Office Hours: 4 Ways To Be an Intentional Mentor

Spencer Rascoff

Spencer Rascoff serves as executive chairman of dot.LA. He is an entrepreneur and company leader who co-founded Zillow, Hotwire, dot.LA, Pacaso and Supernova, and who served as Zillow's CEO for a decade. During Spencer's time as CEO, Zillow won dozens of "best places to work" awards as it grew to over 4,500 employees, $3 billion in revenue, and $10 billion in market capitalization. Prior to Zillow, Spencer co-founded and was VP Corporate Development of Hotwire, which was sold to Expedia for $685 million in 2003. Through his startup studio and venture capital firm, 75 & Sunny, Spencer is an active angel investor in over 100 companies and is incubating several more.

Office Hours: 4 Ways To Be an Intentional Mentor

Mentoring done right is an enriching part of your career. As a two-sided relationship, you have both an opportunity to seek out mentors who provide knowledge and counsel and to be one yourself, and each of these exchanges has its benefits. Neither, however, should be forced to fit within the classic construct of mentorship, that of a seasoned veteran taking a green employee under her wings. In fact, sometimes mentorship is the opposite.

I owe much of my early career success to what I learned from mentors, but I also owe some of my more recent strengths and knowledge to my mentees. Our evolving workplace and technological norms means mentoring can happen in all sorts of ways, and if you're intentional about mentorship you can be both a mentor and a mentee throughout your career — and, importantly, learn from both roles. Here are four principles that guide my approach to intentional mentorship:


1. Learning Is a Two-Way Street.

Mentorship isn't and shouldn't be one-sided. If it's a drain on your time and you're a busy person, odds are you'll run out of time for it quickly. I always try to find something I can learn from those I mentor. On the outside this may sound a bit selfish, but it actually works to both our benefit. We feel like we're trading value, which inspires confidence in your mentee and emboldens them to ask for real help and guidance when they need it without feeling like an imposition. As a mentee, you might think at first glance that you have less to bring to the table because you typically have less experience. But look closer; you usually have something you take for granted that is immensely valuable to others.

Some of my most memorable and impactful mentees include my Pacaso colleague Whitney Curry, who, as Zillow's first social media hire, taught me the magic of Twitter and Facebook and put me on my path to being a social CEO; years later, Whitney hired Kat Parra, who to this day continues to help me figure out Snapchat and TikTok to stay current in my social footprint. I've provided career counsel to both of these pros over the years, but they've taught me a lot, too.

Recently, another former colleague of mine from Zillow, Racquel Russell, joined Bird's Board of Directors. Racquel comes from a political background and over the years has taught me so much about how government really works; to this day, I still use her as a resource, asking her opinion on whether I should donate to a campaign or what she thinks the chances are for a piece of legislation passing. In return, I've been a resource for her on career development and joining boards. We both benefit from our relationship, and because of that we're emboldened to ask for what we need from one another.

2. Broadcast What You Know.

A couple of years ago I wrote about how to "hack" mentorship and build your own perfect mentor by following leaders and other professionals you admire. As I said, mentorship doesn't have to fit into that (increasingly uncommon) archetype of being taken under someone's wing. Over the years I've followed the lead of Jeff Weiner on people management, Sheryl Sandberg on building thought leadership, Warren Buffett on shareholder communication and Jeff Bezos on communicating priorities. I don't really know any of these people, but the internet and all of their self-published or publicly available content makes it so I don't have to.

Much of the reason I am constantly teaching publicly through my podcast and blog posts is that it enables me to mentor others in this anonymous way. I'm hopeful that the advice and perspectives I post help others navigate career hurdles, whether it's figuring out how best to manage your first team, how to grow your startup or how to take your company public. I share the things I know because others have shared them with me, and I want to continue to feed into that virtuous cycle. You, too, can do that easily. If you're a great writer, tell others your formula and some keys to your approach. As I said earlier, you probably take your strengths for granted; others won't.

3. Speak Up — With Candor and Kindness.

Dara Khosrowshahi, now the CEO of Uber, was one of my first managers in my career. As a summer analyst 25 years ago at the investment bank Allen & Company, I learned from Dara (then a young associate) how to value companies and build financial models. He taught me how to become an expert on Lotus 123 long before there was Excel or Google Sheets. But Dara also taught me another incredibly valuable piece of advice: Don't wear suspenders to the office. I'd mistakenly thought Hollywood accurately portrayed Wall Street; Dara kindly corrected me and saved me from repeating that faux pas.

