The first time I met Tracey Timpanaro was in 2011.
She was a freelance writer and editor with a successful career in corporate communications. I was a single mother with a tentative dream.
“You can do this,” she said with a smile. I must have looked skeptical because she said it again. “You can do this.” 
She saw hope in me before I saw it myself. And she was the first person who told me I could do it. Everyone else I had spoken to said that starting a business on my own was entirely too risky.
Tracey offered an internship, and over the next year, she peppered me with assignments and feedback. Sometimes I nailed it; sometimes, I got it wrong. She was always brutally honest.
I watched the easy way she interacted with clients and the meticulous way she tracked hours. I watched how she made possible what others said was impossible.
One year later, I established my own company. I had learned from Tracey the grit and determination it would take to succeed, so I got to work.
Early mornings were spent at networking events. Late nights were spent creating my website. Weekends were spent at business courses. Every day was spent writing and editing.
Tracey was there for my first big break. An international pharmaceutical company wanted a database of formulas proofread by an aggressive deadline. She provided the names of freelancers so that I could cobble together a team.
“And remember,” she said, “you’re worth your rate. Don’t sell yourself short.”
Working around the clock for months, the project was a success. It gave me the confidence to keep going — to aim for bigger and better projects.
Throughout it all, Tracey has remained only an email away. And we’ve found opportunities to work together on projects throughout the years.
I am thankful for the mentor who started it all more than a decade ago.
Today, I speak to single parents who feel tentative about their futures. I see hope in them before they see it themselves.
I smile and say, “You can do this.”
How can you find a business mentor?
If you don’t already have someone like Tracey in your life, you should find a business mentor.
Business mentors are beneficial for many reasons. They increase your knowledge and maximize your performance. Mentors build your confidence and improve your problem-solving abilities. They develop your leadership skills and widen your network of business contacts. And if they’re followers of Christ, they can help you navigate the nuances of Christian business ownership.
Here are some ways to find a business mentor:
Begin with prayer. Bring your need to the Lord. Ask Him to prepare the road and relationship ahead for you so your business continues to glorify Him.
Consider your existing network. Think about former and present colleagues and people in your church community and alumni association who lead in ways you admire.
Join an industry association. Observe the professionals who are active in an industry group. It’s a great place to find others in your field who can help pave the way for you.
Meet with a SCORE mentor. SCORE gives free business advice through its national network of volunteer business experts. They’re experienced in all aspects and stages of business development, whether you’re starting a business or growing your existing company.
Hire a business coach. A coach can help you sharpen your business identity, implement systems, and measure results. I was blessed to work with a Christian business coach rooted in a Christ-like approach to people and business.
Engage in a Christian business organization. Groups like Unconventional Business Network are invaluable for Christian professionals. It’s a safe place where Christian leaders can help each other honor God in the workplace and market space.
All the best in your search!
Ella Ritchie is an Unconventional Business Network forum leader and founder of Stellar Communications Houston, a nonfiction book publishing and marketing team for self-published authors, business leaders, families, and nonprofits. She enjoys ministering with her
husband as adult Bible study leaders and DivorceCare facilitators and spending time with their four children – and two new grandchildren!
*A portion of this post was first published by Johnson Press of America, Volume 13, Issue 5, September 2019. Photos by Kathleen McCall.
