Not every season of business needs a coach—and some “must-hire” advice is straight-up nonsense. In this fiery, funny, double-blunt chat, Leonie and Tam unpack when coaching is actually worth it, the red flags to avoid, and smarter (often cheaper) alternatives that get real results—especially for neurodivergent, values-driven women running online businesses.
Who it’s for: Online business women who want strategic growth without guru-worship, bro marketing, or 70-hour weeks.
Top Takeaways
“Should I hire a coach?” isn’t the first question. Start with: What problem am I solving right now? Accountability? Systems? Marketing? ADHD-friendly productivity?
Pick by fit, not hype. Know your learning style (step-by-step system vs. options menu; strategy vs. energetics—or a blend).
Cost ≠ ROI. A $50k package when you’re under $100k revenue is rarely wise. Do the math, not the mantra.
Don’t stack mentors you can’t implement. Learning ≠ doing. Implementation wins.
Vet for longevity, ethics, and lifestyle match. Can you (and do you want to) run your business the way they run theirs?
Be a powerful mentee. Keep sovereignty. You own decisions, actions, and results.
Red Flags (Buyer Beware)
Meteoric “8-figure in 2 years” with zero long-term track record.
Follower spikes that smell like bots.
Income claims without ad spend transparency.
One-true-way formulas that punish deviation.
Values misalignment (politics/ethics you can’t stomach).
Hustle-glorification incompatible with your life, health, or spoons.
Smart Alternatives to Long Coaching Containers
Body doubling/accountability rooms for execution.
VIP Day / “Done in a Day” for systems or a 6-month plan.
Low-stakes test drive: a book, short course, or workshop before going deep.
Timestamped Guide
00:00 — Welcome back! Why this episode might surprise you.
01:12 — The real first question: do you need a coach—or something else?
03:05 — Picking style: accountability buddy, productivity, ADHD, intuitive + strategy, or “menu of options.”
06:18 — Tam’s calendar kryptonite: when “just go do it” isn’t helpful (and what to ask for instead).
09:40 — Body doubling > procrastination: simple ways to get sh*t done.
11:02 — Spectrum check: manifest girlies ↔ pure strategy (and how to choose).
14:30 — VIP Days & Website-In-A-Day: fast, focused outcomes without a 6-month saga.
16:15 — Time cost reality: hours to watch, think, and implement—do you have them?
18:04 — Money talk: when big-ticket coaching is a bad investment.
20:32 — The “3 masterminds at once” myth—and why implementation capacity is the limiter.
23:10 — Sunk-cost honesty: permission to stop when the fit is wrong (and forgive yourself).
25:26 — Due diligence: longevity, follower audits, income claims, and ad spend.
28:05 — Vibe & values: try a low-cost offer first; check ethics before you commit.
30:48 — Lifestyle fit matters: rejecting 5:30am–10pm hustle culture (spoons, parenting, health).
33:12 — How to be a powerful mentee: sovereignty, responsibility, and doing the work.
35:20 — Don’t pedestal your coach: keep what works, discard the rest.
37:45 — The sales-page mistake: why a “video + buy button” flopped (missing funnel context).
40:11 — Balance inner vs outer work: keep learning to ~10–20% of your week.
42:05 — Right relationship as a coach: no gurus, no dependence—just partnership.
44:00 — Wrap + how to share your “good mentee” growth edges.
If this helped, rate 5★ and send it to a business bestie who’s coach-curious but hype-hunted. Got topic requests? Email support@leoniedawson.com.
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