Amy Scruggs is a National Music Artist, TV Host, Motivational Speaker, Author, Business Development Professional, and sought-after Media Coach. She is the host of The American Dream TV and the “face and voice” of Mutual of Omaha Mortgage.
“After honing my skills throughout 20 years of diverse careers in business and entertainment, I now coach media professionals and entrepreneurs to come alive on camera and maximize their media opportunities in today’s digital world.”
Lessons Starting up a Coaching Business
Be patient
No business is in full swing overnight. It takes dedication to the long game of follow-up, continued education in your field, and relationship building in order to generate sustainable growth.
Love what you do
You have to truly love working with people in order to build lasting rapport that is both professional and familiar. Coaching requires a genuine desire to empower others with new life skills, and an unwavering dedication to their success.
Turn liabilities into assets
It is important to identify the “pain points” for each client you coach so you can effectively provide them with the tools to overcome areas of discomfort and achieve their goals.
Be accountable
Accountability, both to yourself as well as to your clients, is essential when running any business. The time with clients is an important personal element; however a solid foundation as a business needs to be properly put in place in order for this time to be productive.
Prioritize organization
Goal setting, follow-up skills, bookkeeping, scheduling and organization tools are just as essential (if not moreso) than time spent with clients.
Three Basic Skills You Need To Have
1. Be honest with your clients about how you work and what to expect from you in the coaching process.
2. Set boundaries and stick with them. It is ok to say no or to fire a client if it is not the right fit.
3. Be a good steward of your calendar. Time management is critical to any successful business. Be consistent with your time allowances and commitments. Clients will take as much as you are willing to give.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Seek out your own coaches and accountability. I have found that there are plenty of reputable coaches with successful clients and platforms, who are happy to share their expertise and coach those coming up the ranks.
It is a true principle that even coaches need their own coaches to continue paving their path to success. The 7 figure coaches I look up to the most all pay for their own coaching to continue their climb to the next level of 8 and 9 figure businesses.
On Taking Risks
Take the word ‘failure’ out of your vocabulary. It takes a lot of confidence to dedicate yourself to the pursuit of your goals, and along with that dedication comes inevitable blunders and setbacks. The confidence it takes to be a performer transferred well to the fields of business, sales, public speaking, media coaching, and TV hosting.
There have been plenty of times when I’ve tried something that didn’t end up working, but that’s all it was: an attempt that didn’t work out.
This shouldn’t be as scary as society makes it out to be. If something does not work, I let it go. I have always been more afraid of succumbing to monotony or of allowing the fear of failure to stifle my creativity. I love the challenge of finding the things that do work. I think I get bored easily and the thrill of taking on something new and seeing it come alive is addicting.
