Queer Business Coach — 5 Tips to Know
Are you looking for a queer business coach? In this blog post, I’m going to share 5 things to consider before hiring a coach!
Most images for blog posts about ~business~ are boring, so I’ve used photos of.. me!
Let’s get to it:
Background — Queer Business Coach
Before we get started, I think it would be helpful to know who I am — and my background. I love finding information and tips through Google search, and knowing the “who” behind the post helps inform my next steps.
So, hi! My name is Brianne Huntsman, and I use she/her pronouns. I began offering business coaching after working in online marketing and product design for almost 10 years. Most of my work was as a contractor (at first) and then a business consultant. I have worked with a lot of different businesses over the years, diving deep into their niche to then inform business activities.
Put another way, I’m a super nerd who loves making people money.
Put another way, I’m a super nerd who loves making people money.
Eventually, I launched a business coach offering, because folks requested it!
I identify as a queer femme, I’m white, cisgender and don’t have kids! Also, I’m a Sagittarius with Leo/Leo moon and rising. I grew up in a conservative Christian religion, and I GTFO’d out of that situation. I use the term “witch” to describe my spiritual practice.
Triple fire sign, folks!!!
5 Tips — Before Hiring a Queer Business Coach
Below, I’ve shared my 5 tips (or to-do list items) that are aimed at helping you find + work with a rad queer business coach.
Queer Business Coach Tip #1: Explore your money mindset.
Ok, real talk: Many of my queer coaching clients have a truckload of feelings around money and making money.
Owning a business in the time of ~late capitalism~ is a whole trip. Negative feelings and attitudes around money can cause queer business owners to self-sabotage – or lead to feast/famine in their business.
Over the years, I’ve seen a number of queer entrepreneurs self-sabotage their business, because they felt like they were making too much money.
Real talk: I’ve also done this!
When exploring your money mindset, it’s helpful to start with how you speak about money.
Do you find yourself thinking or saying the following?
- Rich people are evil
- People who care about money are unethical
- Eat the rich
- Money comes rarely, so I have to hold onto it at all costs
- I hate thinking about or talking about money
If this sounds like you, you are not alone! I’ve written and shared a LOT about my own money journey on my blog, and figuring out all of this can be tough.
Before investing in a coach, I recommend that you first work on your money attitudes.
Before working with a business coach, work on your money attitudes.
I recommend listening to the following books on audio, for ~30 minutes a day. I specifically recommend listening to these books, as they’ll help you tackle your money mindset.
- You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
- We should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers (written for women, but applicable to everyone!!)
Note: When it comes to personal development, you are not going to agree 100% with anyone. This is okay. Take what works and leave the rest.
In my own work with clients, I help clients work through their fears around money and develop authentic affirmations (or other creative practices) to tackle this.
Queer Business Coach Tip #2: Define your queer politics
Oftentimes, a business owner is looking for a queer business coach, because they want someone who has similar politics.
Buuuuut, we can’t assume someone’s politics.
If someone is out there saying, “I’m a queer business coach” then you should very easily find info on their politics online.
They should be talking about their politics on social media, in their branding, etc.
And, in my opinion, those politics should be offensive to some people.
For example, I see a lot of coaches touting “the importance of diversity and inclusion” on their website or social media posts.
Okayyyyyy, that doesn’t actually tell us a whole lot. Where’s the discourse an anti-racism? How they engage with late capitalism? Body autonomy?
The info should be out there.
And their stance should piss a few folks off, especially Democrats. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
My politics:
- SW positive
- Pays reparations
- Pro-Choice AF
- Believe in body-autonomy and right to self-determine clothing and what you wear
- Healthcare for all // Universal Healthcare
- Decriminalization of drugs
Take a moment to think on what political issues are important to you. When interviewing queer business coaches, I encourage you to ask the coach about their politics + stance on specific issues.
Queer Business Coach Tip #3: Avoid Faux Therapists!
When it comes to hiring a queer business coach, it is critical to avoid “Faux Therapists.”
If, in a business coach’s copy, they come across as a therapist – run.
That’s highly unethical, and not ok!
Coaches are not mental health practitioners. This is a huge red flag.
In my experience, the best coaches go out of their way to tell you that they’re NOT a therapist!
In my experience, the best coaches go out of their way to tell you that they’re NOT a therapist!
Queer Business Coach Tip #4: Define ROI
A queer business coach can help you with a variety of issues! From email marketing to operations to how to politely tell people to “FUCK OFF!” – there’s a lot of options!
Before hiring a queer business coach, ask yourself, “What outcomes or solutions do I need to see to feel good about this investment?”
Do you:
- Want to launch a specific product (with your coach’s help?)
- Do you need to see a specific increase in revenue?
- Do you want to hit a certain number of sales or website visitors?
- Shifted perspective or attitude towards (fill in the blank)?
Knowing how you will measure value is critical to the process. Some business coaches focus on tactics and specific changes, while others can focus more on attitude and approach.
If you’re not sure how you’d measure value, take a moment to brain dump 10 sticky problems you have that you want help with.
If you’re not sure how you’d measure value, take a moment to brain dump 10 sticky problems you have that you want help with.
Boom! Those can be the things you ask your queer business coach about!
BONUS! Queer Business Coach Tip #5: Clear Pricing
Another red flag to watch out for are queer business coaches who do not have pricing publicly available.
Some folks do this on purpose, because they want to get you on a sales call — and convince you to buy immediately.
Like, they will ask for your credit card on the call.
EW!
I’m not here for that, which is why I post pricing + estimates on my website. Often, clients end up with a customized package, and that’s ok! Every coach knows what they charge, and I recommend avoiding coaches who act like this is a mystical number you can only have access to by booking a call!
BONUS! Queer Business Coach Tip #6: Hard Truths, Clear Communication & Cheerleading
In the coaching world, some coaches act as toxic cheerleaders – only saying nice things — and not giving any critical feedback.
Other coaches can be too blunt.
I know I err on the side of being blunt!
When hiring a queer business coach, make sure to ask, “How do you share critique or critical feedback with clients?”
If they flail around and give a non-answer, then it’s a no go!
Queer Business Coaching in 2022
There’s the list of tips! I hope this helps you on your business journey. If you’re looking for a queer business coach to work with in 2022, I’d love to chat! My website can be found here. I also tweet a lot about business over here!
