What do you do if you're a commercial interior designer starting your own business and need guidance?

1 Define your goals

Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve as a commercial interior designer. What are your short-term and long-term goals? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are the areas that you need to improve or learn more about? Having a vision and a plan for your business will help you identify the type of mentor that can best suit your needs and expectations.

2 Seek potential mentors

Once you have defined your goals, you can start searching for potential mentors in your field. There are many ways to find a mentor, such as networking events, industry associations, online platforms, or referrals from your peers or clients. You can also look for mentors outside your immediate niche, as long as they have relevant expertise and insight that can benefit your business. When you find someone who interests you, don't be afraid to reach out and introduce yourself. Explain why you are looking for a mentor and what you hope to gain from the relationship.

3 Establish a relationship

If you find a mentor who agrees to work with you, you need to establish a relationship based on trust, respect, and communication. You and your mentor should set some ground rules and expectations for the mentoring process, such as how often you will meet, how long the sessions will last, what topics you will cover, and how you will measure your progress. You should also be open and honest with your mentor about your challenges, successes, feedback, and questions. Remember that a mentor is not a boss, a friend, or a therapist, but a professional partner who can offer you advice, support, and guidance.

4 Learn from your mentor

The most important part of having a mentor is learning from them. You should take every opportunity to absorb their knowledge, skills, and experience, and apply them to your own business. You should also be willing to accept constructive criticism and learn from your mistakes. A mentor can help you see things from a different perspective, challenge your assumptions, and inspire you to think creatively and strategically. You should also ask your mentor for referrals, recommendations, or introductions to other people or opportunities that can help you grow your network and your reputation.

5 Give back to your mentor

A mentoring relationship is not a one-way street. You should also show your appreciation and gratitude to your mentor for their time, effort, and wisdom. You can do this by giving them feedback, acknowledging their impact, or offering them something in return, such as your skills, services, or referrals. You can also give back to your mentor by paying it forward and becoming a mentor yourself to someone else who needs your help. By doing this, you can contribute to the development of the commercial interior design industry and create a positive cycle of learning and sharing.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?