Beyond the Buzz: A CEO Mum’s Candid Guide to Making Business Coaching Actually Work For You (And Your Bottom Line)

“Is business coaching actually worth it?” Ah, the million-dollar question (sometimes quite literally!). If you’re a female entrepreneur, especially one juggling the beautiful chaos of motherhood like me, I bet this thought has crossed your mind more than once. You see the glossy testimonials, the promises of skyrocketing profits, the coaches who seem to have it all figured out. And a little voice whispers, “Could that be me? Or is it all just… a bit much?”

Let’s be candid. As a CEO, a mum to four, a PhD researcher delving into the world of female entrepreneurship, & someone who’s navigated both the corporate jungle & the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, I’ve seen the coaching world from all angles. I’ve invested in it, I provide it, & I study the dynamics that make support systems truly effective. And I’m here to tell you that yes, business coaching can be utterly transformational. But – and it’s a rather important ‘but’ – it’s not a magic wand. Its success, its real ROI, hinges on a few crucial things, starting with YOU.

So, let’s get real. I want to share a CEO mum’s honest take on how to make business coaching a powerful, strategic investment that genuinely works for you, your business, & your bottom line, without you having to sell a kidney or sacrifice your sanity. You with me? Let’s do this.

Is Business Coaching Really Worth It? The Candid Truth.

Right, let’s tackle the elephant in the room. Does it work? Will you see a return? The honest answer: it depends. I know, not the straightforward “YES!” you might see plastered everywhere. But I believe in authentic conversations, and the truth is, coaching effectiveness is a dynamic partnership. It’s a two-way street, a dance between coach & client.

I’ve seen entrepreneurs absolutely soar with the right coaching, achieving clarity they’d chased for years, building systems that gave them their time back, & hitting financial goals that once felt like a distant dream. And I’ve also seen (or heard of) situations where it… well, flopped. More often than not, the difference wasn’t just the coach; it was the entrepreneur’s readiness & willingness to actively participate.

Think of it like this: a coach can hand you the most meticulously drawn map & a state-of-the-art compass. They can point out the pitfalls, highlight the scenic routes, & cheer you on from the sidelines. But you are the one who has to walk the path. You have to be ready to take the insights & implement them. You have to be willing to do the work, to be challenged, to step outside your comfort zone, & crucially, to take complete ownership of your journey & your results.

From my own journey & the research I’m immersed in for my PhD, one thing is crystal clear: personal responsibility is non-negotiable for entrepreneurial success. It’s about seeing challenges not as roadblocks, but as opportunities to learn & adapt. It’s about understanding that while a coach can guide & support, the power to create change ultimately lies within you. When you bring that proactive, “I’m all in” energy to a coaching relationship, that’s when the magic truly happens.

Beyond the Pounds & Pence: The True ROI for Femmeprenistas

Okay, so we’ve established that you need to be an active player. But what kind of returns can you really expect? While a boost to the bottom line is often a key motivator (and a very valid one!), for us female entrepreneurs, especially those of us juggling motherhood, the “worth it” factor of good coaching goes so much deeper than just financial ROI.

Let’s be real, time is our most precious, non-renewable resource. More precious than gold when you’re trying to build an empire between school runs, nap times, & the endless chorus of “Muuuum!”. So, how does the right coaching deliver value that truly resonates with our packed lives?

• Crystal-Clear Strategic Direction: One of the first things brilliant coaching does is help you cut through the fog of overwhelm. It’s about getting laser-focused on your vision, understanding your unique strengths, & carving out a clear path forward. Suddenly, instead of being pulled in a million directions, you know exactly where you’re going & why.
  That kind of clarity? It’s priceless for a busy mind. It helps you make decisions faster, say “no” to distractions, & channel your energy where it matters most. It’s like clarifying your Focus: the vision you’re committed to, no matter what.
• Smart Systems & Strategies to Reclaim Your Time: Ever feel like you’re constantly reinventing the wheel or drowning in manual tasks? A great coach helps you implement efficient systems, perhaps leveraging smart AI tools to truly streamline your processes, & delegate or ditch what’s not serving you.
  Imagine having client onboarding that runs like clockwork, or marketing that attracts ideal clients without you having to be “on” 24/7. This isn’t just about business efficiency; it’s about reclaiming precious hours to be present with your family, or, dare I say it, even for yourself! Think of it as optimising your Flow: how you move through your work, your life, and your day.
• Unshakeable Confidence & Authentic Presence: So many incredibly talented women I meet undervalue themselves & their offerings. Coaching can be a game-changer here.
  It helps you build unshakeable confidence, truly own your expertise, & develop an authentic brand & message that magnetises your ideal clients. When you’re confident in your value, you charge what you’re worth, you show up authentically, & marketing starts to feel less like a chore & more like a joyful expression of your purpose. This is all about cultivating your Flair: your authentic brand & message.
• A Business That Fuels You, Not Drains You: This is huge. The right coaching embraces a holistic approach.
  It understands that you’re not just a business owner; you’re a whole person with a life, family, & well-being to consider. It’s about building a business that energises you, aligns with your values, & supports your life, rather than demanding you sacrifice your family or health on the altar of “hustle culture.” It’s about finding that sweet spot where your business & your personal life can flourish side-by-side. It’s about ensuring your Fuel tank is always full, not running on empty!

