If you’re an entrepreneur, you likely decided to pursue that career path because you enjoy being your own boss—you wear many hats, from CEO to marketing manager to salesperson, to name a few. But that doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. In fact, that can be bad for business.

“Running a business can be lonely at times because, in many cases, you don’t have people internally to bounce ideas off of,” says Tony Ferraro, managing director of commercial banking for Bridgewater Bank. “That’s why having a trusted group of advisors you can turn to for perspective on decisions, like expanding or selling your business, is a huge asset for any entrepreneur.”

Whether you’re just stepping into entrepreneurship or have years of experience under your belt, here’s how to build a strong advisory team that fuels real growth.

Evaluate Your Business Needs

Think of yourself like the general manager of your favorite sports team: You get to decide which players you add to the roster. Generally speaking, you’ll want a certified public accountant (CPA), attorney, banker, financial advisor, and insurance expert to cover all your crucial bases.

It’s also smart to have an idea of where your business is headed so you can build an advisory team that best suits your needs. “The earlier you start talking with advisors about where your business is going and how to position it for success, the better. That’s when I’ve seen these relationships be the most successful,” says Ferraro. He adds that engaging professionals like CPAs, attorneys, and bankers in long-term planning can uncover valuable insights and highlight risks that business owners may not have considered on their own.

Connect With Your Banker

Since bankers regularly collaborate with a range of professionals, like CPAs and attorneys, they develop a strong sense of who the most capable and reliable ones are over time. Therefore, they can be a great source of referrals if your Rolodex is coming up short.

Of course, not every banker offers the same level of connection—that’s where Bridgewater Bank stands out. As a bank founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, they understand firsthand the power of a strong network. “Our secret sauce is our robust network. As a client, you become part of an exclusive group of Twin Cities industry leaders. From networking events to personal introductions, we help you make connections that matter,” says Ferraro of Bridgewater Bank’s relationship-driven approach.

Build Your Team

Once you’ve collected your referrals, Ferraro recommends meeting with several in each category before deciding who you want to add to your team. “Personality fit is key,” he says. “One of them might look good on paper, but when you meet with them, you may realize they’re not the right fit. It comes down to doing your due diligence.”

With your advisory team assembled, conduct frequent check-ins—at mini-mum, Ferraro suggests meeting annually to ensure everyone is on the same page and business goals are being met—and reevaluate your key players as needed. “If things are not going as you hoped,” he says, “don’t hesitate to make a change.”

“Our secret sauce is our robust network. As a client, you become part of an exclusive group of Twin Cities industry leaders. From networking events to personal introductions, we help you make connections that matter.”