Often the role of the mentor goes beyond subject matter expertise; it's about teaching mentees decorum — how to act and behave in certain situations. It may feel awkward for you as the mentor to teach when presented with awkward circumstances, but take it from suspender-wearing Spencer — they will appreciate your help more than you realize.

4. Invite Others Into the Room.

Though there are always reasons for closed-door conversations on sensitive topics, there are often exchanges that would prove valuable opportunities for your mentees (or mentors!) to listen and learn. I am eternally grateful to one of my first mentors — my dad's friend, Fred Rosen, the legendary founder and longtime CEO of Ticketmaster. In 1990, Fred invited me as a know-nothing 15 year old to his executive offsite at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. He let me be a fly on the wall for two days of intense management meetings with the leadership team at Ticketmaster. Looking back on that experience now, I probably only understood a small fraction of what was discussed, but it was an extremely impactful moment in my life which set me on a path towards my business career. Some kids visit the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and decide they want to be a baseball player; I was invited to the leadership offsite of a big company and decided I wanted to become a businessperson.

In my early 20s, my mentor Andy Snyder at Goldman Sachs taught me how to behave among company clients and CEOs simply by including me in meetings where I was able to soak in knowledge by watching their interactions. Greg Lee and Bruce Evans at Goldman Sachs would generously invite me into their offices and use speaker phone when negotiating M&A deals so I could listen and learn. In my time as CEO of Zillow, I often pinged junior members of my team to hover around and listen to strategic discussions among our senior leaders — in part because I wouldn't have to explain it to them later but also because it helped them see how we debated and worked through scenarios that would decide the fate of the company.

Our acceleration into a virtual environment can either hinder or help these opportunities, and the difference comes down to whether those of us in the room are intentional about inviting others to join. Our virtual meeting rooms have no capacity, but they're also not easily dropped into (you don't have people passing by as you do in physical offices). If you're sharing knowledge or having strategic (but not confidential) conversations, consider taking advantage of our virtual environment to invite others in.

Though the methods of mentorship may be changing, mentorship itself remains as critical as it's ever been for career development and personal growth for junior team members and seasoned leaders alike. We're all pressed for time, and mentoring often drops on the list of priorities, but if you find ways to engage in it — intentionally, through small actions within your existing schedule — you'll gradually find that mentoring becomes second nature and a lasting habit.

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Standing Together Through the Flames

🔦 Spotlight

To our Los Angeles family,

This week’s wildfires have brought immense pain and hardship to our beloved city. Many of our friends, neighbors, and colleagues have faced evacuations, power outages, and the devastating loss of homes and livelihoods. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

At dot.LA, we want to express our deepest sympathy to those suffering in this moment. We see your resilience and stand with you during this challenging time. This community has always been defined by its strength and compassion, and now is the time to come together in support.

If You or Someone You Know Has Been Impacted, Resources Are Available:

Evacuation Shelters:

  • Calvary Community Church: 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village, CA 91362
  • Ritchie Valens Recreation Center: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
  • Pan Pacific Recreational Center: 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
  • Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • Pasadena Civic Auditorium: 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
  • Pomona Fairplex: 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
  • Stoner Recreation Center: 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Animal Shelters:

Small Animals:

  • Agoura Animal Care Center: 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
  • Baldwin Park Animal Care Center: 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
  • Carson Animal Care Center: 216 W Victoria St, Gardena, CA 90248
  • Downey Animal Care Center: 11258 Garfield Ave, Downey, CA 90242
  • Lancaster Animal Care Center: 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536
  • Palmdale Animal Care Center: 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550

Large Animals:

  • Pomona Fairplex: 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona
  • Industry Hills Expo: 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744
  • Antelope Valley Fair: 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536
  • Los Angeles Equestrian Center: 480 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91506
  • Pierce College Equestrian Center: 7100 El Rancho Dr, Woodland Hills, CA 91371

Disaster Relief Information:

  • LA County Assessor: Information for property owners and FAQs about disaster relief.

Mental Health Support:

  • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: Crisis counseling and support for those affected. Access services through their website or call their hotline at (800) 854-7771.

Temporary Housing Support:

  • Airbnb: In partnership with 211 LA, offering free temporary housing for displaced residents. Spaces are limited; complete the form to be notified of availability.

Transportation Support:

  • Uber: Use promo code WILDFIRE25 for 2 free rides up to $40 each to/from active shelters.
  • Lyft: Code CAFIRERELIEF25 offers 2 rides up to $25 each for up to 500 riders, valid until 1/15.
  • Metro: Fare collection is suspended systemwide.

