I recently read a blog about mentors and I was inspired to write about my mentor and our founder, Les Blaser.

The post defined a mentor as “someone who has had a lasting effect on your career by shaping it in a significant way.”

Les introduced me to this industry which I have now been a part of for almost 15 years. He saw that a new college graduate from another industry had something to offer his company, so he brought me on board in 1995 to manage his new web site on senior housing & care. I asked if he was sending me back to school, because I didn’t know much about either topic. Les was a visionary! He had the foresight to realize this web thing was going to be big, and the upcoming baby boomers were going to use it to find senior housing & care, so he launched the New LifeStyles web site in 1995.

I had many dreams in mind for where my journalism degree would take me, and none included working with senior communities and care agencies. But Les brought me into his company/family and taught me about the industry. That was another area where Les was different. He treated his employees like family. He expected the most from you, but no more than he gave. He was there for you and expected the same of you. He was fair. He was very much a father figure and inspiration.

The post which inspired me also suggested a mentor had taught you fundamental principles that have stood the test of time, that you employ routinely, and that you dare not violate. And that you think about that mentor at some time during a normal week’s work.

Les taught me how to do business thoroughly, honestly and to the best of my ability. I not only think of him as I make sales calls (“Always make three points of contact”) and manage our web presence, but I still quote him as I’m making sales: “We are not a shot in the arm, but an IV drip… it takes some time to see results” and “I’ll take no for an answer, but I won’t take no answer”.

Les was a wonderful man and a visionary in the field. I owe him my successful career in a growing industry today. Thank you Les!