Meet Our Models
When Demetria Jordan first asked Stephanie Sinkfield to be her mentor, Stephanie was floored. “I said at the time, ‘I’ll mentor you if you mentor me!’” Stephanie laughs. These ladies shared a mutual respect stemming from their respective successes in business, as well as in life, and over the course of their mentorship, that respect has only grown. They are keeping that mentorship (now dubbed a sisterhood) alive with monthly lunch dates and frequent check-ins. Here, Stephanie and Demetria discuss the lasting impact they’ve had on each other, both professionally and personally.
Photography by Lanewood Studio
“Mentoring is a way of pouring out everything that is good inside you into someone you see tremendous potential in. It’s saying that I trust you enough that I’m going to give you my time, my resources, my money, my family … it’s a faith walk.”
HS Demetria, how does Stephanie encourage and empower you as your mentor?
DJ Stephanie encourages me simply by believing in me; she just has a way of speaking life into me. She has walked with me through some tough business challenges, and she keeps me going. Stephanie has also been such a resource, and she’s constantly helping me get my name out there in the business world. We need more women who can do that for each other, who aren’t intimidated by it.
HS Stephanie, what does being a mentor mean to you?
SS Mentoring is a way of pouring out everything that is good inside you into someone you see tremendous potential in. It’s saying that I trust you enough that I’m going to give you my time, my resources, my money, my family … it’s a faith walk.
Mentoring can be challenging, and I’ve had a few not-so-good experiences where I was pouring into ladies who weren’t interested, weren’t coachable. But Demetria has really restored my faith in mentoring. She has blessed me more than I could ever bless her.
HS What is the biggest lesson you’ve each learned from each other?
SS I have seen Demetria handle herself with a level of maturity that most 60-year-olds don’t have under extreme pressure. Everything she does – and she does a lot, between her business, motherhood, and mentoring other women herself – she does with grace.
DJ Stephanie has taught me to use my voice more. I love how she is so vocal and passionate about women, representation, and supporting others. In watching her use her voice in a very powerful and intelligent way, I’m reminded that I need to do a better job of that.
HS Why is it so important for women to have mentors?
DJ A mentee can benefit so greatly from having a mentor. You’ll have doors of opportunity opened and receive feedback that is essential for personal growth. A mentor can also share with you their past mistakes, and by listening and learning those lessons second-hand, you will save yourself years of trial and error. It just puts you ahead.
SS From a mentor perspective, I think it is our responsibility as women to do whatever we can to enrich other women. HS
