Do I need a business coach?

7 ways to know if coaching is right for you.

In October of 2015, I was pregnant with our first child, a new homeowner, in the middle of my busiest and most profitable wedding season to date, and absolutely terrified of the future.

I didn’t know how to prepare for parenthood. I was afraid that becoming a mom would make me lose relevance in the wedding community. I thought 6 weeks of maternity leave would be the death stroke to my marketing efforts, that colleagues and clients alike would forget I existed.

I had some ideas for ways to “make it” in this new, unknown season, but those ideas seemed beyond my grasp. I needed help.

That month I attended a work retreat in Georgia and met Jeff & Erin Youngren. Jeff offered free coaching by appointment during our time there and I took the first slot available.

I’d attended plenty workshops and trainings over the years, but that was the first time I had someone coach me. It was life-changing.

18 months later (because, you know… baby…), I hired Jeff as my business coach. I worked with him for two years, and my business fundamentally changed for the better as a result of that coaching relationship. I’ve worked with three other coaches since— each one for a specific purpose over a specific period of time— and each time I’ve come out better equipped, more profitable, and stronger as a person and as an entrepreneur.

I firmly believe that coaching has been the key to my business success.

But what about you? How do you know if YOU need a business coach?

Personally, I would say that if you own a business, you should hire a coach. But in case you need more convincing, let me share seven ways to know if coaching is right for you.

You might need a business coach if…

1. You’re ready for change.

If you can see that things need to change in your life and business, and you’re ready to make those changes;  if you’re unhappy with life and work as-is, but struggle to make those changes on your own, it’s time to bring in some outside help.

A coach provides an outside perspective, fresh eyes, and built-in accountability so you change can take place.

2. You’ve grown beyond other forms of education.

You can attend workshops and conferences, read books, and learned from peers. And of course there is SO much to be gained from hands-on experience. But at some point, you will grow beyond what broader education platforms can provide.

A coach gives in-depth, customized education to fit what YOU need. This is a unique benefit to 1-1 coaching, and the reason this form of coaching is my favorite to provide. No more need to try to fit your business into someone else’s mold! This is counsel tailor-made for YOU. As Michael Hyatt says, “By hiring a coach, you outsource your mistakes and dramatically improve your odds for success.”

3. You’re a high-performer.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 30% of businesses make it to their 10^th year. If you want to join the ranks of those who “make it,” it’s worth investing the time and energy to learn from those have. Hiring a business coach with more than 10 years of experience in business gives you the support you need to make it.

4. You need specific training in a new area.

If you’re in a season of growth, pivot, or change, it’s helpful to hire a coach with experience in that specific area. I hired my first coach because he had a business model I was interested in pursuing, so he could answer questions and provide resources that my friends and colleagues couldn’t give me.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many things you can learn from friends or colleagues. But when you’re starting a new chapter, it’s time to learn from someone who excels in that field.

5. You feel you have untapped potential.

If you know you’re capable of more than you’re currently accomplishing, but can’t seem to get there on your own, it’s time to hire a coach. As a small business owner, your company’s growth is linked to your personal growth. If you stall or burn out, personally, it will be reflected in your business. If you feel you’ve hit a wall, a coach will help you grow past that block.

6. You want a leg-up on the competition.

Much of the creative world (especially the wedding world) is an echo chamber redundant information. The same loop of data floating back and forth, most people thinking the same way, making the same decisions, following the same trains of thought.

A coach is an outside voice helping you to think differently, more creatively, and more strategically to accomplish the goals that are best for YOU.

Again, to quote Michael Hyatt, “There are two ways to get ahead in business: the slow way and the fast way. The slow way is to rely on your own knowledge, experience, and skills. The fast way is to rely on someone else’s knowledge, experience, and skills.”

7. You’re so busy working IN your business that you never work ON it.

If you spend the majority of your mental energy doing the work to get through the day, you could benefit from a coach. The work that actually moves the needle (or turns the flywheel) on your business is not the day-to-day tasks of client deliverables, sales, marketing, etc. that make up most of your to-do list. To truly gain traction, you have to lift your head above your day-to-day grind and get a wholistic view of where your business currently is, where you want It to go, and the steps needed to get there.

This is where a coach shows their true value and are the greatest help! 

So what do you think? Do you need a business coach?