Small Business & Entrepreneur Coach
Coach small business owners and entrepreneurs on growth, strategy, and operations
Overview
Small business coaches charge $150-$500 per hour or $2,000-$8,000 monthly retainers.
Coaching 8-20 entrepreneurs generates $150,000-$800,000 annually with 75-85% margins after tools and certifications.
In 2025, entrepreneurs building businesses seek coaches providing accountability, strategic guidance, and expertise navigating growth challenges.
Services include strategic planning and goal setting, revenue growth strategies, overcoming business challenges, improving operations and systems, hiring and team building guidance, accountability for key initiatives, mindset coaching for entrepreneurs, and supporting scaling decisions.
Successful business coaches have entrepreneurial experience (built businesses themselves), understand various business models, provide frameworks and tools, offer strategic thinking versus just cheerleading, and help clients achieve measurable results (revenue, profit, team growth).
Many specialize by business type (service businesses, e-commerce, agencies), revenue stage ($0-100K, $100K-$1M, $1M+), or outcome focus (profitability, scaling, exit).
Monthly retainers provide recurring revenue.
Coaching typically combines strategic sessions with accountability check-ins.
Marketing through content demonstrating business expertise and speaking at entrepreneurial events.
Required Skills
- Business Strategy
- Operations Knowledge
- Financial Literacy
- Marketing & Sales
- Entrepreneurial Experience
- Coaching Skills
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High rates for business expertise and results
- Measurable ROI for clients (revenue, profit)
- Recurring monthly retainer model
- Rewarding work helping businesses grow
- Large market of small business owners
Cons
- Need real business experience for credibility
- Clients expect tangible business results
- Staying current on business strategies and trends
- Some clients want consultant (doing) vs coach
- Revenue tied to client business success
How to Get Started
- Build track record running successful businesses
- Get business coaching certification (ICF or specialized program)
- Develop signature business growth framework
- Choose specialization by business type or revenue stage
- Create monthly coaching retainer packages ($2,000-$8,000)
- Build authority through business content and speaking
- Showcase client results and case studies in marketing
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