I'm sure you've thought about this question before during the middle of a conversation. You may or may not have said it out loud as well. Being believable is important when presenting to any group of people, but we aren't going to focus on you or your business venture being believable. We are going to focus on the believability of others in your circles of influence.

Influence is a key word, because it can be a positive or toxic. It is important to understand how those surrounding you impact you on a short-term and long-term basis.

As entrepreneurs and new business ventures we believe in our ideas so strongly we start avoiding naysayers (it's okay to admit). The issue is when you keep that mindset on an ongoing basis. You may directly or indirectly burn some bridges with that approach. The goal is understanding your bias and surrounding yourself with people you do trust.

So who do you go about selecting for such a task? Do you trust a friend or a family member? Do you look for an outsider or a partner? The answer to all of those questions is that it depends on your unique situation and comfort level. The key is being honest with yourself. You must select people you trust even when their answers aren't good news. Picking someone objective is optimal if you can trust that they are being fair and reasonable with you.

Let's face it, friends and family are great but usually they either become your biggest cheerleaders or have nothing good to say about your current business venture. This is a great reason to pursue finding a business mentor or advisor. So how exactly do you go about landing a great business mentor?

• Current Network - Ask friends or family members if they know an entrepreneur or business owner that would be willing to give you some advice and feedback. You may be surprised by the reach of the existing network you already have in place. Use it to your advantage.

• Clubs & Organizations - Are you a member in any local clubs or organizations? Talk to other members or board members of that club to see how you can connect professionally to get some mentoring. Have you joined the local chamber of commerce? If not, it can be a great place to get connected.

• Social Media - I have listed this option last, not because it can't be successful, but rather that you are building the relationships you make from the ground up. It may take a decent amount of time for trust to emerge. This may be a great tool if you have recently moved to an unfamiliar area or haven't found viable mentors from your Current Network or Clubs & Organizations.

Don't forget that the more information you can give to your potential mentors and advisors up front is ideal. Remember, you are asking for their help. Be specific about what you are hoping to gain from the relationship. A mentor can only give general help if you are being vague about your needs. Take the time to develop a trusting relationship and be reasonable. You can't expect an outsider to fully understand your business or aspirations after one short conversation.

The next step is remaining teachable. Keep an open mind when you get feedback. The mentor is there to help you succeed but sometimes growth is painful (even if just to hear). If you can't remain teachable, don't expect your mentor to stay with you for the long haul.