In our professional and live’s work, we would come across these three influential figures from time to time.

First, Mentors.

Mentors are people who we look up to. They model the kind of person we want to become. Most times, they are not within our reach and network. And we may have to pay to access them except you have express permission of access. They’re successful people within our environment who have been able to make impact on local and global stages. They’re available in every country.

Next: Investors.

Investors are those who are willing to invest their money to see that you become better and achieve set goals. And they look out for profit in terms of financial gain. They’re willing to provide funds to expand your idea, business or project. One important thing for investors is that you or your idea must be scalable and profitable, meaning you must have started something for them to invest in.

We have sponsors.

Sponsors are people ahead of you who are committed to making you or your brand succeed. They’re within our network and they have access to our work. They invest their time, resources, energy, connection and money in you and would stop at nothing to see you succeed. Most times, they take you by the hand and teach you the ropes. We see them everyday and they can relate with our struggles. They’ve been there, done that before. They’re our Parents, teachers, pastors, elder brothers or sisters, close friends. Every day people. They see the future in you even when you’re blind to it. They’re your number one fan and cheer leader.

They’re always rooting for you.

Mentors, investors and sponsors are in short supply and you can decide to become one within your sphere of influence if you’ve got the capacity. One thing that makes it easy to access these crop of people is the internet. You have to know how to use the internet to position your self. To get found and be called. One of my mentors said ‘only the visible get called’. So on the internet, you have to be visible before you can be called.

The thing is; to get the kind of mentorship, investment or sponsorship that you seek, it pays to be hungry for change and success. It pays to show that you’re tired of the status quo. It pays to keep showing up and do your work like no one else would.

Getting a mentor, investor or sponsor starts with you.

Chukwuka Nwabuogor