How do you find a good business mentor or coach?

How do you find a good business mentor or coach?

One thing I notice when I am chatting to new business owners and entrepreneurs is that they are full of ideas and are excited about getting their business off the ground.  They may or may not have a business plan, but they have a rough vision in their mind about what they are hoping to achieve.  Most of them haven’t worked out the true expenses in their business and have not even collated what they need to earn personally to be able to pay the bills never mind anything which crops up unexpectedly in their business.  If this is you, please know this, you have to be able to cover your personal expenses, your business expenses and make a profit to succeed in business and to have the life that you desire.  You will find it easier if you are working alongside an experienced business mentor or coach.  Someone who actually has run a business rather than someone who thinks they can help small business owners (it is important to check!) This means that you will be able to ask questions to someone who is experienced and it will save you money and heartache in the long run as you won’t have to make mistakes yourself.  Your mentor/coach will be honest with you which is what you need as friends and family tell you what they think you want to hear!

Do you budget for personal development? 

If the answer is no, you need to. It is absolutely essential for the survival of your business.  As soon as you start your business and you have no other income coming in, you are standing within your own energy and you have to work on yourself, your baggage and self worth issues.  You will find you procrastinate, sabotage your success and will find it difficult to make certain things work.  You have to be flexible and learn new skills. The easier way is to work with a business mentor or coach.  They will work with you on business planning, creating your vision, finances, marketing, social media presence, human resources, etc.  You need to chose someone who is right for you and who gives you the direction you need and the enthusiasm to keep going if you are struggling.  Top entrepreneurs spend at least 10% of their income on personal development and you need to budget for this.

Some mentors/coaches do not go anywhere near the ’emotional’ and ‘mindset’ stuff, and it is important to recognise that you might well need someone who works with you on this separately and to check with who you employ as your mentor/coach, exactly what they will cover with you, so that you are not disappointed.  They might not work on the internal ‘you’ when you check and this is where I come in. You need to know you really well. You need to heighten your awareness around your health, wealth and happiness, to ensure that you remain an energised, happy and healthy business owner and to give your business longevity.

How much does a business mentor/coach cost?

This can range from £50 to £1000 per hour depending on who you chose.  The lower price will usually indicate a less experienced coach/mentor.  It is important to ask the coach/mentor about their training, their experience, whether they have had a successful business and to get a recommendation from someone else.  It is also important to note, that some people will call themselves a business mentor/coach but will not be trained in any way, so watch out!

Mentors/Coaches will usually charge ‘package’ prices as just giving someone an hour, will not be enough to showcase and transform the other person.  Generally you are looking to work with this person for 6 months in a more intense way and then you decide the frequency you need (not what they suggest).  Some mentors/coaches offer more in depth services such as working with your mindset in a deep way to help you clear ‘blocks’. Things which sabotage your success.  It depends what approach you want – someone to tell you what to do or someone who will tell you what to do but will also look to growing your potential and showing you how to blossom with your business.

If you would like a complimentary discovery call to discuss how my business mentoring, coaching and therapy skills could empower you to have direction in your business and for you to uncover your potential then get in touch. I work with small business owners on a very deep level, helping them shift behavioural patterns which is preventing them from succeeding having full health, wealth and happiness.  I guide you to go within, to understand yourself even more and to come out of the experience a more calm, peaceful and rested soul who is loving their business, life and serving others from their soul.  I also do the visioning and business planning and strategy in a really fun way.  If you have a chronic illness such as a heart complaint, asthma, ME, MS, Fibromyalgia, Thyroid issues, etc, I will be able to give you a very different perspective about how to become well again and to live your life how you want to.  I also run a free monthly tea and business start up wisdom session. Email me at liz@insightfulminds.co.uk or phone me on 07815 904848 if you would like a discovery session.