Do You Really Need A Business Coach?
Do you really need a business coach? Maybe!
Let’s cover some important questions that you want to ask yourself when you’re in the process of hiring your business coach.
What Do You Want From A Business Coach?
Before we dive in, let me tell you about a conversation I had with a very successful business owner with over 20 years of experience and great friend.
She asked me if I thought that a business coach could help her.
“What would you like from a business coach?” I asked.
Her answer: I don’t really know.
A completely normal answer.
There’s no definitive guide on how to hire a business coach. Business coaching is a relatively new practice and has little to no regulations.
So, I asked her if she could tell me the story of how she started her business and how she currently felt about her business.
That question worked!
She told me all about her business idea, how she started, and all the work she put into building it up. Her eyes were shining. You could tell she was reliving those great moments in her head from when her business was a dream and she saw the possibilities.
I was patiently listening to her story as the suspense built. As expected, the romance period ended, business is taking more effort than what she thought, and she is questioning if there’s something more fulfilling that she could be doing.
She said …“I feel like I am in a different place. I no longer see my business as this amazing money-making machine.”
Can you relate?
As a business matures, the romance period ends and growing a business, on top of working with clients, becomes a heavy lifting job. This creates friction, since the original reason for starting a business was to not have a job.
The challenge for entrepreneurs is to figure out ways to feel passionate about their business, even when things are not looking great.
Hiring a coach makes total sense at this point (ideally you don’t want to wait until you feel like quitting).
I asked her more questions about her routine, the things she likes about her business. And I found out that she had been working on other projects related to helping foster care centers and would like to find a way to incorporate those into her business.
You might not know what do you want from your business coach, but you will know what do you want from your business. The kind of routine you want to have.
Having clarity about the kind of lifestyle you want to live will certainly help you in the process of hiring a business coach. If you can find a business coach that has achieved what you want to achieve and is willing to share everything with you, even better!
A Business Coach For Entrepreneurs Will Be A Great Fit
My friend’s story reminded me exactly how I felt, back in 2008, when I lost my law firm income. I had found an opportunity to work from home and was very confused. I wanted to know if that opportunity could truly replace my law firm income and wanted clear steps to make it work.
I was willing to put the effort, but I couldn’t afford to waste time.
So I met an attorney with experience in direct sales, who was living it! He gave me some pointers, but after a few calls, I was ready to start on his coaching program.
How Did I Work With My First Business Coach?
My first business coach had a very personalized model. He built a curriculum – just for me. And I think this gave me a huge advantage.
During my first year of working with my first business coach:
- I had a clear vision of the kind of business I wanted to build.
- I learned about personal branding and how to position my story, instead of selling products online.
- He crafted our marketing and sales systems and became the #1 hispanic ambassador for Beachbody.
- I started a new distribution agreement with an international company.
- I discovered a new world of MINDSET tools.
I signed up a 3-months contract and by the time I was in month 2, I already knew I wanted to work with him for a full year. And we did. Best decision ever!
Keep in mind, this is back in 2012. This experience inspired me so much that I decided to be a marketing coach. So I signed up in a full year program with a marketing academy lead by Fabienne Fredrickson.
I’m a product of coaching and truly believe that if you find a good coach, your life will transform.
Business Mentor vs Business Coach
Another question that might come up when you’re doing your research is about the difference between a mentor and a coach.
How is a business mentor different from a business coach?
A business mentor has first-hand experience of the mentee’s line of work. A business coach, however, does not need to have hands-on experience of the kind of work the coachee is engaged in.
You’re getting someone who’s already walked in your shoes. They are experienced in your field and can help fast-track you along your growth path. They can offer guidance, friendship and support; there is usually a level of personal connection as they serve as a role model to help an individual reach their potential.
My first business coach was a mentor more than a coach. Since my experience was so impactful, I am biased towards this coaching approach.
You should ask your future coach if their work is more mentoring than coaching and see how they explain it to you.
When I coach entrepreneurs, I mentor them. I’m an open book. My clients have access to every move we make, behind the scenes. They have seen wins and failures too.
Your business mentor should own a successful business
Your business mentor should be successful. Something that seems very obvious, but it’s not always the case.
If you aspire to become a full time entrepreneur, your business mentor should have experience as a full time entrepreneur, building businesses.
There are “business mentors” who have never built a business successfully and sell programs teaching people how to grow a business. This brings a huge red flag.
Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs (Coaching Packages)
If you’re looking for small business coaching services or small business coaching packages, a business coaching & mentoring program offers the best of both worlds.
Most coaches are creating packages. A package combines training and coaching with a customized mentoring experience. In this way, you could be getting pre-recorded modules, in addition to private coaching sessions.
In my coaching program, for example, we offer pre-recorded modules, personalized curriculum that covers sales and marketing training, and mastermind calls for accountability and implementation.
Finding a business coaching program near you will be recommended. Proximity will be key, as the program typically offers live events that can impact your business tremendously.
Business Coaching & Mentoring in Austin, Texas
If you’re in the Austin, Texas zone, my business coaching & mentoring program could be a great fit.
I combine personalized mentoring with coaching via private sessions, mastermind calls, and retreats. Members get access to a private community with exclusive opportunities to grow their business.
This is a great fit for business owners who are looking for a good mentor so they can thrive in life while growing a successful business. Take our coaching survey to get to know you more.
We are designing our 2021 coaching packages and you can sign up to be the first to know.
