There was uproar online recently when a Nigerian entrepreneur offered his $20,000 “mentorship” program to Nigerians at a “discount” of $18,000. The backlash was swift. People questioned his track record, brought up past legal issues, and debated whether anyone should charge that much for knowledge. But beyond the noise lies a deeper issue: most people don’t understand the difference between mentorship, coaching, consulting, and apprenticeship. When these roles are confused, people get misled, overcharged, or disappointed. To navigate your growth journey well, you must first learn what kind of help you need. And what kind is truly being offered.
Mentorship is not a product you buy. It is a relationship. A mentor is someone who has walked your path and is now committed to helping you for the long haul. True mentorship is often free and flows out of genuine care and alignment. Coaching, on the other hand, is a paid, professional relationship. You pay a coach for their time, systems, and methods to help you hit specific goals. Apprenticeship involves you working under someone, in order to gain hands-on experience. You work for the person. You work in their business and projects. Clarity on these terms can save you from costly confusion.
Before you hand over your money or call someone your mentor, pause. Are you just a customer or do you have a relationship with this person? Is this person really invested in your growth, or are they just selling you “access”? We live in an age of fake gurus and overpriced programs, and many people are paying for hype, not help. In Scripture, Paul didn’t invoice Timothy. He discipled him (apprenticeship). A real mentor sees you. A coach trains you for a fee. An apprenticeship humbles you. Know the difference. Don’t be fooled by smooth talk and big price tags. Ask the hard questions. Clarity will save you.
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