I wanted to talk about mentorship and my own life experience.
To truly have a mentor must be one of the most rewarding experiences of life
and to be a mentor must be an even greater experience. I have been mentored by
Israeli fighter pilots and by teachers.
I feel that I will always search for a mentor when the time arises which
could even be when I am 90 years old. Perhaps our children become our mentors
over time as well. I have mentored really badly
and I have mentored really well. I have realized that you cant change
the person to be like you but you need to allow the person to become who they
need to be. I have realized that humour is really important as well as
frivolity. I have also realized that to build trust the most important element
of true mentorship is being available when someone needs you for it is that
time that is important, not any other time.
I suppose mentorship is not about success or failure but about life long
learning with one person. It has taken me a long time to learn these lessons
that seem so simple but I interact with so many people these days and realize
they need a mentor. Someone positive and honest and when needs be a little
tough. I have been working with Sarah on taking all the new ideas we have to a
new level with a crowdsourcing model that means that we showcase all the new
ideas that come our way and we sell shares in them. Quite exciting to be
working with her as she has the type of energy I like. I am also working with
Marcelle from Lavender in lavender Hill. And Tim. And Matt from Stellenbosch
and all his mates. And lets not forget Vuyisa, and Luvuyo. Then there are the
18 gangster museum guys and Brandon from
Speakers Corner. So it seems like I am busy mentoring plenty of youthful talent
mostly around 25-28 years of age. It’s a great honour and a great experience as
it energises me and its creative and it works. Some new ideas that have come my way recently
are and will be showcased with new brands soon and sold with Sarah under the
crowdsoucing model ar (that means you can purchase shares at under R10 in
perhaps the next big thing):
1.
Mobile hardware vehicles
2.
Penis Cutlery ( never laugh at an idea)
3.
Cement steps in flooded areas
4.
45 ( do a new years resolution and stick to it)
5.
A recycled can grater
6.
Read a book in jail and write a report for a
reduced sentence
7.
Be what you wanted to be ( a business that
allows you to experience your childhood dream….)
8.
Developing the mighty spinach into a range of
new products and brand
Hopefully many new business opportunities and new
opportunities to mentor bright new
talent.
