When I was offered an apprenticeship, I was also a full time game developer, with 4 kids and I was the only bread winner. You're absolutely correct. Folks with any real commitments can't drop it all for a no pay gig.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

This is the problem that so many people face. And tbh its one of the biggest reasons that most people end up on my course. They are desperate to learn how to tattoo but getting a traditional apprenticeship just isn’t possible due to work and having to support a family and home. I am really trying to make the tattoo industry open its doors and give everyone a fair chance Thank you for the support and comment buddy. Please follow my socials as well links are in the description

@tat2masheen

2 ай бұрын

Ive had 3 apprentices with full time jobs and 1 with a family. I taught them on their free time. 2 are successful artists one quit. I would say thats a pretty good % of success.

@loyal2ink

Ай бұрын

I obviously need an apprentice ASAP because my shop is busy, yes I have time to train him/her and I'm booked 1year out. Im trying to grow my business So you are wrong.

@loyal2ink

Ай бұрын

Also all the crying about not getting paid while getting your apprenticeship. Do you get paid when you're in college? No! If you got a problem with it then pay me 25k. College isn't free. Tattooing is a career. Barber college is $25k and they are EVERYWHERE they don't make close to what tattoo artist make. It's as simple as that.

I tried learning tattooing in the late 90s but got turned away, I’m giving it another go now in my 40s after watching the course thanks Ben

Thank you for this video! I just walked out of my apprenticeship yesterday when an artist spilled a drink on the floor on purpose and wanted me to clean it up. And took the fan off of pointing at me and pointed it at his station and left cooling off no one last week! And another artist grabbed my machine with his bare hands off my tray after I sterilized everything getting ready to tattoo someone! The artist also took my station I was at and grabbed the paper towels from me! Shop was full of drug addicts and ex addicts....They had me cleaning a lot and barely taught me and when they did, talked down and yelled at me...I just need to vent! I love your videos. Hoping I find a better situation and not giving up!

@nathanausten9301

Жыл бұрын

Feck that. Good you got out.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Wow you did the right thing….. well on the upside you don’t have to put up with any of that while rolling my course. And if you decide to join the full course all the people within the private fb group are all super supportive and help push each other….. literally making new friends in the same position from around the world

@validatedcustomer604

6 ай бұрын

@@BenFisherOfficialplease don’t make it a yes-man plat form, i would like people’s honesty and constructive criticism as well knowing that it’s coming from like minded individuals if i were to join. just my 2 cents , thanks for all your advice 🙏🙏🙏🙏

I’m a 17 year old aspiring tattoo artist who started at the latter end of February. I wasn’t sure where to start but then I found Ben and I feel as though he’s made it so easy to get into and learn proper without losing ambition for tattooing from lack of progress. You’re doing great things Ben and I appreciate you so much for what you’ve done for me in the tattoo world.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the comment and support. Your at the perfect age to start getting into it. Stick at it and you will have a good career in front of you

For anyone watching this Ben is right apprenticeships are dying and are not necessary to learn how to tattoo. I have learned 100% from his full course and I did not need to be in a shop it is better to have his videos because you can always go back for reference. Best online course ever I am living proof that it works, thank you Tattoo Method Pro!

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the continued support buddy.

First question I was asked 5 years ago when I went to get a tattoo from a bigger artist at a convention was, "who taught you how to tattoo?" The nasty tone confused me since I was unfamiliar at the time with the "culture" that I was supposed to go get permission from an "OG" tattooer in the name of "respect for the industry." If they catch wind you didn't receive your hazing, battering & put in your free labor, you'll be called a "scratcher." After years of searching, I have been announcing the point that there are no checks & balances, abuse & hazing going on in these shops every chance I get. Thanks to videos like this, I was able to actually learn something and become a decent independent artist. These videos (and your awesome course collections) have taught me 1000s of times more than any "OG artist" that claims they belong in the industry and "paid their dues." Funny enough, most of their work fails to be more impressive than many self taught artists. I might change my handle to NikkiScratcher😂😂😂

