5 Warning Signs You Need A Business Mentor

By Rebecca Sutherland, Investor, Founder of HarbarSix Ltd

I used to think “a mentor” was one of those nice-to-have things you get once you’re already successful. Like a fancy office chair, or a marketing team. You know, the extras.

But the truth is, most founders don’t reach for mentorship when things are calm and tidy. We reach for it when we’re exhausted, confused, slightly panicked… and pretending everything is fine on LinkedIn.

If you’re reading this and quietly thinking, I’m probably OK… I just need to work harder, I’m going to be annoying and suggest something else. Sometimes you don’t need more hours; sometimes what you need is a better vantage point. A mentor gives you that.

Here are five warning signs you might need one sooner rather than later.

1) You’re making big decisions in a fog

There’s a particular kind of founder fatigue where every decision feels heavy. Pricing. Hiring. Marketing. Whether to invest in stock. Whether to say yes to that opportunity. Whether your gut is “intuition” or just anxiety dressed up as confidence.

If you’re constantly second-guessing yourself, or going round in circles, it’s not because you’re incapable -It’s because you’re too close to it.

A mentor doesn’t make decisions for you, what they do is help you separate facts from feelings. They ask the questions you’re avoiding, and spot patterns you can’t see because you’re in the middle of the mess, trying to keep the lights on.

If the same decisions keep looping back every month, that’s a sign you’re missing a framework, not willpower.

2) You’ve outgrown your current circle

This one can feel awkward to admit, but it’s common. The people you started with might not be the people who can support the version of you you’re becoming.

Maybe your friends don’t really understand what it’s like to run payroll. Or your family thinks you “work from home” means you’re free at 11am. Or your business peers are stuck at the same stage and you’re all swapping the same advice.

There’s nothing wrong with that. But if you’re building something bigger, you need access to bigger conversations.

A good mentor expands your world. They introduce you to new ways of thinking and new standards. They’ll challenge the stories you’ve been telling yourself, like “I’m not ready” or “that’s for other people.” And sometimes, that’s the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.

3) You’re busy, but your business isn’t moving

This is the classic one. You’re working constantly, your calendar is full, your brain is never off… and yet somehow, you’re not seeing the progress you want.

That’s usually a sign you’re trapped in reactive mode. You’re answering emails, fixing problems, chasing customers, doing “urgent” tasks that feel productive because they’re noisy. Meanwhile, the actual levers that move the business (strategy, systems, pricing, positioning, hiring) are sitting untouched.

A mentor helps you zoom out and ask: What’s the one thing that would make everything else easier? They’ll push you towards prioritising properly, not just surviving the week. They’ll also call you out, kindly, when you’re hiding in busywork because it feels safer than making a bold decision.

Being busy is not the same as building.

4) You’re avoiding the numbers

If you’re not looking at your margins, you’re guessing. If you’re not tracking cash flow, you’re hoping. If you don’t know your break-even point, you’re basically driving with your eyes closed and praying there’s no wall ahead.

A lot of founders avoid the numbers because it brings up uncomfortable feelings. Fear. Shame. “I should know this already.” Or it’s just genuinely overwhelming when you’re juggling everything else.

A mentor can help you face the numbers without spiralling. They can simplify what matters, help you set up tracking that suits your business, and make sure you’re not building a company that looks successful while quietly bleeding money.

And if your pricing hasn’t changed in ages because you’re scared of losing customers, please hear this gently: that fear is costing you more than you think.

5) You feel lonely at the top

This is the one nobody talks about enough; running a business can be isolating. You can be surrounded by people and still feel like you’re carrying everything alone.

You might not want to burden your team or worry your partner, so you don’t bring up the issues and carry the burden quietly. You might be the “strong one” in your family, so you keep your doubts private and your confidence public.

But the emotional load of leadership is real, and believe me, it adds up.

A mentor gives you a place to say the quiet part out loud. The messy thoughts, the worries and the “I don’t know what I’m doing today” moments. Not to wallow, but to process it and move forward with clarity.

Sometimes the most valuable part of mentorship isn’t advice. It’s having someone steady in your corner when you’re wobbling.

So what now?

If you recognised yourself in even one of these signs, consider this your nudge.

Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal, expensive, or intimidating. It can start with one person you trust, one conversation a month and one honest look at what’s really holding you back.

The key is this: choose someone who’s been where you’re trying to go. Someone who will support you but also challenge you. Someone who isn’t impressed by the hustle and instead cares about building something sustainable.

Because you don’t get a prize for doing it the hard way, and you definitely don’t get your time back.

If you’re trying to grow a business and a life at the same time, a mentor isn’t a luxury. It’s a shortcut to better decisions, less stress, and a version of success that actually feels good when you get there.

Rebecca Sutherland Bio CEO & Founder, HarbarSix

Rebecca Sutherland is the visionary force behind HarbarSix, a hybrid investment fund and business accelerator designed to power up high-potential founders with more than just capital. At the heart of her mission is a belief that exceptional businesses are built not only with smart strategy but with empowered leaders and the right ecosystem of support.

With over 20 years of experience in scaling small businesses and transforming overlooked ventures into sustainable success stories, Rebecca brings a unique blend of commercial acumen, leadership insight, and emotional intelligence to the table. She has a sharp eye for spotting potential where others see obstacles, and she’s on a mission to make sure bold ideas don’t fall through the cracks simply because they don’t fit the traditional startup mould.

Through HarbarSix, Rebecca leads a highly selective programme investing in six standout businesses every six months. But this isn’t your average accelerator. HarbarSix offers deep partnership, one-on-one coaching, access to expert networks, and a shared toolkit that founders can use. It’s a growth ecosystem built for those who are ready to do the work and scale with integrity.

Rebecca’s approach is grounded in the belief that mindset drives results. She champions founders who lead from within, and she’s known for combining big-picture strategy with the kind of practical, hands-on support that truly moves the needle. Whether guiding a business through a make-or-break quarter or helping a founder breathe through a boardroom curveball, her leadership is clear, calm and unapologetically committed. At HarbarSix, Rebecca isn’t just investing in businesses; she’s backing people, because she knows that when founders grow, their companies follow.

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