Staying Informed:

  • Watch Duty App: Provides real-time wildfire tracking, evacuation warnings, and updates.
  • Los Angeles Fire Department Alerts: Visit their website for the latest information on fire status and safety guidelines.

Safety Precautions:

  • Ready, Set, Go!: Personal Wildfire Action Plan by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

To those in our community who are volunteering, donating, or offering aid in any form—thank you. Your efforts embody the spirit of LA: strong, compassionate, and unstoppable.

At dot.LA, we’re committed to amplifying stories of resilience and support. If you’ve seen inspiring acts of kindness or have resources to share, please let us know. Together, we can shine a light on the incredible ways this community is stepping up during these trying times.

In the days ahead, let’s hold tight to the bonds that unite us and remember that we are stronger together. The fires may scar the land, but they cannot dim the collective spirit of Los Angeles.

We’re here for you, and we’re with you.

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    A Strong Finish to 2024 for LA Tech: Crosscut Ventures Leads the Way

    🔦 Spotlight

    Happy Friday LA!

    As we close the book on 2024, Los Angeles has had a remarkable year in tech and venture capital. From groundbreaking funding rounds to industry-defining innovations, the city’s tech ecosystem has showcased its ability to adapt and thrive. Among the year’s final highlights was the announcement that Crosscut Ventures, one of LA’s premier early-stage venture capital firms, has added Jon Ylvisaker as its newest Partner.

    Crosscut Ventures’ Bold New Direction

    Announced in late December, Jon Ylvisaker’s appointment reflects Crosscut Ventures’ commitment to advancing its focus on the energy transition. Ylvisaker brings decades of experience in driving investments in energy technologies and digital infrastructure. As the founding partner and managing director of Yield Capital Partners, he led investments in startups and established companies shaping the future of sustainability. At Wolfacre Global Management, a Tiger Management hedge fund, he further honed his expertise in supporting impactful climate-focused solutions.

    Brian Garrett, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Crosscut Ventures, said, “Jon's extensive experience in climate and digital infrastructure investments, coupled with his impressive track record of bringing groundbreaking technologies to market, makes him the ideal partner to help lead our focus.”

    Since its founding in 2008, Crosscut has played a key role in shaping LA’s tech landscape. Ylvisaker’s addition reinforces the firm’s commitment to addressing global challenges like energy transition and sustainability, further solidifying its leadership in venture capital innovation.

    What’s Next for LA Tech in 2025

    The momentum from 2024 has set the stage for an even bigger year ahead. Entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in LA are poised to take on new challenges and create meaningful change across industries.

    As we step into 2025, we want to thank everyone who helped make 2024 such a standout year. Here’s to another year of progress, innovation, and success. From all of us at dot.LA, Happy New Year!

    🤝 Venture Deals

    LA Companies

    • First Resonance, a company specializing in digital manufacturing software through its ION Factory OS, has raised a $20M funding round led by Third Prime with participation from Blue Bear Capital and others. This brings its total funding to $36M and will be used to accelerate product development, grow its customer base, and enhance support for advanced manufacturing sectors like aerospace, robotics, and clean energy. - learn more
    LA Venture Funds
    • Finality Capital Partners led a $17M Seed funding round for ChainOpera AI, a California-based company developing blockchain networks for AI-powered agents and applications, to accelerate product development, expand its team and enhance its blockchain and AI integration capabilities. - learn more

    LA Exits

    • Thirteen Lune, an inclusive beauty e-commerce platform, has been acquired by SNR Capital, marking a significant milestone in the platform's mission to amplify underrepresented beauty brands while fueling its next stage of growth. - learn more
    • Ergobaby, a leading brand in juvenile products known for its high-quality baby carriers, has been acquired by Highlander Partners. The acquisition aims to bolster Ergobaby’s growth, expand its product offerings, and strengthen its position in the parenting solutions market. - learn more

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    Salt AI’s $3M Bet, Snapchat’s Creator Cash, Rivian’s EV Tech, and ŌURA’s $200M Win

    🔦 Spotlight

    Happy Friday, LA - let’s dive right in to this week’s highlights:

    Salt AI, a forward-thinking AI startup based in Los Angeles, has secured a $3 million seed funding round led by Morpheus Ventures with participation from Struck Capital, among others, to tackle the complexity of managing workflows.Salt AI's blog details how its platform centralizes tools like CRM systems, project management software, and data trackers into one interface, eliminating inefficiencies and freeing up teams to focus on meaningful work. With new funding in hand, Salt plans to scale its platform and expand its reach, a move that underscores how AI can solve everyday business challenges.