@WastedTalent-

Жыл бұрын

I'm self taught, too. The guy I used to get all of my work from tattooed for nearly 50 years at that point told me he just bought a machine from Stan Moskowitz and started tattooing himself and his friends. Tattooed in his kitchen, eventually opened his own shop and the rest was history. He told me to do the same because you're not going to really learn until you actually put needle to skin. But, reading tattoo magazines, there were a ton of self taught artists on the covers and in those pages. They would be asked who'd they apprentice under and they all had the same story, "I bought a kit from the back of a magazine and started tattooing myself and my friends." The internet was a huge help. Yahoo Groups and Scratchers Forum were full of people willing to help newbies. In one of the Yahoo Groups, people were sending me their old books. One guy sent me his signed copy of New York City Tattoo (a great book). I tattooed for a few years, but an injury messed up my back and I couldn't handle sitting, hunched over someone. I still tattoo once in a blue moon when one of my friends want work done.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

This comment really did actually make me lol. Thank you for the support and comment. Please make sure your following my socials links are in the description and if you have any ?s just give me a message to my fb page

@klausineliebtpeter

2 ай бұрын

hi, do you mind telling how you got your clients and got things started? im in the same place as you. i spent thousands on my drawing education and cant really get in the tattoo industry now, nobodys hiring new artists. i figured i have to start my own place, but i live a bit away from a big city and dont really know how to get customers and get seen. i also dont know alot of people.

@gypsyjuice

2 ай бұрын

@klausineliebtpeter in my case, I just ordered a bunch of fake skin & then practiced on my legs...when I felt like I had an alright handle on that, I tattooed people who were ok with getting crappy beginner tattoos & I did that for free for about a year. It just built from there, mostly by word of mouth. It has taken an incredibly long time though & I still have so much to learn, but it is now an income for me. I still work another job, though, so I can have health insurance. Honestly, it hasn't been easy & I still entertain the idea of quitting all the time, but I'm still at it since it does make me happier than any other job I've had. There's no sure path that I know of...I just took the leap as uncomfortable as it was. I wish you the very best. If I can do it, anybody can

If you can draw....you can tattoo. Don't let anyone tell you something else. Most tattoo artist out there have horrible drawing skill and draftsmanship. If you have the drawing skill, you're almost there, just put in sometime and you will get there.

@klausineliebtpeter

2 ай бұрын

yooo. thanks so much. i ve been drawing for 12 years, doing course after course aimed at animation artists and whatnot. now im doing a tattoo class ( its shady, but its almost impossible to get in otherwise) and im shocked at how bad the allover drawing is. i draw better than the drawing instructor and im not even super gifted. im just scared to do blowouts, thats the only thing. but stil, when im done with school im slightly afraid to not manage to get customers and get my business started.

@TUANNGUYEN-ox6yl

2 ай бұрын

@@klausineliebtpeter just like you, I been draw for more than 30+ years, work professionally as an animator for almost 20 years. So just look for a good tattoo artist, most of them will teach you if you show your potential skill and how dedicated you are. Most of them will teach and guide you. I was supper lucky to have found 2-4 tattoo artist that help and guide me. Even though I m just 6 months in, I was able to accomplish a lot and randomly offer a tattoo position at some local shop in my city. So just put in some time and dedication you will get there.

@klausineliebtpeter

2 ай бұрын

@@TUANNGUYEN-ox6yl so you started quite late then? thats good to hear. i tried starting up with tattooing off and on for some years now. im always so frustrated and turned off by the nasty mentality and gatekeeping that i give up. my theory is that its not rocket science to tattoo so thats why these uninspired artists guard their lifelihood tooth and nail. my main love is drawing and i love learning and getting better more than anything, fighting to get in at times is too exhausting for me, but i decided to really try now. so did you just graze shops for an apprenticeship or how did you finally manage to get the job done?

@TUANNGUYEN-ox6yl

2 ай бұрын

@@klausineliebtpeter nothing is too late bro….I didnt do any apprenticeship, I reject most of them, just because was lucky to run into tattoo artist that willing to trade their tattoo knowledge for my drawing knowledge. So in away it’s self taught and some guidance from them. You can also learn from trial and error. I usually practice 3-4 days a week, 4-6 hours a day.

