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Chris Ellinas – Meet the Mentor

Chris Ellinas is a multi-talented professional with experience in Graphic Design, Video Production, Mentorship, and Solopreneurship. He solves business problems through design and has worked with clients like Ogilvy, Netflix, and Disney+. He is skilled in logo design and video editing.

Graphic Designer, Video Production, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Freelance 🍿

Why did you decide to become a mentor?
The decision to become a mentor was not a sudden one but rather a gradual evolution. My journey to mentorship started when I decided to start a YouTube channel. As an introvert by nature, I had always worked behind the camera and never in front of it. However, I wanted to challenge myself and overcome my fears, so I started creating videos with the goal of inspiring, educating, and helping fellow designers.

As I continued creating content, I received feedback from my audience, and I noticed that I was falling in love with helping others achieve their goals. This realization led me to dedicate a portion of my time each week to mentoring individuals one-on-one. I found this approach to be more efficient and effective in helping others reach their full potential.

How did you get your career start?
My journey to launching my career was filled with twists and turns. While I was still studying graphic design at school, I took on an internship at a small company that paid little. To jumpstart my freelance business, I participated in design competitions and worked part-time, trying to balance my daily life and education.

Looking back, I’m amazed at how I managed to juggle all of these responsibilities. But I also know that I would have benefited greatly from the guidance of a mentor. Someone who could have advised me, shown me the way, and helped me avoid common pitfalls. Luckily, after a few years, I was able to find such a mentor, and it was a truly life-changing experience.

What do mentees usually come to you for?
Mentees come to me with a variety of different needs and goals, which makes the mentoring experience exciting and challenging. Some of the most common reasons include launching their careers, pivoting to freelancing, pursuing career growth, landing their dream job, receiving feedback on their portfolio and projects, seeking design and video instructions and guidance, and improving their software education.

In essence, I help mentees with the business aspect of their creative process. This is an aspect that is often not covered in traditional education but can only be learned through experience. To address this, I create a tailored study plan and career strategy for each of my mentees, ensuring that they receive personalized support and guidance in achieving their goals.

What’s been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
My favorite mentorship success story is when I see the growth of my students on a daily basis. I love seeing them apply what they have learned and make it a habit. The best part is when this growth happens organically and they don’t even realize it. It’s truly fulfilling to see the satisfaction in their eyes as they reflect on their progress and compare it to where they were just a few months ago. That’s when I know that I have made a meaningful impact on their lives and careers.

What are you getting out of being a mentor?
As a mentor, I find a great sense of fulfillment and purpose in helping others achieve their goals. It’s a feeling that drives me to continue this work. This is also why I share my knowledge freely through YouTube videos, making it accessible to anyone who seeks it even if it’s not one-on-one.

Mentoring has also been a learning experience for me. As I guide my mentees through their early steps, I find myself reflecting on my own experiences and relearning many lessons. This process helps me to better understand the challenges that my mentees may face and provide them with tailored guidance and support.

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