Q&A with Katherine Makinney, Founder of MentourUp
1. Tell us a bit about Mentour
MentourUp is now a blog about a massive problem in the United States, which is an historically low labor participation rate, meaning many people that want a middle class life don’t have one because they are un- or under-employed. I think this relates also to the opioid epidemic as well. I think the answer lies in addressing the skills gap and giving people a mentor that guides them through a transition process.
2. What gave you the idea for
Honestly, the idea came to me on November 9th. The nation was in shock that Donald Trump had been elected. But if the press had turned the cameras around at a Hillary rally and at a Trump rally, you would have begun to see that people were very passionate about him. Why? Sixty minutes did an episode in Ohio with Democratic Steel Workers before the election. None of them planned to vote for Hillary. Why? “We like jobs.” There is an invisible market of people that need help. So, I started thinking…and realized that there was a way to help people transition to the informational age through technology.
3. What’s your favorite thing
I like helping people and solving problems.
4. What are your keys to makin
A morning routine. A general outline of how I’m going to attack the day and limiting distractions.
5. Tell us one long-term goal
To make an impact and leave a legacy of helping people better their lives.
6. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?
I think the world has changed dramatically in the last twenty to thirty years. No longer can you expect to get a degree or certification and just get hired. You have to sell yourself constantly. You have to always create value. You have to have a mindset of success. You have to hustle. There are domains such as government and education where that is not the case, but I would not be surprised if they are disrupted as well. In other words, it’s important to be excellent in whatever you choose to do because average is over. The way you become valuable is to be excellent.
7. What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?
Be smart, be flexible, think of yourself as a brand and make it be one of excellence. Apple outdoes Blackberry. Nordstroms will survive longer than K-Mart.
8. What are your favorite thin
I have a community of friends that I adore. I love spending time with them watching movies, having dinner, biking, or just hanging out. That is why we are here, to enjoy our relationships.
9. Name a few influential books you’ve read and/or websites you keep up with that you’d recommend to readers.
Average is Over 🙂 by Tyler Cowen.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
The Bible
Tim Ferris Podcast: https://tim.blog/
NPR’s How I Built This: http://www.npr.org/
