I would not be the person I am today without the mentors and coaches throughout my life. I would argue that it’s crucial in development as a human and especially life-changing for entrepreneurs and bloggers.
I received tons of questions regarding my current group coaching program I’m in and my previous – so I thought I’d create a blog post about the topic! Feel free to save and use this as a resource in the future!
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My First Mentor
My first “official” mentor was in college. I was in business school and I went to some networking event and reached out to one of the speakers expressing my interest in mentorship. In business school, it is “normal” and almost expected for students to have some sort of mentor to help pick a career, navigate leadership positions, interview help, etc. Anyways, this woman was like hey, my friend is a business coach for entrepreneurs and small businesses and also has a mentoring program for college students (for free).
I end up meeting Marlo and this woman takes me under her wing. I look back realizing how privileged I was and how the Universe was nudging me back (before I studied abroad and decided to travel the world lol). This woman told me I was special and gave me permission to set higher goals for myself. I remember goalsetting with her, picking out a mantra and power word for the month, and taking the Strength Finders tests. Most importantly, I remember the feeling I felt when I met with her at the local Starbucks. I felt empowered, confident, and unstoppable. Not only did she tell me I’m capable of achieving whatever the hell I wanted to achieve, more importantly, she gave me tools and actionable advice to obtain my goals. I remember thinking, I want to own my own business later in life. That exposure planted a seed in my mind and gave me more confidence later on.
As many of you know, I later studied abroad in Brazil during my senior year at Iowa which led me to one of the biggest pivots of my life. While I was in Brazil, I met backpackers for the first time traveling the world months and even years. My life changed. I felt a gut feeling and a pull to travel as well. I wanted to backpack and see the world. I didn’t know how, but if they could do it, so could I. So, I put my $30,000 business degree and loaded resume aside to follow my dreams.
My First Business Coach
A little over a year ago, I decided I wanted to turn my passion project, this blog, into a career. I started this blog 3 years ago as a journal and a way to inspire others to travel. The more I wrote and shared, the more I fell in love with the process, connection, and impact. I started to receive messages from women saying I inspired them to go on a solo trip and it propelled me to keep sharing.
I had known Lattice Hudson for awhile and saw she was starting a coaching business and was taking on beta clients. We talked for a bit and I loved her energy, so I signed up. I worked with her for 12 weeks with the intent to turn my hobby into a business.
Tip: If you are on a budget, a great time to work with coaches is when they are taking beta clients/just starting a coaching business. *reduced rates*
She had me create a business plan, goals, vision, and mission statement. She helped me navigate through imposter syndrome and other roadblocks. I started to step into my power and allow myself put all my energy into something I felt passionate about.
What I got out of it:
- Systems and processes
- Goal-setting strategies
- A Business Plan
- Wrote my first newsletter (which is now over a year old and one of my favorite ways to connect with my audience)
- Created my first business cards, set up a business e-mail account, changed my theme on my website and created a new logo
- Signed up for my first travel blogging conference (Travel Con)
- Started going to networking events and putting myself out there as a blogger and content creator
- Mindset work (she sent me You Are a Badass at Making Money which is an amazing book and helped a lot with mindset roadblocks I was having around money)
Overall, it was amazing. 100% worth it. It was a game-changer.
I’m the type of person who loves challenges and if I make a goal and someone else is watching (especially a 1:1 coach), I will kill myself to accomplish that goal. When it comes to coaching, you get what you put into it. You have to be in the driver’s seat ready to accelerate.
My Group Coaching Experiences (2)
This year I’ve been a part of two group coaching groups and VERY different from each other.
My First Coaching Group
My first coach was a super successful solo female travel blogger. She makes 6-figures and has a very large audience. She’s been featured in Buzzfeed, Forbes, etc, etc. Point is this woman is a pro.
There were 30 of us in the group, all travel bloggers. Some bloggers had an idea and hadn’t yet started their blog and others had been blogging for years.
What’s Included?
- Private Slack group where we could all chat and get feedback
- Monthly e-mails from the coach
- Monthly Zoom check-ins to go over our goals and give updates
- 1-3 speakers a month where an outside speaker (travel blogger or vlogger) would share their story + Q&A
- Journal with daily writing prompts + 10-day goal-setting sheets
- Google doc where we could write feedback, updates, notes from speakers, etc. that the coach would read and give feedback on
- There was a different theme each month: (1) Brand (2) SEO
Who’s in the group?
- All travel bloggers, variety of niches
- Beginner to intermediate level
Why did you exit the program?
I felt like it wasn’t a good fit. Although I love her blog and I think she’s a cool person and doing cool things, something didn’t feel right. Not every coach is going to be a good fit, it’s nothing personal. I felt sad to disconnect from the group but I had to follow my gut.
Tip: Make sure to read the return and payment policy carefully. The payment was automatic from Teachable and came out of my account on the 23rd of the month. When I reached out to my coach at the beginning of the new month and said that I would like to drop/it’s not a good fit, she wouldn’t allow a refund (she had a strict policy which is understandable). I would have had to cancel before the 23rd when the payment was taken out of my account. So, I opted to in the group an extra month and made the most out of it.
