Why business mentoring is more than just advice

The benefits of Business Mentoring

For many business owners, the biggest challenge isn’t starting out – it's figuring everything out along the way.

“Business can be bloody lonely,” says Christchurch mentor Alex Mann. “You can’t always talk openly with staff, so having someone who’s been through it and isn’t rattled can make a huge difference.”

What role do mentors really play?

That’s where Business Mentors New Zealand, supported locally by ChristchurchNZ, is making an impact – connecting business owners with experienced mentors who offer perspective.

“I don’t have a magic formula,” says Mann. “But I do bring perspective, curiosity, and the willingness to ask hard questions. Sometimes people just need someone to challenge and guide them.”

How can mentoring help first-time business owners?

For first-time business owner Tri Phung, that guidance came at the right time.

“We didn’t know a lot about setting up a business,” he says. “Running a team, having a plan, understanding finance – all of that was new to us.”

After joining the programme, the benefits were immediate. “Our mentor guided us through that start-up phase – operations, finance, hiring, marketing, everything.”

Mentoring doesn’t just provide support – it speeds things up.

“Without it, it would have taken us longer and we would have made more mistakes,” says Phung.

That acceleration is something Timaru entrepreneur Alicia Mabey experienced too.

How mentoring fosters accountability

For others, mentoring brings clarity and accountability.

“My mentor helped me map out my services, finances, and ‘why,’” says Christchurch business owner Jenine Kerr. “Having someone to bounce ideas off has been invaluable.”

It can also open doors.

What do mentors gain from the experience?

Mentoring is not one-way. For mentors like Gideon Banks, it’s about strengthening the wider business community.

“You don’t want to spend years trying to figure it all out when someone has already done it,” he says.

As ChristchurchNZ CEO Ali Adams puts it, business mentors play a wider role.

With ChristchurchNZ supporting access to the programme, more local businesses can tap into that experience early – and affordably.

As Mann puts it: “It’s an incredible service. Why wouldn’t you?”

Key takeaways

• Mentoring reduces isolation and gives business owners a trusted sounding board.
• Experienced mentors provide perspective, challenge, and practical guidance.
• Businesses grow faster and make fewer mistakes with mentor support.
• Mentoring builds confidence, clarity, and accountability.
• Strong mentor relationships can open doors to networks and opportunities.
• Mentoring benefits both mentees and the wider business community.