Dreaming about helping India's small business owners unlock their full potential? Many see the growing field of business coaching as an answer to a big gap. While corporate consulting is available for big companies, small and medium businesses (SMEs) often go without the guidance they need. In EP 4 of Sandeep Maheshwari’s Business Mastery Series, this gap is not just acknowledged, but actionable strategies to turn it into a thriving career are revealed.
Business coaching isn't just another buzzword—it's a lucrative, impactful career choice, especially as entrepreneurship in India surges. But where do you start? What makes a business coach valuable to a small business? And how can you avoid common mistakes that make newcomers stumble? This post unpacks key lessons, practical tips, and real-life examples to help you take your first confident step into business coaching for India’s SMEs.
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Why Small Businesses Need Coaching Now More Than Ever
Many consulting firms cater only to large corporations, leaving millions of entrepreneurs on their own. Small business owners typically rely on their own knowledge, intuition, and limited experience. As a result, they miss out on structured advice that could help them grow faster and avoid mistakes.
India is witnessing a massive shift. Entrepreneurship isn't just an urban elite dream—it's on the rise from every corner of the country. Earlier, most people craved job security; today, more want to take risks and make something of their own. But with risk comes uncertainty. Here’s where a business coach comes in.
Coaching: Not Just Advice—A Proven Industry
Business coaching is not just a trend. It's a major industry worldwide, worth billions, and it's growing fast in India. According to industry research, it's projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20% by 2025. This momentum flows directly from the demand for coaching among small and new business owners.
What Does a Business Coach Actually Do?
A business coach doesn’t just dole out solutions. The coach listens deeply, prompts self-discovery through well-placed questions, and helps business owners find clarity amid the noise. This is unlike typical consulting, where experts tell you what to do. Coaching draws answers out of the entrepreneur, helping them process goals, identify challenges, and prioritize actions.
For example, Sandeep Maheshwari himself hired a business coach when he started his enterprise. His coach didn’t lecture or provide step-by-step answers. Instead, the coach asked probing questions and guided Sandeep to his own solutions, leading to “aha” moments and true progress.
The magic lies in perspective. Often, when we’re stuck with a problem, talking it through with someone who genuinely listens helps us organize our thoughts and see what was buried under self-doubt or confusion.How to Become a Business Coach: Steps to Get Started
Unlike big corporate consultants, new business coaches can start with simple tools and methods. Here’s a step-by-step approach based on Sandeep Maheshwari’s advice:
1. Get Certified, Build Credibility
In India, trust plays a big role. Small business owners will instantly ask: "Why should I take guidance from you?" Certifications help. Many international business coaching courses let you become a certified coach in just a few months. Credentials back up your knowledge, showing you’re serious about your craft and worthy of their time and investment.
2. Start With Reasonable Pricing
New coaches should price their sessions reasonably. For example, charging ₹1,000 per session is a good start. If you get five clients with four sessions a month, that's ₹20,000, which is competitive even on a part-time basis. Over time, as you build expertise and reputation, you can command higher rates.
3. Find and Network with Small Business Owners
Finding clients is a challenge when starting out. The fastest way to build your network is to attend entrepreneurship conferences, both online and offline. Many organizations run groups and events specifically for those in their early business journey. Joining these circles (sometimes for as little as ₹6,000 per year) gives you direct access to your ideal clients.
When attending, introduce yourself as a certified business coach offering introductory sessions. You can start with a free or low-cost session, letting clients experience the benefits before going for a full, paid engagement.
4. Master the Art of Listening and Questioning
Coaching is far more about listening than it is about talking. Great coaches ask pointed questions and then pay close attention. This unbiased perspective allows the entrepreneur to surface their real goals, challenges, and breakthroughs.
The most effective coaching doesn’t provide answers—it prompts the right questions. To excel, you need next-level listening and understanding skills, sometimes even more than expertise in business subjects.
