How to Hire the Right Business Coach (Without Wasting Time or Money)

You’re Working Hard — But You’re Still Stuck

You’ve hit a wall.

Maybe your business is flatlining. Maybe you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you're making money — but burning out in the process.

So you start wondering:

“Do I need a business coach?”

It’s a smart question. The right coach can help you clarify your next move, grow faster, and stop spinning your wheels.

But let’s be honest — the coaching world is full of empty promises, vague frameworks, and people who’ve never owned a real business.

So how do you know who to trust?

This guide breaks down exactly how to evaluate, choose, and prepare for working with a business coach — so you can find someone who actually helps you grow.

Step 1: Know What You Actually Need

Not every coach is right for every business — and not every business owner is ready for a coach.

Before you hire anyone, ask yourself:

What am I really trying to solve?

• Do I need help scaling?

• Am I overwhelmed and need clarity?

• Is my team underperforming?

• Am I doing okay but want to grow faster?

Get clear on what success looks like — for you. The best coaching relationships are goal-driven.

Step 2: Evaluate the Coach — Not Just the Website

Most coaches can talk the talk. Few have walked the walk.

Here’s how to dig deeper.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

• Have they owned a business themselves? (Not just consulted — owned.)

• Do they work with businesses at your stage? (Startup vs. growth vs. scale.)

• Do they use a framework — or just talk?

• Can they give you real-life examples — not just theories?

• Do they listen — or just pitch?

And most importantly:

Do you feel seen and understood — or just sold to?

Step 3: Watch for Red Flags

Some coaches sound great — until you’re locked into a contract.

Here are a few signs to run the other way:

• 🚩 They guarantee results without knowing your business

• 🚩 They’ve never hired employees, made payroll, or had skin in the game

• 🚩 They coach everyone (no niche or specialization)

• 🚩 Their testimonials are vague or overly polished

• 🚩 You feel pressure to sign quickly

The coaching relationship is a two-way street. You’re not just hiring — you’re partnering.

Step 4: Prepare to Show Up and Do the Work

A great coach doesn’t just tell you what to do — they guide, challenge, and hold you accountable.

But here’s the part no one talks about:

Coaching only works if you do.

Before hiring a coach, ask yourself:

• Am I willing to be honest — even when it’s uncomfortable?

• Will I actually implement what we talk about?

• Can I commit time each week to the process?

• Do I want insight — or do I just want someone to validate my current plan?

Coaching isn’t therapy. It’s forward-focused.
If you’re ready to grow — not just vent — you’re ready for a coach.

Step 5: Choose the Right Fit — Not the Flashiest One

Forget the Instagram followers. Pay attention to the fit.

Look for someone who:

• Specializes in businesses at your level

• Offers coaching with accountability and structure

• Has actual business ownership experience

• You connect with and feel respected by

And don’t be afraid to ask for a short discovery call — a real coach won’t shy away from it.

Bonus: Questions to Ask During Your Discovery Call

Here are 5 powerful questions that reveal a lot:

1. What kinds of businesses have you personally built?

2. How do you structure your coaching sessions?

3. What does success look like in our work together?

4. How do you help with implementation — not just strategy?

5. What happens when things aren’t working? How do we adjust?

Their answers will tell you more than any sales page ever could.

Final Thought: The Right Coach Should Make You Feel Empowered — Not Dependent

If you leave every call feeling overwhelmed, confused, or like they’re the “hero” of your story — it’s not coaching. It’s control.

The right coach gives you clarity, confidence, and momentum.

You’ll think better. Decide faster. Grow stronger.
And most importantly — you’ll stay focused on what matters most.

If you're ready to take that step, I'm here to help.

Click Here to schedule a FREE consultation with one of the top small business coaches located in Oklahoma City to help you plan your growth strategies.

Or call 405-919-9990 today!

The 3 C’s That Make or Break Your Business: Clarity, Consistency, and Communication

Most Business Owners Don’t Have a Business Problem — They Have a Clarity Problem

I’ve worked with hundreds of business owners, and 9 times out of 10, when they say:

• "We're stuck."

• "We can't grow."

• "I’m working nonstop but not getting anywhere..."

…it’s not a strategy issue. It’s a clarity issue.

They don’t know exactly:

• Who they’re trying to serve

• What their business stands for

• Where they’re going in 3 years

• Or how their team is helping get there

Without clarity, everything else breaks down — marketing, sales, team morale, service delivery.

If you’re not clear, your team won’t be either. And neither will your customers.

What Clarity Actually Means in Business

Clarity isn't fluff — it's the foundation.

Ask yourself:

• Do I have a 3-year vision written down that drives our decisions?

• Can I explain our mission, values, and purpose in 2–3 sentences?

• Does my team know where we’re headed and how we define success?

• Am I targeting the right audience with the right offer?

If not — that’s your first step. Because clarity drives confidence.

Consistency Builds Trust — Internally and Externally

Most small businesses operate in reactive mode:

• New marketing messages every month

• New service offers every quarter

• Team members unsure what’s expected

• No repeatable process for anything

That chaos might feel creative — but it’s killing your growth.

People trust what they can count on. That’s where consistency comes in.

Where Inconsistency is Costing You

• In marketing: If your messaging changes constantly, customers don’t know what you do

• In operations: If your team does things differently every time, results vary

• In leadership: If your tone, energy, or vision shifts daily, your team gets anxious

• In culture: If you say one thing but model another, culture collapses

Consistency doesn’t mean boring — it means predictable.

And predictable is powerful.

Communication Is More Than Talking — It’s Clarity Delivered

Let’s be honest — most business breakdowns aren’t because someone didn’t do their job.
It’s because they didn’t understand what was expected. Or why it mattered.

The best leaders communicate with clarity, frequency, and purpose.

If you're not communicating clearly, assumptions take over — and that’s where team drama, customer churn, and confusion set in.

The 3 C’s Work Together — Miss One, and It All Wobbles

Think of it like this:

• Clarity is the vision

• Consistency is the engine

• Communication is the oil that keeps it moving

When all 3 work together, growth accelerates.
When one breaks down, everything feels harder than it should.

How to Strengthen the 3 C’s in Your Business

Here’s a simple exercise to audit where you’re at:

Clarity:

• Write out your 3-year vision

• Review your mission, values, and purpose — are they current and actionable?

• Ask your team: “What do you think our business is trying to achieve?”

Consistency:

• Pick 3 things you do often (onboarding, delivery, follow-up)

• Document how they should be done every time

• Review your customer-facing messaging — does it sound like the same company?

Communication:

• Start weekly team huddles or Slack updates

• Set expectations clearly — in writing

• Use tools like DISC to communicate in ways your team and clients understand

Ready for Growth? Start With These 3 C’s

You don’t need to overhaul your entire business overnight.

But if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like things just aren’t clicking — start here:

• Get clear on where you’re going

• Get consistent in how you operate

• Get intentional about how you communicate

If you do that — the growth will follow.

And if you want help walking through this, I’m just a conversation away.

Click Here to schedule a FREE consultation with one of the top small business coaches located in Oklahoma City to help you plan your growth strategies.

Or call 405-919-9990 today!