1:1 CEO & Startup Founder Coaching

I combine thoughtful question asking and reflection (coaching) with experience based guidance and feedback (mentorship). I have you challenge yourself through introspection, increase your self-awareness and surface lasting change from within, at the same time I allow structured opportunities for sharing empirical, strategic learnings and insights from industry experts and my own experience. Such an approach is critical for comprehensively growing both your soft and hard skills. This blend is also reflected in the homework I give to my clients on an as-needed basis, which may range from personal journaling exercises, to readings and watching videos, to creating targeted key business deliverables.

Read more about my style and why I coach as well as my philosophy and approach.

My approach is based on a modality I’ve developed called Mentorship Coaching. Generally speaking, Coaching and Mentorship live on opposite ends of the “structure” spectrum. All the way on the mentorship side is typically less structured, and has more flow to it. Whatever the client brings to the session that day is what we work on. I may offer insights and feedback or use coaching tools to help them, but we don’t necessarily define a full framework around the problem. This could also be seen as a sounding board or co-pilot approach. On the other end, a “strict” coaching approach will usually be defined around a specific breakdown or goal the client wants to work on. For this, I will create a custom structured curriculum, or Coaching Program, complete with specific exercises, practices and other assignments. From there we will work through the program together over a number of weeks. We will review and revise along the way if needed, and continue the program until we have decided that it has accomplished what we set out to do. From there, we may define something new to work on, creating a new structured coaching program, or default to a more flow-based approach. In reality, most relationships end up being a mix of the two and part of my skill is helping clients weave between the two sides of the spectrum and keep challenging themselves.

As covered directly above, the time to start feeling the impact and gaining perspective can be quick, where it goes from there, and for how long is an ongoing conversation between you and your coach. I value working with clients who have an intent to work together on a long-term basis because I’ve found that allows the relationship to build organically over time, leading to more efficient and a deeper work. This approach also gives my clients a feeling of confidence and stability in having a consistent, trusted third party who is already up to speed with them and their business, ready to help.

The minimum engagement I offer is six consecutive months of once-per-week sessions. The typical breakdown of that time starts with the first 2 to 3 sessions open for inquiry, building the relationship, defining breakdowns, openings, and goals, and setting up goals and the best approach for that particular client. The next 4-6 weeks are spent working through the coaching program, tracking, and discussing progress. That cycle typically repeats for the duration of the relationship. From there, the relationship becomes a quarter-to-quarter engagement where we continue to work on what comes up and define subsequent coaching programs and new goals.

Weekly*. I have found through experimentation, feedback from my clients, and talking to other experienced helping professionals that a weekly frequency is the most effective cadence for most relationships and provides the highest value to the client. This is because a weekly interval helps keep the relationship top-of-mind for both parties and is enough time for work to happen but without so much happening that the following session is consumed with catching-up vs progressive discussion.

No :) I also work with non-founder executives, ambitious and motivated creatives, freelancers, and high-performing individuals working within organizations large and small. My flexible approach allows me to customize the coaching relationship to each individual’s situation and goals, while my background as an employee, manager, sole proprietor, founder, and executive; spanning art, design, retail, production, hospitality, real-estate development, construction, logistics and everything in-between allows me to add mentorship value and insight across a variety of industries and professions.

To learn more, see my page on Coaching for Companies and Individuals.

Read more about my style and why I coach as well as my philosophy and approach.

Yes! I believe the earlier you get involved with coaching, the more valuable the coaching can be, especially if you’re a first-time founder. Schedule a Discovery Call to tell me about what you’re building, I’d love to help!