IC TIG Week: June 5th is My Independence Day by Mindelyn Anderson & Geri Lynn Peak

Hi, I am Mindelyn Anderson, Ph.D.,  Founder + Principal Consultant of Mirror Group LLC, LEEAD* Protege, and IC TIG Program Co-Chair.  Hi, I am Geri Lynn Peak, DrPH, Chief Insight Facilitator of Two Gems Consulting Services and Itinerant Social Actionist, 3X LEEAD Mentor, Mirror Group Birth Doula. We are sharing our experiences of how our relationship of mentor (Geri) & mentee (Mindelyn) helped leverage independence for transformation.

As the nation celebrates Juneteenth and the 4th of July, in fact, June 5th is my (Mindelyn) Independence Day. On that date 3 years ago, Mirror Group LLC was born in the basement efficiency my husband, myself, and our 3 daughters ages 3 and under called home. It was a time of transition. I had submitted my letter of resignation closing the door on my first career as a tenure-track professor and opening the window to what lay ahead as a small business owner.

Hot Tip: Get a mentor. Mindelyn came to the LEEAD program with a mission to transition!  I (Geri) listened to her words and heart weekly, with her youngest daughter in tow, and supported creating goals that were professional and personal.

Cool Trick: Set a Goal Action Plan that accounts for personal and professional growth. My (Geri) engagement as a mentor covered everything from negotiating contracts to soothing her husband’s nerves.  I encouraged a level of orderliness I personally eschew, and counseled flexibility with the rules for founding a business.

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