February 19, 2023
Business coaches play a very important role that should be highlighted more. They are often the people who allow small businesses to take the next step. Many have inspired business owners to see bigger and motivated owners who otherwise wouldn’t imagine expanding. People may undermine their importance, but so many business owners wouldn’t be who and where they are today without a good coach by their side. The issue is finding the right coach for you. Let’s take a look at how you can do this.
The very first thing you have to do is mark down what you need in a coach. Do you need someone who can help you run your organisation better, or organise your life around it? Some people may want to focus on the holistic aspect of being a business owner and not just business operations. Not all coaches will be able to help you with the human aspect, so you have to make sure that you know the coach's area of expertise and that you keep your needs in mind when interviewing them.
Another thing you could do is ask around for suggestions of coaches you could work with. Try to find people in the same line of business as you or with the same needs. If you have a good network, you could get a few recommendations. Next, look at any coach’s material they have online. Look at their website and check if you can see testimonials. Follow them on social media. Look at their content and see if it resonates with you. Then you can contact them for an interview.
If you’re hoping to find a mentor, start by tapping into your existing network. Think about colleagues, former managers, friends, or even acquaintances whose business success or leadership you admire. It’s often easiest, and most impactful, to learn from someone who already knows you or has experience in your field.
Take the initiative to reach out. Begin with a genuine conversation, perhaps complimenting their work or expressing what you’d like to learn. Don’t rush the process; mentorship often develops organically as a result of repeated, authentic interactions. Invite them for coffee or lunch, on you, as a way of showing appreciation for their time and insights.
If your immediate circle doesn’t offer a potential mentor, attend local networking events, professional meetups, or even relevant online forums. The key is to make meaningful connections rather than simply collecting business cards. Remember, a strong mentor-mentee relationship is built on mutual respect and shared goals, so look for individuals with whom you feel a natural rapport.
As you nurture these relationships with thoughtful questions and by offering your own support when possible, you’ll often find that the right mentor will emerge naturally over time. Be patient, the best mentorships are worth the wait.
Approaching someone for mentorship is a bit of an art, it’s much more than simply asking a seasoned professional for their time. Instead, the most effective mentorships tend to develop naturally out of existing relationships or mutual respect.
Start by looking within your own circle. Do you already know someone whose experience or insight you admire? Maybe it’s a colleague you occasionally chat with at industry events, or a manager from a previous job. The key here is to tap into genuine connections rather than opting for cold, unsolicited requests.
When you reach out, don’t lead with a big ask. Instead, consider starting with a respectful, specific request for advice or perspective, perhaps over a coffee or a quick call. Most professionals are far more receptive when they can see that you value their insight and respect their time.
If there’s no one in your current network who fits the bill, work on expanding your connections. Get involved in industry associations, attend networking events, or join online professional groups where potential mentors are active. Over time, as you build relationships and show genuine interest, opportunities for mentorship often emerge naturally.
Remember: Mentorship is a two-way street. Show gratitude, be respectful of your mentor’s time, and look for ways you can provide value in return, whether it’s sharing a useful resource, offering your help on a project, or simply expressing your appreciation.
Patience is key. With the right approach, you’ll often find that a mentor steps into your path organically, when you least expect it.
While it might seem logical to reach out directly to a potential mentor and ask them to take you under their wing, this approach often falls flat. The reality is that most successful business owners and leaders are already managing busy schedules. When you approach someone out of the blue, there isn’t yet a foundation of trust or any established connection, so you're essentially asking them to make a significant investment of their time in someone they know nothing about.
Think of it like approaching a stranger on the street and asking for career advice over coffee every week. No matter how politely you phrase the request, there simply isn’t enough context for them to see the value in such an arrangement. Building mentor relationships is much more natural when it grows out of shared interests, mutual respect, or previous collaborations. Over time, as you engage with industry professionals, attend relevant events, or even interact on platforms like LinkedIn, real connections can form. That’s when a mentoring relationship is most likely to develop, organically and with genuine interest from both sides.
