I was speaking with a friend last week who has an interior house painting business and we had talked a couple of months ago about different ways she could move her business - rather than straight house painting to murals for children's rooms, coordinating the walls with furniture (painting the furniture, for example) and decorative painting for things like toy boxes for both dogs and children. She called me last week and wants to hire me as her business coach - to speak with her weekly and keep on top of her to ensure she pursues these initiatives., Has this ever happened to any of you? I'm really flattered that she thinks enough of me to ask me to do this, but I've never coached before. I'm not sure if I should pursue this or not.

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Julia

Wow Julia, what an honour. If you don't feel you'd be up to coaching your friend, why don't you help her to find a certified business coach and become part of her support circle? We all know what it's like trying to start a business never mind to move it in totally new direction (Wait... I've done that) but if you can give her as much emotional and businessy (my apologise to the writers - I tend to make up words and it is 11.29pm here..) support as you can.

I have acted as a motivational support for a friend of mine and it has been so satisfying to watch her business grow so much in the last 12 months. I feel a mother's pride when she updates me each time she signs up a distributor for her products or when she makes another sale from the site I designed for her.

Whatever you decide, good luck and best wishes for your friend.

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Kylie Short
Tilda Virtual Services - Making virtual personal

Awww, I'm sure you felt flattered That's so nice.

Perhaps since it'd be your first time coaching, maybe do it for free as a friend to gather some experience. Then should you be offered a business coaching position in the future by someone else, you'd already have the practice with confidence.

I'm not sure if that's a good idea though, but that was my very first thought when I read your post.

If you don't feel comfortable with it - as Kylie offered you a great suggestion - be part of her support circle and help her find a qualified business coach.

Hi Julia, this is a really neat opportunity for you - and I don't think this kind of thing comes into our experience by accident at all. It might feel a bit intimidating being asked about this directly but if you think about it, you're already coaching ALL of your existing clients!

I see it as a natural extension of what we do - granted not everyone is qualified to act as a business coach - but you could always agree to start it out on a trial basis (for both you and your friend to see how the relationship 'fits' each of you) and move forward incrementally, with the understanding that if either of you realizes it's not the right direction you'll be happy to help her find someone who is already established as a business coach.

Personally, I'd encourage you to give it a try! And congrats on an amazing show of confidence in your abilities as a business owner - that's so great!

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This is great Julia! She must be completely impressed with you and I say go for it as well.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

Wow, this is an interesting dilemma. Kneejerk response is to agree with Tess and Dawn .... but on the other hand, that could backfire. I'd be willing to bet the average consulting or coaching fee is a whole lot higher than yours generally is, though. Maybe if you agreed that it's more like sidekick cheering than full fledged coaching, at your current rate, then there don't have to be any misunderstandings.
On the other hand, if you're interested in exploring coaching professionally, maybe share that with this client also, and work with her to benefit you both as things proceed. Maybe take some courses so you can pass on your knowledge and grow together.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com