Are There Really Mentors Out There?

[Shelly F.]

I am new to REI and I wonder if I am too "naive"...? Despite my inexperience in REI I bring a ton of skills and sales ability to the table, and of course I'm willing to dig in, help out, and LEARN. My question is, am I being too foolish to think that I can find a mentor in my area who: 1) won't charge me for being of service to them and allowing me to learn as we go; 2) would have any reason to mentor me; or 3) would have no ulterior motives in mentoring me other than allowing me to help them out as I learn from their experience?

I am a self-starter and aggressive go-getter but I realize I need to partner with someone experienced as I take my first baby steps....do mentors really exist????