Nicole Caley
DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE FOR ACE HARDWARE Growing up in diverse environments taught Nicole Caley to never judge a book by its cover. It’s something she strongly believes in instilling in youth. Caley is director of accounts payable for Ace Hardware but keeps an entrepreneurial outlook in her corporate world. She says it’s important to build relationships and to be fearless so that when opportunities arise, you’re ready. And when it comes to networking and approaching the right person, Caley urges young adults to step out of their own “realm” to make the contacts. “You might not know the person who can give you an opportunity,” she says. Caley tells young adults that first impressions can change things and that it’s imperative to make the right one because you never know who’s watching — that person could be the link to an opportunity to change a life for good.
Gary Rabine
FOUNDER OF TRUE MENTORS, ENTREPRENEUR Gary Rabine knows what it’s like to work hard to be successful. Even at a young age, he had a business mindset and was driven to excel. He sought out businessmen to talk to and sort of “sponge” off their work tactics because he wanted to get to their level. It’s why he understands the art of networking. “Getting out to meet people is something we all need to do. …To understand networking at a high level is huge,” Rabine says. Today, he has 11 businesses but still wants to improve himself and the empire he’s created. “Having passion for something in life drives anyone to be successful,” he says. Rabine strives to encourage others to find something they’re good at and, if they have the right work ethic, they will accomplish their dreams.
Elizabeth Colon
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER AT METAPHRASIS LANGUAGE & CULTURAL SOLUTIONS LLC Elizabeth Colon knows firsthand that past experiences shape who you become. She now sees that all of her struggles were not in vain. As a Latina, she’s faced adversity in male-dominated environments. But that doesn’t stop her from working hard and proving false assumptions wrong. She’s learned the importance of endurance. “We have to position them to be strong women, strong men -- let them know that they can be vulnerable, they can cry, they can fail, but let them know that it’s okay.” Colon says True Mentors has given her the platform to “speak and engage with others who are seeking mentoring. It’s really gratifying to me because I hope I can direct someone who doesn’t have direction to the right path and not waste so many years like I did.” Visit truementors.com to learn how you can gain the benefits of having a mentor in your life. TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 45