In this monologue, the speaker recounts an interview with Leslie Blodgett, founder of Bare Minerals, who sold her company to Shiseido for about $1.2 billion. When asked who her biggest mentor was, Blodgett named her personal counselor—a surprising answer that challenges the common notion of mentorship being tied to high‑profile or celebrity figures. The speaker reflects on how many people overlook the subtle, everyday influences that shape their lives, emphasizing the importance of listening closely to those who speak into our journeys. The takeaway is that mentorship can be simple, coming from trusted, close relationships rather than grand, aspirational personalities.
Chapters
The most unique person I ever met in business was a lady by the name of Leslie Blodgett. Now, most people have never heard that name. You think of some celebrity or what have you. If you've heard of the makeup line, Bare Minerals Makeup, she was the founder of Bare Minerals Makeup. She sold her company to Shiseido in Japan for, I think, about $1.2 billion. I sat with her one time on my radio show, and we were talking about different things that make us unique in what we do. And I said to Leslie, who's been your biggest mentor in your life? You know what she said to me? She said, Colin, my counselor. I was like, Leslie, you kidding me? She's like, if I didn't have a counselor, I would not be where I was, where I am today. But she had sold her business, had done very, very well for herself financially. And I'm like, that's probably one of the most unique situations I've ever seen. We all talk about our mentors being these grand pooga people and whatever, and maybe people we aspire to be, but for her, it was her counselor. And it made me think a lot of some people that are really close to me, how they have actually mentored me indirectly, even though I haven't really given them recognition for that mentorship. I suppose the best thing I could take away from that is listen intently to what other people say to you, especially have the right to talk into your life. Lesley had so much right to talk into my life and it changed me after I walked away and I was like, wow, sometimes things are just simple, not that complicated.
