When working with a professional business coach, it is essential to define your role in clear, customer-focused terms and understand the laws of your state regarding nutritional counseling and other services. A contract for training services can have more nebulous results than a contract for legal services or gardening, which can lead to a public perception problem. Insurance is an important consideration for coaches, as it can protect them from any accusations related to the negligent provision of their services. For those who wish to become Master certified coaches, they will need 200 hours of professional training and 2500 hours of experience as a coach.
Additionally, all coaches should be aware of certain ethical guidelines, regardless of whether they are engaged in health, business, or life coaching. Counselors who offer health counseling online (or in person) to clients from other locations must be aware of the legal parameters in every state to which their office extends. Business owners should also be aware that consumers often have more legal protections than their company. Insurance companies offer insurance packages for life coaches and small business owners in the mental health industry, known as a Business Owner's Policy (BOP).
This allows you to customize the policies your company needs to be insured against, although it is more expensive and requires more paperwork. Solo professional coaches can start doing business today with little more than a phone and a laptop. Coaching is a partnership between the coach and the client that inspires the client to maximize their personal and professional potential. Depending on your business activity, you may not need to acquire any business permit or license to work as a coach, unless you offer therapy or counseling services.
Developing a strong contact list of potential clients is also an important strategy for building a sustainable coaching business. Before investing in business cards and a website designer, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the legal issues related to running a personal coaching business. This will help ensure that you are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
