Case Study: Consultant Rekindles Passion and Focus

What happens in business coaching? Does it really work? What results can I expect?

This week, one of my clients has allowed me to pull back the curtain and take you behind the scenes to show you what happens in a coaching relationship.

I’ll let Judith tell the story…

Hitting the wall of burnout

I began my journey as a small business owner in 2007. But by 2018, after grinding non-stop for over a decade, including 80-hour work weeks and personal sacrifices, I hit a wall of massive burnout.

Juggling work and raising kids, I was constantly at my computer. Then, a business trip to India became a turning point. Upon returning, my body and mind just couldn’t take it anymore. Downsizing my business seemed like the only option.

Then life threw more curveballs: COVID hit, and personal tragedies struck with the loss of my stepson and brother.

I went from burnt out to completely useless. Fortunately, an amazing staff member from my early days kept the business afloat. I was barely holding on, functioning but not growing the business.

John’s personal story struck a chord with me

During this period, I stumbled upon John’s website while looking for inspiration for my own site. His focus on mental health and his personal story, which I remembered from a TED talk, struck a chord with me.

Despite not looking for a business consultant, something about John’s approach resonated deeply. So, I took a chance and booked a session with him.

John’s impact was immediate and profound.

Our initial meetings, though I was skeptical, turned out to be a lifeline. His understanding of the unique challenges of being your own boss provided a much-needed perspective. He introduced me to “The E-Myth,” a book that echoed my own entrepreneurial struggles.

He also gave me permission to “hate” my business in a sense, but to also have some passion about getting it to function without me so that if I wanted to, I could sell it.

What set John apart was his incredible resourcefulness – he was like a “Wikipedia of business solutions.”

Any problem or idea I had, he had a resource or a solution ready. This not only helped me organize my business but also rekindled my passion and focus.

I always tell people that what’s great about being your own boss is you have no boss.

And what’s terrible about being your own boss is you have no boss!

Working with John meant no excuses. He held me accountable, ensuring that our weekly sessions were non-negotiable unless something truly catastrophic happened.

The culmination of our work together was evident in a big deal I landed.

The opportunity likely came from some of the seeds I planted back when I was grinding, but without John’s influence, I wouldn’t have been in the headspace to reap the rewards.

His support had made me more aware, more organized, and more motivated.

He guided me in crafting a comprehensive proposal, and his feedback helped me refine it to perfection.

The confidence he instilled led me to offer an ambitious dream package to the client, which they accepted.

John’s unique blend of professional expertise and empathy transformed my business and my personal resilience.

His approach was a perfect match for my needs, helping me navigate through my business challenges and personal tragedies.

His support was instrumental in not only keeping my business alive but also in reigniting my passion for it.

For any entrepreneur facing similar challenges, having a consultant like John can be a game-changer – providing not just business guidance but also personal empowerment.

~ Judith Buckland

Would you like similar results in your business?

Since 2004, as a professional business coach, I’ve taken over 350 clients through a proven process that helps them increase profit, remove the stress and chaos from their businesses and get their lives back.

At W5 Coaching we employ the Socratic style of leadership and teaching: a method of teaching by using questions to arrive at the right answer for YOU.

If you’d like to chat about how business coaching can help you with your business, I invite you to book a 15-minute call on my calendar here: time with John