Hiring a business coach can absolutely transform your business – but only if you know what you’re actually signing up for. Too many newer public adjusting entrepreneurs jump into coaching because they’ve heard it’s the next smart step. And they’re not wrong. The problem is, no one’s ever really explained what a coach does. Or just as importantly, what they don’t do.
This article is for those folks. If you’ve been circling the idea of coaching, maybe even had a bad experience already, let’s demystify the whole thing. Because the gap between expectation and reality? That’s where most coaching relationships fall apart.
The Big Myth: A Coach Will Fix It for You
Here’s the most common – and damaging – assumption I see: people think they’re hiring a coach to come in, fix what’s broken, and tell them what to do. Like they’re outsourcing their leadership. That’s not how this works.
A coach is not a business fixer. We’re not here to “just take care of it.” What we do is help you see clearly, prioritize ruthlessly, and make strong decisions. We challenge your thinking and offer proven strategies. But at the end of the day, you still have to do the work. You still have to be the one leading the charge.
If you’re expecting someone to walk into your chaos and magically clean it up, you’re not looking for a coach. You’re looking for an operations director, a business partner, or maybe even a therapist. Coaching is a collaboration, not a rescue mission.
What You Can Expect from a Good Coach
A strong coaching relationship is rooted in clarity and measurable outcomes. You’re not paying for pep talks – you’re paying for results. And those results should tie directly back to the main reason you hired the coach in the first place. Whether it’s growing revenue, streamlining operations, building a leadership team, or preparing for succession, the work should be focused and intentional.
A good coach brings structure to the table. They’ve got a framework, a process, a methodology – something repeatable and reliable. Honestly, the specific framework doesn’t matter as much as the fact that they have one. It shows they’re committed to the craft of coaching, not just freelancing advice based on their own business experience.
You’ll also get accountability – but not in the way most people expect. Coaches don’t nag or babysit. We won’t chase you down. But if you tell me you’re going to get something done, I’m going to ask about it. And if you keep dodging the hard stuff, we’re going to talk about why. Real coaching holds a mirror up to your leadership, not just your task list.
And as the work deepens, you’ll start to notice some internal shifts too. You’ll get faster and more confident in your decisions. You’ll stop second-guessing every move. And you’ll start leading from a place of clarity instead of chaos. That’s the real win.
What a Business Coach Isn’t (And Shouldn’t Be)
Now let’s talk about what coaching is not.
It’s not therapy. If you’ve got deep personal stress, marriage tension, or family issues creeping into your business, that’s real – but it’s not what a coach is equipped to solve. I’m not here to process your emotions about your spouse-slash-business-partner or act as a sounding board for your frustrations with your team. That’s a conversation for a therapist or a trusted peer – not your coach.
It’s not partnership. Coaching is not about handing me a mess and expecting me to take ownership of your business decisions. I’ve had clients want me to step in and just tell them what to do. But that’s not how leadership works, and it’s not how growth sticks. You are the one in the driver’s seat – I help you read the map.
And it’s definitely not legal or tactical advice. I’m not the person to call when you want to vent about a claim, debate how to handle a shady insurance carrier, or dig into contract wording. That’s what your attorney is for. That’s what your industry peers are for. If what you need most is someone to commiserate, you may need community – not coaching.
A coach should challenge your thinking, sharpen your focus, and help you build real traction toward your business goals. But if you’re looking for someone to validate your frustrations or play therapist, we’re not having the right conversation.
If You Don’t Show Up, Coaching Doesn’t Work
Here is my tough-love moment: coaching only works if you do.
This is not a “done for you” service. It’s not passive. It’s a partnership where your effort directly impacts your results. You have to show up, take action, report back, and be honest – especially when things aren’t going well. You’ll be challenged. You’ll be uncomfortable. And yes, you’ll sometimes want to throw my email address out the window.
But if you lean into the process, the transformation is real. I’ve seen business owners go from total burnout to confident CEOs, just by finally getting clear on what they want and building the business to support it. Not because I did the work for them – but because I helped them focus, commit, and follow through.
Measuring Progress: How to Know It’s Working
So how do you know if coaching is “working”?
You should see progress. Tangible, trackable progress. That doesn’t always mean immediate wins or massive growth overnight – but it does mean your goals are clear and you’re either hitting them or adjusting with purpose.
You’ll also feel the difference. Decision-making gets easier. Your team starts following your lead more naturally. You stop hiding from hard conversations and start initiating them. These aren’t just business wins – they’re personal leadership upgrades. And they compound over time.
How to Spot a Good Coach (And Be a Good Client)
Here’s where things get tricky: not all coaches are created equal.
If a coach needs you to explain how your business works, that’s a red flag. They don’t need to be in your exact industry, but they should be able to keep up with the conversation and apply their tools to your world.
Also watch out for vague promises. If they can’t explain how they help – or why their process works – keep looking. Coaching isn’t magic. There should be a system behind it.
But it’s not just about vetting the coach. You also need to be ready to be coached. That means checking your ego, being open to change, and actually doing the work. If you’re defensive, dismissive, or hoping to offload all your problems onto someone else, coaching won’t help. No matter how good the coach is.
Be Careful: That “Coach” Might Just Be a Peer with an Opinion
Here’s a trap I see way too many business owners fall into: hiring someone from their own industry who’s now selling advice based on “what worked for them.”
That’s not coaching. That’s storytelling.
Just because someone ran a business like yours doesn’t mean they know how to coach you through yours. Coaching is its own unique skillset. It’s about guiding you to your own solutions, not just handing you a recycled playbook from their one successful year.
Coaches should have training. They should have tools and frameworks. They should be accredited. They should know how to challenge your thinking without hijacking your business model. If the only credential someone has is “I did this once,” keep moving.
You deserve more than someone’s war stories. You deserve a coach who can help you write your own.
My Coaching Style: No BS, Just Better Business
I start with where you are – not where you wish you were. That means we deal with the messy, imperfect, real-time version of your business. Because that’s the only place real progress can happen.
I work exclusively with public adjusting company owners and first-party property claim businesses. That’s my lane. I know the problems, the pressures, and the potential of this industry inside and out.
My approach blends strategy with structure. I use the 7Seas Framework for clarity and scaling and Clockwork to help you reclaim your time. I’m also a certified Trainual Professional and run the ClaimWizard Mastery Program, so we’ve got the tools to operationalize anything we uncover.
Coaching Isn’t a Shortcut – It’s a Multiplier
At the end of the day, coaching won’t save your business. But it can absolutely scale it – if you’re ready.
If you’re willing to be honest, to do the work, to get uncomfortable and stay the course, coaching can be one of the best investments you ever make. But only if you treat it like a partnership, not a handoff.
A coach won’t save you. But the right coach will help you become the kind of business owner who doesn’t need saving.
