This column is part of our Last Word series, which invites noted professionals to provide closing thoughts at the end of each issue of Commercial Baking. See the full issue here.

KANSAS CITY, MO — Four years ago, I found myself on the cusp of retirement. I faced a big question: What’s next? I knew I needed to stay active physically and mentally, but I didn’t have a solid plan. My only guiding principles were that whatever I did had to fill my heart with joy and align with my faith.

Many people advise waiting six months before making post-retirement commitments. But soon after announcing my retirement, a young bakery owner, suddenly thrust into leadership and struggling in the wake of COVID, called and said, “I need a boss.” He was overwhelmed, and I saw a chance to help. That relationship, built on mentorship and problem-solving, remains one of my most rewarding to this day. Other opportunities also came fast and fit perfectly. Consulting, mentoring and volunteering became my new work, not always for a paycheck but always for purpose.

Inspired by how fulfilling mentorship was, I joined SCORE, a national non-profit that provides free business mentoring and resources for entrepreneurs, to help guide small business owners. Now, I work with startups in industries far outside my comfort zone, continuously learning while giving back.

Looking back on my own career, I was lucky to have incredible mentors who shaped me, and now I want to pay it forward.

If you’re reading this, chances are you have valuable knowledge and experience. If you’ve never had a mentor, find one. If you’ve never been a mentor, consider sharing what you know. A simple invitation to coffee can open a door … for you and for someone else. And when you do meet, be sure to ask, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Purpose doesn’t retire. It evolves.