@klausineliebtpeter

2 ай бұрын

@@TUANNGUYEN-ox6yl yeah, i only started drawing in my late 20s. its kind of hard some days with an army of people everywhere telling you how you stop learning as soon as youre not a kid anymore and all of that. im sure you know what im talking about. you mean practice tattooing? damn, thats a hefty amount. my lines are quite clean given the fact that i tattooed very little up to now, but im drawing basically all the time. im quite sure alot of tattooers would fail a dynamic sketching class. theres some atrocious shit out there.

So glad I found your channel again after a couple years. One of the best. Got nothing but respect for anyone teaching correctly and not gatekeeping information. Especially raw good info.

Glad this wasn’t clickbait you’re amazing brother

I appreciate what you said about rolling up your sleeves and getting into it with them because it's everyone's responsibility so much. It's the same way in the painting industry. And now, setting up my own company, I work side by side with my helpers. We sand, we caulk, We do all the prep together, We look over materials, WE paint. And.... WE get paid. It's what I always wished for when I was an hourly employee. So, that's what I am offering.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that! Thank you for the support and comment

ive heard so many people and friends give up on their dreams because of the experiences they've had in an apprenticeship! sometimes you get good ones but unless your dream is to be a studio slave, its not for me! you've given us something we can actually learn from and rewatch again and again until its second nature! you can't beat that!

Great video pal. Thanks for all the knowledge you share.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Thanks as always buddy

Hi Ben I have been following you and i am soo impressed how supportive and and easy to understand you are. Me and my family live in Sweden. We have 2 kids. Our 14 year old daughter that spend her life with a pen and paper in her hand, drawing is her life. Her biggest dream is to be a tattoo artist, but yea she is still young... I just bought her a Machine, fakeskin and some other stuff, and today she making a small working area in her room, her smile and shine in her eyes really warm my heart. She have dyslexia and really trying her best in school, this will be her treat for trying hard with her schoolwork. We are turning every rock and hope to come up with the money for a class for her. I started as a taxidermist in her age, and knowing how important it is get live out the creativity when you have it in your system. Sorry all for my bad English spelling. Love and respect C. Stenson

Thanks Ben!!

And if you are self though or a “scratcher” the pros are going to ask, “ what about paying your dues like apprentices do?”Well, let me tell you how I have been paying my dues, by taking all the insults and the disrespect I get so often specially on social media including KZread by the professionals including apprentices who feel entitled to disrespect others just because they have a “babysitter” , they do not realize that those of us without a mentor we have to work two or three times harder than them over all, I my self have spent over 5k in supplies and equipment and have practiced and researched for hours on end almost on a daily basis for over a year just to be able to create a small tattoo for starters and for a while, thanks for all the help Ben every single video and now your course means gold to us “scratchers”

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Couldn’t agree with you more. The industry as a hole needs to realise we’re in 2023

@Cody2nd

10 ай бұрын

HA some of the best and original bad a$$es in the tattoo game who revolutionized the art back in the day, started out tattooing them Selfs and their friends….listen to Oliver pecks interview on last sparrow tattoo….anyone who wants to call anyone a scratcher, can watch any interview on there, ALL ARE LEGENDARY ARTISTS, ALL OF THEM TAUGHT THEM SELFS OR LIED THEIR WAY INTO THE INDUSTRY, but these are the same guys who tell you not to do the same! LMAO, hmm wonder why that is. I have several friends who started in their apartment or their basement, they all got their blood Bourne pathogen class and certificate so they were educated on the topic, even being a home artist you can get this, tattoo artists want you to believe you have to do an apprenticeship to get that certificate lol when in fact anyone can, online. and with the appropriate space and setting, you can tattoo just as safely at home…..use a spare room or a basement, or make sacrifices to set up a studio in your home. Both of my friends now own their own shop and studio, and we’re doing it for maybe 5 years on their own out of their home….you’ll learn more doing 1 tattoo on your own in less than a hour, on your self, than you will learn about tattooing in months at an apprenticeship and that’s just facts.

