It’s not all that hard to track down a business coach—but finding the right business coach?! That can feel like a daunting task, and it definitely deserves a serious, thoughtful and well-researched approach.

Uncertainty about whether or not you’re making the RIGHT decision is often a concern, but hesitation and procrastination don’t move you forward—action does. The trick is to NOT let uncertainty and hesitation keep you stuck or hold you back.

The truth is, having someone to help you navigate the challenges, decisions and overwhelm that often comes with starting a new business is priceless. The right business coach stands by you, shares their expertise about what to do and how to do it, helps you move forward faster, and saves you time, energy and money on potentially unsuccessful methods.

Regardless of whether you're just starting out or hoping to scale your business, look for a coach who has the experience and tools they’ll need to help you reach the goals you’ve set for yourself and your business growth. A coach like this can provide a new perspective, help you see and understand the 10,000-foot view and keep your business objectives current, measurable and relevant.

Let's take a closer look at how to choose the right business coach for your business.

1. Identify Your Problem First
It's critical to understand WHY you're hiring a coach before you hire one. What goals are you trying to achieve? What areas are you looking for help and support with? Knowing these things before you hire a coach will help you make the most of your time together. It’s hard to make it to your destination (AKA your finish line!) if you don’t know where it is, right?

If you don’t know the specifics yet, that’s ok! Sometimes the reason you hire a coach is to help you pinpoint and make sense of your ideas & goals so that you can create an actual, effective game plan. Your coach will help you dig deep so you can get past those surface-level road blocks and make some tangible forward progress.

2. Scope Out Your Options & Seek Referrals From Other Business Owners
As I mentioned, there are a LOT of coaches out there. Save yourself some time and energy by asking for recommendations. This will help you narrow down your options and give you a sense of the success other women have had. But there’s only so much digging you can do when you’re looking for the right business coach online— eventually you’ll want to book some appointments!

Getting on a call or Zoom meeting will help you determine if you’re a good fit. Chemistry is important! You’ll also want to ask some questions: What kind of experience do they have with the issues you’re seeking help with? What have they helped other women achieve? What is their coaching style? What resources do they offer? What’s included in the coaching investment—is it weekly or biweekly meetings? 1:1 or in a group? Is there support offered in between meetings?

3. Search for a Coach With Well-Rounded Experience
An ideal business coach has extensive experience in the area in which you are seeking help, but also in a variety of other areas. This will ensure you’re getting a holistic approach, because your business does not exist in a vacuum. There are plenty of non-business things that impact the health and growth of your business, like mindset, time management, your ability to maintain work-life balance and adequate self-care, and manage the risk of burn-out.  The right business coach will strive to learn more about you and your life so they can help support you in other areas that may be impeding your progress. In an ideal world, this is someone who has failed and succeeded. Their experience and expertise will help you avoid costly errors and considerably improve your chances of success.

4. Is the Coach a Good Listener?
It's not a great idea to work with a coach who doesn't meet with you before committing to a coaching agreement. You want to start your relationship off on the right foot, and the first step is to make sure you’re a good fit for each other. Search for a coach who offers a complimentary consultation.

A good coach must have excellent listening skills. You want someone to listen to where you are and give you thoughtful feedback. Finally, it's not always the words you say—it's also the feelings you have, even if you aren't able to express them verbally. A good coach will be able to recognize that, and won’t be afraid to point out barriers that you may not be able to see for yourself.

A coach should allow you to speak freely and explore without fear of being judged or interrupted. Your coach should intuitively know what questions to ask to keep you on track to reach the goals you’ve set for yourself.. The right business coach has patience, as well as tenacity and determination.

5. Check Their Records, Achievements, and Clients Reviews
Look at your potential coach's previous accomplishments to get a better understanding of what they'll bring to the table. Look for comments or feedback from their previous or current clients, and don’t be afraid to ask!

At the end of the day, it's your coach’s job to keep you accountable. The right business coach will help you determine what action steps to take and set milestones for you to reach, and they won’t let you get in your own way. They’re there to push you forward, so when you hire one make sure you’re ready to get focused and devote some time and energy, because you’re going to GROW!