Many coaches struggle with an internal battle: the “Coach” versus the “Entrepreneur.” On one hand, there’s the passionate Coach, whose purpose is to help, guide, and transform.
The Coach has invested countless hours into honing skills and mastering tools to help others overcome obstacles. This role is comfortable, rewarding, and directly aligned with your passion.
But then there’s the other hat – the “Entrepreneur.” This role can feel daunting, uncomfortable, and sometimes even undesirable. For many coaches, the idea of self-promotion, business planning, and sales feels disconnected from the heart of what they do. As a result, coaches either avoid or minimize their role as entrepreneurs, unknowingly limiting their own potential for impact.
Yet here’s the truth: every coach is first an entrepreneur. Without the Entrepreneur, the Coach never has the chance to truly thrive.
Why Coaches Resist the Entrepreneur Role
It’s understandable that coaches may hesitate to step into an entrepreneurial mindset. Often, this resistance comes from misconceptions about what it means to be an entrepreneur. You may think of entrepreneurs as driven only by profits, constantly selling, or even “salesy” and aggressive. These ideas create a reluctance to embrace the business side of coaching.
Yet, entrepreneurship in coaching isn’t about hard sales or profit-only motives. It’s about taking ownership of your impact, positioning yourself to reach those who need your help, and creating sustainable practices that allow you to continue doing the work you love.
The Power of Embracing the Entrepreneur Role
Imagine you’re fully engaged as the Coach, working with clients and helping them overcome challenges. You’re fully in your zone, using every tool, tactic, and strategy to create transformations. But what if you struggle to find clients, if your income is unpredictable, or if you feel isolated because you’re not actively connecting with others in your industry?
That’s where the Entrepreneur comes in. When you embrace this side of yourself, you’re able to:
- Network Effectively: Networking isn’t about collecting names or making cold calls. As the Entrepreneur, you’re creating relationships with others in your industry, collaborating with complementary coaches, and meeting people who share your passion for impact. These connections naturally open doors to clients, partnerships, and opportunities.
- Promote Authentically: As the Entrepreneur, promoting yourself is simply sharing your story, your unique strengths, and your impact. You’re not “selling” in the traditional sense but rather letting the world know you’re available to help. This makes it possible for people who need your guidance to find you.
- Develop Sustainable Practices: Embracing the Entrepreneur helps you build reliable systems around your coaching practice—like pricing, onboarding, and scheduling—that create stability. These structures give you more time and freedom to do what you love without constantly worrying about the business side.
Understanding the Balance: Coach and Entrepreneur as a Team
The Coach and the Entrepreneur don’t need to compete; they’re actually an incredible team. The Entrepreneur finds opportunities and clients, develops relationships, and sets the stage for the Coach to do what they do best. Without the Entrepreneur, the Coach would have fewer clients, less stability, and limited reach. In other words, the Entrepreneur makes it possible for the Coach to succeed.
Instead of viewing the Entrepreneur role as a distraction, try to see it as the support system that makes your coaching practice sustainable and impactful. By embracing both roles, you’re not only securing your future but also creating a foundation that allows you to help more people.
Practical Steps to Embrace the Entrepreneur Role
Here are three simple steps to start embracing the Entrepreneur role, without losing the heart and soul of your coaching practice:
- Redefine Self-Promotion as Storytelling: Share what drives you as a coach, the transformations you facilitate, and the “why” behind your work. Authentic storytelling resonates with people and attracts clients who align with your values.
- See Networking as Connection: Think of networking as building connections with like-minded professionals. Whether it’s joining online communities, attending events, or collaborating on projects, these connections bring in clients and new ideas.
- Develop Simple Business Systems: Start with basic systems that support your work, like setting up clear onboarding steps for clients or creating a consistent pricing structure. These small steps make your practice more sustainable and free you to focus on coaching.
The Coach and Entrepreneur Together: Your Path to Impact
When you see yourself first as an Entrepreneur and then as a Coach, you’re giving yourself the best chance to make a real difference. The Entrepreneur is the role that fuels your impact, builds your stability, and allows you to expand your reach. When you embrace both roles, you’re not only achieving more but also creating a legacy of change for the people who need you most. So wear both hats proudly—they’re both essential to your success.
When you nurture the Entrepreneur, the Coach will thrive!
Are you ready to embrace the entrepreneur in you?