The Effective Small Business Coach Training Program ICF Level One (ACC)
Learn to Coach. Support Small Business. Earn Your ICF Credential.
Trusted by 700+ Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs Worldwide
Build your coaching skills and earn your ICF Level 1 credential with a focus on working with small business owners and teams.
This entry-level program is designed for professionals who want to develop strong coaching skills without committing to a full Systems Business Coach® license or certification. You’ll learn the SBC Effective Business Coaching Method, a practical system built on the ICF Core Competencies and designed specifically for coaching small business owners and teams.
You’ll discover how to hold powerful coaching conversations, support business growth, and strengthen leadership capacity while gaining the training hours required to apply for your ICF ACC credential.
VIRTUAL TRAINING
24 WEEK COMMITMENT
70 HOURS LEARNING
How to Sign Up?
This course had 3 required courses. Bootcamp and Foundations can be done in any order. Mentor coaching can start anytime after Bootcamp.
Small Business Coaching Foundations
Not sure which course to take first? Book a meeting and we’ll help you choose the best place to start based on your experience and goals.
ICF Level 1 Small Business Coach Training Program (ACC Pathway)
This program is ideal for:
Those who want to complete ICF Level 1 training toward the ACC credential, with a focus on coaching small business owners and teams.
Coaches, consultants, and advisors who already have their own tools, products, or frameworks and want to add recognized coaching skills and ICF credibility to their work.
Individuals at the beginning of their coaching journey looking for a solid, small business–focused foundation before pursuing certification or licensing with Systems Business Coach®.
What’s included
Learn to Coach Boot Camp, Small Business Coaching Foundations Course, and Mentor Coaching, everything you need to complete your ICF Level 1 training requirements.
60 hours of ICF-accredited coach training recognized toward the ACC credential.
Live, interactive classes that combine theory, skill practice, and real client fieldwork.
Personalized mentor feedback aligned with the ICF Core Competencies and ACC performance evaluation requirements.
Practical application of the SBC Effective Business Coaching Method to real-world small business challenges.
Experienced ICF-credentialed faculty and a supportive, small-cohort learning community.
When you’re ready to expand your skills and pursue certification, you can add the stand-alone Systems Business Coach® Certification Course, which includes licensing, tools, and business-building support.
What’s not included
This program does not include the Certified Systems Business Coach® designation, SBC® license, or access to the proprietary client tools, templates, or “business-in-a-box” systems. It’s focused purely on building coaching skills, credibility, and ICF eligibility, making it the perfect place to start your journey.
Coaching Bootcamp
Master the core coaching skills you need to support small business owners with confidence. This bootcamp gives you practical experience, real-world tools, and the guidance you need to help your clients succeed.
- Learn the ICF Core Competencies – Understand the essential coaching skills and apply them in realistic scenarios.
- Practice with Real-Time Feedback – Get live guidance and corrections during coaching exercises so you can improve fast.
- Build Confidence Through Structured Simulations – Step into realistic small business coaching situations to practice your skills safely.
Small Business Coaching Foundations
Move beyond generic coaching and focus on the real challenges small businesses face every day.
- Coaching Across Key Business Areas – Learn how to support owners in finance, operations, marketing, HR, and leadership.
- Systems Thinking Meets Coaching – Use structured approaches that consider the whole business, not just isolated problems.
- Designed for Sustainable Growth – Help clients build businesses that are organized, profitable, and built to last.
Mentor Coaching & Exam Prep
Fulfill your ICF mentor coaching requirements and prepare for the ACC-level Credentialing Exam.
11 Hours Total – Includes four 2-hour group sessions plus three private sessions for personalized mentor coaching support.
Practical Feedback Aligned with ICF Standards – Receive detailed, actionable feedback on your coaching skills using the ICF Core Competencies and PCC Markers as a guide. This process ensures you are coaching at the level expected for your ACC credential application.
Exam Preparation – Each candidate must also prepare for and successfully complete the ICF Credentialing Exam (ACC level), which measures understanding of the ICF Core Competencies, Code of Ethics, and coaching mindset. We’ll guide you through this stage so you feel confident and ready on exam day.
ICF CREDENTIAL PATHWAY
By finishing this ICF Level 1 program, you complete all the education and mentor coaching requirements needed to apply for your Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
To earn your ACC, the ICF also requires 100 hours of client coaching experience, including at least 75 paid hours. We’ll help you plan and track your coaching hours so you can reach this milestone efficiently.
Why the ICF Credential Matters
Earning your ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential isn’t just about letters after your name—it’s about standing out as a qualified, ethical, and effective coach.
For professionals who support small business owners, having an ICF credential means:
Credibility – You’re recognized globally as a trained and trusted coach who meets the gold standard in the industry.
Clarity of Role – You can confidently shift from giving advice to facilitating insight, helping business owners take ownership of their solutions.
Stronger Client Relationships – Coaching skills rooted in presence, listening, and powerful questioning create deeper, more productive conversations.
Better Results for Business Owners – When you coach the person, not just the problem, your clients gain the clarity and confidence to grow sustainably.
Competitive Edge – Whether you’re in banking, consulting, accounting, or advisory services, coaching credentials distinguish you from others in your field.
An ICF credential signals your commitment to professional excellence—and small business owners notice the difference.
We use a modular, pay-as-you-go pricing system designed to keep the course affordable and Systems Business Coach® accountable. The total cost for the complete Effective Small Business Coaching Course, including the ACC performance evaluation, is approximately $3,800
Simply register and pay for each course as you’re ready to take it.
All courses have location-based pricing and payment plans available.
Let’s find the right times and dates for you. Book a meeting using the link at the top of the site.
Boot Camp options:
🗓️ November 5 – December 17, 2025 — Wednesdays, 9:00 am PT / 12:00 pm ET
- 🗓️ January 15 – February 19, 2026 — Thursdays, 1:00 pm PT / 4:00 pm ET
- 🗓️ February 24 – March 31, 2026 — Tuesdays, 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET
- 🗓️ September 10 – October 15, 2026 — Thursdays, 9:00 am PT / 12:00 pm ET
Foundations Options:
🗓️ September 9 – October 28, 2025 — Tuesdays, 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET
🗓️ November 3 – December 22, 2025 — Mondays, 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
- 🗓️ January 7 – February 25, 2026 — Wednesdays, 9:00 am PT / 12:00 pm ET
- 🗓️ March 5 – April 23, 2026 — Thursdays, 1:00 pm PT / 4:00 pm ET
- 🗓️ April 7 – May 26, 2026 — Tuesdays, 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET
- 🗓️ October 22 – December 17, 2026 — Thursdays, 9:00 am PT / 12:00 pm ET
Mentor Coaching:
📆 Weekly sessions every Monday at 8:00 am PT / 11:00 am ET, plus 1:1 coaching scheduled via booking calendar. (No class on holidays.)
Graduates of the Effective Business Coach Training Program are invited to become Certified Systems Business Coaches®—licensed to use the complete SBC toolbox, including proven processes, templates, assessments, training modules, marketing resources, and ongoing support.
What Your Peers Are Saying
Help Small Business Owners Build Their Dream Business, while You Build Yours
A Certified Systems Business Coach ® helps entrepreneurs create an Organized & Profitable ® business – using the best practices of coaching: where neuroscience and human behaviour are applied for optimal engagement and results.
