All For the Click ......#ThankYourMentor

When I first started my business in 2009, people would ask, “who is your mentor?” I got bitter. The truth? I didn’t have one. Trust me, I’ve had great people offer great advice but no one ever expressed an on-going interest in what I was building. I’ve always believed in putting myself out there, introducing myself to strangers, banging down doors, and telling the world what I want to do; to build a community that connects young people with the internship and career opportunities of their dreams. In 2011, I reached out to an executive whose contact information I found on LinkedIn (ironic). I took a risk and cold-called this executive. I was startled when he actually answered the phone! He asked how I got his contact information, “LinkedIn!” I tried not to squeal. Knowing my time was sparse, I pitched myself, my brand, and my idea – to create a student marketing program for his company. He said no. I followed up every three months for about a year. He continued to say no. Finally, two years later, he greenlit my idea. This created a huge professional opportunity for me.

 A year later, I reached out to the same contact. I was working on my second book on career advice for young people (Welcome to the Real World) and wanted to interview someone about mentorship. I reached out to this executive and he agreed to the interview. After asking him so many questions about mentorship, I couldn’t help but say, “Will you be my mentor?” My friends made fun of me. They told me that in Sheryl Sandberg’s book she said to never ask someone if they would be your mentor. But you know what? He got back to me and let me know that he would love to be my mentor and connect every few months about my business, exchange stories, and provide advice.

 Today, another year later, I’m still in contact with this executive. He’s been helpful in several different situations and always tries to be a sounding board for me as I experience the roller coaster that is entrepreneurship. As someone whose never had a real “mentor” in the past, this experience has been so special. I can’t tell you how good it feels to have someone on my team, someone who is honest with me, corrects me when I’m wrong, guides me in the right direction, and is consistently there to help.

 When others get frustrated because they don’t have a mentor, I tell them to keep putting themselves out there, doing introductory calls, and pitching themselves. I say to them, Do it for the click because when it does work – it’s so worth it. #ThankYourMentor