I remember when my second daughter was just a baby, & I was deep in my MBA studies. The juggle was intense, to say the least! There were definitely moments when I wondered if I could actually make it through the programme, balancing night feeds with early morning classes. Investing in support that helped me create clarity & implement simple systems wasn’t just a business decision; it was a sanity-saver. It allowed me to focus, be more productive in the pockets of time I had, & ultimately, feel less like I was constantly chasing my tail. That kind of ROI doesn’t always show up on a spreadsheet, but believe me, it’s gold.

You know, it’s funny, I teach about the importance of delegation, right? But even I, with all my MBA knowledge & CEO experience, struggled to truly let go of control in the early days. I’d micromanage every little task, convinced that “no one could do it as well as me.” Of course, that just led to massive overwhelm & a whole lot of late nights fueled by lukewarm coffee. It wasn’t until I invested in coaching myself that I finally understood the power of trusting my team & focusing on my zone of genius. Sometimes, we need that outside perspective to see the patterns we’re too close to notice.

Coaching as a Strategic Investment (Not Just Another Bill)

It’s easy to see coaching as just another expense on an already long list. But I want to invite you to reframe that. Drawing on my MBA from Cranfield & my years as a CEO, I firmly believe that the right coaching, at the right time, is one of the most strategic investments you can make – not just in your business’s growth trajectory, but in your own development as a leader & an individual.

So, how do you know if you’re truly ready to make that investment, especially if you’re a Scaling Leader actively building momentum in your business?

• You’ve hit a plateau: You’re working hard, you’ve seen some success, but you feel stuck. You can’t seem to break through to the next level of income or impact, no matter what you try.
• You’re ready to implement, not just learn: You’re past the stage of endlessly consuming free content. You’re craving actionable strategies tailored to your business & you’re committed to putting in the work to see results.
• You have some resources to reinvest: While good coaching is an investment, not an expense, you do need to have some financial capacity to engage a coach whose expertise & approach align with your needs.
• You crave clarity & a proven roadmap: You’re tired of guessing & want expert guidance to help you navigate the complexities of scaling your business.

And what should you look for in a coach, especially one who truly gets the unique journey of female entrepreneurs & mothers? You need someone who offers more than just cookie-cutter strategies. Look for a coach who:

• Offers a holistic approach: They see you as a whole person & understand that your business is intertwined with your life, family, & well-being.
• Understands the “juggle”: They get the beautiful chaos of motherhood & can help you build a business that works with your life, not against it.
• Believes in tailored support: Just like my own pivotal experience moving to a school that truly ‘got’ me allowed me to flourish, the right coaching environment should feel like it’s designed for you. Femmeprenista Female Entrepreneur Support: Find Your Purpose
• Has a proven framework or methodology: This demonstrates they have a structured approach to helping clients achieve results. (We at Femmeprenista use our Business Flourish Framework to provide this holistic, tailored support, which you can learn more about! The Business Flourish Framework)

To give you a real-world example, I worked with Sarah, a brilliant coach who was amazing at client delivery, but struggled with the sales side. She was stuck around the £3k/month mark, despite her clients raving about her. By working on her sales mindset & implementing a simple, high-converting funnel that helped her own her authentic Flair, she smashed through her income goals & is now consistently hitting £10k+ months. Another thing that helped was tapping into a deep sense of gratitude for her blessings by taking time each day to Fuel herself both physically & spiritually.

Finding Your Guide: Empowerment Through Tailored Support

Ultimately, the true value of good coaching lies in empowerment. It’s about finding a guide, a mentor, a strategic partner who doesn’t just give you answers, but helps you uncover your own. Someone who helps you sharpen your vision, build on your inherent strengths, navigate challenges with resilience, & construct a business that is not only profitable but also deeply fulfilling & authentically aligned with the beautiful chaos of your life.

My own educational journey, from feeling lost in a system that wasn’t the right fit to thriving when I found an environment & approach that resonated with me, profoundly shaped my belief in the power of tailored support. (You can read a bit more about my story & the “why” behind Femmeprenista here: About Carlene Nisbett / Our Story). It’s not about finding a coach who has all the answers for you; it’s about finding one who asks the right questions, who challenges you to think bigger, & who empowers you to step into your full potential as a CEO. Like that time I felt completely overwhelmed trying to juggle a client launch with getting the toddler ready for nursery and remember thinking, ‘Can I even do this?’, and then reminded myself why I started – freedom, impact and time with my kids.

Think of it as finding your “tribe” in a coach – someone who not only has the strategic expertise but also genuinely understands your world, champions your aspirations, & believes in your ability to achieve them.

So, Is Coaching Your Next Smart Move?

If you’re nodding along, feeling that pull towards greater clarity, more sustainable growth, & a business that truly aligns with your life, then exploring coaching could indeed be your next smart move. It’s not about passively receiving advice; it’s about actively co-creating your success story with a trusted guide.

When approached with intention, a commitment to action, & a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, business coaching can be the catalyst that propels you & your business to heights you might have only dreamed of. It’s an investment in your vision, your capabilities, & the incredible future you’re building.

Is business coaching an investment or expense? Find Out! Absolutely.

Ready to explore how the right support system can transform your business journey? The first step can be as simple as connecting with like-minded women. Join our free Femme:Connect Community Page to network, gain insights, & get a feel for the Femmeprenista approach.

Here’s to making choices that empower you & your business!

Carlene Nisbett

Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista

Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5’0″ tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift