Hit play on the More Details, Please podcast to hear hosts Angela and Emmanuel Williams talk about the dynamic relationship between a mentor and mentee. This lively discussion acknowledges that life as an entrepreneur can be a lonely road. But not if you surround yourself with the right people. Whether you want to benefit from someone’s wisdom or you’re ready to share your experience, this episode is for you.

Listen to the episode Mentoring: Lessons Learned, Lessons Passed On to get inspired.

Guidance From an Early Age

The good news is that mentors are everywhere. And you may have experienced mentorship without realising it. Angela credits her mother as her first mentor. ‘Mentorship starts when you’re a baby. Your mentor can be your mother, your parents, your siblings, your teachers, your community, your culture,’ she says.

Emmanuel adds that a good mentor doesn’t only help you learn new skills. They also help build confidence. And that holds true in your personal relationships as well.

Here are some advantages of having a mentor in your life and how powerful mentor and mentee partnerships can set you up for success:

• Remind you of your ‘why’
• Help you visualize your goals.
• How to bounce back from failure.
• Point out opportunities you might miss.
• Remind you that you’re not in this alone.
• How to lead with balance, purpose, and heart.
• Connect you to people who might help you move forward.

Informal and Formal Mentors

You can have informal and formal mentors. Angela explains, ‘My mom was an informal mentor. But when I think of businessman Bob Pirtle, who helped us franchise DetailXPerts, our mobile cleaning company,  all those years ago, he became a formal mentor.’ 

Tune into the episode to hear more about how their formal mentor realized Angela and Emmanuel had something special, and helped set their business up for success based on a proven franchise business model. Pirtle’s experience in franchising and willingness to share his knowledge helped Angela and Emmanuel avoid early mistakes.

A great mentor will hold you accountable and help you avoid pitfalls, and teach you how to find your joy in entrepreneurship.

The Mentor and Mentee Relationship Is a Support System

Listen to what Angela has to say about her experience at Central State University, when she realized that mentorship and learning collide. She met multiple mentors who have shaped her career. 

But her mentors did more than provide educational support and encouragement. They lifted her up during her lowest moments. Two days before her 19th birthday, her mother passed away, and Angela suddenly found herself at a crossroads. Instead of returning to Detroit to “figure it out,” she made the decision to go back to Central State. Not only did she return, but she also achieved straight A’s. 

In the midst of grief, she realised she had gained something precious, an extended family. Professors, mentors, and friends surrounded her, and that community became the support system that helped her keep going. 

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How to Find a Mentor

So, if you’re listening to the podcast and wondering where to start looking for a mentor, this episode shares some tips for mentees. Angela suggests:

• Start by looking for people who inspire you, not just in business, but in character and personality.
• Don’t be afraid to ask someone you admire to help you excel.
• Send them a short email or invite them to a 10-minute virtual coffee and introduce yourself.
• Tell them what you’re trying to achieve. 
• Be respectful of their time. 

Equally important, if you find yourself in a position to mentor someone, don’t underestimate your influence. But don’t overestimate it either. You don’t need to be perfect; you simply need to be willing to share your journey honestly, the good, the bad, and the messy in between. 

Angela and Emmanuel remind us that someone out there needs to hear the story you’ve lived. And when you choose to share those experiences, you create space for others to rise with us. That is the mentorship effect: lifting one another up through openness, connection, and courage. Also, helping others pursue their passion and living with purpose.

Mentorship Is a Two-Way Street

Angela reminds us that mentorship starts with curiosity and respect. Moreover, it is a two-way street. True mentorship flows both ways. I.e., while mentors offer wisdom, guidance, and perspective, mentees bring fresh energy, new ideas, and a willingness to learn. 

This episode explores how each person shapes the other. Emmanuel reminds us that the mentor and mentee relationship is built on mutual growth, shared experiences, and the understanding that learning comes from both sides. We’re all still learning.

Emmanuel adds, ‘My goal as a mentor is to keep learning as a mentee. And we share the same mentor-mentee relationship with our franchisees, too. We’re showing them the business model they can use, and they bring their strengths and ideas to the table.’ For more lessons in business, listen to Entrepreneurs share their secrets and tips.

Lessons Learned, Lessons Passed On

To sum up, this is the perfect episode for you if you’ve ever wondered if you could benefit from having a mentor or whether you can help someone else. As Angela says, mentorship is one of the most rewarding experiences you can give or receive. ‘With the help of my mentors, I’ve learned how to balance it all. Now, I want to pay it forward.’ Here are some ways you can give back:

• Share your experience with someone starting out. Even a short conversation can make a difference.
• Be generous with your knowledge. Speak at a local event, join a panel, or host a workshop in your community.
• Offer encouragement. Sometimes all someone needs to hear is, “You’ve got this.”
• Create opportunities. Recommend someone for a role, introduce them to your network, or open a door you once walked through.
• Be available. The best mentors aren’t perfect; they’re present.

Emmanuel also offers a powerful reminder. ‘You never know what a person is going through. A simple kind gesture can be the difference between life and death.’

The full episode dives even deeper into this topic, from a little tough love and accountability to how one piece of advice can change how someone leads, thinks, or believes in themselves. If you need inspiration or feel encouraged to lift someone else up, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode

Want to join more conversations with Angela and Emmanuel? Subscribe to our ‘More Details, Please’ podcast and join the Williams so you never miss an episode. This season’s theme on learning is perfect for curious minds. Joining them are inspirational guests who want to help you succeed in life and business.

To listen to the full interview, search for More Details, Please, on Spotify and YouTube now. Or click the link. 

Watch the Full Podcast Episode

Click the link on your preferred platform to hear the entire episode with Angela and Emmanuel. And don’t forget to subscribe to More Details, Please so you never miss an episode. You’ll also discover many more great conversations on people, purpose, and well-being because these are the real priorities that shape your success.

To listen to the full interview, search for More Details, Please, on Spotify and YouTube now.