National Women's Small Business Month: Mentoring Tips for Women in Small Business

Celebrating National Women's Small Business Month with Practical Mentorship Tips

October is National Women's Small Business Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs and business leaders, and to spotlight the strategies that help small businesses thrive. One of the most powerful tools for growth and success is mentorship.

Whether you are a small business owner guiding the next generation of leaders or an employee seeking support, being a small business mentor for women means providing the guidance, confidence, and connections that help women advance in business. In this article, we explore practical mentorship tips for women in small businesses—both for those offering mentorship and for those seeking it.

The Power of Mentorship in Women-Owned Small Businesses

Mentorship is more than just giving advice. For women small business leaders, mentoring employees helps build stronger teams, foster loyalty, and encourage innovation. For employees, having a small business mentor can provide critical support in navigating challenges, identifying growth opportunities, and building career confidence.

Women who are mentored may be more likely to stay in their careers, pursue leadership roles, and achieve professional goals. In small businesses where resources are often limited, mentorship can be the difference between employees feeling stagnant or empowered to grow boldly.

Tips for Women Leaders Serving as Small Business Mentors

If you're a business owner or manager, your guidance can have a lasting impact. Mentoring women can help advance female leadership. Here are some ways to make your mentorship more effective:

Start with Intentional Connection

Begin every mentoring conversation with a check-in. Ask how your mentee is doing and what's on her mind. Building trust through showing care creates the foundation for a meaningful relationship.

Focus on Goal-Setting and Growth

Help mentees define career goals, whether short-term skill-building or long-term leadership aspirations. Encourage them to break goals into actionable steps.

Share Real Stories and Lessons Learned

Don't just highlight successes—share the setbacks, too. Your transparency about challenges can make your advice more relatable and actionable.

Encourage Skill Development

Recommend resources such as books, podcasts, training programs, or industry groups. Pointing mentees toward opportunities helps build their confidence and capability.

Be a Champion and Advocate

True mentorship goes beyond advice. Look for ways to sponsor your mentees—introducing them to key connections, recommending them for projects, or providing visibility within your business community. Help your mentee learn how to share the impact of her achievements, including identifying the right audience and timing.

Tips for Women Employees Seeking Mentorship from Small Business Mentors

For employees, finding and working with a mentor can accelerate growth. These tips can help you make the most of the mentor relationship:

Be Proactive in Seeking Guidance

Mentors won't always come to you. Reach out to leaders you admire, even outside your immediate team.

Come Prepared with Goals or Questions

Value your mentor's time by knowing what you'd like to achieve—whether it's career advice, skill development, or workplace navigation.

Be Open to Feedback

Mentorship works best when you're receptive to honest insights. Treat feedback as an opportunity to grow, not as criticism.

Follow Through and Stay Accountable

Show your commitment by acting on the advice you receive. Progress builds momentum and strengthens trust.

Think Beyond One Mentor

Consider building a network of mentors. One may guide you on leadership skills, another on technical knowledge, and another on balancing work and life. This "board of advisors" approach can provide well-rounded support and create a more robust network of connections.

Making Mentorship a Two-Way Street

Mentorship isn't just top-down. While mentors share wisdom, mentees often bring fresh perspectives, new skills, and awareness of emerging trends. Women business leaders who embrace this two-way learning model could find themselves reinvigorated by the energy and ideas of their mentees.

For small businesses, this reciprocity supports innovation and adaptability—qualities that help women-owned small businesses grow and compete in dynamic markets.

Practical Steps to Foster Mentorship in Your Small Business

Even without a formal program, small businesses can create an environment where mentorship thrives. A few ideas include:

• Set up monthly coffee chats or peer circles where employees can share challenges and advice.
• Pair new hires with experienced employees to help them onboard and learn faster.
• Create visibility for mentorship success stories by sharing them in newsletters or team meetings.
• Encourage reverse mentoring where younger employees share knowledge about new tools, technology, or market trends.

These practices not only help strengthen small business mentor relationships but also help reinforce a culture of collaboration, transparency, and support.

Conclusion: Grow Boldly Together

During National Women's Small Business Month, we honor the resilience and leadership of women entrepreneurs and women business leaders. One of the best ways to sustain that success is through mentorship. Whether you are guiding others or seeking guidance yourself, the lessons shared and connections built can help shape careers and strengthen small businesses.

This October, try committing to starting—or deepening—at least one mentoring relationship. In doing so, you'll not only help advance women in business but also contribute to building stronger workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Acrisure is proud to celebrate National Women's Small Business Month. Please take a moment to read valuable insights we've gathered from women leaders who mean business.

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