Mentoring Spotlight: John Young's Journey with Alloy
Years of Mentoring Experience
John Young first stepped into the role of a mentor in 2014, when Dennis Rienersman, who managed the program at the time, asked him to fill in for an absent member. Since then, John has been a dedicated mentor, sharing his wealth of experience with aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Inspiration Behind Mentoring
As a former teacher, John is naturally drawn to opportunities to share his knowledge and experiences to help others. He loves learning and is energized by the talent, diverse expertise, and intelligence within the mentor group. The group includes patent attorneys, engineers, finance experts, manufacturers, marketing professionals, CEOs, and investors, representing both startups and large companies. This eclectic mix of brilliant minds provides John with continuous learning opportunities and the chance to grow alongside the entrepreneurs they mentor.
The Joy of Mentoring
John enjoys the depth of experience within the mentor group and appreciates the camaraderie and mutual respect they share. His career as a creative director in advertising and marketing, working with Fortune 500 companies and visionary startups, provides him with unique insights. Having been a freelancer, a partner in an agency that sold to an international conglomerate, and the founder of startups, John offers a broad perspective to the startups he mentors. His experiences, both good and bad, help him guide new entrepreneurs effectively. The collaborative nature of the mentoring sessions, where mentors build on each other's ideas, is something John deeply values.
Memorable Mentoring Experiences
For John, no single experience stands out. Instead, it’s the consistency and quality of the sessions that leave a lasting impression. The few times he felt disappointed were when a startup wasn't ready for the session. Overall, the high standards of the program and the readiness of the entrepreneurs make each session worthwhile.
About John Young
John Young is an award-winning advertising copywriter and creative director, creative consultant, CEO of two startups, and CMO of another. Currently, he writes fiction and is the author of the novels "Getting Huge," "When the Coin is in the Air," and "Fire in the Field and Other Stories." He resides in Cincinnati.