Your parents probably didn’t know you’d become a coach entrepreneur the minute you popped out of the womb. If they had, they might have done things differently, such as integrating Internet marketing, cost accounting, finance, and more into your curriculum of life.

 

But they didn’t, and that’s okay. If God wanted an army of MBA’s, He would have called them. But He wanted you. Just as you are. And the good news is that you don’t need a business degree to succeed as a coach.

 

What do you need?

 

 

BONUS CONTENT: Be on the lookout at the bottom of this post. I’ve created a PDF “Seven Key Business-Building Affirmations with Scripture Verses” that you can download for free!

 

Take the business-building quiz below to find out:

 

1. Are you willing to learn how to build a business?

 

God miraculously saved Noah from the flood, but the ark didn’t magically appear. Noah spent more than100 years crafting a vessel board by board that could weather the upcoming storm.

 

God may be calling you to become a coach, but that doesn’t mean a line of clients automatically forms at your door.

 

The wise coach researches, studies, and applies the best business-building practices.

 

A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.
Proverbs 1:5, NASB

 

2. Are you willing to work harder than you’ve ever worked before?

 

Hourly employees work a set number of hours each week. When they punch out at the end of the day, their time is their own. Business owners don’t work on the clock. They keep at it until the work is done.

 

Owning your own business is great, but building that business takes a ton of upfront work. Are you willing to do it?

 

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.
Ecclesiastes 9:10, NASB

 

3. Are you willing to serve fewer people to have a greater impact?

 

As a trained coach, you can coach anyone about almost anything. But as a businessperson, trying to reach everyone, usually gets you no one.

 

Successfully marketing your business begins by offering a very targeted solution to a very narrow niche.

 

 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.
Romans 12:6, NLT

 

4. Are you willing to operate with an abundance mindset?

 

Live and give abundantly.

 

Don’t worry, abundance doesn’t mean you’ll give away your coaching for free. Time is your most valuable asset, and you need to guard it wisely.

 

But for people to understand and want more of what you offer, you’ll need to freely share some of the wisdom, resources, expertise, and information with the small niche God has called you to serve. Blog posts, articles, speeches, workshops and more are easy ways to generously share while still guarding your time.

 

The majority of people will take what you have to give, be blessed, and move on. But a critical few will want to go deeper by entering into a coaching relationship with you.

 

It is more blessed to give than receive.
Acts 20:35, NASB

 

5. Are you willing to charge less than you are worth?

 

Of course, your business has to earn money. That’s why it’s a business. But this side of heaven, you will never get paid exactly what you are worth.

 

You are of inestimable value. There is no one in the world just like you, and no one, anywhere, could pay you what you are really worth.

 

Thus, as a good steward of the gifts, talents, and business God has given you, you can’t set prices according to your value, but according to who God has called you to serve. Prayerfully ask Him what He wants you to charge.

 

 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys,
and where thieves do not break in or steal;
for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21, NASB

 

6. Are you willing to sacrifice the good for the great?

 

To say ‘yes’ to this business of coaching, you’ll need to say ‘no’ to some other very, very good things. You can’t do it all.

 

Be courageous. Ruthlessly assess your time and talents. Relentlessly cut out all but the primary things. Realistically schedule your time to make this happen. Count the cost, and be willing to pay the price.

 

… make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given,
and then sink yourself into that.
Galatians 6:4, MSG

 

7. Will you persevere in spite of hard times?

 

The farmer does not reap in the same season he sows, nor will most Christian coaches fill their businesses with eager clients the first year they open their doors. In fact, it takes an average of 3-5 years before most businesses are profitable.

 

Plan ahead for those lean start-up years. Keep sowing seeds of love, faith, and generosity. The harvest will come.

 

 And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9, NIV

  

You may not have grown up knowing you’d end up as a coach-entrepreneur. But God knew.

 

Work hard, and trust God. He will give you everything you need (and more) as you add faith-to-faith and build this business for the glory of His name.

  

It’s Your Turn

 

What business-building principle will best support you in the years ahead?