In this episode of the Rundown with Ramon, Ramon Ray makes the case for why entrepreneurs should invest in a business coach or consultant—sharing the exact steps to choose the right one and how to get ROI from the relationship. He also highlights his personal experiences (including a $30K year-long program) and emphasizes that growth comes faster when you stop building in a bubble and get guided accountability.
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Key Takeaways
- Coaching isn’t a luxury—it’s an investment in speed, clarity, and accountability.
- Try before you buy: attend webinars, live events, and sample content to gauge fit.
- Ask alumni tough questions about outcomes and follow-through; good coaches don’t hide.
- Define your goal up front (e.g., $100K → $500K, or boldness to launch) so you can measure results.
- Do all the work—no excuses—before judging a program.
- Coaching and consulting are different: one addresses mindset + tactics; the other solves a defined problem.
- Real-world note: Ramon invested ~$30K in a year-long program and ~$10K in targeted coaching—and it paid off in mindset and method upgrades.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Hire a Business Coach
Coaching collapses time. Books, YouTube, and chamber workshops are helpful, but a coach gets “down and dirty” in your business—tailoring guidance, setting accountability, and accelerating execution. It’s hard to scale alone; a great coach pushes, analyzes, and helps you implement faster.
Coach vs. Consultant: Know What You’re Buying
A consultant is a specialist you hire to solve a specific problem (e.g., Facebook ads, CRM setup). A coach blends strategic planning and (light) mindset work with tactical guidance to keep you moving when fear, doubt, or confusion show up.
Ramon’s Coaching Investments (and What They Delivered)
Ramon joined Lamar & Ronnie Tyler’s Traffic, Sales & Profit program (about $30,000 for a year) after attending their events and webinars—then experienced significant mindset and strategy gains. He also invested roughly $10,000 with coach LeShawnette (Barnett/Burnett) for targeted upgrades. The lesson: committing financially often increases commitment to results.
How to Choose the Right Coach (Step-by-Step)
- Sample before you sign. Attend their webinars, ticketed events, and review free content to assess teaching style and culture fit.
- Check the receipts. Ask alumni about outcomes, support, and accountability. Great coaches welcome scrutiny and transparent references.
- Read the fine print. Study the landing page, features, and promised benefits to ensure the offer matches your needs.
- Set a measurable outcome. Define your goal (revenue, launch, team, margins), so you and your coach can track progress.
- Validate track record. Look at years in market, prior exits, awards, and results achieved with clients.
Pricing Reality Check
High-quality programs aren’t $10. Expect ranges like $5K, $15K, or $30K+, depending on access level and deliverables. That price tag should be matched to a clear outcome and your readiness to execute.
The Non-Negotiable: Do the Work
No program “didn’t work” if you didn’t do the assignments, attend the sessions, and use the resources. Ownership is step one—and it’s what converts advice into wins.
Quick Fit Checklist (Use Before You Pay)
- I’ve sampled this coach’s content and liked the teaching style.
- I’ve spoken to at least two alumni and asked hard questions about results.
- I can state my #1 outcome in one sentence—and it matches the program’s promise.
- I’m ready to show up fully and complete every assignment.
- I understand whether I need a coach (mindset + strategy + accountability) or a consultant (specialist to solve a defined problem).
When to Hire
If you’re stuck, plateaued, or ready to level up fast, it’s time. Some entrepreneurs engage coaching annually or every few years to set a new trajectory and keep momentum high.
Sponsor Shout-Out: Protect Your Growing Business
Ramon reminds us: you lock your house and your car—do the same for your company. Bitdefender’s small-business security can give you real-time protection and peace of mind while you scale.