There are inevitably people who have trod the path that you are on beforehand. And, whereas it may feel like an exciting adventure that you are on alone, there are people who have made mistakes which you don't need to make because they can tell you what they are.   There are people who have had successes that you won't understand until they share them with you. So the role of advisors and mentors and board members, however they have come into your company, it doesn't really matter. What does matter is "take their advice"...