    Image Source: Salt AI - Aber Whitcomb

    While Salt AI focuses on the workplace, Snapchat is doubling down on creators, with its latest updates introducing revenue-sharing opportunities and direct monetization features. The company’snewsroom update outlines how enhanced analytics will help creators better understand their audiences and sustain their work. The platform's latest updates introduce revenue-sharing opportunities and direct monetization features, along with analytics that give creators deeper insights into their audience. By making it easier for creators to grow and sustain their work, Snapchat positions itself as a key player in the creator economy, offering features that rival platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

    Image Source: Snap

    On the roads, Rivian is redefining what it means to drive an electric vehicle. The company’s latest software update includes advanced route planning, energy management tools, and customization options that make every trip more intuitive and efficient. Additionally, Rivian has introduced new entertainment features, including Google Cast, YouTube, and SiriusXM, as featured in Rivian’ssoftware spotlight, enhancing the in-cabin experience for drivers and passengers alike. This isn’t just about convenience; Rivian is showing how thoughtful software design can elevate the entire EV experience, blending practicality with sophistication.

    Image Source: Rivian

    ŌURA is making headlines with a fresh $200 million Series D funding round, with participation from Fidelity Management & Research Company and Dexcom, which now values the company at $2.55 billion. This investment, as reported byBusiness Wire, highlights the growing demand for wearable health technology and positions ŌURA as a leader in the space. With its sleek design and emphasis on actionable health insights, the funding will enable ŌURA to expand its reach and further integrate wearables into daily health management, strengthening its position in the competitive health tech market. With this funding, ŌURA aims to reach more users and expand its capabilities, further embedding wearables into daily health management.

    Image Source: ŌURA

    Stay tuned as Salt AI, Snapchat, Rivian, and ŌURA continue to evolve, offering us new ways to work, connect, and live better.

    🤝 Venture Deals

      LA Venture Funds
        • Undeterred Capital participated in a $7M Seed funding round for Portal, a Watertown, Mass.-based biotech company specializing in advanced intracellular delivery technology to drive innovations in biological research and cellular therapeutics. - learn more
        • Vamos Ventures participated in a $7.9M Series A funding round for Culina Health, a Hoboken, NJ-based company that provides personalized, science-based virtual nutrition care by connecting patients with registered dietitians, with plans to use the funds to expand its offerings for dietitians and patients, implement AI-driven tools to enhance care efficiency, and strengthen its leadership team through key hires. - learn more
        • Humans Ventures participated in a $3.8M Seed funding round for Hamming.ai, a San Francisco-based company specializing in automated tools for testing and optimizing voice agents, with plans to expand its platform, enhance reliability and perform, and accelerate product development. - learn more
        • Fifth Wall led, with participation from Starshot Capital and others, in a $9.5M Series A funding round for Mojave, a Sunnyvale, CA-based company developing energy-efficient commercial air conditioning technology. The funds will be used to accelerate the adoption of its innovative systems and reduce energy consumption in the cooling industry. - learn more
        • ReMY Investors participated in a $17M Series B funding round for Scripta Insights, a company that leverages data analytics to help employers and healthy plans reduce prescription drug costs, with the funds aimed at expanding its platform and scaling operations. - learn more
        • Mantis VC participated in a $16.5M funding round for Nuon, a company specializing in Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) solutions that streamline AI, data, and infrastructure software deployment. The funds will support product development, readiness for general availability in 2025, and efforts to expand customer acquisition. - learn more
        • B Capital participated in a $102M Series C funding round for Precision, a company developing minimally invasive brain-computer interfaces to treat neurological disorders, with plans to use the funds to expand its team, advance clinical research, and refine its AI-powered brain implant for helping users with severe paralysis operate digital devices using their thoughts. - learn more
        • The Games Fund led a $3M Seed funding round for Dark Passenger, a Poland-based game studio founded by veterans of The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, to create an unannounced, innovative, first-person multiplayer PvPvE stealth-action game set in a distinctive universe inspired by feudal Japan and martial arts cinema. - learn more

            LA Exits

            • Calliope Networks, a generative AI company providing licensed media content like movies, TV shows, and news, has been acquired by Protege to strengthen its platform’s capabilities in advancing AI development. - learn more

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