Latest news with #businesscoaching
Entrepreneur
01-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
He Went From $471K in Debt to Teaching Others How to Succeed
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Joe Crisara didn't set out to be a business coach. Like most tradespeople, he started with a toolbox, some hands-on skills and the dream of working for himself. But six years into running his own company, he found himself $471,000 in debt and on the brink of bankruptcy. That's when a loyal customer — someone who'd seen how the stress took a toll on Crisara — finally asked, "How's it really going?" That simple, gut-punch of a question became a turning point. Crisara realized he wasn't just selling parts or labor. He was in the business of trust, confidence and peace of mind. Once he owned his mistakes, Crisara spent decades learning how to fix them — not just for himself, but for thousands of other service providers across the country. He founded Service MVP, a podcast and membership community, to provide contractors with the sales training and support he wished he had when he was first starting out. Related: Her Show Was Canceled – But the Setback Taught Busy Philipps a Powerful Lesson for Creators and Entrepreneurs One of Crisara's biggest lessons is to stop thinking of your work as a line item. Customers assume they're paying for a part or a few hours of labor, but Crisara insists the parts are free: "I always tell people…100% of what you're putting out there is your service. That's the product. You are only providing service, and the parts are free." Crisara encourages service providers to educate customers on their pricing structure. When done right, this kind of conversation doesn't feel like a sales pitch. It actually builds trust and often diffuses price objections before they even come up. "It's a burden that the service provider carries," he says. "It's your job to give that 30-second economics lesson to customers when they start to take you down a path that draws you into doing substandard work at a lower price." When it comes to pricing, Crisara doesn't sugarcoat it. He breaks down the ideal service business like this: Labor: 20% Materials: 20% Overhead: 35% Profit: 25% "Profit takes courage," he says. "If you're living paycheck to paycheck and you're waiting for the next thing to happen to make you successful, most likely it's not gonna come when you need it. It's very risky to operate that way." Related: This Local Bakery Has Lines Out the Door. Here Are the Secrets to Its Success. In Crisara's view, profit isn't about accumulating wealth. It's the fuel that powers everything else: better tools, better training, better service. "My advice [is] to reinvest some of that profit into a better customer service experience that inspires customers to want to turn you into their champion so they can refer you to their friends and family." Over his 48-year career, Crisara has learned that the customer experience is everything. He emphasizes that contractors need to invest in communication tools to make the experience seamless, from the first phone call to follow-up after a service. "When you answer the phone, you gotta make people smile," he says. Crisara often answers the phone with, "It's a great day at Service MVP, how can I make you smile today?" It might feel small, but that first impression sets the tone. Building trust starts long before you get to the job site. For Crisara, customer service begins with that very first phone call. When consulting with a client, he reminds himself of two goals: "One is that these people are gonna get care, respect and support. For me, that's my [first goal.] My second thing is, I don't need to be accepted. So if they don't want my [service], I'm not gonna be sad or let down or angry. They're not a good fit for me." According to Crisara, this attitude allows you to focus on providing great service, rather than closing the sale. People can sense that level of confidence, which he believes is the key to successful customer interactions. Related: Want to Work With Influencers? Here's What Small Business Owners Need to Know. When it comes to expanding your business, Crisara says the first step is making your solo operation consistent, efficient and profitable. "You are the prototype for the customer service experience that you're gonna train other people to do. So number one, perfect the customer experience," he says. Your first hire should be someone who can mirror your standard, not just take tasks off your plate. Crisara believes this is where many small business owners stumble: They hire too early or without a plan, and suddenly they're training someone to follow a broken system. "The bigger the staff you have, the higher the overhead that's gonna be in place, and the prices are gonna increase as soon as you hire more people," Crisara says. "Profit allows us the indulgence of hiring coworkers who can actually do the work instead of [you]." Finally, Crisara emphasizes the value of customer feedback. Good reviews boost morale, but bad ones can be even more valuable if you're willing to listen. "One bad review can be worth $12,000 in free business consulting," he says. "Good reviews are for vanity…bad reviews are for sanity. They're there to help us improve." Crisara encourages business owners to respond with sincerity: Thank the reviewer for taking the time, acknowledge how they felt and offer a path to resolution. "Sometimes the bad reviews are a better way to help you respond," he says. "I'm not saying you want to get all bad reviews, but if you get a small percentage of bad reviews, take the opportunity to show what you're made of and what your value system is, and don't get into negativity." Related: 5 Secrets to Success From a Sustainable Business That's Grown 95% in 3 Years Crisara's advice boils down to a few simple but powerful truths: Make people smile from the first phone call Always ask for what you're worth You're providing a service, not parts Build your business like you're training a future team Don't fear your mistakes — learn from them Watch the episode above and subscribe to Behind the Review for more from new business owners and reviewers every Tuesday. Editorial contributions by Jiah Choe and Emily Moon Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success.
