If you’re feeling stuck in your business, unsure which way to go next or how to move forward, you’re not alone. Running a business can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming, isolating, or just plain confusing at times. The right business coach won’t have all the answers, but they can help you reconnect with your strengths, gain clarity, and take meaningful steps in a way that feels right for you.
So how do you choose someone you can genuinely trust? Coaching is a personal relationship, and it matters that you feel safe, supported, and understood. Here are six qualities to look for when choosing a business coach who’s a good fit for you.
1. Experience that feels relevant and real
There’s a certain comfort in working with someone who’s been through the experience of running a business themselves and almost every business coach will have this, but it also helps if their background or values resonate with you. It’s not about finding someone exactly like you, but about feeling like they get where you’re coming from and where you want to go.
A coach who has worked in a similar space to yours and navigated its ups and downs brings valuable insight, not just theory. They’ll understand some of the practical realities you’re facing and can offer guidance that’s grounded in real experience.
My previous experience includes working in wellness businesses and with creatives (architects, interior designers, advertising, film makers and photographers).
2. Someone who listens deeply and communicates clearly
Great coaching starts with being heard. A good coach will take the time to listen carefully to your goals, frustrations, and hopes. They’ll ask thoughtful questions, reflect things back to you, and help you see things more clearly – often in ways you hadn’t considered.
When they offer ideas or strategies, they should feel simple, clear, and grounded in your unique situation, not like a set of generic steps.
3. Flexibility to meet you where you are
No two businesses are the same, and no two people are either. A helpful coach knows this and is willing to adapt their approach to suit your style, needs, and pace. They won’t try to squeeze you into a formula. Instead, they’ll be open to adjusting their support as things shift, helping you respond to changes in your business and your energy with confidence.
They’ll also let you work at your own pace and help you set goals that feel meaningful to you.
My own experience is that building a business at a slow and thoughtful pace is usually more sustainable than racing ahead.
4. A track record of helping others like you
Look for signs that the coach has made a positive difference in the lives and businesses of people like you, and trust how you feel when you read their clients’ words.
You’re not looking for the highest number of testimonials or big claims about what you can achieve – it’s more important to see genuine feedback from people like you who felt supported, encouraged, and more confident after working with them.
My clients are women who describe themselves as thoughtful or sensitive and who are inclined to be perfectionistic.
5. Honest feedback that helps you grow
A coach’s role isn’t to flatter you; it’s to help you grow in a way that’s both grounded and encouraging. A great coach will give you feedback that’s thoughtful, honest, and constructive. They’ll help you see what’s working and what might need a tweak, without making you feel judged or overwhelmed.
It’s my hope that you’ll leave your coaching sessions feeling supported, inspired and motivated to move forward.
6. A foundation of trust and confidentiality
Trust is the heart of any good coaching relationship. You need to feel safe sharing your ideas, fears, and aspirations, knowing they’ll be held with respect and kept private.
A trustworthy business coach creates a space where you can speak freely, without fear of being dismissed or exposed. They’ll act with integrity, honour your boundaries, and support you in making decisions that feel genuinely right for you. These qualities are all extremely important to me.
If this resonates, I invite you to book a free discovery call. There’s no pressure, and nothing to prepare. Just a friendly chat about where you’re at, what you’re dreaming of, and whether coaching might feel like the right support for you.
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