Good morning and welcome back to For Starters. I’m Chris Crosby, and I want to explore the notion of apprenticeship, mentorship, and specifically how we can recreate the kinds of environments where growth happens.
Reflecting on Early-Stage Influences
Early on, I spent a lot of time around leaders who had already built and sold successful companies. While these were primarily in call center outsourcing at the time, the principles I learned were timeless. These mentors walked me through P&Ls, taught me how to see the world from an entrepreneurial angle, and challenged the way I thought about operating a business. Their influence was a natural result of working together in person every day.
The Value of Being There
In those days, showing up in the office wasn’t a debate. You went in, you learned. By seeing how my mentors made decisions, I picked up practical knowledge that shaped me as a young manager and future founder. Now, many people are missing out on that dynamic. They’ve never experienced the direct feedback loops and spontaneous learning that being physically present can bring.
Founding Latigent
When I started Latigent, I wasn’t thinking in terms of “doing a startup.” Back then, people looked at me like I had two heads when I talked about it. So the mission was to build a solid business, survive, and ultimately thrive. The foundation was strong financial management, realistic expectations, and a healthy amount of not knowing what I couldn’t do. I also had a great co-founder where we challenged each other’s thinking.
Influence of Mastery
Robert Greene’s Mastery came out around 2012, and it underlined this idea of apprenticeship—putting yourself under the wing of seasoned professionals and learning by immersion. If your work setup doesn’t allow you to do this in person, you can still create a virtual version. Seek out podcasts, books, and individuals who challenge your thinking.
That was a big part of why I launched For Starters so that I offer the sort of resource I once benefited from, especially for people who feel isolated or unsure about their next steps.
The Takeaway
Whether it’s through direct in-person contact or intentional virtual exposure, chase the chance to learn from others who’ve been there. Ask questions, absorb the details of how they operate, and apply those insights to whatever you’re building. I’m confident it’ll elevate your leadership skills and sharpen your entrepreneurial instincts in ways you might not expect.
Let me know where you stand on this and how you’re cultivating your own mentorship circle. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and to fueling more growth together.
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