How did you find your mentor(s)?

Question

Todd posted a discussion I found interesting here:
http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/32/topics/52467-so-called-mentors

I thought I would add a thread that asks people how they found their mentor(s)?

This question doesn't necessary have to be for people who do just real estate investing because a mentor usually goes beyond their job.

So everyone, how did you track down the people that you would consider your mentors?
Do they all know you consider them a mentor?
How long did it take for the relationship to grow?

Steve L. · Answer

Ya, BP sure is a great place to start.

What's the old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child"?

Aisha S. · Answer

I am with you Steve L.  My mother was my first mentor then, it was one of my college professors, who I still keep in contact with, today.  
          
Unfortunately, I have not found a real estate mentor, yet.  But, I was told to stay away from those mentoring or coaching programs where you pay a stranger to look out for your best interests.    
          
After reading everyone's responses, it is very clear that a mentor is someone who has a genuine interest in seeing you do well in your chosen endeavors --- at no cost!  Bigger Pockets fulfills my mentoring needs for now.

Vikram C. · Answer

Steve, the closest thing to a mentor for me is Bigger Pockets.  I learn by reading the forum posts and asking questions on the forums.

I actually had no idea that there were mentors in business as I have never had one or needed one.  As Jeffrey said, you learn by doing and by talking to people who are more experienced than you.  I am not sure a mentor is really necessary to succeed in business.

Steve L. · Answer

Does anyone else have answers to the question?

Steve L. · Answer

To answer my own question:

My dad is my first mentor, so I was born into that one.

Another mentors was a client of mine in my business for REI.  We still talk about once a month and we have done a couple projects as partners.

In REI, my experience is like Jeff's.  I have 4 or 5 people that help me out with any questions, I would not call them mentors yet, but maybe a couple will get there.

Bill Gulley · Answer

Jeff, good point, often people find a mentor and not really realize it for some time. I was helped in the very beginning by a Realtor/Broker that tried to recruit me into real estate, turned out he turned me toward insurance because I'd have a pay check starting out. I'd say I didn't realize that he was assisting me in that capacity and we came friends. I did several FSBO deals with him but not in his capacity as my Realtor, so that's a friend. It only took a few months to develop the relationship.

Adding to that, many times people will talk to someone or read what they have written. They may not have much of a relationship at all, but without realizing it, they adapt or adopt points of view or startegies of that person. I guess that would be an informal mentor.

Jeffrey K. · Answer

I think a lot of new investors go looking for mentors and set themselves up to be taken advantage of.  People can smell easy prey.  That being said, I think mentors mostly happen by chance and often do not fit the perfect definition.

In my short rei career, I have met a few people who I am able to ask questions.  I dont call them my mentor and their help didnt change my life.  Most of this business you have to figure out by doing and common sense. Along the way you will meet people who have been doing it longer than you and in the corse of a conversation you will often pick up an idea.  In my case I was talking to a friend of my girlfriend's and she offered to share some of her rental forms with me and I took some of those ideas and incorporated them into my own forms,  I think this is more realistic and representitive of a mentor relationship.

J Scott · Answer

The two mentors I've had in my life were both in the corporate world and both were in my chain of management...
          
          One chose me to mentor and one I approached on my own and requested he mentor me.  
          
          Both relationships are going on about 10 years now, and while I probably only talk to them a few times/year (one I probably only speak with once a year or so), I expect them both to be life-long relationships.

Bryan Hancock · Answer

I found mine by networking.  The guy that I have been working with on CRE syndications for a few years was introduced to me by a friend in the industry.

I would say it has taken about a year for us to develop a good relationship.