Live Training with an Instructor
The Effective Small Business Coach Training Program ICF Level One (ACC)
Learn to Coach. Support Small Business.
Earn Your ICF Credential.
ICF Continuing Coaching Education Aligned Training
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.
What’s Included:
Courses
Learn to Coach Boot Camp, Small Business Coaching Foundations, and Mentor Coaching.
ICF Accreditation
60 hours of ICF-accredited coach training recognized toward the ACC credential.
Training
Live, interactive classes that combine theory, skill practice, and real client fieldwork.
Support
Personalized mentor feedback aligned with the ICF Core Competencies and ACC performance evaluation requirements.
Real-World Application
Practical application of the SBC Effective Business Coaching Method to real-world small business challenges.
Community
Experienced ICF-credentialed faculty and a supportive, small-cohort learning community.
Additional requirements for ICF ACC:
100 coaching hours (75 paid) ICF
Knowledge Exam
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.
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®.
COURSE FEE
Participant Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you exploring how to become a small business coach? You’re in the right place. Systems Business Coach® offers one of the only ICF-accredited coach training programs in the world dedicated exclusively to coaching small business owners. Unlike generic leadership or executive coaching programs, our training is built for helping professionals who work with entrepreneurs and business owners of companies with fewer than 100 employees, the segment that makes up 95% of all businesses globally.
Learn how to coach with confidence, earn your ICF credential, and support business owners where it matters most: leadership, finance, operations, team, and marketing.
Do I need previous business or coaching experience?
Helpful but not required. We start with foundations and build practical competence through live practice and feedback.
Does completing Foundations count toward becoming a certified Systems Business Coach®?
Yes. Foundations is the first step on the SBC pathway. After Foundations, you’ll have clear next steps to continue training and licensure.
What else do I need beyond Foundations to achieve ICF Level 1 / ACC?
We offer two (2) ICF Level 1 Programs.
#1 – The Effective Small Business Coach Training that includes Bootcamp, Foundations and Mentor Coaching
#2- For those who want to become a Certified Systems Business Coach, The Professional Small Business Coach Training program includes Bootcamp, a self paced version of our Foundations course, Certification and Mentor Coaching.
All students must pass the Level 1 ICF coaching performance exam included with the course , log 100 coaching hours, plus pass the ICF knowledge exam offered only by the ICF when you submit your graduation from one of our programs.
Book a call with one of our program advisors to discuss your unique learning goals. https://link.systemsbusinesscoach.com/widget/bookings/sbc-discovery-call
Who is Foundations small business coach training course for?
This program is ideal for:
- Anyone considering a career as a small business coach, this is a great first step!
Consultants
Economic development officers
Marketing agency professionals
Accountants and bookkeepers
Coaches wanting to specialize in small business
Advisors already working with entrepreneurs
Current business owners looking for a side hustle that builds on their experience
Explore our Foundations Course to get started.
What credentials do I need to become a small business coach?
To become a small business coach through Systems Business Coach®, you don’t need to be a certified coach before you start. Our accredited training path provides everything you need to:
Learn how to coach effectively using the ICF Core Competencies
Apply coaching skills to real small business challenges
Earn your ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential
The Foundations Course gives you an overview of our method and the fundamentals of coaching small business owners. It’s designed to help you understand the principles and structure of effective business coaching.
However, this introductory course does not include access to Systems Business Coach® tools, templates, processes, or licensing rights.
To gain access to our full suite of proprietary coaching materials and resources, you’ll continue on to become a Certified Systems Business Coach®. Certification includes licensed use of our complete toolkit of systems, guides, and tools, giving you everything you need to support any small business owner challenge with confidence and professionalism.
Learn more:
➡️ Small Business Coach Certification Program
How long does it take to become a certified small business coach?
With Systems Business Coach®, you can become certified faster than you might think. We offer two certification paths:
ICF Level 1 Certification – Complete in as few as 6 months.
Certified Systems Business Coach® – Earn your designation in less than 9 months.
Both programs prepare you to start coaching small business owners in as little as 12 weeks while you continue your training. This means you can begin building your coaching practice and gaining real-world experience long before you finish the full certification.
Can I make a living as a small business coach?
Yes—you absolutely can.
Our program is modelled after the real-life experience of our founder, who built a sustainable and profitable coaching practice working four days a week (Fridays off for family), taking summers off, and coaching 40 weeks per year. With a roster of 10 active one-to-one clients plus two group programs, this schedule generated approximately $200,000 annually.
And here’s the best part—it was achieved while charging about half of what many “guru” coaches charge. High fees can make it difficult to attract and retain clients. Our suggested pricing ensures everyone wins: the coach earns a healthy living, clients get exceptional value, and the community benefits from stronger, more sustainable small businesses.
With the right systems, tools, and pricing model, becoming a small business coach can be both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling.
Note: Our graduates build rewarding coaching practices through their own effort and drive. You’ll be responsible for finding and working with your own clients.
How do I get started?
You have two options:
Take the Small Business Coaching Foundations Course
This is the ideal starting point for anyone considering a career in small business coaching. It’s affordable, packed with deep and practical learning, and earns you 30 ICF CCEUs. You’ll gain valuable skills you can apply immediately, whether you decide to pursue full certification or not.Book a Discovery Call
If you’re unsure where to start or want to know how your unique experience and situation fit into a professional coaching career, schedule a free call with us. We’ll walk you through what it takes to become a professional certified small business coach and help you decide if Systems Business Coach® is right for you.
Book a Discovery Call
Help Small Business Owners Build Their Dream Business, while You Build Yours
Our Foundations course is designed to help you deeply understand small business dynamics and learn to effectively coach small business owners towards success.
Get the skills to build trust, establish rapport, challenge business owners, and implement foundational strategies for small business success.