@melissamarkowitz

3 ай бұрын

Hi Ben - on top of the discount about how much are all the supplies? Do you mention where to buy them? I saw in the video that a lot of the skins had patterns of designs on them (eg. The circles, squares, lines)…are those pre printed if so do you tell us where to buy those? Thanks…I don’t understand that part of buying this product. When you buy it does it come with a box that includes all the items. Does the student draw the rose or mandala design themselves free hand or is this something printed on the fake skins etc. can you explain that please.

Well said Ben. I appreciate all of your guidance. Thank you.

true. skin color, body shape and gender doesn't matter. if your a good artist then your a good artist. and that's the real recognition. thanks Ben for the video.

It's almost 4000$. I was genuinely interested cause I felt like there was finally a way for me to go about this but I can't just give up all my savings. Wouldn't even have enough for equipment

Im currently on day 11 of the 30 day course and things are clicking in to place, I'm having a break for the rest of the day as my hands are aching from practicing, but I love it. Thank you Ben for all you do for us.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

So glad that you are making the most of the 30 days free lessons. Don’t forget if you do have any ?s then just give my facebook page a message. Links are in description on the videos

@andrewtaylor1335

7 ай бұрын

IM curious how much drawing is needed or how good you need to be @@BenFisherOfficial

Ben, thank you for all your insight and knowledge! If I ever decide to dive into tattooing for a living I'll definitely drop by and take a course!

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the support and comment pal

As a apprentice myself it is very hard luckily I’ve got a supportive wife who pushed me for the apprenticeship but I agree Ben it is a very hard trade to get into

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the support buddy

Once I get some funds I will be investing into this program!! I’ve started my journey about a month ago and I’ve done nothing but lines curves circles and countless videos on the basics, im so excited about what’s ahead once I get on this program

Ben i'm just here to say from a standpoint of someone in business.. you said you don't only care about the money but thats 3500$ that most people don't have. all im saying is that if you truly cared about helping people you wouldnt make the costs so high.. maybe 1k or 1500 but damn bro thats alot to just come right out of pocket

@memento_mori6019

2 ай бұрын

Some sort of subscription model would be really nice for those that have limited time AND money.

@iacobplayz9360

Ай бұрын

🙃 the FREE 30 day course- if you take it, you will get a heavily discounted offer, even gives you time to prep for it. It’s coming in just a few days and I will be signing up.

@iacobplayz9360

Ай бұрын

Sorry that my sons account.

@iacobplayz9360

Ай бұрын

And it’s considerably less than what you propose

@chrisbuysarizonahouses8180

Ай бұрын

@@iacobplayz9360 shut up nerd

Came for the information. Stayed for the accent. I’m going to try out your free course. Thanks for the info ❤

Apprenticeship still have their place in the industry. Especially for the youngest, it teaches them so many things you cannot learn out of a shop, like welcoming and talking to clients. Obviously if you already worked seriously in any other area, you wont have to learn them again, and then the online courses have their place as well. When you're young and study it's hard, no or low incomes, hard labour. When you change your path, it's very brave cause you expect to start from the bottom again and you know how hard it is. Online courses are the soft way but they have a price. Everybody needs to decide what's best for oneself. Peace🤘

My first apprenticeship I paid over $2500 for (probably the equivalent to $5k or more in todays time) one of the best shops in my area and even nationwide famous, with world famous artists working in there, they have over 3 locations and are very reputable I was screwed deeply out of my money and then some more money after that even on top of what I original spent. Idk if it was the shops deal or the particular artists who I was under that screwed me….but yea. Some of these places do sketchy business, no matter how reputable they are….I had no problem doing the work, the cleaning, all the BS I put up with, none of that bothered me as I have very thick skin and grew up doing hard labor, however after a couple years, it ended up so being that they weren’t looking for any more artists cause all their shops were full. Imagine that. I think I ended up having over $5-6k wrapped up in the whole ordeal, after they were constantly asking me for more money more money more money. Probably the equivalent to $10+ thousand in todays economy seeing how everything has doubled in cost in such a short amount of time. Yea I paid my dues and earned my keep and then some, and got nothing out of it other than to say I “apprenticed” at a very high end shop, but with no tattoo work to show. Ended up just teaching myself HA. What a waste of years. Those 2 years spent on my own legs would’ve paid for themselves in lessons 10 times over vs what I got out of that “apprenticeship” however, the dude did end up giving me a full set of really nice Dan dringenburg coil machines, 2 liners 2 shaders and 2 color packers. They were used, but his machines sell for around $450-600+ today a piece new, so that’s a few grand back their at least, I think he felt even worse after the owner had said they didn’t need anymore artists at any of their locations lmao even after I spent like 2 years there, plus I got a free tattoo out of it as well, on the bright side of things if there was any LMAO. And the funny thing is a couple months later they were doing an “apprenticeship contest” that you had to pay $500 bucks to enter for a chance to become an apprenticeship there. LOL. A lot of these places will bring in the doe anyway they can, what ya gonna do take them to court over it? Nope….lol

