Choosing The Right Coach

Joe Mallo • March 8, 2024

The Essential Guide on Choosing the Right Business Coach For You

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Investing in a business coach can be a game-changer, but with so many options available, how do you choose the right one? In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to finding the perfect coach for your needs.


1. Define Your Goals: Before you start your search, take some time to clarify your goals and objectives. What areas of your business do you want to improve? Whether it's leadership development, sales growth, or strategic planning, knowing what you want to achieve will help you find a coach with the right expertise.


2. Do Your Research: Once you've identified your goals, it's time to start researching potential coaches. Look for professionals who specialize in your area of focus and have a track record of success. Read reviews, ask for recommendations from colleagues, and check out their credentials and testimonials.


3. Consider Compatibility: Finding the right coach isn't just about their expertise—it's also about the relationship. You'll be working closely with your coach, so it's essential to find someone you feel comfortable with and who understands your personality and working style.


4. Evaluate Experience and Credentials: When choosing a coach, look for someone with a proven track record of success and relevant experience in your industry. Consider their credentials, certifications, and any specialized training they may have. A coach who has been where you are and achieved the results you desire can provide invaluable insights and guidance.


5. Assess Communication and Support: Effective communication is key to a successful coaching relationship. Look for a coach who is a good listener, asks insightful questions, and provides constructive feedback. Additionally, consider the level of support they offer outside of coaching sessions, such as email support or additional resources.


6. Discuss Expectations and Alignment: Before committing to a coaching relationship, have a candid conversation with potential coaches about your expectations, goals, and desired outcomes. Ensure there is alignment between your vision and their approach to coaching.


7. Trust Your Instincts: Finally, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right or if you don't feel a connection with a potential coach, don't be afraid to keep looking. Finding the right coach is a crucial investment in your business, so take the time to find someone who truly understands your needs and can help you achieve your goals.


Choosing the right business coach is a significant decision that can have a profound impact on your success. By following these steps and taking the time to research and evaluate your options, you can find the perfect coach to guide you on your journey to business excellence.

Value Beyond Revenue: What Makes a Business Worth More

By Joe Mallo • August 26, 2026
An owner planning to step away within five years had built a $14 million company. Before he could do that, he needed to know whether he had created a valuable business or one that still depended on him to keep it running. Earning $14 million a year might seem like success, but it didn’t feel that way. The company had been stuck at that number for a long time, no matter what they tried. Profit margins had dropped to negative two percent, so for every dollar earned, the business was actually losing money. The owner felt overwhelmed. He wanted to step away from the business within five years, but at that point, it appeared more like a wish than a real plan. There was a lot to do, but no clear order for getting it done. The business lacked structure, and accountability was even weaker. He realized he needed help, so he hired a coach; someone who could guide him through the process instead of just giving him a binder and wishing for the best. The Real Number The first step wasn’t a strategy session. Instead, they did a formal valuation to answer a question he had likely been avoiding: what is this business really worth? For a company making $14 million a year, the answer was humbling. It turned out that the formal valuation was $7 million. They also created a one-page strategic plan. After months of feeling anxious and hesitant about where to start, he finally had a simple, clear guide; a single page showing exactly how the business could grow from $14 million to $30 million. A Business Someone Else Could Run A plan can improve the numbers, but lasting value requires a business that can operate without the owner at the center every day. As long as key decisions and knowledge remain tied to one person, the company’s future performance remains tied to that person too. If a business only works because the owner is there every day, it’s not really an asset; it’s just a demanding job. They moved procedures out of the owner’s head and into the company. Leaders were trusted to make real decisions, and accountability no longer depended on the owner. That shift gave the business value beyond the current owner and made a future transition possible. A Bigger North Star After twelve months, the plan had already shown results. Sales rose from $14 million to $19 million. The company, which had been losing money before, was now keeping six cents of every dollar it earned. Most significantly, the official valuation had risen from $7 million to $20 million. Results like that can change your goals. The three-year target, which was $30 million, became $50 million; not just due to ambition, but because the plan had already proven what was possible. What at one time seemed like a distant dream now looked like the next step. The owner began looking into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which would let him eventually pass the company to the people who helped build it, instead of just selling to the highest bidder. This was only possible because the business was valuable and could run without him. For years, revenue made the business bigger. But it took a real plan to finally make it valuable too. by The Point Success Guide

Making $1 Million Manageable: Turning the Goal Into Action

By Joe Mallo • August 26, 2026
The owner had dedicated years pursuing $1 million in annual revenue while revenue held around $675,000. Breaking the goal into monthly targets revealed the real gap: approximately one additional landscaping project a month. Some goals feel overwhelming because of how they are measured. A million dollars in annual revenue can seem impossible and make it hard to see what to do next. An owner might chase that number for years without knowing what a typical month should look like. For years, the owner aimed for that number but never got closer. Revenue stayed near $675,000, and each year ended much like the last. The goal was clear, but the path to it was not. The company also didn’t have a clear idea of its ideal customer, so it was hard to know which jobs would help the business grow. The Size of the Gap The shift started by breaking the annual goal into monthly and weekly requirements, the kind of structure that turns “someday” into a schedule. The gap between current revenue and the goal was about $325,000 a year, or approximately $27,000 each month. That made the challenge much clearer than just aiming to “reach $1 million.” For this landscaping company, that monthly gap meant about one extra project each month. The owner didn’t need to start a new division or change the business model. Just adding one more job most months could close the gap. Choosing the Right Job That reframe changed the shape of the goal. A million dollars had looked distant. One more project a month felt concrete enough to plan a Tuesday around. Another important step was deciding which projects to go after. The company worked on understanding its ideal customer instead of treating every job as equally valuable. Not every project helps the business reach its goal, and the wrong one can take up a month without making much progress. Beyond $1 Million By focusing on the right projects, the company moved beyond its original goal and is now on track to reach about $1.5 million in annual revenue. The goal itself never became smaller. It stopped being one impossible figure and became a string of ordinary weeks, each one asking for something specific and doable. by The Point Success Guide
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