Q: How can I learn more about a new area of business that I would like to get into without jumping into it and maybe wasting a lot of money (or time)? Classes don’t offer what I need, nor does reading really. Thanks.

Emily

A: Back when I was an undergraduate at UCLA, I was involved in student government and it was there that I met a school administrator named Rick Tuttle. He seemed to be everything I wanted to become: Smart, funny, wise, connected, interesting . . . I could go on and on.

That year, my sweet dad passed away unexpectedly and Rick took me under his wing. He saw something in me I hadn’t quite seen yet and helped guide me as I tried to sort things out, both large and small. Rick eventually pointed me in the direction of a graduate fellowship program called the Coro Foundation. I applied, got in, and that experience changed my life. Rick Tuttle changed my life.

Over the years I have had many mentors, all of whom were great in their own way (though none as influential on me as my friend Rick) and I have come to appreciate that a mentor can take many forms. For our purposes today, I am here to tell you that finding a business mentor is one of the smartest things any of us can do as we negotiate this fun, exciting, sometimes confusing, but always invigorating path called entrepreneurship and self-employment.

One great thing about mentorship is that it offers rewards for mentor and mentee alike. For you, a mentor can not only help you learn what it is you want to know, but can also introduce you to the people you ought to know. For the mentor, the relationship offers the chance to give back while honing leadership skills. It’s the classic win-win.

The real question is, how do find someone to be your mentor? Here are a few tips:

Be assertive: Maybe you will be lucky enough to have someone special take an interest in you and offer you their friendship, but just as often, finding a mentor is the result of a concerted effort on your part. Put the word out that you are looking for a mentor and let your network know what it is you are looking for. It is sometimes surprising how willing people are to help -- if only they are asked.

Here are a few people and places with whom you can get out the word:

• Business and industry associates, other entrepreneurs
• Friends and relatives
• Your place of worship; your clergyman
• Your lawyer and accountant
• Online communities

Be open-minded: The friendship in mentorship is a reward unto itself, and as such, you probably need not worry about the mentor’s title. More importantly, look for someone whom you admire, who has skill and traits from which you can learn. My torts professor was the toughest old geezer around, but boy did he turn out to be an unexpected, great mentor.

Be willing to pay: Imagine you wanted to open up a sporting goods store but did not know much about that business. All you knew is that your favorite sporting goods store was always busy. In that case, why not hire a mentor? Approach the owner and offer him or her a fee for a two-day consultation and six months of telephone calls regarding what to do and how to do it right. Agree not to compete within, say 25 miles, and voila! you have the best mentor you can find (or at least, that money can buy!)

Tap organizational skills: There are many organizations willing to help you find that right mentor, including

• SCORE: My friends ate SCORE are in the business of connecting small business owners with experienced mentors.
• NAWBO: The National Association of Women Business Owners has a mentorship program that teams woman entrepreneurs with NAWBO members.
• ICIC: The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City offers free mentorship programs.
• SBDCs: Small Business Development Centers offer free counseling and mentoring at almost 1,000 centers across the country.

Good luck, and may find your own Rick Tuttle.

Today’s Tip: If your business takes you on the road a lot and you find yourself renting cars fairly often, here are a few ways to save some money:

• Internet reservations are usually your best deal. No reservations guarantee you a bad deal.
• Frequent renter programs, like frequent flyer miles, offer rewards and discounts.
• Reserve a small car and then ask for an upgrade. If you are a member of their club and a car is available, it usually happens.
• Ask for special rates, such as those offered to AAA members or American Express card holders.