Most of us can point to someone who helped us in our career. Someone who shared advice, opened a door, challenged our thinking or simply gave us the confidence to take the next step.
Business mentoring is a chance to do that for someone else.
Through the Portsmouth Business Support Service, run jointly by Shaping Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council, our Mentoring programme connects experienced professionals with local business owners, from start-up to those looking to grow, who would benefit from guidance, support and a fresh perspective.
For mentors, it is an opportunity to give something back and use their experience in a way that really matters. It is not about having all the answers or telling someone what to do. It is about listening, sharing what you have learned, helping someone think clearly, and supporting them as they make decisions about their business.
For Dave Humphries, CEO of Shaping Portsmouth, mentoring is his way of supporting others, just as many people supported him during his own career journey.
“Mentoring is a great way to give back to others. In my own career and business journeys, I’ve had the support of many other people, and none of those wanted anything back from me. So, this is kind of like paying it forward and helping the next person through the system.”
That is one of the biggest benefits of becoming a mentor. You can take the lessons you have learned, including the mistakes, challenges and turning points, and use them to help someone else avoid the same pitfalls.
Mentoring also gives you the chance to make a real difference. A conversation at the right time can help a business owner see things differently, make a better decision, or feel more confident about the direction they are taking.
Tim Rampton, one of the programme’s most experienced professionals, became a mentor because he wanted to share his knowledge and skills with people at the point they needed them most.
“This was an opportunity to hopefully transfer some of my knowledge and skills to some other people at the time they need it.”
Mentoring can also help mentors develop their own skills. Supporting someone else encourages you to listen carefully, communicate clearly, reflect on your own experience and think about how best to help someone move forward. It is leadership in a very practical and personal form.
As Tim explains, having that support can make a key difference for someone running or growing a business.
“I think the most important thing is having a mentor there who’s able to provide knowledge, experience, guidance and, if necessary, some warnings. It’s really vital.”
The benefits for mentees are clear, too. Starting or growing a business can be challenging, and having someone in your corner who has been there before can make a real difference.
For James, founder of the Portsmouth Foodguide, mentoring provided support at a crucial stage of his business journey.
“Being a start-up business, I knew nothing about business. That’s where Shaping Portsmouth and the mentoring team really came into play.”
James was matched with Tim, whose support helped him think through important decisions and build confidence in his business plan.
“My mentor Tim was brilliant. He was very kind, very supportive and very knowledgeable.”
“Above everything, he gave me the confidence in knowing that I had a business plan that works. I would strongly recommend it, 100%.”
For mentors, that is often the most rewarding part of the role. Seeing someone grow in confidence, make better decisions and move their business forward brings a real sense of purpose.
The Business Mentoring programme benefits everyone involved. Mentees gain support, confidence, and experience, while mentors have the opportunity to give something back, make a genuine difference, develop their own leadership skills, and support Portsmouth’s wider business community.
By helping one business owner, you are also helping to strengthen the city’s economy, its business network and its future.
Could you be our next mentor?
PBSS needs experienced professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and support local businesses to succeed.
If you have built a career in business, leadership or a specialist field, your experience could make a real difference to someone else. Becoming a mentor is a chance to give back, support local entrepreneurs and help strengthen Portsmouth’s business community.
Contact Shaping Portsmouth on info@shapingportsmouth.co.uk to find out more about becoming a mentor through the Portsmouth Business Support Service or register your interest below.