I think of coaching is a fact-finding experience while mentoring is a fact-transferring experience. Coaches search for discovery while mentors impart discovery … generally in the form of experiences that they have had on their journey to success in a particular field of expertise. A mentor not only has to have experience in a particular field but also a level of success that other people aspire to.  Much of my coaching is coaching and mentoring as I have deep experience in the BVFLS world and a level of success that my clients aspire to. (FWIW, people also normally associate coaching with someone outside their firm while mentoring happens with someone inside their firm.)