Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching
Dual Certification
The Complete Systems Business Coach® Training Program
Complete ICF Level 1 Coach Training
Systems Business Coach® Certification
Live, Interactive Online Training
Real-World Coaching Experience
Mentor Coaching & Personal Feedback
Licensed Tools & Ready-to-Use Programs
Includes four core courses: Bootcamp, Foundations, Certification, and Mentor Coaching.
Together, these programs help position you as a well-trained small business coach and support your path toward an ICF ACC credential through Level 1 coach education.
Foundations may be taken live or self-paced.
The Advanced Certificate is accredited through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and meets the education requirements for the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential at Level 1. Graduates also get all the advantages of becoming a Certified Systems Business Coach® included with the training program.
Systems Business Coach trains coaches, consultants, advisors, and economic development professionals to use a coach approach, systems thinking, appreciative inquiry, and practical small business tools to support small business owners.
What’s included: Dual Certification
Coaching Bootcamp (6 weeks), learn a clear, practical coaching method you can use immediately.
Small Business Coaching Foundations (8 weeks), coach real small business challenges using tools and business context that fit.
Become a Certified Systems Business Coach® (12 weeks), earn your Systems Business Coach® certification with licensed access to SBC tools, techniques, and strategies.
Five observed coaching sessions, required for the ICF Level 1 credential pathway.
Mentor Coaching (90 days), feedback and review aligned with the ICF Core Competencies and performance requirements.
ACC Level Performance Evaluation completed as part of the program, with guided preparation and support.
Experienced ICF-credentialed faculty and a supportive small-cohort learning community.
Live, interactive classes, theory, skill practice, and real client fieldwork.
Additional requirements for ICF ACC:
100 coaching hours (75 paid)
ICF ACC Exam
What’s included: Dual Certification
You graduate with a complete, ready-to-deliver small business coaching toolkit, including tools, programs, slide decks, and presenter notes.
Licensed access to SBC’s complete tool suite, ready-to-use templates, diagnostics, planning tools, and coaching resources built for 1:1, group coaching, and business planning programs.
Digital copy of the Successful Small Business Systems Field Guide, your core framework for coaching across the full business system.
Done-for-you program assets, including slide decks, presenter notes, and fully developed sessions you can deliver in your community without spending years building curriculum and tools.
Featured on the Systems Business Coach® website as a Certified Systems Business Coach®.
Join the global community of SBC coaches, connection, collaboration, referrals, and ongoing support.
Ongoing training and updates, so your skills and tools stay current as the small business landscape changes.
This program is ideal for:
Aspiring Business Coaches
You’re considering small business coaching as a profession and want to start with a structured, proven approach.
Coaches & Business Professionals
You already coach or work with small business owners and want to go beyond advice to help clients create meaningful results.
Coaches Ready to Grow Their Impact
You want the confidence, credibility, and systems to make your coaching more measurable, effective, and sustainable.
Your Satisfaction Is Guaranteed
Try the course risk-free for 30 days.
If it doesn’t deliver the results you expected, we’ll provide a full refund.
Participant Reviews
I love the idea of small business, and they are the heroes of the economy. And it’s so tough and it can be lonely. And sometimes it is a coaching conversation that needs to happen. I feel like having systems and having the framework so I can not only be certified but but have that extra bit of confidence to sell myself and have that conversation.
Chris Wilkinson
Small Business Coach
I’m a CPA, and I’ve always worked with Small Business owners. I opted into this program because I am looking to transition my career to becoming a small business coach. I’ve always really enjoyed those interactions and that kind of relationship and I want to continue that on as I transition into my later career life and that’s why I’m here.
Kirsten Jenner
CMA CPA Certified Systems Business Coach®
Sometimes when people are stuck, yes, it might be a limiting belief. Yes, it might be something that’s coachable, but actually it might also be something that’s really practical. And the resources that I’ve seen from a systems business coach I think are going to be incredible for that.
