How to Know What Type of Mentorship To Invest in (and now not to get burned)

Jul 07, 2025

Let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind (and in my DMs) a lot lately: where to actually spend your money as a business owner.

If you’ve been hanging around here for a while, you know that I shifted my private mentorship to a 12-month partnership last year. It’s been such a fulfilling and powerful experience — working deeply with brilliant women over the course of a year, walking alongside them as their businesses evolve.

But I found myself missing something too: the opportunity to plug into someone’s business fast, create a strategy, and watch them fly.

So I brought back intensives and VIP days — and wow, I forgot how much I love them. Not only do they help entrepreneurs get clear and unstuck quickly, they also spark some of the best questions and content. And today’s post? It comes directly from one of those conversations.

The Big Question: “Where Should I Invest Next?”

This client was wrapping up her intensive and asked, “Where do you think I should invest next?”

Such a good question — and one I get a lot. Because let’s be real: there’s a ton of noise online telling you that you need to spend thousands (and thousands) of dollars to grow a successful business. I’ve fallen for that messaging too. Years ago, I believed the hype that investing big = earning big. But experience (and a few hard lessons) has taught me that context matters.

Yes, investing in your business is important — but it needs to make sense for your stage, your goals, and your budget.

Let’s talk about what that actually looks like.

How Much Should You Be Spending?

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received was from Chris Harder: invest about 10% of your revenue into mentorship or growth.

So, if you’re making $60,000 per year, a $6,000 investment is probably a stretch — but doable. A $20K mastermind on a $60K income? Probably not the move. There’s a big difference between playing small and being smart.

My Best Investments (And What I Tell My Clients)

When this client asked me about my most valuable investment, my answer wasn’t a fancy mastermind or program. It was people.

The rooms that connected me with mentors, peers, collaborators — those have had the biggest long-term ROI. Not just in business growth, but in mindset shifts, friendships, and opportunities I couldn’t have planned for.

So for someone not quite at six figures yet? My advice: invest in community.

That doesn’t have to mean dropping $10K. It might look like joining a local networking group, attending a $50 event, or becoming part of an online membership — and actually showing up. Because if you don’t engage, it’s just another line item on your expenses.

A Framework for Investing Based on Your Stage

Here’s how I like to break it down based on where you’re at:

👶 Early Stage (0–$5K months)

Focus on clarity and business foundations.

What to invest in: 1:1 intensives, strategy calls, personalized coaching
Avoid: DIY courses that collect digital dust
Why: You don’t know what you don’t know. Get direct feedback and shorten the learning curve.

🌱 Growth Stage ($5K–$10K months)

It’s time to niche down and build repeatable systems.

What to invest in: Specialized mentorship (marketing, operations), small team support (VA, bookkeeper), networking or mastermind groups
Why: You need visibility, structure, and support to scale without burning out.

🚀 Scale Stage ($10K+ months)

Now it’s about sustainability and buying back your time.

What to invest in: Masterminds (if you thrive in groups), private coaching (if you want dedicated support), systems, automation, and higher-level hires
Why: You’re likely building a team or scaling operations — you need strategy and infrastructure to match your growth.

Ask Yourself This Before You Invest

Before you whip out the credit card, ask:

Am I looking for strategy, or just a shortcut?
Am I ready to implement and be coachable?
Do I want growth, or do I just want relief?

Because mentorship isn't magic. You are.

The right mentor can collapse time and help you avoid mistakes — but you still have to do the work. And investing without implementing? That’s just expensive procrastination.

Final Thoughts

Your next best investment might not be a big program or high-ticket coach. It might be a conversation, a room, a person, or a commitment to show up more fully in a community you’re already in.

Whatever you choose — make sure it aligns with who you are, and where you actually want to go.

And if you’re ever unsure? Start with this: trust yourself.