The Mentor: Sharon Whiteman, Richer Lives
Why did you become a Mentor?
I became a Mentor to help people, to give back and to broaden my personal skill base. I’ve seen individuals really struggle in starting a business and many quit because they thought ‘they couldn’t do it’ and from my vantage point I could see that all they needed was support and new skill development. I believe every business owner deserves a supportive mentor behind them.
What were you hoping to get from the experience? Mostly the internal satisfaction of having made a difference for someone wading through new waters and, probably more confidence and trust in myself. I also looked forward to increasing my knowledge base by learning from other mentors, the mentorees and the various business experts who were guest speakers on the program.
What is the biggest challenge in being a Mentor? The biggest challenge about being a mentor was to manage my mindset and emotions. In particular, I sometimes felt I should know everything about every aspect of business, or every challenge or stall point the mentorees were experiencing. Then I sat back, reviewed my own personal business experience, and realised that my success, strengths, skills and ability to overcome obstacles grew from a range of experiences, education and multiple mentors. Mentors for me have ranged from those in formalised mentoring relationships, friends who are in business, colleagues within my company to professional trainers inside and outside of my specific industry.
What is the most powerful thing you’ve learned? I think the most powerful thing I’ve learned from participating in MentorNet is how powerful and resilient ‘women with a mission/passion’ are. In addition, I achieved a powerful personal insight in realising how similar all forms of business are. My business is in direct sales and I had a perception that the skill development needed and challenges faced were very different – I learned that was not true at all.
What would you say to anyone considering participating in the MentorNet program?
I’d say – for the large majority of business owners, it’s essential to be in a forum of like minds, to stay connected with a community of peers, to commit to be comfortable and open in the position of being a ‘learner’ and finally, that ‘you deserve it!’
Any additional comments? Inspiring the business women of Australia is a great, powerful and essential mission. Congratulations Suzi and ABN team!
Tell us about your business. My business, Richer Lives, is a synchronistic melding of two of my passions – wellness, both in health and finance. Richer Lives partners with a leading edge research and development company, bringing the best, patented science-based, micro-nutrient technology to market. In my business, I have the responsibility and privilege to inspire interested individuals to take action about two urgent messages:
- It’s urgent to take a proactive stance now about protecting your health, ‘proactive longevity’ and
- It’s equally urgent to take that same proactive stance with the well-being of your finances.
Everyone has a right to wellness in both these areas.
Name: Sharon Whiteman
Company: Richer Lives
Website: www.richerlives.com.au
Sharon was a mentor on the MentorNet program. For details on the current mentoring programs with HerBusiness, visit our Get a Mentor page, here.
The Mentoree: Sheryl Cole, Twospoonfulsofsugar
Why did you become a Mentoree?
I am a very creative person with big goals and visions… but frustration and naivety got in the way of the actual running and maintenance of my business. Direct support and knowledge from a successful business person in this area sounded like a very positive step forward.
What were you hoping to get from the experience? More confidence and knowledge about running and maintaining a healthy growing business. Also to meet/learn/network with a diversity of business women.
What is the biggest challenge of being a Mentoree? Staying on track.
What is the most powerful thing you’ve learned? The more I step out of my comfort zone the more success I experience in myself and business.
What would you say to anyone considering being a Mentoree in the MentorNet program? The more time you invest working ON your business, the more you and your business will be rewarded. Being a Mentoree in MentorNet has been a great first step at expanding my business confidence and knowledge. It offers an online support and learning network and I’ve met some great friends along the way!
Tell us about about your business. Twospoonfulsofsugar shares smiles. “The Farmyard” is our first collection of adorable handmade greeting cards and make-me kits featuring nine uniquely funny and furry characters that are destined to be kept and cherished, perfect for any occasion when you want to give someone special not just a card or a gift but a big, happy grin. My greatest joy comes from watching people’s reactions to twospoonfulsofsugar’s creations; they nearly always react with a sense of child-like wonder… with a huge, delighted smile. I love knowing my customers will be passing those smiles on when they give one of my cards or make-me kits to a friend or loved one, and then receiving a smile back in return.
Name: Sheryl Cole
Company: Twospoonfulsofsugar
Website: www.twospoonfulsofsugar.com
Sheryl was a mentoree on the MentorNet program. For details on the current mentoring programs with HerBusiness, visit our Get a Mentor page, here.
