Here’s what I was envisioning for the mentoring program when we first started discussing it months ago: Consultants would be paired up with novices, and would be available as a “sounding board” of sorts as the novices learned more about the industry and forming their businesses. By forming one-on-one relationships, both consultant and novice member would be strengthening contacts in the industry and it would allow the pair to get to know each other on a much deeper level. Since most coordinators work alone, it’s important to have colleagues in the business you can turn to for advice, guidance and assistance, especially if you are in a pinch. The novice would be able to gain a wealth of knowledge from someone who’s been there, and the consultant would be able to play a role in helping to advance our industry and possibly learn to look at things with a fresh perspective. Even though I have been in the business for 7∏ years, I am always open to learning more. I would like to see the wedding consulting field taken more seriously by the wedding industry and in order to promote professionalism, we all need to be willing to give back. There is more than enough business to go around for all of us, so I would love to see consultants – both seasoned and new – work together to strengthen our industry.
 
If the ABC membership is interested in participating in such a program, then I will be more than willing to sign up. Please feel free to forward my comments to the other members of ABC or to post them on the blog if you wish. I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for all of your hard work!
 

This summer I will be in the process of getting our new mentoring program going.  Since there are not set rules for me to do this, I need your help in making this program one that will give not only the new novice consultants but also the experienced consultants the most benefits.  Please feel free to discuss on this blog any ideas you think we should do.  If you are interested in being part of this program - please fill out the form located on the home page.  Check "teacher" and the areas if you are willing to be the "educating consultant"  Dottie