Wow that really is an amazing price and IfI had it I would throw my money into you're account lol but with 3 kids at home and living paycheck to paycheck I'll have to get as good as I can on the 30 day course. I heavily value the information you give for free, thank you sir

I remember when I did my apprenticeship the guy offered me the spot when I came in I had to learn the machines how to set them up but also how the mechanics of it worked and how to put one together and as I worked on this I also had to watch documentaries on the history of tattoos from all cultures but I had to go through training of transmission of blood born pathogens and how to keep clean once I learned that I got to actually pick up machines and work and get paid but the whole time my boss was right there watching me and if I wasn't understanding his description of a technique he would but gloves on and show me then let me get back to it ..but he did work me through from simple stuff to more detailed designs..but he also had us to keep inventory of stuff we had to take turns ordering supplies and daily business operations it's was a good place to apprentice

I'm in end stage renal disease (I need a kidney transplant) so going to a physical building as an apprentice is pretty much out of the question right now. However, I'm always home and always have time to learn.

@Cody2nd

10 ай бұрын

Jesus man. That’s tough! I hope things get better for you. Have you tried tattooing any months later? You have legs for a reason….the legs of shame I like to call it lol. The best way to learn, is on your self. Do a tattoo, and watch it heal! You’ll see what you’ve done wrong and what you’ve done right right in front of your eyes, just adjust things for the next piece and go from there!

Sounds so very familiar..I was treated like this cleaning and errands.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Honestly some of the stories i have heard have been shocking. So glad to be helping people avoid this route. Don’t get me wrong there are some decent artists out there that treat their apprentices with respect and actually teach them correctly but there the small %. Thank you for the comment and supporting the chancel

I’m 24 I hv 2 kids and hv been an aspiring tattoo artist for years I’ve been drawing all my ire but have recently wanted to get into tattoo seriously but it’s hard and a online class just seems to be a better fit for me right now

I think you're right man. 🤔 I need to do your course. I'm getting offered an apprenticeship for 7k and tbh I'm a very busy person this year. So I'd pay 7k without pay while also being a student. I think I need this course.

@southsideEdG

Жыл бұрын

Do the course don’t waste money on any apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are dying along with the losers who think it’s the only way for people to tattoo

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Wow that i a lot to ask of someone and then them not get paid at the same time…… stick with me and you will be there in no time at all. Thank you for the support and comment buddy

This must be definitely a very good course but how you said in the beginning of this video most people trying to get an apprenticeship on tattoo industry are in a stage of their lives without a job or have a job that barely brings food to their Families table and pay the bills more less can a person like that pay $3k or $4k for a course , Thats not only getting hit by brick its more like having a wall crush your dreams .

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Think you need to listen again buddy because you have mis heard what was said

I went through an apprenticeship but never really pursued it as a career just tattooed myself and family or friends. But I want through mine during covid so it was you can say online it was some zoom sessions and some in person but never used fake skin always practiced on fruit like bananas and oranges.. anyway apprenticeships in shops or hard to come by ,there are a few shops were I live that are like secret societies you can't even mention the worst apprenticeships now .. but with all the resources online I mean a person can learn you get the right equipment and practice.. the only issues with online is lack of motivation for some people. I mean it benefits some but maybe not work for others.. depends on what your goals are.

Ben, whats the best practice skin to follow your lessons?

