Natalie Machado Reflects on Mentorship for National Mentor Day

Our industry is fortunate to have so many experienced professionals who are willing to share their wisdom with younger colleagues. They understand the value of mentorship because they know how much they have benefitted personally throughout their careers.

Mentorship is the connective tissue of the industry, bringing positive outcomes in many ways. Good and timely mentorship can push you through difficult times—whether personal or professional. Mentors and mentees both benefit from these relationships, and the mentoring does not even need to be a formal arrangement.

Mentorship can be shown by simply sitting down and talking about the business. Mentees can really benefit when they are encouraged to ask the questions that are on their minds without fear of judgment. Great teaching moments happen too when mentees are invited on business trips and allowed to see the lessons in action.

Read on to hear from some of the leading experts in our field, including FreshSource’s own Natalie Machado, about how much mentorship has meant to them and how important it is to give back.