Know that there are also directories where you can look for qualified coaches near you. You have directories such as the UK Small Business Directory that allow you to find a small business coach fast. The site has a wide selection of coaches available, and you can see exactly in which areas they specialise. You can find executive coaches, start-up coaches, performance coaches, and more. This is the simplest way to start your search and look for someone that will work for you.
If you want extra peace of mind before choosing a coach, it’s always a good idea to look at some reputable coaching organisations and well-established professionals in the field. There are several respected names that have guided thousands of business owners at every stage.
When you’re considering any coach or coaching program, remember to compare reviews, look at the methodology, and consider what resonates with your approach. Finding a tried-and-tested expert will give you a strong foundation as you move your business forward.
No matter how good the coach is and how great he was with other clients, you never truly know if someone is the right fit before you speak to them. This is why you must make sure that your personalities match.
Some coaches may have more of a humane approach while others will be more strict. Don’t assume that you will benefit more from a coach that makes you more comfortable. You want someone who will hold you accountable but will be empathetic as well; though some people may appreciate a coach who pushes them more. It’s up to you and what coaching style you prefer.
These are some of the things you should be looking for when picking a business coach. Make sure that you take your time and wait until you find someone that will mesh with you.
The right business coach can be a powerful asset to your business, helping you grow and flourish in ways that you could never have imagined. But finding the right coach for your needs can be overwhelming, there are so many options out there! And if you're like most people, you don't have time to waste on trying out different coaches who aren't a good fit for your company. So we've put together this guide so that you can find someone who'll work with you as closely (and effectively) as possible:
A business coach helps you develop skills and strategies to help you achieve your goals. They're more focused on the people side of the business, while a consultant helps you implement strategies and make decisions.
A good coach can help guide you through a problem or challenge in an effective way, but they won't necessarily provide all of the answers themselves. A good coach will encourage self-discovery, so that when an issue arises again (and it will), you're better equipped to handle it yourself.
But let’s take this a step further, many people also wonder how a business coach compares to a mentor. It's easy to get the terms mixed up, so here’s a quick breakdown of the differences:
So, while a business coach will work alongside you to help develop your skills and hold you accountable for your progress, a mentor is more of a sounding board, someone to offer advice based on their own experiences. And if you’re comparing both to a consultant, remember: consultants are typically brought in to solve a specific problem, implement a solution, or even run a project for you, rather than helping you grow as a leader.
Knowing which type of support you need can make all the difference as you move your business forward.
This is a great question, and the answer mostly comes down to how each relationship is structured.
Business coaching is typically a formal, paid arrangement. Coaches are professionals who offer structured support, accountability, and expertise, much like hiring a personal trainer for your business growth. Their services usually come with a clear agreement outlining expectations, schedule, and fees. You can expect defined goals, regular sessions, and a focus on measurable outcomes.
Mentoring, on the other hand, tends to be informal and is usually not paid. A mentor is often someone who’s “been there, done that,” willing to share their wisdom and experiences because they genuinely want to help, not because it’s their job. There’s no contract, and it’s more like having a guide or sounding board you can turn to as needed.
Of course, there are exceptions, sometimes mentorship programs charge a fee (universities and professional associations come to mind), and occasionally, a business coach might offer pro bono work. But by and large:
Both can be valuable, so the choice depends on your goals and what fits best with your needs and budget.
A mentor is someone with valuable experience, often someone who has walked the path you’re on, who informally guides and supports you as you grow. Unlike coaches or consultants, mentors typically don’t charge for their advice. Instead, mentorship grows out of a genuine relationship, where the mentor is invested in your personal and professional development.
You’ll often find that mentors have achieved a certain level of expertise or success in your industry, but age isn’t the defining factor. What matters is their ability to share insights, offer perspective, and help you navigate challenges based on their own journey.
Mentors can become some of the most influential people in your career, offering encouragement, wisdom, and honest feedback. And there’s proof it pays off: founders who receive guidance from successful entrepreneurs are much more likely to become top performers themselves.