Mike Kaufman
Executive Coach
The learning from this course has been immediately useful, effective and stays true to a coach approach. I encourage any certified coaches working with small businesses to take this step in their coach learning journey. Not only have I learned new systems and tools for my coaching clients, I have also been able to apply these systems and tools in my own small coaching practice.
Annette Siewertsen
Certified Systems Business Coach®
Local Currency shown at Checkout
30-day money-back guarantee
Secure this price today while still available.
Everything You Need to Build Your Coaching Skills:
Four Complete Coaching Courses
ICF Level 1 Training Toward ACC
Systems Business Coach® Certification
Observed Coaching & Mentor Feedback
Licensed Coaching Tools & Programs
Ongoing Training, Community & Support
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.
How do I become a small business coach?
The Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching provides everything you need to become a successful small business coach:
- Credibility from two coaching certifications (ICF ACC and Systems Business Coach® Certification)
- Access to licensed, ready-to-use Systems Business Coach® coaching tools, marketing and business development support, and a global community of peers.
- A proven, structured coaching framework built from over a decade of real-world experience by a leading authority on small business coaching.
Systems Business Coach® also offers other training programs as pathways to becoming a small business coach.
Who is the Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching for?
Business Coaches & Other Professionals Supporting Small Businesses
- Current business coaches, consultants, marketing agency owners, and advisors who want a complete, ready-to-deliver package of proven tools, programs, and resources you can put into immediate use with small business clients.
ICF Credential Seekers
- Those who want to complete ICF Level 1 training toward the ACC credential while focusing on coaching small business owners and teams.
Aspiring Small Business Coaches and Career Changers
- Aspiring small business coaches beginning their coaching journey and seeking multiple coaching certifications.
- Career changers with business experience looking to start a new chapter after leaving a corporate role, navigating a layoff, or retiring from a successful career.
What is the benefit of earning ICF credentials AND becoming a Certified Systems Business Coach®?
While both are globally recognized coaching certifications, they have distinct benefits. The Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching is a small business coach training program that combines the benefits of both certifications.
Certified Systems Business Coaches®:
- Gain access to licensed, ready-to-use coaching tools, marketing and business development support, and a global community of peers.
- Are trained specifically to support small business owners using a proven, structured framework built from over a decade of real-world experience by a leading authority on small business coaching.
ICF-Credentialed Coaches:
- Hold credentials recognized by the world’s leading independent coaching federation, signalling adherence to ICF coaching competencies and ethics standards.
How long does it take to complete the Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching?
The Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching requires a minimum of 9 months to complete. Your commitment to completing coaching hours affects the overall program duration.
To graduate from the training program, there are two parts to complete:
6 months: If you stay consistent with your coaching hours throughout the training program, you can be ready to apply for your Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential.
12 weeks: The Systems Business Coach® Certification section of the program.
How do I know if the Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching is the right course for me?
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 small business coach and help you decide if training with Systems Business Coach® is right for you.
What small business coaching courses are included in the Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching?
How soon can I start coaching small business owners?
During the Advanced Certificate in Small Business Coaching, you can begin building your coaching practice and gaining real-world experience while working toward your coaching certifications.
This small business coach training program prepares you to start coaching small business owners in as little as 12 weeks while you continue your training.
What are observed coaching sessions?
Through observed coaching sessions, our ICF-credentialed faculty observe your coaching to provide written feedback. Observed coaching sessions are required for the ICF Level 1 (ACC) credential.
What is the ACC Exam?
To earn ICF Level 1 (ACC) certification, you must achieve a passing score on the ACC Exam.
The ACC Exam is knowledge-based, covering three broad domains: Coaching Ethics; Definition and Boundaries of Coaching; and Coaching Competencies, Strategies, and Techniques.
Become a Certified Small Business Coach
Gain the training, tools, certification, and support to build your skills and make a greater impact with small business clients.
