I recently exited my creative agency after 13 years of building it from scratch. Since then, I’ve helped 50+ agency owners generate over £40M in additional annual revenue. And I need to tell you something that might upset some people: most business coaches are completely wrong for creative agencies.
Are you considering hiring a business coach? Wondering whether business coaching is right for your growing agency? Have concerns about making this investment?
The coaching industry is largely unregulated, which means you need to be selective when choosing who to work with. As someone who’s been where you are and now works with agency owners directly, I want to help you make an informed decision, whether you decide to work with me or anyone else.
Let me address the seven most common objections I hear about business coaching, starting with the big one.
“I can’t afford business coaching right now”
This is the most common objection I hear, and I completely understand it. When you’re bootstrapping an agency and watching every penny, investing £1000+ per month in coaching feels like burning money you don’t have.
But if £1000 per month feels unaffordable, it’s because your agency isn’t generating enough profit. And that’s precisely the problem the right coach should help you solve first.
The real cost is opportunity cost. While you’re figuring everything out through trial and error, your competition is implementing proven systems and avoiding the expensive mistakes you’re likely to make.
Within 6 months of working with me, I’ve helped clients go from £35k to £55k monthly revenue, £28k to £40k monthly revenue, and helped another achieve consistent £10k months after years of unpredictable income.
Red flag: Avoid any coach who can’t show you specific results with agencies similar to yours.
“I’ve heard coaches just give generic advice”
The second concern I hear constantly is completely valid. Most coaches do recycle the same content they’ve seen elsewhere.
Here’s what separates real consulting from generic coaching:
Generic coaches say: “You need to find more clients, how will you do that?”
Strategic consultants say: “What’s your goal? Here’s 5 ways I achieved that and here’s 3 things to avoid based on my experience.”
I only work with agencies and service businesses. Because of my experience I can speak directly to the specific challenges you face. I use strategic consulting, not coaching. Each session focuses on your specific business challenges with tailored solutions.
What to ask potential coaches:
- “Can you show me a specific strategy you’ve used with an agency like mine?”
- “What’s your approach for someone at my exact revenue level?”
“I don’t want someone forcing me into their preferred methods”
Another concern that comes up frequently is about being forced into rigid systems that don’t fit your agency model.
I will never tell you to prospect 100 times a day on Instagram, launch a podcast, or follow some rigid business system that doesn’t suit your personality.
Some clients love networking events, others prefer digital marketing. Some want to build teams quickly, others prefer to stay lean longer. There’s no single path to success.
The thing is, I didn’t start as a business coach – and honestly, I don’t really class myself as one either. I spent over 13 years building and running a successful creative agency before I began helping other business owners. This real-world experience informs everything I recommend.
“I’ve tried coaching before and it didn’t work”
This objection makes complete sense, because I completely understand this frustration. Too many coaches promise unrealistic results without proper support.
This is exactly why I structure my approach differently:
- Monthly sessions giving you time to implement whilst ensuring you don’t lose momentum
- Unlimited support via WhatsApp between sessions
- Detailed follow-up after each session with action steps
- Focus on implementation with real challenges and measurable outcomes
I’ve worked with clients who’ve resolved issues they’d been struggling with for months within a single session.
What to ask any potential coach:
- “What support do I get between sessions?”
- “How do you track progress?”
“I need actionable advice, not fluff”
Here’s something else I hear regularly – and I don’t think I’ve ever been described as fluffy. I hate wasting time as much as you do.
My sessions are focused and productive – no filler, no motivational speeches, just practical solutions. We identify the challenge, I share the specific system that solves it, you leave with a clear implementation plan.
Red flag: Any coach who can’t give you actionable next steps within the first 30 minutes of conversation.
“I’m already overwhelmed”
The last objection I want to address is probably the most important one. Good coaching should reduce your workload, not increase it.
I focus on streamlining your operations, improving your efficiency, building systems that work without your constant involvement, and eliminating activities that consume time without producing results.
Many clients find that within a few months, they’re working fewer hours whilst generating more revenue.
The Critical Questions You Must Ask
Right, so I’ve covered the main objections. But before you hire anyone – me or anyone else – here are the specific questions you need to ask:
About Their Experience:
- “What type of agency did you run, and when did you exit?”
- “What level of revenue did you build?”
About Their Approach:
- “How do you customise your advice for different business models?”
- “Can you walk me through exactly how our sessions would work?”
About Results:
- “What specific results have you achieved with agencies at my revenue level?”
- “Can you provide references from recent clients?”
About Support:
- “What support do I get between sessions?”
- “How quickly do you respond to questions?”
The Red Flags to Avoid
I also want to share the red flags I’ve seen from talking to dozens of agency owners who’ve had bad experiences:
❌ Avoid coaches who:
- Have never owned an agency themselves
- Can’t show you recent, specific results
- Offer one-size-fits-all solutions
- Promise unrealistic results (“6-figures in 90 days”)
- Won’t provide references or case studies
✅ Look for consultants who:
- Built and exited a successful agency
- Can demonstrate specific results with businesses like yours
- Offer tailored approaches, not generic frameworks
- Provide ongoing support between sessions
- Focus on practical implementation over theory
Making Your Decision
At the end of the day, business coaching is an investment in your future. The right consultant will help you avoid costly mistakes, implement proven strategies, and achieve your goals faster than you could alone.
Here’s my recommendation: Don’t hire a “business coach.” Hire a strategic consultant who’s recently walked the path you’re trying to walk.
Look for someone who brings:
- Recent, relevant experience in your industry
- Proven systems and frameworks
- Ongoing support and accountability
- A track record of measurable results
- An approach that fits your specific situation
Ready to Make the Right Choice?
If you’re ready to scale your agency systematically and want to work with someone who recently built and exited a successful creative agency, I’d be happy to discuss whether strategic consulting is right for you.
But I’ll be honest – I’m not for everyone. I work best with ambitious agency owners who are ready to implement proven systems and put the work in to scale their business.
If that sounds like you, let’s have a conversation about your specific challenges and whether I can help you overcome them.
Because the right guidance at the right time can save you years of trial and error – and potentially expedite your plans to scale and exit your agency.
Want to discuss your specific agency challenges? Get in touch here or learn more about systematic agency scaling through my Selling Creative Services course.
Or if you want to find out more about my business coaching for creative agencies, click the link