Why a Coach?
As I launch this new Entrepreneur Coaching site of mine, I thought it would be helpful to step back and talk a bit about “The Why.” Specifically, why would I want to start doing this, what motivated me, and how does coaching benefit you, the entrepreneur?
First of all, I don’t want this to be about me — I want it to be about you. But many of you reading this know me, or at least know about me, as I’ve been active in the startup community here in Minnesota for such a long time. And I thought you might wonder, why the switch?
Well, it isn’t a switch — my marketing consulting business isn’t going away. I continue to serve clients there with execution services that include programs for branding and launch, content marketing, messaging and PR strategy and execution, and more. Think of the coaching business as a small side hustle… a product (service) extension… a new way to help me share what I’ve learned over many years helping startups grow and build wealth.
Sharing Is Key for Me
It always has been. Ask any of my clients over the years. And read the Testimonials on this site. This new coaching business is just a way for me to offer my knowledge up in more bite-size pieces, for those entrepreneurs who can’t sign me up for multi-month engagements. Sometimes, an hour or two here and there, maybe an hour a week, or 5 or 6 a month, is enough to give a founder a boost that can get him or her over a hump, or onto the next challenge.
Another way to look at this is I’m simply formalizing a process, making it easier for entrepreneurs to book a time with me. Several approach me every month who want to have coffee, or “pick my brain” (really an awful phrase no one should ever use!) — and now they have an easy way set up a time to do that. And it’s only natural to expect them to pay for that privilege, however modestly, as most of them have a revenue-producing business, or a day job, or even a day job with a side hustle to boot.
Free mentoring is fine, but you often get what you pay for. There’s no skin the game. In one ear and out the other. That’s different from coaching. Many purport to be mentors; few aspire to be coaches, and even fewer make a living from it. 
Mentoring is about giving advice; coaching is much more about asking questions. What I want to do as a coach is ask the right questions — the ones that challenge you, cause you to sit up, pay attention, and take action.
Ready to Excel?
That’s what the back of my new coaching business card says. It’s all about what you take away from my coaching. Where you go. What you achieve.
For me, my new coaching business is a way to formalize even more my longstanding, sincere desire to help entrepreneurs — by getting them to commit to taking real action that will move them forward and help them achieve goals, one step at a time.
As I launch this coaching business of mine, I pledge this:
• To help entrepreneurs realize their dreams.
• To steer them in the right direction when they’re at a crossroads or in a tough spot.
• To help them figure out how to execute on an idea or strategy and make it a reality.
• To connect them with key people and business resources who can help them.
• To get entrepreneurs to realize the potential within them.
• To champion leadership qualities and help them become valuable leaders.
• To help them create jobs and develop others in their organizations into leaders as well.
• And, most of all, to help my clients grow, both their businesses and themselves personally… and reap the benefits of our amazing, unlimited-potential Free Enterprise System in their own lives.
So, there you have it in a nutshell. That’s what I’m about as I launch…
“Graeme Thickins – Entrepreneur Coach.”
I invite you to come along for the ride with me. Book a time, and let’s make things happen for you!