“Mentors speed up the process of learning.” Gary Vaynerchuk

In my awesome career, I would never have gotten where I was without mentors and models. Sounds like such a simple statement, yet there are still so many that wander around, stumble over and over, and are generally lost. I hear so often of stories of professionals who are just not sure what to do with their careers.

What really blows my mind is there are mentors and models everywhere. So many awesome people, successful people, doing big things. With the social + digital web, there is NO excuse to not have a mentor or at least, models to observe and study.

So why does it seem so many are still lost? Here is my take…

1. Some people will always look for a short cut.
And there are no real short cuts to creating awesome. We all know this person. All the advice they have been given seems daunting, so they decide to just go it alone. Until they hit a big wall.

2. Some people are listening to the wrong people.
Facebook, Instagram and the web are all awesome for a gazillion reasons. It’s also one of the biggest places to find the WORST advice and recommendations. OMG, the stuff I see people talking about. Ugh. One of the most important things about finding mentors and models is to know their track record. What is their experience? Do they speak in facts or theories? We must all be very mindful of who we listen to and what we believe. I mean really, we are talking about people’s businesses and lives.

3. Some people are selfish.
Sad but true. One of my biggest mentors and all around awesome humans John Paul DeJoria says “Success unshared is failure.” Truer words have never been spoken. True leaders offer their hands, minds and hearts to those who need it.

Three ways to find mentors + models

1. Pay attention.
If you are looking for a business mentor or model, find successful businesses and who is leading them. With the social web, it is easier than ever to discover awesomeness. One of my go-to people for creating awesome as a salon owner is Keri Davis of Gila Rut Salons. In business over 20 years and a NAHA MBA Salon of the Year winner, Keri has managed to lead a happy, healthy and profitable business consistently over time. I did a Passion Profile on her which you can read here. It’s awesome, just like her.

2. Join Hairbrained
Hairbrained.me is a community of passionate artists and leaders who are more than happy to open their hearts and minds and help others. And anyone you want to reach out to is only a click away.

3. Engage On Instagram
There are so many awesome mentors + models who are caring, open, kind and passionate about empowering others. Take the time to engage with these awesome humans, and you will find they will engage back.

How can you be a mentor or model?

1. Show Up
If you have a passion for helping others and have a successful track record in your area of passion, then reach out and share your awesomeness with others, both online and off.

2. Respond
This is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves. Seriously. If I had a dollar for every time I was told that a so called leader did not respond or reply when someone reached out for help I would be a gazillionaire. Look, you can ignore people if you choose, but if you do, please don’t call yourself a mentor or leader.

Our world can be so much more awesome when we realize we are one. And the more we help people, connect people, love people, empower people and support people, the better we all become. It does not get any simpler than that.

Are you looking for a mentor or model? Maybe I can help connect you. One thing I will promise you, I will show up, share, respond and reply.

Want more? Here is a little vid I did for my friends at American Salon Magazine. Enjoy!

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina