Independent study
Foundations of Coaching Small Business Owners, Self-Paced Course
Learn to Coach Small Business Owners –
Start Your Certified Systems Business Coach® Training Today.
Counts toward Certified Systems Business Coach® certification. On-demand format, not eligible for ICF CCEUs.
Start Coaching Small Business Owners With a Solid Foundation
This on-demand course helps you understand small business owners, what they need, and how a coach approach supports real change, across the most common business coaching conversations.
You gain the inside perspective most people miss, how small business owners think under pressure, what drives their decisions, and where coaching conversations go when the stakes are high.
You will learn the language, frameworks, and coaching conversation paths behind goals, strategy, money, culture, and market focus, so you can support business owners with confidence and credibility, without slipping into advising, rescuing, or doing the work for them.
Foundations is a high-value starting point for anyone exploring small business coaching and wants the flexibility to learn independently.
This Course Includes:
On Demand Coach Training
No boring lessons! Enjoy all eight online interactive small business coach modules at your own pace.
Coaching tools
Don't reinvest the wheel. You get access to our fully tested tools and strategies to move your clients forward.
Digital course access
Full online course access so you can learn at your own pace, revisit lessons anytime, and apply the material as you go.
Extra resources
So much to learn here. Additional reading materials, journal articles, and tools to enhance your learning
Class forum
Access the Foundations community forum to connect with learners across both self-paced and live cohorts, and learn from the questions, insights, and discussion threads built by over 150 past and current students.
Who should take the Self-Paced Small Business Coaching Foundations Course ?
Fast-tracking to Certified Systems Business Coach® certification
You already have business experience and want to move quickly through the Foundations content as part of your path toward becoming a Certified Systems Business Coach®. This self-paced format lets you build the required understanding, language, and context efficiently, while keeping your schedule flexible.
Curious about coaching small business owners
You are genuinely curious about what it takes to coach small business owners well. You want the inside view of how owners think, what they need, and where business coaching conversations go, without the expectations of being in a scheduled class.
Professionals who want the learning without the calendar
You want the full value of the Foundations curriculum, and you prefer to learn independently.
This on-demand course gives you the flexibility to move through rich content on your own pace, revisit lessons, and apply what you are learning in real time.
What You’ll Learn:
Imagine transforming your passion into a powerful force for change, offering much needed support to vulnerable small business owners. Our courses are grounded in both neuroscience and sound business principles, tailored to meet the unique needs of small business owners and their teams.
Here’s what you’ll gain from our comprehensive course modules:
Stop guessing what your client is thinking. Learn the “Client Decoder” framework to instantly understand their motivations, fears, and decision making style so you can connect from the very first minute.
Shift from informal chats to a professional coaching relationship. Learn how to set up the coaching partnership from day one, and help clients turn ideas into meaningful goals, priorities, and written commitments.
Bring structure to strategic planning conversations. Learn how to coach clients to define their direction, set priorities, and translate strategy into a practical plan.
Coach the person behind the numbers. Learn how to recognize money patterns, beliefs, and avoidance that can block progress, then use clear diagnostic questions to pinpoint cash pressure and guide smarter decisions.
Turn team stress into team structure. Learn how to coach owners through hiring, leadership expectations, and culture building, so the team performs and the owner can breathe again.
Help your clients stop wasting money on “hope marketing.” You will learn how to guide them to identify their best customers and focus their budget where it counts.
Turning your skills into a career. We walk you through the business side of coaching, how to find your first clients, how to price your services, and how to build a practice that sustains you.
Become a catalyst for change in the world of small business coaching and embark on a journey towards enriching lives and businesses. Join us and acquire the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact on your clients’ entrepreneurial ventures
COURSE FEE
Participant Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Exploring how to coach small business owners? You’re in the right place. Systems Business Coach offers small business coach training built specifically for the realities of business owners with fewer than 100 employees, the segment that makes up the vast majority of businesses globally. This is not generic leadership or executive coaching content. It is practical, business-specific learning for people who want to work with entrepreneurs and owner-operators.
This self-paced Foundations course gives you the inside knowledge that makes small business coaching effective, how owners think under pressure, what they need most, and the core conversation paths that show up again and again across leadership, finance, operations, team, and marketing. Learn at your own pace, get the full value of the curriculum without scheduled class times, and count this course toward becoming a Certified Systems Business Coach®.
Note: This on-demand course does not include live instruction and does not qualify for International Coaching Federation CCEUs.
What is the Foundations of Coaching Small Business Owners, Self-Paced Course?
It is an on-demand Foundations course that teaches the realities of small business ownership and the core business coaching conversation paths, so you can support entrepreneurs with credibility and clarity.
Does completing Foundations self paced 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.
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.
When to choose the self-paced Foundations Course over the same course with live instruction?
It is designed for experienced professionals fast-tracking toward Certified Systems Business Coach® certification, and for people who are genuinely curious about coaching small business owners and prefer learning without scheduled class times.
Have a question, book a call to speak to a real person!
https://link.systemsbusinesscoach.com/widget/bookings/sbc-discovery-call
Do I need prior coaching training to take this course?
No. This course is designed as a starting point. Prior business experience is helpful, and many learners come from roles where they already support entrepreneurs
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 5 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.
How long does the self-paced course take to complete?
Completion time depends on your pace. You can move quickly if you are fast-tracking, or take more time to reflect and apply the learning alongside client work.
How do I get started?
Enroll in the Self-Paced Foundations course through the product page and create your login.
Start with Module 1 and complete the lessons in order, it is designed to build your understanding step by step.
Download the worksheets and tools (where provided) and use them as you learn. This course is most valuable when you write, reflect, and apply.
Set a realistic learning rhythm that fits your schedule, for example:
60 to 90 minutes per week if you want steady momentum
2 to 3 hours per week if you are fast-tracking
Use the Student Forum to learn from past discussion threads and connect with other learners when you want added perspective.
Decide your next step after Foundations:
If you want live coaching skill practice and feedback, take Bootcamp next.
If you are working toward Certified Systems Business Coach® certification, continue along the certification path using your course completion as credit toward that designation.
Is this course only for professional coaches?
No. It is also a fit for helping professionals such as consultants, economic development officers, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing agencies, and business banking professionals who want a coach approach to support small business clients.
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.
