Why mentor startup founders? Because you gain from it too. 😊

Since 2011, I advised over 2000 startups 1-to-1, mainly younger startup founders in their 20s and 30s. They basically needed a perspective in their operations, fundraising, strategic direction or even exits.

Today, I spent 2 hours chatting with Lennard Goh, a astute deep thinker and every gelato he created has a deep intense story.

Why do I spend time mentoring others?

🪧 It is a 2-way street. You learn the trades of other industries and understand the challenges and pain points entrepreneurs face.

🦾 You are also challenged to solve problems. Entrepreneurs each have their unqiue journeys and experiences. And when you brainstorm together with them, you learn from the solutions that you can apply to other startups or advice.

💁♂️ You bring best practices from other mentees to this mentee. They learn and improve as well.

🤨 You make deep friendships of trust. Now launching Spike Durian, I had mentees who came back to support me as customers, introductions to potential partners and giving their advisories back to me on how to improve.

🩷 You make a difference to others by offering specific tailored advice. But most importantly, you lend support and love to an entrepreneur who often can have a very lonely journey.

Many seasoned people say they don't have experience to offer, but sometimes just being open and listening, you will soon realize you have much to offer to others.

So make time today to listen to someone. You will never know you will be supporting the next successful entrepreneur.

Follow me on www.spikedurian.sg/blog on my venture build entrepreneurial journey.

P.S. this picture is with Lennard Goh (left) of Aphrodite Waffles and Gelato and myself having his diary-free gelato at Quah Song Everton Park. Also in picture is Spike Durian for Lennard to try! Message me if you want to know where his gelato shop is.