 a year membership). You’ll be matched with a suitable mentor and receive five mentoring sessions across five months. This mentoring is designed to boost confidence and unlock your potential by matching you with a mentor who understands the unique challenges of your creative field.
RBS Entrepreneur Accelerator
- Where? Glasgow and Edinburgh
- Who? Application is open to any small business owners with a vision
- Cost? Free as part of the accelerator programme
Royal Bank of Scotland’s Entrepreneur Accelerator is an excellent opportunity for small businesses looking to grow and expand. With bases in Glasgow and Edinburgh, this programme is free to apply to. You can sign up via their app, and you will gain access to their online community, in-person hubs and amazing business networking and mentoring. This community gives you “access to experienced coaches and mentors to provide you with confidence or ask those challenging questions”.
GrowBiz
- Where? Online/Remote
- Who? Businesses based in Perthshire and Rural Scotland
- Cost? Free
GrowBiz is a fantastic mentoring scheme aimed at small business owners in Perthshire and other parts of rural Scotland. If you are based in these areas, be sure to check them out. GrowBiz has already helped over 2300 individuals, 700 of whom were pre-start-up!
The GrowBiz format is a combination of 1-1 support, peer learning, mentoring and networking. With a community-based support network and a passion for local communities, the work they do is really incredible.
Digital Boost
- Where? Nationwide and online
- Who? Small business owners looking to build and grow a business
- Cost? Free
Digital Boost have helped over 36,000 small organisations to date, through their 1:1 mentoring, events and peer learning. With over 5,000 mentors working alongside them, they aim to “deliver social impact and see small businesses thrive”.
They work with a mix of corporate partners, national and local governments, and community partners, helping business owners start new ventures, get their head around digital strategies and grow their sales. It’s a free service, and by putting in your postcode and choosing an area (e.g., strategy, sales or e-commerce) you’ll be matched with relevant local mentors.
Entrepreneurial Scotland’s “The Mentor Hour”
- Where? Online
- Who? Any business owner can register
- Cost? Free but subject to availability – register your interest
This initiative from Entrepreneurial Scotland is a great opportunity for a one-off chat with an experienced business owner. The aim? “To connect business leaders seeking guidance and experience with senior business figures from around Scotland and internationally.”
Register your interest at The Mentor Hour website and, if successful, you’ll be matched with a mentor based on your profile and needs! If you aren’t successful in the first month, your interest will be carried over to the next month, so it’s worth having a go.
Over to you: Next steps
Because you are in charge of everything, being a small business owner often means being a bit of a jack of all trades! Running all sides of the business can also lead to a lot of solo decision-making moments.
A mentor can help take some of that pressure off, by giving you expert advice and someone to bounce ideas off. That kind of support is invaluable and, as a result, can help your business grow in a sustainable way.
I hope that, amongst the options above, you’ll find small business mentoring in Scotland that works for you and your business! And who knows what the future holds? Further down the track, you could find yourself taking on the baton and becoming a mentor to someone else!
KEEP READING:
To read more about this topic, have a look at these:
Where to Get Small Business Support in Edinburgh
Small Business Events to Attend in the UK in 2024
Small Business Grants and Funding in Scotland
6 Things to Consider Before Growing Your Small Business
