Over the years, I’ve worked with some of the best in their industries—whether in business, marketing, AI, or even travel. I’ve built businesses from scratch, helped brands like Tiffany & Co. and Revlon, and developed strategies that have generated millions. I even turned a major flaw in Apple’s iPod into a multimillion-dollar business, proving that success isn’t just about who you know—it’s about what you do with the knowledge you have.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Mentorship is one of the greatest accelerators of success—not just for me, but for many of the top entrepreneurs and leaders I’ve worked with. The right mentor won’t just help you make more money or grow your business; they can shift your entire perspective.
Yet, too many people hesitate to seek mentorship because they think they don’t have the right connections or don’t know where to start.
The Right Way to Find a Mentor
A lot of people assume mentorship is about landing a big-name investor or a high-profile CEO. It’s not. The best mentors aren’t necessarily the most famous; they’re the ones with real-world experience who are willing to guide you.
In fact, you probably already have potential mentors around you—a successful business owner in your network, someone whose career path you admire, or even a peer who has mastered something you haven’t yet. But here’s where most people get it wrong:
They approach mentorship with a taking mindset. They want knowledge, access, and connections. But successful people are busy. If you want a mentor to take you seriously, you need to offer value first.
Why I Don't Call Myself a "Coach"
There’s a reason I don’t call myself a coach.
The word has been diluted by people who have never actually built anything. I know so-called “wealth coaches” who are dead broke. Others teach business strategies they’ve never used themselves. If you look closely, many of them don’t actually do what they say—they just repeat what they’ve read in a book or learned from a course.
A true mentor isn’t just someone who talks about success—they’ve lived it. They’ve built something, taken risks, failed, adapted, and succeeded at a high level.
That’s also why I don’t believe in free mentorship.
When people pay, they pay attention.
Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern—those who get things for free rarely follow through. But when people invest in themselves and in working with me, they show up, do the work, and actually get results.
How to Attract the Right Mentor
Lance Manion, a movie producer from Hawaii, figured this out. Instead of just asking for advice, he made me an irresistible offer:
"Rolf, I want you to mentor me. But here’s my promise—I will always value your time, I will make it easy for you to mentor me, and I will be your best student."
Brad stood out because he understood the right approach. If you want to attract a great mentor, follow these steps:
- Respect their time. Don’t waste it. Be intentional, prepared, and efficient in your communication.
- Commit to being their best student. Brad didn’t just promise—he followed through. He listened, implemented quickly, and came back with results. That’s what makes mentorship worth it for the mentor.
- Find ways to provide value. You have something to offer, even if you don’t realize it. Brad was already a successful producer, and I also learned from him. The best mentorships are mutually beneficial.
The Power of Proximity
One of the most powerful lessons Brad learned wasn’t something I taught directly—it was something he absorbed through proximity.
He didn’t try to force rigid meetings into my packed schedule. Instead, he followed through on the advice I gave him, stayed close to high-value conversations, and put himself in environments where success was happening.
This is an important lesson. You don’t always need formal mentorship. Sometimes, just being in the right room, listening to the right conversations, and observing how top performers operate can accelerate your growth.
Locking in What You Learn
The biggest mistake people make with mentorship? Thinking it’s a one-way street. Learning from a mentor is just step one. If you want that knowledge to stick, you need to teach it to someone else.
"Find the right mentor, become their best student, and then teach what you’ve learned to others."
That’s the formula.
Want Me to Mentor You?
If you’re serious, do this right now:
👉 Click the button below and let me know:
- Why you’re looking for a mentor
- Your industry
- Why you’re ready to learn, grow, and take action
If you’re ready, I’ll know. If not, that’s fine too—mentorship is for those who are serious about results.