Have you Tapped into The Power of Mini Mentors Yet?

#4 – Originally Published on August 16, 2024

While my life and career have been male-dominated to date, I have always had one or two incredible women in my corner each step of the way. First and foremost was my mother, who always encouraged all of us to dream big and then said “now what do we need to do to make it happen?” Sometimes she helped, and sometimes she just cheered us on from the sidelines, but the “we” made all the difference in knowing she was there to support us along our journeys.

As an athlete, I had a handful of amazing female coaches who always encouraged me to try harder and give a little bit more. And when I landed my internship with the Philadelphia 76ers right out of college, my first female boss challenged me to do more than necessary to stand out from the rest. Then she insisted that I interview for a full-time position that opened up towards the end of my time with her, with her full recommendation that I would excel in the role. Spoiler, I got the job. 😊

After joining the family painting business and by default the national painting association there were several women in my corner who willingly showed me the ropes and helped me learn and grow at a much faster rate than I ever could have on my own. And when it was time to launch my business, they encouraged me every step of the way there as well.

And then came the book, and a shift in focus. So I reached out to a few women who had already done what I was looking to do (published a book and worked in education) and knew the industries better than I did for advice and guidance.

These mini-mentorships throughout pivotal moments in my career have made all of the difference with my rate of acceleration from novice to expert in each of my roles.

If you haven’t caught on yet, or missed the first few newsletters so far, each one focuses on one theme from a chapter in my book. This week it’s all about Reaching Out To Someone You Admire.

While you’ll most likely be doing the heavy lifting of turning your dream into a reality, having a trusted mini-mentor to help guide and encourage you can make all the difference in having the confidence to see things through to the end. Or to think bigger than you originally planned, as I have been encouraged to do on more than one occasion.

Who do you know that might be able to provide a little guidance or insight on the big goal or dream you’re chasing?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to them for a quick chat and some insight. You may be surprised as how much they’re willing to share, and how flattered they are that you thought of them as someone who could help. Just be sure to keep the give and take in balance, and then go fill your corner with the people who will help you reach your finish line faster and with an added boost of confidence. 🙌🏻🙌🏽

Get the latest issue right in your inbox every week . . . Sign Me Up 📧