Becoming a business coach and opening your own practice is probably one of the most challenging roles a business coach can take on. As a business coach, you’re expected to know how to do it all, yet you may have never done it before. Most coaches come from a corporate background or have experience in a franchise environment, as that’s where they gain most of their knowledge. Once they complete a coaching program, their focus shifts entirely to being the coach.
When starting your coaching practice, there are numerous logistics to manage: opening bank accounts, registering the business, and determining what needs to be registered. You might put together a business plan, thinking you know what you should do, but where do you find support starting out as a business coach? You know you need guidance, but hiring a mentor can be expensive, especially when you’re just starting. So, you go it alone. You start marketing your services, but you don’t know who your target audience is. You create a website, doing it yourself to save money, yet your visibility remains non-existent.
Eventually, you get a client in front of you, but self-doubt creeps in. You find yourself questioning your expertise, especially when potential clients challenge your experience. Your online presence hasn’t been great, while you see other coaches flaunting their successful lives. It’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough, leading to a cycle of self-doubt.
Managing your time becomes a struggle. You’re trying to be everything at once: the marketing expert, the financial consultant, and the content creator. You spend time writing blogs, researching software, and figuring out how to capture leads. You attempt to create a structured schedule, designating time for calls and networking, but you often feel lost when it comes to finding the right people to reach out to. Despite learning about your ideal client, you realize it’s challenging to apply that knowledge to your own practice.
You might also wonder how to price your services. Should you offer a free session to attract clients? Are you undervaluing your worth, or overestimating it? The questions swirl in your mind: what are other coaches charging? How can you confidently ask for payment without feeling like you’re imposing?
So, I’m not trying to put you off from running your own coaching company. Instead, I’m highlighting that there are other opportunities available. Some may suggest buying a franchise, but how much value do you really get from a coaching franchise? Who owns the clients—the franchise or you? My personal experience with franchises has shown that they often don’t work well. Do you want to be just another “Cookie Cutter” Coach?
This leads us to consider other options, such as becoming part of a community of coaches. What are the benefits of joining such a community? What types of communities exist, and how do you know if you can trust them?
Imagine belonging to a community where you build relationships, share knowledge, and tap into each other’s networks. Where you can coach with your own approach, while being part of a Community. Where your personal development is just as important as finding clients. These communities create learning opportunities and allow you to be measured by peers who value your growth and maintain a professional approach. Mentorship becomes a key part of the relationship, enabling you to grow your business and improve your marketing and client acquisition techniques. Resources are shared openly, helping you increase your visibility.
Being part of a business community alleviates the loneliness many coaches feel when they’re starting out. It provides a sense of belonging and social support, ultimately enhancing your personal and professional growth. Your business success can thrive in such an environment, guiding you toward your goals.
In contrast, franchise opportunities often lock you in for five to seven years and come with significant costs, including royalty and marketing fees. You might find yourself thinking, “I could do that myself for less.” Instead, consider a community where you are not locked in for years and where success is celebrated. A supportive environment can help you navigate the challenges mentioned in this blog, allowing you to become the best coach possible. Look for a community that prioritizes your needs above their own, helping you achieve the success you aspire to.
If any of these challenges resonate with you, perhaps it’s time to reach out and have a chat. I believe everyone deserves a coach, and the more coaches we have in the world, the greater the impact on businesses everywhere. Let’s work together to elevate your coaching practice.
Becoming a business coach and opening your own practice is probably one of the most challenging roles a business coach can take on. As a business coach, you’re expected to know how to do it all, yet you may have never done it before. Most coaches come from a corporate background or have experience in a franchise environment, as that’s where they gain most of their knowledge. Once they complete a coaching program, their focus shifts entirely to being the coach.
When starting your coaching practice, there are numerous logistics to manage: opening bank accounts, registering the business, and determining what needs to be registered. You might put together a business plan, thinking you know what you should do, but where do you find support starting out as a business coach? You know you need guidance, but hiring a mentor can be expensive, especially when you’re just starting. So, you go it alone. You start marketing your services, but you don’t know who your target audience is. You create a website, doing it yourself to save money, yet your visibility remains non-existent.
Eventually, you get a client in front of you, but self-doubt creeps in. You find yourself questioning your expertise, especially when potential clients challenge your experience. Your online presence hasn’t been great, while you see other coaches flaunting their successful lives. It’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough, leading to a cycle of self-doubt.
Managing your time becomes a struggle. You’re trying to be everything at once: the marketing expert, the financial consultant, and the content creator. You spend time writing blogs, researching software, and figuring out how to capture leads. You attempt to create a structured schedule, designating time for calls and networking, but you often feel lost when it comes to finding the right people to reach out to. Despite learning about your ideal client, you realize it’s challenging to apply that knowledge to your own practice.
You might also wonder how to price your services. Should you offer a free session to attract clients? Are you undervaluing your worth, or overestimating it? The questions swirl in your mind: what are other coaches charging? How can you confidently ask for payment without feeling like you’re imposing?
So, I’m not trying to put you off from running your own coaching company. Instead, I’m highlighting that there are other opportunities available. Some may suggest buying a franchise, but how much value do you really get from a coaching franchise? Who owns the clients—the franchise or you? My personal experience with franchises has shown that they often don’t work well.
This leads us to consider other options, such as becoming part of a community of coaches. What are the benefits of joining such a community? What types of communities exist, and how do you know if you can trust them?
Imagine belonging to a community where you build relationships, share knowledge, and tap into each other’s networks. Where your personal development is just as important as finding clients. These communities create learning opportunities and allow you to be measured by peers who value your growth and maintain a professional approach. Mentorship becomes a key part of the relationship, enabling you to grow your business and improve your marketing and client acquisition techniques. Resources are shared openly, helping you increase your visibility.
Being part of a business community alleviates the loneliness many coaches feel when they’re starting out. It provides a sense of belonging and social support, ultimately enhancing your personal and professional growth. Your business success can thrive in such an environment, guiding you toward your goals.
In contrast, franchise opportunities often lock you in for five to seven years and come with significant costs, including royalty and marketing fees. You might find yourself thinking, “I could do that myself for less.” Instead, consider a community where you are not locked in for years and where success is celebrated. A supportive environment can help you navigate the challenges mentioned in this blog, allowing you to become the best coach possible. Look for a community that prioritizes your needs above their own, helping you achieve the success you aspire to.
If any of these challenges resonate with you, perhaps it’s time to reach out and have a chat. I believe everyone deserves a coach, and the more coaches we have in the world, the greater the impact on businesses everywhere. Let’s work together to elevate your coaching practice..
