For those of you looking for greater freedom and autonomy as a business coach, perhaps you’ve been looking for a franchise opportunity. However, coaching franchises can be extremely costly and restrictive. (If you’re unfamiliar with coaching franchises, you can read our article here.) Today we’ll be weighing up the pros and cons of the Entrepreneurs Circle business coach certification against Business Coach Academy, taking a look at what each company offers, the costs you’ll incur, as well as reviews from paying customers.
Serial entrepreneur and business growth expert Nigel Botterill founded Entrepreneurs Circle to assist small business owners. As an Entrepreneurs Circle certified coach, you’ll get all the training and support that you need to build your own coaching business and provide maximum value to other business owners.
They currently have around 130 outlets, with franchise opportunities available across the UK.
Entrepreneurs Circle Cost
Becoming a certified coach consists of two parts. Firstly, there’s an initial training and joining fee of around £6,000 (VAT included). You’ll then have to pay a monthly licence fee of around £480 per month (VAT included).
You can read all about the different options you have to become a certified partner or franchise member here.
Business Coach Academy cost
First and foremost, Business Coach Academy is NOT A FRANCHISE. This means becoming a ProCoach requires a minimum upfront investment of as little as £9,600. In fact, there are 2 options to choose from:
- Part-time – £9,600 initial investment and £695 monthly operating costs. This is ideal for people who want a side hustle that generates £10,000 per month.
- Elite – £19,500 initial investment and £1,950 monthly operating costs. This is ideal for people who want to be self-employed, earning £20,000–£50,000 per month.
Keep in mind that you’re not buying into a franchise, so it’s far more simple and flexible. Furthermore, if you don’t hit £10,000 per month, you won’t pay anything; you’ll get £1,000 cash just for the trouble!
Is Buying Into a Franchise a Good Idea?
Buying into a franchise can severely restrict your coaching business. Furthermore, some franchises may urge you to quit your current position, go all in, and take on a great deal of risk. So buying into a franchise isn’t necessarily the best idea. Solutions out there like Business Coach Academy are designed so that you can train to become a prestigious business coach while staying in your current role by simply dedicating a few hours to the training at the weekend.
Some other cons of franchises include:
- You get a limited territory, which doesn’t protect you from anyone except other people in the same franchise
- Extremely lengthy contract terms, even if it’s not working for you
- Compulsory events
- Huge startup costs
- Expensive to operate as the franchises take a royalty alongside other recurring payments
Solutions out there like ours are designed so that you can train to become a prestigious coach without any of these terrible drawbacks.
Entrepreneurs Circle Reviews
Entrepreneurs Circle generally receives good reviews, with Google reviews giving an average of 4.8 stars and Facebook reviews giving an average of 4.6 stars. However, most of these reviews are from members, not actual certified coaches. They have a page dedicated to Certified Coach results, with many great results complimenting their proven systems; however, we weren’t able to find any exact numbers or figures.
Most complaints they receive seem to be regarding the lack of clarity around billing and the excessive number of emails you’ll receive when you sign up.
“Be VERY CAREFUL of their billing terms & conditions,” one user wrote, with another local guide saying “cancellation is not easily accessible.”
However, again, there’s a blurred line between members and certified coaches when it comes to reviews.
Business Coach Academy reviews
Business Coach Academy has all 5-star reviews on TrustPilot. They have an outstanding track record when it comes to training business coaches, with 100s of testimonials from coaches. Some of the results include:
- Coaches who have signed new clients in a matter of days
- Coaches who have gone from 0 to 6 figures in the space of a year
- Coaches who only have to work 10 hours per week
- Coaches who have gained the freedom to work from anywhere in the world
These are just some of the results they’ve been able to help their Certified Coaches achieve, and there are hundreds of others just like them:
Who is the Entrepreneurs Circle Certified Coach programme aimed at?
The course is aimed at a few distinct groups. Firstly, people who already have a coaching business but want better results. Secondly, people who have run their own business and know what it’s like to be an ambitious entrepreneur. And finally, people who are smart and hungry for success.
The company states they are looking for bright, switched-on people with an entrepreneurial streak. People who are able to spot opportunities to develop and grow a business. Successful franchisees need to be genuine ‘people people’ and able to easily build rapport with pretty much anybody. New coaches will have to put in considerable work and effort to achieve success. Therefore, franchisees will need ambition and drive to get there.
How to apply to Entrepreneurs Circle
To apply to become a coach, you will need to book a call with a representative of the Entrepreneurs Circle. On that call, the team will answer any questions you have, and you will discuss whether or not you are a good fit for the franchise. The process itself will typically involve multiple phone conversations and, in some cases, a face-to-face meeting via Zoom or in person at ECHQ.
What does the Entrepreneur Circle training include?
The training consists of an eight-part online training program. Entrepreneurs Circle founder, Nigel Botterill, will be in charge of your training. This online training concludes with the Certification Exam, which tests your new-found knowledge to ensure you are qualified enough to become a coach. Once you have passed the test, you’ll officially be a certified coach.