Having a mentor in your corner can make an incredible difference as you chart your own course in business.
The first step is to find a coach who is a good fit for you. This will help ensure that the coaching relationship will be successful and productive. After all, it's hard to have an effective relationship with someone if they aren't a good match for you!
Once you've picked out potential candidates based on their experience, education and coaching style (more on this later), it's time to interview them over the phone or in person. During this meeting ask questions about their background and how they would work with your business, as well as what kind of results they've seen other clients achieve--and make sure those results align with what matters most to YOU! You'll want to get as much information about each candidate so that when making your decision about who should become YOUR new business partner/coach combo...
Choosing the right business coach is about more than just credentials or a fancy website. It’s about finding someone who understands your vision, aligns with your values, and can help you turn your goals into reality. Take your time, do your homework, and trust your instincts, this is a partnership that should help you grow, not leave you second-guessing.
Mentoring brings a wealth of advantages to entrepreneurs and professionals looking to take their next step. While a mentor doesn’t necessarily need decades of experience or seniority, they typically have meaningful insight and a track record that benefits those they support. Most mentors work on a volunteer basis, sharing advice and guidance through a more informal relationship, think of them as someone who’s been there, done that, and is willing to help you navigate the journey.
The benefits of a great mentor extend far beyond occasional advice. By working closely with a mentor, you’ll gain:
If you’re looking for proof that mentoring works, consider this: according to studies, entrepreneurs who are mentored by successful business owners are significantly more likely to become high performers themselves (for example, the Endeavor network reported that 33% of mentored founders achieve top-performer status). In other words, mentorship is not just a “nice-to-have”, it’s a true accelerator for growth, learning, and tangible results.
No, you don't need to be successful already before you work with a coach.
Coaches are great at helping people get started, grow their business and get out of a rut. If you're just starting out, they can help guide your ideas into reality by helping you create systems that will help keep things running smoothly as well as helping keep track of important tasks that need to be done. They also have all kinds of tips for how to market yourself properly so that people know who you are and what services/products they can get from working with you!
If your business has been running for a while but isn't growing at the rate that either one or both owners would like (or even shrinking), then maybe it's time for some coaching? Coaches can give advice on how best to manage employees so everyone is happy and productive at work; teach employees new skills so they might learn something new about themselves too; provide feedback on how marketing campaigns went over last quarter vs previous quarters.
Absolutely! If bringing on a business coach isn’t in the budget just yet, don’t worry, you still have options to grow and learn without breaking the bank.
There are a variety of self-guided solutions and learning platforms designed for entrepreneurs:
These options can offer structure, inspiration, and answers to many of your questions, often for free or at a fraction of the cost of 1:1 coaching. And when you’re ready, hiring a business coach will only be another tool in your already growing toolkit.
There are many ways in which a person can learn how to find the right coach for them, including:
The key to finding the right coach is to do your research and find out what type of person they are. Think about what kind of personality would work best with yours, then look at their background and experience before making a decision. If you have any questions about whether or not someone is right for you, don't hesitate to ask them directly!
When you want to find a business coach, it's vital to look for someone whose expertise aligns with your specific business goals. You should check their credentials, read client testimonials, and, most importantly, have a conversation to ensure their coaching style and personality are a good match for you and your business.
A business coach focuses on developing your personal and professional skills, helping you to find the answers and strategies yourself. In contrast, a consultant is typically hired to provide direct answers, solve specific problems, and implement particular systems within your business.
There are several excellent ways to find a business coach. You can start by asking for recommendations from your professional network. Online directories dedicated to coaching are also a great resource. Finally, exploring professional platforms like LinkedIn can help you find a coach whose content and approach resonate with you.
Absolutely not. A business coach can be beneficial at any stage of your business journey. Whether you're just starting out and need direction, experiencing a period of stagnation, or looking to scale, a coach provides the support and accountability needed to move forward.