Looking Back over a year of mentoring — with Freda

Why did you think you needed a mentor?

I felt I had done it all and had hit a wall and really needed someone experienced, more mature, someone willing to walk the journey with me even if briefly, someone to bounce ideas off with. I had always been the one to give ideas, , mentor others, advise others, been the shoulder for others to lean on, been the one to administer, to give training. People come to me for everything, and I do my best to respond to their needs or help them find solutions. However, I felt i didn’t have that support, at least on the professional side of things.

For me, getting a mentor was one of the ways to fill that gap. A mentor would help guide and steer me, encourage and give a listening ear.

Why did you choose me as a mentor?

For a mentor, I was looking for someone who looked like me as much as possible. A Black African woman. Granted I have had amazing women mentor me who weren’t black or African. But I now wanted someone who understood the nuances of the environment in which I operated. Someone with more professional experience than I had. Someone who has had a lot of experience in life personally and professionally who can help guide and advise just because they have been there and done that.

You had all of that and more.

The icing on the cake for me is your sustainability lens. I had grown and continued to build a business that hinged on sustainability — financially, workforce wise, longevity wise, and so having someone with such a background to be my mentor was priceless.

You had also been a KAEME customer. That’s how we first met and have continued to support the business. For me that was already an asset because you were already supporting me. Your entire profile was positively unique to me. When we met, I learned how caring you are, you were also very giving (whether it was giving back personally or through your work). You also enjoyed your work, that was attractive!! I aspired to learn to be like that. You believed in making a difference and impacting the world! You were direct, bold, extremely knowledgeable about your work and had had a huge network from your many years in the corporate world. I thought to myself, I want to be like her, that’s someone I want to be associated with. That’s someone I would like to be mentored by.

I felt extremely lucky to have had you respond yes when I requested to be mentored. Lastly, for me, a mentor should be someone I have respect for as an individual; I respect you, so it was a done deal!

What have you gotten out of our relationship? -

A lot! I have received solicited advice. I have benefited from bouncing ideas off you without judgement. I have gained a friend who truly supports and gives without reservation. I have learned and continue to be accountable to myself and what we agree on. Like many people, I have so much going on, family, business, work , my personal needs, etc. Having someone to keep you accountable on an agreed set of objectives and goals is priceless. You have helped me define my goals and targets and helped me focus on what’s needed now. I have gained honest feedback on critical decisions. For example, your feedback on a plan I submitted to you was very useful, but also even offering to give it to others to look it over is priceless for me.

I would also say I have gained a trusted ally! We talk about relationships, fears, successes, confidential issues because we have gained each other’s trust and can rely on each other to be honest and transparent.

Network connections: You have shared some of your network with me (offering to have your network review my plans) and have provided opportunities for me to network with people I otherwise don’t have access to.

Is there anything more you would like to get out of the relationship –

More knowledge, experience, on how to save? What has worked for you in your experience? A lot more discussion on my medium-term career plans? Maybe more networking opportunities? Suggestions for Investment partners and board members for KAEME. Just more mentoring to help me navigate through life’s questions more.

What would you say to encourage others to get a mentor?- Get a mentor early! and get a good one. Do your research, ask yourself why you want a mentor and what you want to accomplish together with your mentor. It has been a life changing step for me.