Vapouround magazine Issue 06 | Page 67

well as how the technology operated, were not questions that were receiving sufficient answers. So, with his curiosity left with a better sense of what exactly a Vape Shop was, he was still hungry for information. Due to his many years of experience with entrepreneurship in business, he began seeking answers and finding better, more valid responses to the questions he had. It was only 19 days after his initial stroll inside the Vape Shop that he ended up launching his business. Thus, Norm’s own thirst for knowledge, hungry curiosity, as well as his own past experiences throughout his career was what motivated him into becoming an important piece to the puzzle of vaping. From this, the U.S. population was beginning to further explore the puzzle of vaping and discovered how to begin building a recognizable image by utilizing pieces to that puzzle; Norm’s VapeMentors was and will continue to be a highly significant piece to that puzzle. Before becoming a valuable piece to the puzzle of the Vape Industry, Norm’s career consisted of 30 years of experience in Real Estate, Financial Services as well as hosting a Radio Show. However, given this irreplaceable work history, due to the unyielding amount of greed and irresponsible business agreements which in turn, led to the financial crisis of 2008, Norm Bour was left out-of-work, forcing Norm to spend several years figuring out what to do. Until he joined another company where they realized after 2008, many, many businesses were struggling to survive and had little understanding on how to remain afloat drifting along 80% of all businesses are exactly the same, i t ’ s j u s t 20% t h a t tends to make all the difference in the world. the damaged economic climate. So, eventually what Norm and this company did was partner cities within the world’s 5th largest economy, California. They created a program, which they named: “Helping 100 businesses in 100 Days” with the partnership of 8 cities throughout Southern California. Norm soon began realizing how 80% of all businesses are exactly the same, it’s just 20% that tends to make all the difference in the world. Regardless, while this was a great learning opportunity for Norm, that business partnership came to an end in 2013 along with his long-time marriage and home. Norm says he “disengaged with what he calls his former life” and started to try new things, he was involved with a lot of very different business ventures that “never seemed to monetize very well” he said. Altogether, Norm was ultimately searching for something that brought him passion. He knew he was a huge advocate for mentorship and entrepreneurship so he found a way to combine the two. He wrote a book on baby boomers mentoring millennials in business and millennials mentoring baby boomers in business, so a model guide consisting of reciprocity where two groups had much to offer as well as more to gain. Baby boomers have certain qualities such as experience, patience and the advantage of having established business contacts while millennials had a lot of passion, ambition and social skills. Yet, Norm wanted to be able to allow both groups to mentor each other on what each group was lacking in hopes of allowing them to succeed to the fullest in their business ventures. VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE ISSUE 06 67