Glo’s Coaching Group
Glo is the Oprah of the travel blogging world. If you’re a travel blogger, 9 times out of 10 you know who Glo is. She’s an amazing writer, speaker, and coach. She preaches impact and purpose. She leads with vulnerability and realness. She’s able to captivate and inspire a room. Yes, she’s a travel blogger but she’s really building an empire. She’s sharing her gifts with women who will then share their gifts and so on and so forth. She believes the most important thing is to serve your audience. It’s not about money or fame, it’s about spreading light and sharing your gifts with the world. I could go on and on. Can you tell she’s my dream mentor…? (lol)
When I decided to exit my other group, I got an email that Glo was accepting new members into her group coaching. I went ahead and applied thinking there was no way I would get accepted. But, why the hell not try?!!?
After following my gut and leaving the first program, days later I was accepted into Glo’s group coaching. *thank you Universe*
Who’s in the Group?
- A diverse group of female entrepreneurs + content creators + bloggers (all ages, races, backgrounds, stories, etc)
- Intermediate level (it seems like everyone has a vision and has been working on it for a while – I am intimidated by a lot of people in the group, which is a good thing)
What’s Included?
- Weekly group coaching
- Lecture-style where Glo spills out her knowledge (ex: best apps to us, demos how to use certain programs, the process to produce a digital product, etc.)
- Q+A
- Her style is: here’s everything you’ll need, go create!!!
- We read one book per month
- One monthly challenge + theme
- Each month is a different topic. For example, last month’s theme was video content. Our challenge was to create a 4 part IGTV video series (which led to me to create my IGTV Q+Gay series)
Note: Glo allows members to leave whenever. You pay at the beginning of the month each month. No strings attached.
1:1 Coaching
What is it?
One on one coaching with a coach through video or sometimes in-person. Usually available through Voxer (or another messaging platform) for questions. Some programs you meet once a month, others 2x/month. Every coach is different and every program is different. Often times coaches have a variety of programs based on client needs.
Also, there are many types of coaches depending on your needs. There are business coaches, brand coaches, blog coaches, self-love coaches, mindset coaches, etc. I have only personally worked with business coaches and blog coaches.
What are the benefits?
Hiring a 1:1 business coach for your business is like hiring a personal trainer at the gym. At the gym, you may eventually figure out how to lift weights and reach your goals, but it will probably take longer and you may get hurt. It’s smarter to just hire an expert to get you the results you want. You’re also less likely to give up on your fitness goals. A business coach is similar. It’s not necessary, but it can be a game-changer.
How long?
The program I did was 12 weeks (recommend). Some programs are a month-long, some are 6 months. You can also hire a coach for a 1-time call. There’s a program out there for everyone!
How much?
$$$ – coaches can be anywhere from $50-300/hour or more. Packages differ.
Group Coaching
What is it?
Group coaching is similar to 1:1 coaching but less personalized. Usually a general program and topic each month. Some programs are a month-long, others are on-going. Usually zoom meetings, sometimes in-person.
What are the benefits?
Community/networking and a more affordable option.
How Long?
On-going. Some are a set amount of time (i.e. 6-months or 1-month long).
How Much?
$100/month (is how much I paid). Can be more or less depending.
What are Masterminds?
A mastermind group is a peer-to-peer mentoring group. Peers work together to give advice to one another and solve their problems. Masterminds are very popular among entrepreneurs.
1:1 vs. Group Coaching: Which is better?
I don’t think one is better than the other. I think it’s about whatever you need at the moment and what you can afford. I personally think that 1:1 is the best option. You get personalized attention and help, but it can be pricey.
Group coaching is a great way to get your feet wet and surround yourself with like-minded women.
How to Find a Good Coach for Me?
Just because someone is your favorite blogger or content creator, doesn’t always mean they will be the best coach. And just because your coach isn’t a blogger, doesn’t mean they won’t get you amazing results on your blog. My business coach Lattice did not have a blogging background but was still able to take me to the next level. It’s more about coaching ability.
Discovery calls are free. I recommend chatting with different coaches by booking a discovery call first and finding out whether it’s the right fit. Again, it’s not personal, coaches are not one size fits all. Don’t rush it, shop around (especially for 1:1 programs).
Places to find coaches:
- Facebook groups
- Instagram (search “blog coach” or “business coach” to discover)
- Ask people your network for recommendations (I think this is the best way)
Business Coaches I Personally Recommend:
All SUPER inspiring + empowering women, different personalities and approaches.
Wanting to start a travel blog? I just opened up Pick My Brain Sessions, a one-time 1:1 coaching call with me to get your blog started! Click here for more information.
PSA: Your dreams are possible.
I don’t care how big or small they are, it’s all possible. Surround yourself people who believe in you and your life will change. You are deserving and worthy of it all. Don’t give up!!!!
“Follow your bliss and doors will open where there were no doors before.”
joseph campbell
Xoxo,
Court
Have you ever had a coach or been in a coaching group or gone to mastermind? What was your experience like? More questions? Comment below!
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