I have never mentored anyone, voluntarily. I have had 1000’s of conversations with people far less experienced than me. But in fairness most of those were clients seeking my expert advice or trades I felt could use some help on their skills.

Maybe I am jaded from my first employee? He was younger than me but already had dropped out of school (paid for a bs diploma) and had a pregnant girlfriend, who was 6months younger than him. I was only 19 myself but saw how badly he needed the money he could make working hard and improving his skills. For over a year I showed up at his house and literally dragged him out of his bed, bought his tools, and non-stop had to give him direction. It wore me out. I didn’t want to teach him anything I just wanted a person to work with that enjoyed it like I did, but also enjoyed getting better and learning more. He just wanted a check, and a small one was fine by him.

I have tried to help everyone along the way. I have never rejected answering a question from trades, clients, neighbors of clients, inspectors, or even the kids of the people I am working on the home of. I enjoy sharing what I know, and enjoy others sharing with me. Stuff is CONSTANTLY changing, and its a lot easier to know who to ask about stuff than it is to do all the research. But I trust those people, I share with them. I certainly am not their mentor.

I guess at some point I may be eating crow and retracting my previous statements and I may start a giant “REI PROGRAM WITH ALL THE SECRETS”. But I can’t imagine claiming it as a mentor. Mostly because no amount of money could pay me to invest time into someone who is only in this for the money. I learned that lesson and its never failed me. Passion over profits seems cheesy, but it’ll keep you happy and earning well beyond your dreams before you know it.

Be blessed, bless others.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions- Contact me