For an entrepreneur to stay ahead of the curve and run a successful business, they need a coach who can support, inform and motivate them. Ange Ingabire an entrepreneur and e-commerce business coach explains that the roles of a business coach vary as per business needs but from a global perspective, it is about equipping entrepreneurs with tools, strategies, and resources to help them achieve maximum profitability. She had a chat with Career & Skills’ Donah Mbabazi on what business coaching is all about and its importance for business.

What inspired you to join this career?

I was among the selected consultants that were trained and hired by the International Trade Centre to coach local businesses on creating competitive brands and on building a competitive online presence and exporting the "Made in Rwanda” abroad. The reason this career is so appealing to me is that it allows me to help people achieve their business goals with clarity. Starting a business is hard and having been through the journey myself, I understand the challenges and the angst that come with building and scaling a business from scratch.

Why do you think business coaching is important?

As I have previously mentioned, entrepreneurship is in nature emotionally, financially, and intellectually taxing. Having a coach to guide and provide you with the technical support, a clear and strategic roadmap is invaluable for the success of your company.

What does a business coaching session look like? 

It depends on the business needs of an entrepreneur; it can look like a one-on-one session with a client, or an interactive training session.

The cost of a session depends on the deliverable, the duration of the coaching service, and the expertise of the coach. It can start from let’s say $300 to thousands of dollars.

What challenges come with this profession?

The challenge that come from being a business coach is to make entrepreneurs understand that they need coaching and then to get them to do the work. While we might provide guidance and support, ultimately it is up to the entrepreneurs and their teams to fully implement the said deliverables.

What systems do you have in place to ensure success with your coaching?

The systems that you choose, will depend on the kind of coaching services that one offers, for one-on-one sessions, most coaches use client on boarding systems (but not limited to) such as Dubsabo or Honeybook. These systems include multiple features of client on boarding and customer relationship management systems that help with appointment planning, email marketing, invoicing, and so on.

Other forms of coaching include training programs, courses, and resources which are essentially the type of coaching that I do. I have created an all-inclusive business toolkit for aspiring online entrepreneurs who want to bring their ideas to life and create their online businesses from scratch and a YouTube channel where I share actionable tips and resources. Systems that you can use include Kajabi and Podia to name a few. And lastly, other systems include funnels to sell group coaching programs.

What factors should a person consider when hiring a business coach?

Factors to consider include the expertise of the coach, the results that you want your coach to help you achieve, and compatibility. You have to make sure that you mesh well with your coach and that you trust them.

Your take on business coaching services in Rwanda

Business coaching services in Rwanda were definitely in demand pre-covid-19. The pandemic has slowed it down, but as we learn to cope and live with the pandemic, I feel like as an e-commerce business coach, people are now more inclined to seek our services and take hold of the online space and make money online.

Connect with Ingabire on her YouTube channel.