Business coaches- finding my way in the madness!

I've been working as a Tarot pro for over ten years now, and I really struggled finding appropriate business advice when I was starting out. Here are just a few of my experiences (the good and the bad).

“Goddess coaching”

I noticed several of my Facebook friends were working with a “spiritual abundance coach” so I decided to book a free clarity call. She focused on my money wounds, my feelings of “lack” and offered a fail proof formula.

“Double your prices, right now. Let the universe prove your worth”.

There was also a free Facebook group- which I joined. It was full of woman cheering that they had faced their money wounds and doubled their prices, encouraging others to take the bold step. I reached out and asked a few; “How has this impacted your profit?” The answer was unanimous, “I don’t actually have paying clients, but I’m sure this will raise my vibration and attract them."

Double nothing is still nothing, I left the group and chose to raise my prices, but not to double them!

On offer, only for 24 hours.

I met another Tarot pro at an event, and they were offering business coaching. Now I definitely wanted a teacher or mentor, because I know the right person can save so much time and money. I liked their confidence and the blending of Tarot and business so I booked a call.

The package was expensive, but blended 1-2-1 sessions with group calls, and I really felt it could be the boost I was looking for. However, it was a genuine financial stretch. Their sales pitch was great “within three months your increased profit will pay my monthly package”. So I agreed, “I’ll book three months- if you're right I’ll be staying!”

Turned out the minimum investment was twelve months, upfront. I said I couldn’t afford that from my business, so I would need to discuss it with my husband- it would be coming from our savings. The answer was abrupt, “Well make sure you decide tonight- the price goes up at midnight”.

I was very grateful for this, I hung up.

“You can’t afford me”.

This was another 20 minute clarity call I had booked. In the first two minutes he asked me how long I’d been in business, my annual profit and loss. Then said simply “you can’t afford me”.

Then he said “But you have about 17 minutes of my time left- so lets get focused.”

I really valued this time- he recommended some books, made some key points about my next step, and made a huge difference to my understanding of my business.

I realised that if a business coach was going to help me they could demonstrate this in just one phone call.

Business evaluation.

This was a  half day booked with a local business coach. It was designed to find the weakest point in my business. Arguably I could have done this on my own, but talking it through really helped so it was worth the money.

It was a simple questionnaire looking at profit, spending, marketing, internet presence, how well I served my clients, repeat bookings etc. When it came to internet presence I scored about 2 out of 10. At that point I didn’t have a computer, internet at my home, or a website (!). The thing is I had got used to this, and didn’t see it as a problem.

Based on this session I did get the internet at home, bought a second hand laptop and started my website. It was obvious advice- but I had overlooked it for so long I couldn’t see it.

 Always learning.

Luckily I am a speed reader, and very good at cross referencing and making notes. Over the years I have read a lot of books, and adjusted their advice to fit my business.

I’m now in a stage of my business where I work as a business mentor for other holistic pro’s- which is a part of my work I love. And working with them gave me the confidence to publish my own business advice book.

I’m still reading business books, I’m still learning as I develop my business. But ten years in- I have learnt a lot, in particular how to spot a business coaching scam pretty quickly!

Key things to avoid-

• Simple formulas offered to everyone, rather than looking at your specific situation.

• Prices that go up if you don't make an impulse buy.

• Prices that you have to search for, usually hidden behind huge savings ("The real value of this is $2000, but for this week I have cut that right back to $200)

• Packages that lock you in, yet the coach has done nothing as yet to add value to your business.

• Coaches who don't care whether you can afford them or not.

If you fancy buying my book it is available via Amazon as an e-book, or book and you can find it right here; https://books2read.com/ap/RQQry9/Maddy-Elruna