Associated Press
01-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BusinessCoach.com Launches in the U.S. with a Proven System to Help Founders Scale Without Burnout
introduces its proven coaching method to the U.S., offering entrepreneurs a structured approach to build businesses that run without them. United States, July 1, 2025 -- A New Era for Business Coaching is taking the world of business coaching to a new level with a structured, proven system designed to help entrepreneurs scale their companies without burnout. The company has officially expanded into the U.S. market, offering its unique coaching methodology, the Circle of Business™, alongside its powerful Business Scan tool — a diagnostic tool that provides actionable insights for business owners in just 15 minutes. Led by CEO Bart van den Belt — a renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author, and creator of the Circle of Business™ — is changing the game for business owners who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or trapped in their daily operations. By offering clarity and a clear path to growth, equips entrepreneurs with the tools and mindset they need to build businesses that thrive without constant micromanagement. Breaking the Cycle of Entrepreneurial Overwhelm For many entrepreneurs, starting a business is an exciting adventure fueled by passion and drive. However, as time goes on, the pressures of running the company often cause them to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck. They might find themselves working long hours, making minimal progress, and feeling like they are constantly fighting an uphill battle. Bart van den Belt, the CEO of has seen this firsthand. 'Most entrepreneurs aren't stuck because they're lazy — they're stuck because they don't have a system. That's what we give them,' says van den Belt. His approach focuses not on motivation alone, but on providing a structured method that helps business owners gain clarity on their next steps and create an actionable plan for sustainable growth. The Circle of Business™ — the core methodology of — integrates strategy, leadership, and systems into one framework, guiding entrepreneurs step by step as they build a company that can run without their constant involvement. The method allows business owners to break free from the daily grind, giving them back the time and energy to focus on what truly matters to them. The Business Scan: 15-Minute Clarity One of the standout features of is its proprietary Business Scan — a tool designed to give business owners instant clarity on their company's strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. In just 15 minutes, the tool generates a personalized 20-page report covering over 50 focus areas, offering actionable insights into the most critical areas for growth. This diagnostic tool cuts through the noise, providing real, data-backed feedback that business owners can act upon immediately. The Business Scan empowers entrepreneurs to make smarter decisions, reduce chaos, and move forward with confidence. Building a Global Community of Certified Coaches With a growing global network of certified coaches, is revolutionizing the way business coaching is delivered. The company's coaches are trained in the Circle of Business™ method and equipped with the Business Scan tool, ensuring that clients receive consistent, measurable results. 'Coaching isn't just about offering advice. It's about delivering real results. Our coaches don't just talk theory — they work with entrepreneurs to create clear action plans that produce tangible outcomes,' explains Anna Matulessy, CMO of As the company grows, it is committed to expanding its network of certified coaches to meet the increasing demand for structured, results-driven business coaching. By 2030, aims to be the global market leader in business coaching, with 1,000 certified business coaches worldwide. U.S. Expansion: Bringing Structure to the Overwhelmed Founder The U.S. market represents a key milestone for as it seeks to expand its reach and help more entrepreneurs succeed. With Gary Henson, a pioneer in business coaching with over 35 years of experience, now serving as a Master Business Coach, the company is well-positioned to help U.S. entrepreneurs tackle the unique challenges they face in a competitive market. At the mission is to help entrepreneurs achieve sustainable growth—without the risk of burnout. Founded by Master Business Coach Gary Henson, the company empowers business owners with practical tools like the Circle of Business™ framework and the Business Scan, designed to deliver clarity, confidence, and a clear path to long-term success. By combining strategic structure with personal leadership development, enables entrepreneurs to build thriving companies without compromising their well-being. The Promise: Practical Solutions, Measurable Results is not about offering vague advice or empty motivation. The company's mission is clear: to provide practical solutions that lead to measurable results. With a focus on simplicity, impact, ownership, and excellence, offers entrepreneurs a straightforward path to building a business that can operate successfully without constant intervention from its founder. 'We believe that business isn't just about profit. It's about purpose. Profit is simply the outcome of doing something that matters. And our goal is to help business owners build companies that make a difference — in their lives, in their communities, and in the world,' says van den Belt. About is a global coaching platform dedicated to helping entrepreneurs build smarter, stronger, and more meaningful businesses. Led by Bart van den Belt, the company's mission is to raise the global standard of business coaching and empower entrepreneurs to create real, sustainable impact. At the core of is the Circle of Business™, a proven framework that combines strategy, leadership, and systems to help entrepreneurs achieve growth without burnout. The company also offers a data-driven Business Scan tool that helps entrepreneurs assess their business's growth potential in just 15 minutes. With a rapidly expanding network of certified business coaches, is on a mission to change the way business coaching is delivered worldwide. Media Contact Anna Matulessy CMO Contact Info: Name: Anna Matulessy Email: Send Email Organization: Website: Release ID: 89163565 In case of identifying any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release that necessitate action or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions diligently to rectify any identified issues or supporting you with the removal process. Delivering accurate and reliable information remains our top priority.
