Starting a Coaching Business

Interview with Business Coach Diane Helbig

Diane Helbig is a business and career coach and is the founder of Seize This Day Coaching, based in Lakewood, Ohio. She works with salespeople and small business owners to help them define where they want to be and then helps them to get there.

Diane Helbig has had a passion for entrepreneurship since she was a young girl.

She has transformed her love of entrepreneurship into a vibrant coaching business in which she combines her strong business acumen, intuitive skills and a genuine desire to help other people into a service that helps others to produce positive results in their business and their lives.

We asked her about her experiences starting a coaching business and what she's learned along the way.

Diane, thanks for joining us for one of our entrepreneur interviews. Let's start off by telling our readers a little about your current business.

Seize This Day Coaching works with small business owners, salespeople, and aspiring entrepreneurs to create successful business development strategies

I started the company in February 2006, and the business is based in Lakewood, Ohio.

What were you doing before this?

I was an account executive for a company providing office equipment sales, supplies, and service.

After deciding to start my own business, I became an independent contractor for that company so I would still be pulling an income as I grew my business.

That's a smart way to start a business. So, what does the competitive landscape look like for Seize This Day Coaching?

While there are a number of business coaches in Northeast Ohio, and for that matter the United States, I don't see them as competition.

Coaching requires synergy between the coach and the client. Moreover, the market is huge. In my view there is plenty of business to go around, and I'm going to attract and work with the people I'm supposed to be working with.

How has your experience in running the business been different from what you expected?

I didn't realize how much writing and public speaking I'd be doing. I've discovered some talents I didn't know I had!

Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

I suppose I would have set up my website differently. I would have done more research before deciding on the template.

What have you done that has been very effective in helping to grow the business?

I developed a couple of workshops and speaking topics that I offer. This has been a great way to get in front of potential clients and referral partners. They can see who I am, how I think, and what I believe in a non-threatening environment. I also created a monthly e-newsletter. People can sign up for it with no obligation. This too allows me to get in front of people on a monthly basis.

What advice would you give to somebody else who wanted to start a similar business?

There's an interview on my media page where I discuss 5 points to consider when starting a business, but here are a few things new entrepreneurs ought to know.

It's very important to surround yourself with positive people who believe in you.

Embarking on a new business can be scary and puts you in a vulnerable position. You need to be around positive people who support you.

In addition, don't be afraid to get assistance with things you don't know. So many people start businesses because they have a really good product or service. However, they don't know how to market or sell and so they struggle to acquire clients. Get the education, mentoring, assistance you need to help you overcome those obstacles. Every small business owner MUST also be a salesperson.

You are so right. So many new entrepreneurs don't put enough emphasis on learning how to sell and then getting out there and making the sales that will help them do well. Thanks so much for sharing your entrepreneurial experience with us, Diane, and good luck in growing your business.

For those of you who are reading this article, if you are based in Northeast Ohio and are interested in coaching assistance, you can reach Diane at (216) 534-2030.

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