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 Rachel Gage (left) has turned to Sheila Hoff for professional guidance for years. Both work at Llloyd Cos. (Inertia/for SFBJ)
When Rachel Gage started as a receptionist at Lloyd Cos. about four years ago, it didn’t take long for her to identify Sheila Hoff as someone special. “I was drawn to her right away because she’s one of the friendliest people I know. I call her the prom queen of Sioux Falls,” Gage said. Within six months, Gage asked Hoff to be her mentor. Hoff was “delightfully surprised,” said Gage, now development project coordinator and broker associate. The relationship continues today. Hoff, residential real estate manager, said she has held leadership positions in Business and Professional Women and likes to encourage young professional women.
 “I’ve had several female bosses as role models,” she said. “They’ve always been great, inspiring.”
Now, she’s passing that on.
“One thing that stood out with Sheila, when she would teach or train people, she was very selfless with her time and knowledge.”
Gage, who has other mentors as well, wanted to tap into that.
“I asked how she learned to treat people that way and how she learned to be that way in her management style,” Gage said. “She was very empowering.”
Gage is a big fan of making the most of opportunities.
“Mentoring is a wonderful thing. I would suggest paying attention to the people who inspire you and approaching them and being willing to ask them for words of wisdom, words of advice, to go our for a cup of coffee,” she said. “I think most people are willing to share parts of themselves, and they’re just waiting to be asked.”
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