Stirring Up Mentorship: Lessons from Chef Jeff Tobe

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When PromoKitchen turns up the heat, you know something good’s cooking. Host Jay Busselle introduced "guest chef” Jeff Tobe, CSP, a Golden Pyramid–winning promo vet turned customer experience guru, with all the flair of a five-star kitchen. Jeff served up one spicy reminder: mentorship isn’t a side dish. It’s the main course for growth in the branded merch world.

Jeff opened by connecting mentorship to today’s rapid-fire industry pace. He shared that major change cycles once happened every three years, but now they happen every seven months. Cue his classic “gorilla story,” a metaphor for our “That’s The Way We’ve Always Done It” mindset. If we want better results, he said, we’ve got to climb those metaphorical stairs again, without fear of cold water.

Tasty Quotes:

“Learning to see invisible opportunities where everyone else sees visible limitations makes you a far more effective mentor.” - Jeff Tobe

Speaking of fear, Jeff reframed it with his acronym F.E.A.R. – False Evidence Appearing Real. Change feels scary because it shakes our comfort zones. To prove the point, he challenged everyone to switch their watches or bracelets to the opposite wrist. That small, weird move perfectly illustrated the power (and discomfort) of growth. Great mentors, he said, create space for that kind of safe experimentation, focusing less on changing company culture and more on improving its climate.

Throughout the session, Jeff challenged attendees to “look for the second right answer.” From the hidden arrow in the FedEx logo to doodled coffee cups, he showed that mentorship isn’t about handing down solutions. It’s about guiding discovery. The best mentors, he said, learn as much as they teach. Curiosity beats certainty every time.

As breakout rooms buzzed, attendees swapped insights like seasoned sous-chefs. Empathy, active listening, and shared growth were the top ingredients. Jeff closed with a practical recipe: build trust, use the SBI (Situation–Behavior–Impact) model for feedback, and remember the three A’s—be Available, an Active listener, and an Analyst. Jay wrapped with gratitude, shoutouts to sponsors, and a reminder that mentorship is the secret sauce keeping this corner of the promo, print, and apparel kitchen sizzling after 15 years strong.

If you missed it live, grab your metaphorical apron and catch the replay. Your professional palate will thank you.

“When we all cook together, we grow together. Thanks, Chef Jeff Tobe, for turning up the heat on what mentorship really means.” - Jay Busselle

🥄Key Takeaways

Break the Gorilla Habit – Don’t let “That’s The Way We’ve Always Done It” be the burnt crust at the bottom of your pan. Scrape it off and try something fresh.

Season with Fear – A dash of discomfort spices up creativity. Switch your “watch” (or your mindset) to the other wrist and taste the difference.

Find the Second Right Answer – Like perfecting a new sauce, there’s always another recipe worth trying. Curiosity is your secret ingredient.

Serve with Empathy – Mentorship is a two-way table. Listen, taste, adjust, and learn from your mentee’s flavor too.

Use the SBI Recipe for Feedback – Mix one part Situation, one part Behavior, and a generous drizzle of Impact to serve feedback that sticks.