Who's Mentoring Whom?

Social Media has been a topic for sometime; it goes back almost two decades.
http://historycooperative.org/the-history-of-social-media/ .  It is the hot topic of  my week.  I met with two fascinating young women this week. In both cases I was asked to connect with them to act as a "mentor". Both Women are forging ahead building their own businesses and having remarkable success.  One in Minneapolis and one in Los Angeles. But location doesn't mean anything to these young women, their businesses happen online through social media.  

Advertising, sponsorships and endorsements are streams of revenue. While we worry about identity fraud, and being hacked, they build their businesses by being visible and accessible. They have millions of followers each month. I can't even fathom that. Did I mention that they are 24 and 25 years old and are living their dreams? Their positive energy and excitement about conducting business was inspiring. I witnessed a work ethic and commitment in these young women that was admirable.

Last fall I watched the movie The Intern with Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU3Xban0Y6A ) and I can't help but see the similarities to my journey. I am much younger than Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) who "is a 70-year-old widower who has discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be",  and I am not in a position to retire.  Both Whittaker and I want to take our experiences and be useful, be helpful, and be of value. 

Yes, I do have knowledge that comes with experience/age and yes I will "mentor" them in many ways. My knowledge of the consumer, sales and marketing, bricks and mortar retail and online shopping, as well as general business acumen is of value. Yet I can learn so much about social media from these young women. They not only understand how to reach their audience in a meaningful way ... through good content.  But they also know the importance of a good blog and Instagram/Snapchat  (Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest are given). Did you know there are conferences for Bloggers?http://www.blogher.com/conferences   

So, as I set out on my new adventure in life, one of my goals is to give back. To pay it forward.  I am certain that I will get back from these amazing young women so much more than I can give.  Here's to a great example of women supporting women! 

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