When I first started my business, the word 'mentor' seemed abstract to me. I thought that successful entrepreneurs inspire us with their stories and achieve everything through their knowledge, determination – and maybe a little luck. But the real experience turned out to be much more complex. Behind every great success is someone who helped lead the wayasked the right questions and pointed them in the right direction.

Today, I am 100% sure that the role of a guru in the success of a company cannot be overstated. But reaching this point of understanding took time. This time was filled with some mistakes, realizations and the kind of help I didn't always appreciate when needed. And now, I'd like to share some personal and professional lessons I've learned along the way.

Related: Become a Mentor: 4 Simple Ways to Change a Life

Lesson #1. You cannot buy this experience

When I started my first business, I was convinced I had it all figured out. And this is quite normal – young entrepreneurs often believe in their uniqueness. We make ambitious plans, not always realizing that the road ahead includes not only victories, but also many challenges.

At the time, I thought my ability to learn quickly and make decisions on the fly was all I needed. But within a few months, I realized that I hadn't just underestimated the complexity of running a company—I'd completely ignored the value of experience. My first major financial crisis prompted me to seek advice from a more advanced colleague. And it's funny – I didn't even recognize him mentoring; it seemed to just be a quick fix to a problem. But that conversation changed everything.

The colleague did not give me a ready solution. Instead, he asked questions that made me think deeply: “Why do you believe this approach will work??” and “How will this decision affect your business a year from now??”

These questions formed the basis for my first real attempt at strategic analysis. Then, I realized that true experience is not just knowledge – it is the ability to see beyond the immediate situation.

Related: You need a Mentor. Here's where you can find one for free

Lesson #2. A guide through chaos

Beginnings are inherently chaotic. New ideas, limited resources and constant uncertainty create a pressure cooker environment that not everyone can endure. At some point, I realized that the chaos was affecting my team as well. They started asking questions I didn't have answers to, which only added to the tension.

That's when I reached out to an experienced entrepreneur I had met at an event. He became my first real mentor – I paid to receive his knowledge. It helped me bring more structure to my team and also taught me how to manage stress, delegate tasks effectively and strike the right balance between speed and quality.

One of the most valuable results of our work was this: “Yyou don't need to know everything, but you do need to know who can help.” That quote became a guiding principle in my work. It reminded me that mentoring isn't always about getting answers—it's about being able to ask the right questions and get objective feedback on your ideas.

Lesson #3. More than advice

Mentors are often seen as sources of business advice and strategic guidance. But in my experience, they played another big role: They it motivated me when I started doubting myself. This was especially important during a difficult period with my second startup, when we hit a snag trying to raise funding.

After a potential investor turned us down, the project seemed to start falling apart. Then my mentor told me, “Don't let a rejection define the future of your startup. You will learn more from your failures than from your successes.”

These words changed my perspective. They pushed me to rethink my approach to fundraising and helped me see setbacks as opportunities for growth and reflection. That encouragement was as valuable as any strategic advice – it gave me the resilience to keep going.

Related: 6 factors to consider when choosing a mentor

Lesson #4. Don't be selfish

Over time, I realized that mentoring wasn't just something I needed—it was something my team needed to have. As I took on a mentoring role for my employees in certain areas, I noticed gaps in expertise that external guidance is required.

I had my key team members find external mentors they could consult with. Initially, the idea was met with some skepticism. However, after I explained my perspective, they agreed to give it a try. It felt like an experiment because none of us knew exactly what to expect or how it would work in our company.

The results exceeded our expectations. Over the next six months, my team became more confident, gained a deeper understanding of their roles, and began proposing new solutions. By the time we had our next video meeting, it was clear to all that the experiment had been a success. Mentoring helped each individual involved in the experiment while raising the entire organization.

Why this matters

Working with various startups today, I see how transformative a mentor can be to a company's success. They are people who share knowledge, like partners who help you avoid pitfalls, spot opportunities you may have missed, and keep moving forward when the going gets tough. They are a teacher who imparts their expertise while watching you grow, and honest friends who don't let their emotions cloud their judgment.

At startup mentors, the corporate culture is stable, while decisions are made faster, mistakes are corrected more effectively, and teams work more cohesively. This is not a coincidence. Mentors provide guidance by creating an environment where knowledge is passed on, ensuring continuity and growth from one generation to the next.

My personal and professional history helped me understand that mentorship is a solid foundation for growth. Every startup faces challenges, but having the right mentor helps them overcome them faster and with less waste – whether in resources, time or talent.