What would be the related cost, ie rubber skin, machine and psu, needles and inks etc? Do you have recommended suppliers? I'm a little interested just as a hobby to be honest. Tattooed rubber skins could be a great seller to those who want a pain free 1.

Okay, so I am wondering if I get a certificate from your course….. does this certificate mean anything to tattoo shops??? Or is it my portfolio from your course that will be my ticket to a tattoo job?

Does this also apply to those that are living in the USA?

With regards your comment around 13:30 mark about unaccomplished artists teaching, there's a saying "Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach." I've watched your videos, and from my untrained eye, you're a mater of both doing, and teaching. You're like the Masked Magician exposing insider knowledge and secrets, and the Tattooing Circle probably hates you.

Does the course go into more detail than the videos on your account? They seem to cover the same topics

do you have any tipps if i want to learn working with a coil machine? theres barely any artists around able to teach that as no one is using it anymore.

which tattoo equiptment shall i but before starting the course?

Can I only get my body art card through apprenticeship? That the only reason I’m thinking I’m doing it

At this point, I dont want to work in a tattoo business anymore. Little wage and mentors barely teach you anything. However, if i were to take your course can it be possible for me to learn the skills to tattoo myself at home?

£3,500. Cheapest rate I know of per hour for a a bad tattoo artist is £60ph. 60 hours and it's paid for itself. (Very simple math, not taking in to account overheads) so say 120 hours. 3 or 4 weeks work and the course pays itself.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Thank you and yes it pays for its self almost instantly

Will the course advise and what machines and other equipment to invest in? I want to try the free stuff before committing but have no idea what to buy to start. Have you got a video on what machines are good for beginners and what might be detrimental in the long run?

@alexcelis4829

Жыл бұрын

I don’t think he does have a video on which machine to start with but I recommend getting something not too expensive until you know this is something you’re interested in or put more time into. I seen a lot of other videos say that as well. I started with a wireless dragon hawk machine for my first. You can check those out.

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

There is a video on my channel that covers what machine to get ect ……… thank you for the comment and support.

I honestly would join the course but it's out of my budget. I had TBI and currently on a form of retirement/disability so i simply can't If there was a $40-$60 a month mini course I'd absolutely join

All I did was clean up and get disrespected was broker than ever and almost lost my car and house

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Too many people have been in the same position as you Ellen. Things really do need to change in the industry so everyone get a fair and equal chance. Thank you for the support and comment.

@ellenwoodslim7367

Жыл бұрын

@@BenFisherOfficial 🙏

Will the discount be good for a little? Going to most likely buy the course once I get paid

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

The discounts are always capped by once so many people use it then it expires. Some last a few days and others will last a few weeks Hope that helps but it really is a case of if you want to make the most of it then grab it while its there before someone else takes the last slots

@taylormacneil7321

Жыл бұрын

@@BenFisherOfficial I ended up purchasing it yesterday and am real excited to see what I get out of it in the next few months. Thank you

Hey when you end a video double fingers is the way to go

The title is misleading to individuals who have no excuses

you want to be an artist or a tattooist? cause they have different paths

1 big question, what if you can't draw for sh*t?

@tedthecameraman9514

Жыл бұрын

You gotta be able to draw. Tattoos are permanent. If you can’t draw, you can’t tattoo. You have to put serious work into becoming a tattoo artist. Years of dedication to art and building a solid portfolio will get you there

@BenFisherOfficial

Жыл бұрын

Then you would need to learn along the way my friend. Its is doable if your prepared to put the time and effort in 🔥

❤

Listened to 30 minutes of bullshit just for him to advertise his course. -_-

The only people worried about apprenticeships are intimidated tattoers trying to regulate the flow or over flow of talented artist . In other words they want less competition 🤷🏽‍♂️ but yall are done its a new era make way for self taught artist.

@onedianeysy1779

2 ай бұрын

no. i have bills and not getting paid while im not using my machine at all just there 6 hours drawing . no income. it gets tuff dude with life plus all that stress .

@validatedcustomer604

2 ай бұрын

@@onedianeysy1779 sound like you’re proving my point, quit the apprenticeship, start tattooing your friends for cheap and build your ig/fb profile with your work, you can make more progress on your own. Don’t let your “mentor” hold you back.