The training includes:
- Comprehensive video and in-person training
- Physical workbooks and printed reference guides
- Access to templates and tools
- Material packs for your clients to follow the process
Your coaching licence entitles you to trade under the Entrepreneurs Circle Certified Coach brand and name and to make use of the entire package and proposition. You get access to all aspects of the business, including marketing material, tools, and techniques.
Who is the Business Coach Academy Licence aimed at?
Business Coach Academy’s programme is for people with a high level of business experience; either they’ve worked at the director level in the corporate world or ran their own business previously. This experience gives you a strong framework and credibility as you begin your journey towards becoming a prestigious 6-figure business coach.
The programme is designed so that it can be done part-time, too. This means that, unlike franchises, you won’t have to give up your busy role, incur huge costs (both upfront and ongoing), and go all-in, taking on a huge level of risk as you do so. They’ve helped directors from prestigious firms like Apple, JCB, IBM, and Nike become successful coaches.
How to apply for the Business Coach Academy Licence
You can learn more about the licence and book a call via the Business Coach Academy website. Once it’s been established that you’re fit for the programme, you’ll have immediate access to the profit coach platform, community, resources, and materials.
What does the training include?
The online programme provides you with all the tools, training, and resources to launch your own highly successful coaching business.
The ProCoach Training
Each program has slightly different training. The Certification consists of 9 modules, while the Part-Time program has an additional 9 modules around sales and marketing. Finally, the Elite program has an additional 3 modules to help you build your coaching business to £20,000–£50,000 per month. Here’s an overview of the first 9 modules you’ll go through as part of the ProCoach Certification.
Each module is an in-depth discussion around one vital aspect of business coaching, and once all 9 modules have been completed, you’ll receive your certification. You’ll also have access to the course and the 9 modules forever on any device, as well as complete flexibility as to whether you want to pause or repeat any parts of the program.
Here’s a breakdown:
- 9 weeks training
- 1 year mentorship
- Full access to the extensive coaching community
- Monthly live Q&As
- Expert tools, worksheets, and materials to help your coaching business
- 1-1 calls with a millionaire coach
Here’s an overview of each coaching module:
Going Pro
The first week of the ProCoach training is all about laying the foundations for your new business. This involves structuring and optimising for achieving success in the easiest, fastest way possible.
Best Coach
The second module is concerned with learning the best coaching skills to handle any situation. This second module is designed to give you total clarity about the difference between business coaching and other change models, such as consulting. This means you only need to do what’s necessary to get your client exceptional results, and, as a result, your services will be in very high demand.
Coached Model
In the Coached Model module, you’ll learn the exact questions to ask clients. You’ll learn precisely how to create major personal shifts in any business owner by following a proven process—a 4-step system to deliver immediate value to every client you ever coach. You’ll have a clear coaching plan and know exactly how to deliver immediate value to any new client. Every session will be templated and already done for you, making your life as easy as possible.
Client Rulebook
By week 5, you’ll be learning how to create a clear process that helps you deliver exceptional results and, most importantly, retain your clients for years.
Proof Generator
In this stage of training, you’ll build confidence and credibility by getting and conducting free business coaching sessions. These will prove that you have the ability to change people’s businesses and lives by following what you’ve learned in the previous modules, eliminating any sense of imposter syndrome or lack of confidence in yourself and your own ability.
Perfect Offer
By the end of week 7, you’ll have crafted the perfect offer and profile setup to attract prospects who are ready to talk and become paying clients without having to deal with overly complex marketing funnels or things of a technical nature.
Fast Funnel
Nearing the end of your training, you’ll be able to use the FAST Funnel with £0 ad spend, a proven system to generate £1000-£5000 PCM clients on-demand. This means you can increase your income whenever you want and achieve true financial security.
Income Escalator
In the final week of your training, you’ll learn how to continuously make your coaching business easier to run and, at the same time, more profitable. These elite tools and tactics have helped generate amazing results like this:
Business Coach Academy or Entrepreneurs Circle?
Both businesses offer a brilliant opportunity if you’re looking to become an established business coach. Both have a similar number of coaches, similar pricing, and great testimonials. However, if you’re looking to become a prestigious coach without taking on excessive risk, Business Coach Academy is the right option for you.
Final Note
Feeling overworked in your corporate position? Dreaming of a better life where you have the autonomy, work-life balance, and family time you deserve? Or are you worried about job security and feel like you need an exit strategy from your current high-stress job? Learn more about how you could become the next Business Coach Academy success story here.
Other Information on Entrepreneurs Circle
Entrepreneurs Circle is based in the heart of the UK and has a team of skilled marketers and digital experts. Entrepreneurs Circle membership is only £99 per month + VAT, with one whole month of free membership included. However, becoming a new member is different from becoming a certified coach. EC membership is for ambitious business owners in general. They offer a select number of small business bursaries, but none of this includes the coaching certification. They also claim that members of Entrepreneurs Circle grow by at least 100% after 2 years of membership.
Furthermore, being a part of Entrepreneurs Circle gives you access to Entrepreneurs Circle resources and monthly networking meetings. As part of the meetings, you’ll supposedly be able to acquire new customers as well as enjoy the social aspect of the meeting.
