{"id":600704,"date":"2026-06-24T00:12:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T00:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/story\/600704\/derek-candelore-launches-built-different-mentorship-initiative-to-help-aspiring-entrepreneurs-and-trades-professionals.html"},"modified":"2026-06-24T00:12:35","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T00:12:35","slug":"derek-candelore-launches-built-different-mentorship-initiative-to-help-aspiring-entrepreneurs-and-trades-professionals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/story\/600704\/derek-candelore-launches-built-different-mentorship-initiative-to-help-aspiring-entrepreneurs-and-trades-professionals.html","title":{"rendered":"Derek Candelore Launches &#8220;Built Different&#8221; Mentorship Initiative to Help Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Trades Professionals"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"font-style:italic;padding:8px 0px\">Pittsburgh entrepreneur Derek Candelore is launching a free community-based mentorship initiative designed to help individuals build discipline, develop business skills, and create opportunities for long-term growth.<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Derek Candelore, founder of Roman Paint Pros, entrepreneur, franchisor, and national business trainer, today announced the launch of Built Different, a free community initiative aimed at helping aspiring entrepreneurs, trades professionals, young business owners, and individuals seeking direction in their careers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The program will offer free monthly workshops, open office hours, mentorship circles, and an online support community where participants can learn practical lessons on business growth, accountability, leadership, personal development, and building systems for success.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">For Candelore, the initiative is deeply personal.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">&#8220;I had to recreate myself into somebody that nobody believed I could be,&#8221; said Candelore. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t grow up with financial stability. I made mistakes. I failed. The people who helped me along the way changed my life. This is my way of paying that forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Built Different was created for people who may not have access to expensive coaching programs or established business networks. Participants will receive practical guidance, access to experienced business owners, accountability groups, and resources designed to help them take action.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Candelore believes many people abandon their goals too soon.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">&#8220;I think most people quit far too early,&#8221; he said. &#8220;They mistake temporary setbacks for permanent failure. Some of the biggest breakthroughs happen right after the point where most people give up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The initiative will focus on topics including:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"caps\">Building systems instead of relying on motivation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Starting and growing a small business<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Developing discipline and accountability<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Learning from failure<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Leadership and communication<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Creating long-term personal and professional goals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20% of new businesses fail during their first year, and nearly half do not survive beyond five years. Candelore believes access to mentorship and community support can help individuals avoid common mistakes and develop the resilience needed to persevere.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">One unique aspect of the program is its flexible format. Participants can attend a monthly workshop, join a mentorship circle, participate in occasional office hours, or simply follow along with online resources. There is no minimum time commitment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">&#8220;Not everyone has ten hours a week to dedicate to personal development,&#8221; said Candelore. &#8220;Some people are raising families, working full-time jobs, or taking care of loved ones. If someone can give us one hour a month, that&#8217;s enough to start.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The initiative also reflects lessons Candelore learned while building Roman Paint Pros and expanding into franchising.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">&#8220;Everything I do has a systems-based approach now,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Success isn&#8217;t about motivation. It&#8217;s about having a process you can follow when motivation disappears.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Participants will also be encouraged to develop habits that support long-term growth.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">&#8220;I&#8217;m always continuing to learn,&#8221; said Candelore. &#8220;Always joining mentoring groups. Always being better than I was the day before. That mindset changed everything for me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">How to Join<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Built Different is open to aspiring entrepreneurs, trades professionals, students, career changers, and anyone interested in personal or professional growth.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Participants can:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<li>\n<p>Register for free monthly workshops<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Join mentorship circles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Attend virtual office hours<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Participate in the online support community<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Access educational resources and discussion groups<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">There is no cost to participate.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Who can join?Anyone interested in personal growth, entrepreneurship, leadership, skilled trades, or professional development.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Does it cost anything?No. The program is completely free.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Do I need to own a business?No. The initiative is designed for business owners, employees, students, and anyone looking to improve their future opportunities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">How much time does it require?Participants can engage at whatever level works for their schedule, from one workshop per month to more active involvement.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Will there be in-person events?Yes. Select workshops, networking opportunities, and community gatherings will be offered throughout the year, along with virtual participation options.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Call to Action<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Individuals who are ready to invest in themselves, learn from others, and build momentum in their personal or professional lives are encouraged to join the Built Different community. Whether you have five hours a week or five minutes a day, the first step is simply showing up.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">As Candelore puts it, &#8220;Be better than you were yesterday. That&#8217;s where it starts.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>About Derek Candelore<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Derek Candelore is a Pittsburgh-based entrepreneur, franchisor, and founder of Roman Paint Pros. A former record-setting wide receiver, health club owner, and undefeated regional Golden Gloves boxer, he has built a successful systems-driven business while mentoring entrepreneurs across the country. As a national business development trainer and instructor for the Small Business Development Center, Candelore is passionate about helping others develop the discipline, structure, and mindset needed for long-term success.<\/p>\n<p><span style='font-size:18px !important'>Media Contact<\/span><br \/><strong>Company Name:<\/strong> Derek Candelore<br \/><strong>Contact Person:<\/strong> Derek Candelore<br \/><strong>Email:<\/strong> <a rel=\"nofollow\" href='http:\/\/www.universalpressrelease.com\/?pr=derek-candelore-launches-built-different-mentorship-initiative-to-help-aspiring-entrepreneurs-and-trades-professionals'>Send Email<\/a><br \/><strong>City:<\/strong> Pittsburgh<br \/><strong>State:<\/strong> Pennsylvania<br \/><strong>Country:<\/strong> United States<br \/><strong>Website:<\/strong> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/derekcandelore.com\" target=\"_blank\">derekcandelore.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getnews.info\/press_stat.php?pr=derek-candelore-launches-built-different-mentorship-initiative-to-help-aspiring-entrepreneurs-and-trades-professionals\" alt=\"\" width=\"1px\" height=\"1px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pittsburgh entrepreneur Derek Candelore is launching a free community-based mentorship initiative designed to help individuals build discipline, develop business skills, and create opportunities for long-term growth. Derek Candelore, founder of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/600704"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=600704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/600704\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=600704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=600704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olympiajournal.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=600704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}