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2 PhDs (one of them also has MBA) and I are working on a project ("stealth mode") based on an idea from one of them (which I think is brilliant otherwise I wouldn't have spent time and efforts on...).
Tho all three of us are entrepreneurial and have had various degrees of experience in the startup scene,
they are essentially from and in the academic space... both of them are professors at a well known university...
thus, I feel I could really learn business execution skills from some successful business people who have been there, done that.
SCORE would be one way to find such a mentor but I'd love to explore more options. fyi, I'm in sw Virginia.
2 PhDs (one of them also has MBA) and I are working on a project ("stealth mode") based on an idea from one of them (which I think is brilliant otherwise I wouldn't have spent time and efforts on...).
Tho all three of us are entrepreneurial and have had various degrees of experience in the startup scene,
they are essentially from and in the academic space... both of them are professors at a well known university...
thus, I feel I could really learn business execution skills from some successful business people who have been there, done that.
SCORE would be one way to find such a mentor but I'd love to explore more options. fyi, I'm in sw Virginia.
If that's too far removed, plug your request into a search engine to find an org. closer. Also contact your local Chamber of Commerce. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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SBDC is another step above SCORE. They have a wealth of research reports available. Very specific and tailored to your customers and competition in your neighborhood / market reach.
I would also find a retired competitor and take them to lunch (often).
Apart from cooks / food businesses, I have found no greater barrier to success than academic based PhD's. (They know it all, and fall flat on their face when trying to WORK outside their own kingdoms). Be aware and add creativity and fun to your business.
Location: Formerly Pleasanton Ca, now in Marietta Ga
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The biggest thing is make sure you offer them something. I see too often people asking for mentors to take them by the hand and lead them to success. Why would a mentor do this? It's just more work for them. Now if you offered a job skill or something that benefits them, you have a much better chance.
@juneaubound, thank you for the info, indeed VT is just an hour's drive away, I thought of them and have reached out to their entrepreneurship organization. Right now because of the long holiday season, they are on break.
@StealthRabbit,
"I would also find a retired competitor and take them to lunch (often).", good point but I need to find right people first, for what we do (sort of "high finance") probably it's beyond the SBDC's capability but it won't hurt to ask.
@aslowdodge,
"The biggest thing is make sure you offer them something.", yeah, that's fair deal. Let me give it some thoughts...
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