The Lasting Impact of Mentorship and the Power of Helping Others
The Encounter
Walking through the busy streets of New York, I found a strange kind of peace. The city was not the same anymore. Because of the pandemic, people were worried and everything was different. I am someone who has a lot of experience in business, and even for me, the city felt strange and filled with doubts. But walking, seeing the empty streets and closed shops, gave me time to think.
On one of these quiet walks, I met a man named Kalilu Touray . He used to wash dishes at a McDonald’s restaurant. But now, he was out of a job because of the pandemic – something that was happening to a lot of people. I could see in his eyes that he was very worried, just like the rest of the city. But there was also something else in his eyes – a small light, like he still had hope and wasn’t ready to give up.
He came up to me, looking a bit nervous. His English wasn’t perfect, but he got his message across very clearly. “Excuse me, sir, I hear you help people. I… I lost my job. I don’t know what to do,” he said. When he spoke, I could feel his desperation but also his desire to make things better for himself. It wasn’t just someone looking for easy answers; he really wanted to change his situation.
I remembered an old saying that goes,“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” It means that to solve a big problem, you have to start with small steps. Looking at Kalilu Touray, I felt this was the time to help, to show him how to take the first small step. He needed guidance, and I felt ready to offer that, to help him start moving those small stones to change his life.
The Revelation
During our talk, I could tell that Kalilu Touray was really scared. He was scared that other people might take his business ideas and use them as their own. This kind of fear is something many people from Africa, where both of us come from, often feel. We tried speaking in Mandingo, a language from our homeland. I’m not great at Mandingo, but I tried my best. Speaking in our language made Kalilu feel a bit more relaxed and connected to me.
I asked him how he was doing in Mandingo, “Ebe na-di, Kalilu ?” His answer showed me he wasn’t sure what would happen next in his life. He seemed lost about his future.
I wanted to understand more about what Kalilu Touray could do well, what special thing he had that could help him. That’s when he told me about his sewing skills. His mother had taught him back in Burkina Faso, his home country. As soon as he mentioned sewing, an idea started forming in my mind.
I shared with him a piece of wisdom that felt right for our situation: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” What I meant was, instead of just feeling upset about bad things, it’s better to do something positive to make things better. I suggested he could start a small business making masks. Because of the pandemic, everyone needed masks, so many people would buy them.
When I said this, Kalilu looked surprised. He was worried but also interested. It seemed like he had never thought about using his sewing skills in this way before.
The Plan
I began to explain a simple business plan to Kalilu. It was easy to understand but could really help him start a new chapter in his life. I pointed out that he could use the $5,000 he had saved up to create something valuable. “You should buy some 100% cotton fabric, elastic, and whatever else you need for making masks,” I suggested. I also told him that he could change his apartment into a little sewing area, a kind of mini factory for his new business.
I wanted to make sure Kalilu could picture what I was describing, so I explained how turning his home into a place where he could work and create could really pay off. Even though many businesses were struggling because of the pandemic, his mask-making business could actually do well.
Then, I had another idea to help him save money and be more efficient. “Why not get an electric bike? You can use it to deliver masks all around the city,” I proposed. This way, he wouldn’t have to spend a lot of money on transport, and he could deliver his masks quickly to people who needed them.
As I laid out these ideas, I noticed a change in Kalilu. He was paying close attention, soaking in every word. I could see him starting to feel less scared and more excited about the future. He was beginning to see a path forward, thinking about all the possibilities. I felt like I was watching a plant start to grow – Kalilu was slowly starting to believe in himself and what he could achieve.
The Transformation
Time flew by, and what happened with Kalilu was like a miracle. In just a few weeks, he changed everything. His apartment, which used to be so quiet and still, turned into a lively place full of energy and creativity. It became a place where he made masks, each one carefully and beautifully made by his own hands. People began to know him for his high-quality masks. He rode his electric bike all over New York City, delivering masks to people who needed them. His bike wasn’t just a bike anymore; it showed everyone how tough and flexible he could be.
Something amazing happened in just one month. Kalilu made more than $75,000 from selling his masks. Before, he couldn’t even imagine having that much money in such a short time. But it wasn’t just about the money for Kalilu. What really mattered was how he helped people during a scary time. He gave them something that made them feel safer. That made him feel really good.
He remembered an old saying, “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others build windmills.” He understood now more than ever what that meant. Instead of giving up when things got hard, he decided to do something positive. He didn’t hide from the problems. Instead, he found a way to be helpful and make things better. He was like someone building windmills, using the changes and challenges to do something good.
Meet Zill is a cherished e-commerce maestro and accredited mentor, with a specialization that spans a vast array of business domains. Renowned for his profound expertise in e-commerce strategies and growth, particularly for Amazon FBA, Shopify, and online ventures, He embodies the spirit of innovation and wisdom. Beyond his expertise, he shines as a creator, sage, and compelling speaker, offering his guidance and consultancy from the heart of New York. Connect with him at zilldaily@gmail.com to embark on a journey of transformative e-commerce succes