How to Be a Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Tracy Anderson  - Big Brother Big Sisters of Dane County On the Value of Being a Mentor to a Kid: "When you spend time with a child, it's shown to prove that they'll likely go to college when they grow up or have a better paying job or not partake in violence, alcohol or drugs." As entrepreneurs, we strive to do our best every day.  We push and drag ourselves, our employees, our clients and our vendors to join us in growing our business.  We do all of this for many reasons, but for many of us, that reason is based on two words, Growth and Freedom. What is interesting is that not everyone has that mindset, or has even had the opportunity to be exposed to that mindset.  Not everyone knows that you can do and be better.  Some people simply have not been shown all of the opportunity they really have. That is one of the reasons I became a Big, with Big Brothers Big Sisters and why we are lucky to have Tracy Anderson, of BBBS Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin to chat with us about the difference a mentor can make. Tracy explains what all Big Brothers Big Sisters does for kids, adults, the community and society at large.  All of this rolling around the idea of people sharing time, experience and ideas with each other, thinly veiled as just having fun hanging out. If you have ever wondered how you could make a difference in the world, as a way to show gratitude for the success you have achieved, I'd highly suggest becoming a Big. Listen as Tracy explains what it takes to be a Big and the challenges Big Brothers Big Sisters has continued to overcome, just like any business.  Often success can be measured by a bank account, more importantly, it can be measured in smiles and expanding the opportunity that you were lucky enough to learn about. Enjoy! Visit Tracy at: https://www.bbbsmadison.org/   Podcast Overview: 00:00 Building Birdhouses and Life Lessons 03:59 Mentoring Program: One-on-One Impact 07:04 "Child Signup Process Overview" 12:07 Revamping Recruitment Post-COVID 14:58 Interview Process for Kids and Bigs 18:14 Event Hub: Free, Discounted Activities 21:27 Unbreakable Bonds Through Mentorship 23:50 Podcast vs. Gaming Popularity Dilemma 28:31 "Community Outreach & Partnerships" 31:03 Economic Uncertainty Hits Spending 34:54 Dane County Scavenger Hunt Adventure 36:56 Team Roles: Fundraising and Missions 38:58 Mission-Based Team Challenges 44:43 "Team Building and Mission Alignment" 47:46 Transformative Experience Perspective 48:44 Mentorship Boosts Future Earnings 54:38 "Girls on the Run Program" 57:52 Local Giving Transparency in Madison Podcast Transcription: Tracy Anderson [00:00:00]: So it's a one to one mentoring program. So it's all about spending that one on one time. It truly makes a difference. And when you spend time with a child, we create new matches, ages 6 to 13. Another great reason why mentorship works. I mean, you're getting out of a different environment and you're being asked to do things that you know are going to help you when you become an adult. James Kademan [00:00:34]: You have found authentic Business Adventures, the business program that brings you the struggle stories and triumphant successes of business owners across the land. We are locally interwritten by the bank of Sun Prairie. Downloadable audio episodes can be found in the podcast link [e-mail] and today we're welcoming, preparing to learn from Tracy Anderson of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Dane County. So, Tracy, how is it going today? Tracy Anderson [00:00:58]: Good, good. James Kademan [00:00:59]: I'm excited for you to be here. Tracy Anderson [00:01:00]: Thank you. James Kademan [00:01:01]: I've been a big. I guess I'm not technically a Big anymore, but I was a Big with Danny. We got connected when he was 11. Tracy Anderson [00:01:08]: Okay. James Kademan [00:01:08]: So it's like I said, is almost forever. It's been a while.