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
20 Lessons From Real Clients Who Hired A Business Coach
getty An entrepreneur's initial knowledge and experiences, along with the skills they gain over time, play a crucial role in the early success of their business. However, continued success requires an ongoing commitment to learning new skills, taking on different responsibilities and developing as a leader. Rather than attempting to go it alone, an increasing number of entrepreneurs are turning to business coaches to gain insights and level up. Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members discuss their experiences with hiring a business coach. Read on to learn more about important lessons they've learned, as well as how those lessons still impact them today. 1. Seek Feedback From Outsiders I've hired a business coach and still use one to this day. The biggest impact my coach had on my business was giving me an outsider's perspective; they always gave me honest feedback and didn't sugarcoat things. We tend to believe that the processes and systems we build are the best, but we need to hear true feedback to learn and grow. - Andrey Shelokovskiy , Nomad Painting 2. View Time As A Resource My coach completely changed how I see time, helping me understand that time is a resource like money or talent. Every meeting I accept has a cost. Audit your calendar like a budget to determine which tasks truly need you. What can be delegated or cut? I'll be honest and say that my calendar is still too full, but I now reflect on this more often before auto-accepting requests. That awareness alone has shifted how I lead. - Patricio Larrea , The Humphrey Group Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify? 3. Use Reflection To Learn And Grow My coach taught me how to use reflection to learn and grow. I'm a founder without a manager to guide my development, and my coach empowers me to pause and process. After every milestone, my coach asks, 'Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently?' That one question turns every experience into a lesson I carry forward as a leader. - Ahva Sadeghi , Symba 4. Understand Your Values As A Whole Person I hired a business coach when I turned 40 to help me evaluate where I wanted to take my business as I moved into the second half of my career. They helped me check my ego and really understand what I valued as a whole person, not just as a lawyer. I'm now in my 50s, living by the beach, running a new 'early retirement' business and pursuing research and work that has meaning for me. - Jennifer C. Wolfe, Esq., APR , Whisper Creek Spa 5. Focus On Clarity I hired a business coach who taught me to focus on clarity in vision, goals and communication. This lesson still shapes how I lead, helping me make faster decisions and align my team more effectively toward shared objectives. - Vladyslav Drapii , Legarithm OU 6. Think Like A CEO I have a great business coach I've been working with for three years. The most important lesson I've learned is to think like a CEO. Operate and manage your company as the CEO. You cannot be the worker, manager and CEO. These conflicting roles can get in the way of your vision, energy and results. - Loubna Noureddin , Mind Market 7. Be Ready To Confront Yourself Hiring a business coach was a major turning point for me. One highly important thing I discovered about working with a coach is that they won't solve your problems for you, as that's not their job. Instead, what they are going to do is help you ask uncomfortable questions that push you forward. All the answers about your business can be found inside; you just need to be ready to confront them. - Valentina Drofa , Drofa Comms 8. Identify Your Business's Strengths And Weaknesses A business coach is a must-have when you want to scale your business. With their know-how and experience, they help you take a business selfie that ultimately highlights your business's strengths and weaknesses. A clear outside perspective and a business-oriented mind are always helpful—it's like an optometrist who gives you the right prescription so that you can have a clear vision of the next few years to come. - Magda Paslaru , THE RAINBOWIDEA 9. Stop Building Alone I've hired a business coach, and the most important lesson I learned was to stop building alone. My coach helped me shift from doing everything myself to building systems, hiring support and scaling with strategy, not stress. Today, I lead with vision, not exhaustion. - Michelle Gines , Purpose Publishing 10. Surround Yourself With A