It’s an interesting thing about social media — you never know who’s quietly watching. Sometimes it’s friends, sometimes it’s competitors… and sometimes, it’s people who once pretended to be in your corner.
Over the years, I’ve seen a disturbing pattern in the world of “business coaching.” There’s an entire industry of so-called experts who don’t actually help you grow — they help themselves to your wallet. Their pitch is slick, their words are smooth, and they wrap it all in the illusion of mentorship. But underneath it, the “coaching” often looks like this:
- Minimal effort: Instead of delivering tailored strategies, they recycle the same cookie-cutter advice to every client.
- Self-serving agendas: The “solutions” they recommend just happen to be their own overpriced services or products.
- Empty promises: They tell you they care about your success… right before sending another invoice for results that never appear.
- Relationship theater: They check in just enough to keep you thinking you’re supported — while doing the bare minimum to justify their fee.
It’s not coaching. It’s camouflage.
When I invest in someone’s business, whether it’s through staffing, marketing, AI implementation, or operational strategy, I show up with real deliverables, measurable outcomes, and a clear plan. I’m in it to make sure the client wins — because if they win, we both do. That’s the whole point.
If you’re a business owner, here’s my advice:
- Ask for proof of past results, not just stories.
- Demand transparency in what you’re paying for.
- Watch for red flags like vague deliverables or constant upselling.
The truth is, a real coach is like a good business partner — they bring something to the table that actually moves the needle. A fake one just eats off your plate.
So, to the ones watching from the sidelines who’ve built careers off this bait-and-switch model… enjoy the view. The rest of us will keep building real businesses with real results.