5. Say “No” to Doing Everything
One classic mistake is trying to be everything for everyone. The temptation is strong—offering coaching, marketing, website design, finance help, and so on. Resist it. Multi-tasking makes you look unfocused and unreliable.
Instead, specialize. Say clearly what you do and stick to it. If a client requests something outside your expertise, introduce them to a trusted expert, but only if you are 100% confident in their ability and honesty. Never take up a project you can't fully manage or deliver.
Building Trust: The Foundation for Success
Trust is fragile and takes time to build. When small business owners approach you, they have several doubts. Why should they share business secrets? How do they know you’re capable? Will coaching even help?
Earning their trust means:
- Showing expertise and certification.
- Delivering value in every session.
- Focusing on authentic relationship-building, not quick profits.
The first few sessions are about getting to know each other, not selling. Only after trust is established will clients open up about their real challenges. This is when coaching delivers lasting impact.
Why Networking and Relationships Matter
Strong coaches know the power of word-of-mouth. Good work gets you referrals, but only if you focus on relationships, not just money. If you do solid work, clients will happily send more business your way.
On the flip side, one mistake—like connecting a client to a bad service provider—can ruin your credibility and future business. Always protect your reputation by delivering only what you fully control.
Coaching Vs. Consulting: Where to Draw the Line
Small business owners often need help in many areas—marketing, finance, operations, tech. But being a business coach doesn’t mean you become a "do-it-all" vendor.
If a request falls outside your expertise, refer it out rather than taking it on yourself. Having a network of trusted experts in allied fields is smart. But only introduce these resources if you’re absolutely sure of their professionalism and ethics.
As your practice grows, you can collaborate with other specialists on bigger projects—but always maintain clear boundaries and core focus.
Essential Skills for Aspiring Business Coaches
Successful business coaches share these core skills:
- Exceptional listening and comprehension.
- Skill in asking the right questions at the right time.
- Integrity and professionalism—following through on every commitment.
- Patience; relationships and trust develop over several sessions, not instantly.
- Strong boundaries—only offer services in areas of expertise.
A background in psychology or human behavior can help, but it’s not mandatory. What matters most is your ability to guide clients to clarity, not giving them readymade answers.
How Much Can a Business Coach Earn?
Your income as a business coach has no ceiling. At the start, you might earn ₹20,000-₹30,000 per month with a handful of clients. Seasoned coaches, especially with a strong track record, can command ₹1 lakh or more per session. There are even specialists who charge up to ₹10 lakhs per session for high-impact results.
As your client list and reputation grow, so do the opportunities for higher earnings, deeper impact, and long-term business relationships.
Common Mistakes New Coaches Make (and How to Avoid Them)
- Trying to be a business coach and also sell marketing, finance, or IT services. This usually backfires.
- Making promises you can’t keep, especially about results in areas where you lack expertise.
- Passing client work to unreliable partners just to make quick money. Short-term gain can mean big long-term losses.
- Getting greedy early and putting small commissions ahead of large, lifelong relationships.
Your focus should always be on giving more than you get. Value strong relationships over quick cash. A happy client today can mean referrals and opportunities tomorrow.
The Indian Business Coaching Industry: A Booming Opportunity
With India's coaching sector estimated to grow rapidly by 20% CAGR by 2025, and online coaching markets also expanding quickly, now is the perfect time to consider business coaching as a viable, rewarding career.
Conclusion
Becoming a business coach for small businesses in India isn’t only about making money—it’s about genuinely helping others grow while building deep, trusted relationships. Start with one specialization. Build credibility with certification, sensible pricing, and honest networking. Always listen first, talk second, and never take on what you can’t deliver.
Value trust over short-term gains. Grow your profession on the solid foundation of integrity, clarity, and authentic service. The possibilities are endless for those who put the entrepreneur’s growth, clarity, and trust at the center of their practice. If you have the skills and the passion, India’s small business economy is ready—and waiting—for your guidance.
