Why I Would Never Hire Most Business Coaches
Don't Buy A Coach With A Ferrari
If you're a tradesman looking for a business coach for tradespeople, you're probably seeing the same thing over and over again.
A “free” masterclass.
A webinar promising to transform your life.
A coach standing next to a Ferrari.
A rented Lamborghini.
A Rolex.
A luxury apartment.
A promise that you'll be making six figures within months.
But the biggest lie in coaching isn't always what's being said.
It's what's being implied.
The implication that success looks the same for everyone.
I don't believe it does.
What Success Actually Looks Like
Most people assume success is about money.
I disagree.
Money matters. Of course it does.
But money is only valuable because of what it allows you to do.
Success, in my opinion, is living the life you want to live.
Not the life Instagram tells you to want.
Not the life your coach wants.
Your life.
For me, success looks like waking up in Dubai.
Starting the day with a walk along Kite Beach.
Heading to the gym followed by a steam room and an ice bath.
Coming home to spend a few hours working on TradeCoach and my property portfolio.
Lunch with my wife Claire.
An hour reading a book.
A short afternoon siesta.
A meal cooked by our chef Nilu.
Then an evening spent playing padel, football, golf or catching up with friends.
I work around two to three hours per day.
I spend time with people I enjoy being around.
I travel regularly.
I learn constantly.
And I choose how my days look.
That is success to me.
Not because it's your dream.
Because it's mine.
The Question Every Tradesman Should Ask
If you're considering hiring a business coach, ask yourself one question:
Has this person built a business that works without them?
Not a coaching business.
A real business.
One with staff.
Vehicles.
Customers.
Cashflow.
Recruitment problems.
Project delays.
Customer complaints.
Payroll.
All the challenges that come with running a genuine trade company.
Because if they haven't, what exactly are they teaching?
Why Real Experience Matters
Before starting TradeCoach, I built and sold Edinburgh Driveway Company.
When I sold the business, it was generating approximately £1.8 million in annual turnover.
The company employed 27 staff across four teams.
It was producing around £360,000 profit.
Most importantly, I was only working around two hours per week.
Then I sold it.
The real test came afterwards.
The business continued moving forward without me.
That is the difference between owning a business and owning a job.
Many tradespeople believe they own a business.
In reality, they've simply bought themselves the world's most stressful job.
If you disappeared for three months tomorrow, what would happen?
Would the business continue?
Or would everything stop?
The answer tells you whether you've built a business or not.
The Problem With Many Business Coaches
One thing I've noticed over the years is that many business coaches have never actually built a successful business outside of coaching.
Some have never employed large teams.
Some have never managed multiple projects.
Some have never dealt with serious cashflow issues.
Some have never sold a business.
In fact, I know coaches whose businesses actually failed before they became coaches.
That doesn't automatically make them bad people.
But it should make you ask questions.
Because there's a huge difference between studying business and building one.
There's an even bigger difference between building one and selling one.
The Biggest Lie In Coaching
The biggest lie in coaching is often the “free masterclass”.
Because it isn't really free.
It's a sales presentation.
Now, there's nothing wrong with selling.
I sell.
Every business sells.
But let's call it what it is.
The real issue is when tradesmen are promised quick fixes, miracle solutions and false promises.
Business isn't that simple.
Which brings me to another uncomfortable truth.
Coaching Isn't For Everyone
Most coaches won't tell you this.
I will.
Coaching isn't for everyone.
Some people aren't ready.
Some people don't want to change.
Some people want results without implementing anything.
Some people simply aren't willing to do the work.
The best coaching programme in the world won't help someone who refuses to take action.
Coaching is a shortcut.
It isn't magic.
Generic Advice Creates Generic Results
Another issue I see is generic business coaching.
Many coaches teach concepts.
Very few teach implementation.
There's a huge difference.
Most tradesmen don't need another motivational quote.
They don't need another mindset webinar.
They need practical systems.
Recruitment systems.
Sales systems.
Pricing systems.
Lead generation systems.
Operational systems.
The “how” matters far more than the “why”.
Want To Build A Business That Works Without You?
If you're stuck working 60 to 80 hours a week, constantly firefighting and wondering if business ownership is really worth it, let's have a chat.
Book a free 30-minute strategy call and I'll show you exactly what's holding your business back.
Choose Your Coach Carefully
When choosing a coach, don't focus on their watch.
Don't focus on their car.
Don't focus on their social media followers.
Look at their life.
Search for their experience.
Find the business they've apparently built.
Find at the business they've sold.
Look at the people they've helped.
Most importantly, ask yourself:
Would I swap lives with this person?
Because that's the real question.
Not whether they can make a great advert.
Or whether they can run a webinar.
Nor whether they can stand beside a Ferrari.
Whether they've built a life you'd genuinely want.
Because success isn't about owning somebody else's dream.
It's about creating your own.
Ready To Get Off The Tools?
The Off The Tools Programme is designed specifically for tradespeople who want more profit, more time and less stress.
Over 12 modules, you'll learn how to improve your lead generation, sales, pricing, recruitment, systems, delegation, profit, cashflow and long-term wealth building.
Join The Off The Tools Programme Here
Or spread the investment monthly:
Not Sure If Coaching Is Right For You?
One thing you'll never get from me is pressure.
In fact, I'll be the first person to tell you if coaching isn't right for you.
Book a call, tell me about your business and if I genuinely think I can help, I'll explain how.
If not, I'll point you in the right direction.
Book A Free Strategy Call Here
FAQs
What should I look for in a business coach for tradespeople?
Look for someone who has built a real business, not just a coaching business. Ideally, they should have grown a successful trade business, managed staff, built systems and created a business that can run without them.
Is business coaching right for every tradesman?
No. Coaching only works if you're willing to implement. If you want results without changing anything, coaching probably isn't right for you.
Why does it matter if a coach has sold a business?
Selling a business proves the business had value beyond the owner. It usually means systems, people and processes were in place, which is exactly what most tradespeople need to build.
What is the Off The Tools Programme?
The Off The Tools Programme is a 12-module coaching programme from TradeCoach designed to help tradespeople build more profitable, systemised businesses that rely less on them personally.
How do I book a call with TradeCoach?
You can book a free 30-minute strategy call using the link below.
Daren