Great Team A business coach provides guidance, support and mentorship to help leaders make decisions with more confidence. Through this process, I've learned the importance of surrounding myself with a great team. The business requires my role to stay strategic, putting trust in my team and focusing on continued growth for the organization. - Sarah Goodall , Tribal Impact 11. Learn To Delegate Both Tasks And Outcomes Being in New York and leading a growing company, I hired a business coach when I realized I was constantly in execution mode. The biggest shift has been learning to delegate outcomes, not just tasks. It has helped me step back, trust my team more and finally focus on building the business, not just running it. - Daniel Levy , 12. Focus On Outcomes, Not Effort The best lesson I've learned is to focus on outcomes, not effort. Rather than hours worked, my coach taught me to measure results. Today, we set clear KPIs for every role to boost productivity while eliminating wasted time. Every leader should adopt this performance mindset. - Albert Golukhov , ExcessLogic 13. Look For Personal Blind Spots Hiring a coach helped me with blind-spot detection. The 360-degree coaching I received revealed gaps between my intent and my impact, dramatically sharpening my self-awareness. I now run mini-360s for myself on a regular basis and for most of my coachees, because structured 360-degree feedback is the quickest way to turn insight into measurable progress. - Marie Holive , Proteus International 14. Prioritize Solving Real-World Problems My business coach taught me the importance of solving painful, real-world problems rather than just building impressive or complex products. That mindset continues to shape how I prioritize features, structure offers and guide my team. It's a constant reminder to stay focused on outcomes that drive real value for customers, not just internal goals or vanity metrics. - Ken Thomas , BOND 15. Avoid Confusing Movement With Progress I hired a business coach during a tough transition when we were pivoting our product. The most important lesson was, 'Don't confuse movement with progress.' I was chasing 10 things at once—new features, partnerships, hires—thinking it was momentum. The coach helped me refocus on what actually moved the needle. To this day, I use that lens weekly to prioritize with ruthless clarity. - Shubham Nigam , Questera AI 16. Work On The Business, Not Just In It I've worked with a business coach, and the most valuable lesson was to work on the business, not just in it. That shift in mindset helped me delegate more effectively, build scalable systems and focus on long-term strategy rather than daily tasks. It has been a game-changer for sustainable growth. - Pranav Dalal , Office Beacon 17. Understand Delegation As More Than A Catch-All Solution I had the honor of working with Dan Silvert, from the Velocity Advisory Group, who taught me that 'delegation isn't one-size-fits-all.' Effective delegation takes nuance, intentionality and clear communication, tailored to each person and situation. This insight changed how I lead and collaborate. Clarity in delegation creates confidence in execution. - Jacob Orrin , Merit 18. Change Your Circle For nearly 10 years, I worked as a business coach myself. One story that stuck with me is the 'crabs in a bucket' lesson, where when one crab tries to escape, the others pull it back. Your environment matters. If you're surrounded by people who don't grow, your vision will feel farther than it is. You will have to shrink yourself to fit into their beliefs. Changing your circle changes everything. - Kristina Fitzpatrick , Paper & Flowers 19. Do Your Due Diligence I've invested tens of thousands of dollars in coaches and consultants. Find someone who's five steps ahead of you, allowing them to proactively spot the challenges that you're likely to hit. Do your research about them, including the way they operate and what their business is actually like. Don't rely on the 'highlight reel' of their social media to make a hiring decision. - Willow Kai , Becca Luna Education 20. Avoid Thinking One Coach Can Do It All The most important lesson I learned from a business coach is that there is no such thing as a 'business coach.' You can find specialists in accounting, taxation, leadership, negotiation, public speaking and procedure writing, but it's impossible for one person to be an expert in all of these areas. If someone tells you they can do everything, then most likely they are just a clever manipulator. - Dmitrii Khasanov , Arrow Stars
