To Overcome Fears of Starting a New Business, Mentorship is an Important Key
March 18 2015 - 1:00PM
Starting a small business can be intimidating. According to survey
results released today by The UPS Store of people who own or who
have dreamed of owning a small business, starting that business
comes in second in terms of the "scariest life-changing" events
that they may face, just behind concerns about retirement savings.
In fact, starting a small business ranks scarier than getting a
divorce, becoming a parent for the first time, or moving to a new
city. The survey, conducted with over 1,700 general consumers and
small business owners nationwide, also reveals that when it comes
to launching a small business, mentors are an important resource in
helping up-and-coming entrepreneurs overcome fears and obstacles.
According to the survey, 82 percent of small business owners who
worked with a mentor while starting their business found the
experience helpful in getting them through the process.
Additionally, approximately one-third of those who did not have a
mentor wish they would have had one. Those who are dreaming of
starting a business also believe mentoring has value, with 73
percent reporting that seeking firsthand advice from others in
their situation would be helpful.
"A business mentor can make all the difference to a small
business owner," says Ken Yancey, president of SCORE, a nonprofit
dedicated to helping small businesses through education and
mentorship. "Mentors have different viewpoints and experiences that
can help push you in the right direction. They, too, may have been
challenged with working full-time while they started their
businesses and understand how to work through the fears small
business owners face."
Preparation also plays a key role in helping small business
owners ready themselves for the entrepreneurial challenges that lie
ahead. The survey revealed that 55% of current small business
owners felt prepared, as a whole, when they first started their
business. And more than 50 percent of current small business owners
report that they were actually better prepared to start their
business than they originally thought.
To further its commitment to small business owners and help them
achieve their goals, The UPS Store is collaborating with SCORE to
assist small businesses in getting off the ground and achieving
their goals.
"Working with SCORE offers individuals an opportunity to be
mentored by seasoned professionals who have the experience that can
make a real difference," said Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of
marketing and sales at The UPS Store. "The UPS Store is committed
to helping small business owners launch and grow their businesses
in any way we can and we are so proud to be working with
SCORE."
Over the next few weeks, The UPS Store will be offering unique
learning opportunities and solutions for small business owners,
with a special focus on those starting businesses while working
full-time:
- On March 18, The UPS Store will release the guide, 16 Steps to
Starting a Business While Working Full-Time, on SCORE.org and
TheUPSStore.com/SCORE. Also, a free webinar based on the guide will
be held on March 26 at 1 p.m. Eastern on SCORE.org.
- On April 23, The UPS Store will join small business guru
@barrymoltz for a live Twitter chat at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, to
discuss how to start a business while working full time. Follow
along on social media using the hashtag #SmallBizGuide.
- To help business owners present a professional image, The UPS
StoreĀ® is offering 500 business cards for $9.99. (Promotion runs
through April 11.)
- The UPS Store continues to update its Small Business Solutions
portal with helpful content for small business owners. The portal
includes a small business-focused blog with articles, tips, and
advice from small business experts, as well as resources and
exclusive discounts on accounting, consulting, marketing, web
design and other services small business owners need.
For more information, visit The UPS Store's Small Business
Solutions portal at smallbiz.theupsstore.com.
For more results from The UPS Store survey, visit
theupsstore.com/score.
About The UPS Store
With more than 4,400 locations, The UPS Store network comprises
the nation's largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal,
print and business service centers. The UPS Store locations in the
U.S. are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees
of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). Services,
products, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. For
additional information on The UPS Store,
visit theupsstore.com. For information on franchise
opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location,
visit theupsstorefranchise.com. Follow The UPS Store on
Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store on
Facebook at facebook.com/theupsstore.
Survey Methodology
The results of the survey are based on an online survey
conducted January 20 - 26, 2015 by The UPS Store, Inc., franchisor
of The UPS Store network, with general consumers age 18+ and small
business owners. The online study was conducted with 1,200 general
consumers and 506 small business owners.
# # #
A photo accompanying this release is available
at:http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=31511
CONTACT: Chelsea Lee
(858) 455-8982
chelsealee@upsstore.com
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