Here are my questions for you:
- Do you want to go fast or slow?
- Do you have the resources to absorb costly mistakes?
- Do you want to earn more money faster with less stress?
If you answered “fast, no and yes,” then an interior design business coach can help you glide over the water vs. paddling furiously like a duck.
One of my clients recently came to me after owning her business for over 30 years. She was working with a fractional consultant who provided great advice and counsel. However, she found it challenging to accept his advice because he didn’t have direct experience in the industry.
Benchmarks vs. General Advice
Once I started saying some of the same things the consultant said, she realized he was right, and she started making changes more quickly. She felt more confident because we had industry benchmarks and experience coaching and consulting with hundreds of other design firms.
Her other consultant and I have great respect for each other. He provides great value as well. The extra benefit of working with a coach with industry experience that focuses on financial results is the key to getting a return on your investment.
If you spend $1 and get more than that in return, and you solve your problems quickly and efficiently, it is worth the investment. In fact, why wouldn’t you always invest $1 to get $2 in return?
Check References & Google Reviews
Not every interior design business coach is alike. Some come from the world of life coaching, accounting or general business.
Talk to others who have worked with the coach, and definitely check their Google reviews. Your peers’ opinions matter more than what the coach says about themselves.
Pinpoint Your Pain Points
When people reach out to us, we’ve heard statements like the following:
- “I feel stuck. I don’t know how to go to the next level.”
- “I’ve been doing the same amount of work for the last few years, but I’m earning less and less.”
- “I’ve had to skip paychecks because my business is like a roller coaster.”
- “I want to make more money, and I have no idea how to do that.”
- “I don’t know how to (or don’t want to) manage other people.”
- “I’m scared to hire because I’m afraid I can’t keep paying employees if the business isn’t there.”
Write down your biggest challenges. Then take time to think about how life would be if you solved these issues. If the pain is great enough, you’ll reach out to someone and get help, because the reward is greater than the risk!
As one of my mentors said, “If you’re stuck for more than three days on the same issue, get help.” I live by that motto and our team always hires coaches. Right now, we have a fractional COO that is working with us. The peace of mind you get from solving your problems instead of stewing at 1 AM for hours and waking up tired and stressed, is priceless. Trust me, I’ve stewed for hours on many occasions!
Ask the Right Questions
You should always interview a potential business coach. After all, a coach is essentially another employee. Make sure you know the answers to these questions.
- What problems have you helped your clients solve?
- What type of coaching do you offer?
- Do you have a specific program for solving my problem(s)?
- Who have you helped with X problem? What were their results?
- Do you have classes or programs that are low or no cost that I can sample?
- How do I know if you can solve my problem?
We’ve worked with many clients that have gone the lowest cost route, and they typically get what the price tag reflects… a less robust solution. You want someone who can help you solve the root cause instead of the symptom of your problem so it doesn’t keep reoccurring.
Commit to the Process
Coaching only works if you’re coachable. If you resist the recommendations and then complain because you didn’t get results, then did you commit to the process? Unlikely.
I’ve always prepared for my coach’s sessions by creating a list of questions that I want answered. If I am given homework, I get it done on time and with great care. The quality of the input determines the quality of the output.
One of my mentors invited me on a podcast last year to talk about speed of implementation to other members of our mastermind group. He was shocked at how quickly we implemented his suggestions which were “spot on.” My team was on board with the changes and helped me get the work done.
Mastermind Group
A mastermind group is another crucial piece of the puzzle when running a successful business. There are groups like Entrepreneurs’ Organization and Young Presidents’ Organization that are for general business. They are great, but they are not industry-specific.
The mastermind group our leadership team belongs to is specifically for professional services firms. They provide tools, benchmarks and training that are specific to our type of firm. The advice and peer group is amazing.
Make sure you choose a group that feels open, supportive, welcoming and generous. Find out if there’s a way to interact between live events. Ask about the classes they teach. Ask about the culture of the group.
Is a mastermind group part of the coach’s offering? If not, is there a peer group you can join?
I’m a huge believer and investor in coaching. It has helped us immeasurably. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, and you’re ready to quickly solve your problems, be sure to reach out to Daniel Nieto on our team to see if you’re a fit for our program and if you feel that we can help you.