If you're going to build something from nothing, you've got to know what really works.

I took a thousand dollar loan and built a five billion dollar business, and now I make smart investments in new businesses on Shark Tank. This is Barbara

Corcoran and you're listening to Business Unusual. Today I'm Business Unusual

I'll answer your questions about business, motivation, life, or anything else on your mind.

But first, how to choose a mentor?

It's smart to find yourself a mentor because the right mentor can really help you succeed in life.

I got lucky my mom was my earliest and best mentor. She had 10 kids announced with each new child the day they came home from the hospital exactly what their gift was,

and then she reinforced it in each child for the rest of their lives.

She predicted my brother Tom would be a great dancer and he turned out to be exactly that.

She said my talent was my wonderful imagination and I also proved her right.

Today I'm a mentor to dozens of young entrepreneurs, most of whom I've met and invested in on Shark Tank.

But not everyone finds a mentor on Shark Tank.

So how do you find the right person to become a good mentor for you.

Here's what I suggest.

First off, you need to choose someone you want to be like,

not just someone you like.

There's a big difference.

The coolest and richest guy in the room rarely makes a good mentor.

The best mentor is someone who is honest,

someone honest enough to tell you what they really think.

Compliments never propel someone to greatness,

but valid criticism will.

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