Starting a business has always carried a certain romantic shine. It is often associated with late nights, big ideas, and the freedom to make your own decisions. But behind that glossy narrative is the part many first-time founders quietly discover: building a business alone is much harder than it looks. The reality is that many new ventures close their doors within the first year, not because the founders lacked passion, but because they lacked guidance. This is where mentoring becomes more than just a desirable feature for starting a business. It becomes a lifeline.

New business owners often encounter the same set of challenges. They underestimate start-up costs. They misjudge demand. They skip the planning stage in favour of “just starting”. They move based on assumptions instead of evidence. And because they don’t yet know what they don’t know, they miss critical decisions that could have steered things in a different direction.

This blog post will take you through the honest reasons young businesses struggle and show how the right mentor can shift those odds. Take this as a realistic glimpse into the inner workings of a business and understand how having experience can significantly impact its success.

The gap between passion and planning

Many businesses begin with enthusiasm, which is wonderful but incomplete. Passion may spark the idea, but planning keeps it alive. It is common for new entrepreneurs to jump in with great products or services but have little understanding of pricing, margins, customer behaviour, or operations. They quickly realised that running a business also requires skills in finance, compliance, marketing, and time management.

A mentor helps bridge that gap. Someone who has seen the full life cycle of businesses can guide you in shaping the idea into an actual strategy. With mentoring for starting a business, you spend less time guessing and more time building on solid ground. You learn which numbers matter, which tasks deserve your attention, and which risks need addressing before they grow.

The pressure of decision-making

Starting a business involves constant decision-making. Every choice carries weight because you feel the consequences directly. Without experience, these decisions can feel overwhelming. Many founders delay action out of fear of making the wrong move. Others do the opposite and take leaps without understanding the impact.

A mentor provides clarity in these moments. They help you slow down where needed and move faster when the opportunity is clear. They ask the questions you did not think to ask. They offer real-world examples instead of theory. Most importantly, they challenge assumptions, which protects you from costly mistakes.

Accountability that keeps you moving forward

Momentum matters in the early stages of a business. Yet, it is incredibly easy to lose focus when you are juggling tasks, managing stress, and trying to figure out what to prioritise. A mentor keeps you accountable. They do this without being strict or punitive, but by providing steady, structured support. They help you set realistic goals and revisit them regularly. They ensure that you are moving in a direction that aligns with your vision instead of being pulled into the daily noise.

This kind of accountability also reduces isolation. Many new business owners don’t talk openly about their struggles because they feel they should be able to handle everything on their own. Having someone who is familiar with the journey alleviates a significant emotional burden.

Real-world expertise that shortcuts your learning curve

The difference between theory and experience is significant. A mentor carries lessons from wins and failures, both their own and those of the businesses they’ve supported. This provides you with access to insights that would normally take years to learn.

Instead of trial and error, you gain clarity. Instead of getting stuck, you gain direction. The value is not in someone telling you what to do but in helping you think strategically, understand context, and recognise patterns that newer founders rarely see.

Shifting the odds in your favour

Businesses fail for many reasons. Lack of planning. Poor financial management. Unclear value proposition. Misjudged timing. Burnout. These challenges are common but not inevitable. The right guidance helps you anticipate and address them early.

Mentoring for starting a business gives you structure, direction, and confidence. It takes the pressure off trying to figure everything out alone and replaces it with purposeful guidance from someone who has walked the path before.

A strong mentor does not remove the hard work, but they help make the work meaningful and strategic. They help you step into business ownership with clearer eyes, steadier hands, and a far stronger chance of success.

SBMS.org.au: Mentoring for Starting a Business That Works

Mentoring for starting a business gives new entrepreneurs the insight, guidance, and accountability they need to avoid early missteps and make confident decisions. Experienced mentors bring clarity, practical solutions, and real-world know-how that help you navigate challenges without reinventing the wheel.

For almost forty years, Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS) has supported Australian entrepreneurs in turning ideas into sustainable businesses. Our network of over 120 skilled mentors provides personalised guidance at every stage—from refining your strategy and prioritising tasks to building resilience and staying accountable. With SBMS, you gain the perspective, encouragement, and actionable advice that can accelerate your success.

Starting a business doesn’t have to be a solo struggle. Engaging a mentor is an investment in both your immediate progress and long-term growth.

Contact us at [email protected] or by calling 1300 816 817 to discover how mentoring for starting a business can help you turn challenges into opportunities and your vision into a thriving enterprise.