Entrepreneurs should expect help, not handouts

I frequently encounter an entrepreneur who demonstrates a sense of entitlement. This person expects to get free advice, expects to obtain a meeting or expects to receive funding. Mentors are expected to help without getting paid. Successful people are expected to “give back” and “pay it forward.” Investors are expected to financially enable everyone’s business that will be the next Google, as depicted in every pitch session.

From my perspective of having advised and started a large number of businesses, I have learned that expectations are very rarely attained. Not only is the hoped-for outcome not met, but more…