Q + A: How Do I Find A Business Advisor?

Have you ever thought about working with a business advisor? If you feel stuck or need growth assistance, an advisor can be awesome! Here’s a little 411 from other women entrepreneurs on the most common questions about advisors:Where do I find an advisor? Finding a business advisor can be tricky. Look around…a lot. Get referrals from other business owners; go to business meetings and network. Look for an advisor who specializes in your industry and/or your specific need. When you find one, Faina from Big Vision Success recommends you get references (and check them all!), be specific about your needs, and give the advisor a small “test run” project to see how compatible you are as a team, before entering into a contract.What does it cost?With some advice, you "get what you pay for.” With business advisors, this may not be true. Leslie from Leadership Quantified says, “There are a lot of reputable advisors who give their time, energy and smarts pro bono to entrepreneurs to help them create success. Alternately, advisors may work for a flat rate, per hour or for a stake of equity in your business.How do I protect my secrets?Jessica from Room to Breathe worked with business advisors to grow her business. She warns, “Don't show anyone numbers, business plans or back of house information without getting a signed NDA (non-disclosure agreement) -make sure you trust this person before showing them your confidential information.” It’s true! You wouldn’t hand a complete stranger your business secrets, so why do the same with an advisor you don’t know? Have a few chats, get to know your advisor and go with your gut reaction. Then, get the NDA.Find more information on business advisors by visiting SCORE.org (it’s free!){Top Photo Credit}