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The Question Nobody AsksMost people evaluate coaching from a purely financial perspective.But business ownership affects...
11/06/2026

The Question Nobody Asks

Most people evaluate coaching from a purely financial perspective.

But business ownership affects far more than your bank account.

What impact is your business having on your stress levels?

Your mental health?

Your relationships?

Your family?

Your ability to switch off?

Your freedom?

Many owners started a business because they wanted more freedom, more flexibility and more control over their future.

Somewhere along the way, they end up owning a business that controls them.

That's why I often ask business owners:

"If nothing changes over the next 12 months, are you happy with where your business and life will be?"

The answer to that question often tells you everything you need to know.

So, Is a Business Coach Worth the Money?

High-performance athletes don't reach the top alone.

Michael Jordan didn't get there alone.

Olympic gold medallists don't get there alone.

They have coaches, advisors, mentors and people around them who help them see what they can't see themselves.

Business is no different.

Running a business can be lonely.

Sometimes you need someone to challenge your thinking.

Sometimes you need accountability.

Sometimes you need a sounding board.

And sometimes you simply need someone who's been there before.

So rather than asking:

"How much does a business coach cost?"

Ask yourself:

"If I continue doing what I'm doing right now, what will that cost me?"

Because the right coach isn't simply an expense.

They're an investment in your income, your freedom, your growth and ultimately the life you're trying to build.

How Do You Choose the Right Coach?If I were recommending a coach to my own family, I'd ask three questions.1. Have they ...
10/06/2026

How Do You Choose the Right Coach?

If I were recommending a coach to my own family, I'd ask three questions.

1. Have they actually owned and run a business?

Running a business and talking about business are two very different things.

I'd want someone who understands cashflow pressure, payroll, hiring, difficult decisions and the realities of business ownership.

2. What do their clients say?

Look at reviews, testimonials and case studies.

What outcomes are people getting?

What was their experience?

The proof is usually in what clients say after they've worked together.

3. Are they practising what they preach?

I'd want to know what they're doing in their own business.

Are they growing?

Are they improving?

Are they actively implementing the same principles they're teaching others?

The Biggest Myth About Business Success

One piece of advice I strongly disagree with is hustle culture.

The idea that success requires 10, 12 or 15-hour days forever.

I've seen too many business owners burn themselves into the ground chasing this idea.

Working harder isn't always the answer.

Often the answer is becoming more productive, more intentional and more focused.

Many owners don't have a time problem.

They have a priority problem.

The goal isn't to work more.

The goal is to get better results from the time you already have.

What Makes Coaching Worth It?In my opinion, there are two parts to this.The first is the coach.A coach should be able to...
09/06/2026

What Makes Coaching Worth It?

In my opinion, there are two parts to this.

The first is the coach.

A coach should be able to clearly explain how they're going to help you generate a return on your investment. They should have real-world business experience, proven client results and a clear process.

The second part is the business owner.

Coaching only works when the owner is willing to implement.

A coach can identify opportunities, provide guidance and challenge your thinking, but they can't do the work for you.

If you're not prepared to take action, coaching becomes an expense instead of an investment.

Who Shouldn't Hire a Business Coach?

This might sound strange coming from a business coach, but coaching isn't right for everyone.

It's not a good fit for people who aren't prepared to take ownership.

If you're constantly blaming external circumstances, unwilling to listen, hiding problems or looking for someone to magically fix everything for you, coaching probably won't work.

The best coaching relationships happen when both parties are committed to solving the problem.

What Results Should You Expect?One of my clients owned a flooring business and was highly sceptical about investing in c...
08/06/2026

What Results Should You Expect?

One of my clients owned a flooring business and was highly sceptical about investing in coaching.

Like many owners, their biggest concern was whether there would actually be a return on the money they were spending.

Through an initial optimisation session, we identified several areas where profit was leaking from the business. More importantly, they had reached a point where they were simply sick of being stuck in the same position.

From there we focused on structure, accountability, systems and creating dedicated time each week to work on the business rather than constantly being trapped in the day-to-day.

Since then they've grown revenue, improved profitability, implemented better technology and systems, and established weekly directors' meetings to ensure important projects don't get lost amongst the chaos.

One of their Google reviews simply said:

"Working with Steve has been one of the best decisions we've made."

The reality is that the biggest gains often come from fixing things that are already sitting right in front of you:

Pricing that's too low
Time being spent on low-value activities
Poor visibility around the numbers
Lack of systems and processes
Constant firefighting instead of planning

The fastest returns rarely come from doing more.

They come from doing the right things better.

How to Know If a Business Coach Is Actually Worth the MoneyOne of the most common questions I get asked is:"How do I kno...
08/06/2026

How to Know If a Business Coach Is Actually Worth the Money

One of the most common questions I get asked is:

"How do I know if a business coach is actually worth the money?"

It's a fair question.

Whether you're investing $2,000, $3,000 or more each month, you want to know that you're going to see a return. Nobody wants to spend money on something that sounds good but doesn't actually move the needle.

But after working with business owners across trades, service businesses and growing companies, I've come to believe that most people are asking the wrong question.

Instead of asking:

"How much does coaching cost?"

A better question is:

"What is it costing me to stay where I am?"

Coaching Isn't About Information

Most business owners don't need more information.

There are thousands of books, podcasts, YouTube videos and online courses available for free. Information has never been easier to access.

What business owners are really paying for is experience, accountability, perspective and implementation.

A good coach helps you identify blind spots, challenge your thinking, understand your numbers and focus on the things that actually matter.

More importantly, they help you stop guessing.

I've seen too many business owners spend years trying to figure everything out themselves when a few small adjustments could have dramatically changed the outcome.

I'm often asked: "Is a business coach actually worth it?"It's a fair question — and one that deserves more than a yes or...
07/06/2026

I'm often asked: "Is a business coach actually worth it?"

It's a fair question — and one that deserves more than a yes or no.

This week I'm dedicating a post each day to unpacking it properly.

By the end of the week, you'll have a solid understanding of:

What coaching is (and what it isn't)

Who it's best suited for

How to evaluate whether the investment makes sense

What results you can realistically expect

Follow along and feel free to drop your questions in the comments — I'll do my best to address them through the series.

I'll be posting my first piece later today.

I'll be posting the first piece later today.

03/06/2026

Ever walked out of a sales meeting knowing the service was right, but the connection just wasn’t there?

Starting a business takes courage. Building one from scratch takes persistence. That's exactly what Ryan Plato has done ...
02/06/2026

Starting a business takes courage. Building one from scratch takes persistence. That's exactly what Ryan Plato has done with Plato Cleaning Solutions
After spending time helping Christchurch businesses improve their sales processes and business development, Ryan Plato discovered he loved working alongside business owners and creating positive change. When a consulting contract came to an end, he saw an opportunity to build something of his own. Inspired in part by his mum's background in cleaning and driven by a desire to create a business built on service, was born.
Today, the team provides residential, end of tenancy, Airbnb, commercial, and post-construction cleaning services across Christchurch, with a growing reputation for reliability, professionalism, and genuine care for their customers.
One story that stands out involved a Christchurch woman recovering from multiple strokes who needed help preparing her rental property for an end of tenancy inspection. The team stepped in, completed the clean, impressed the property manager, and helped her secure the outcome she needed. It's a reminder that cleaning is about much more than a tidy house. Sometimes it's about giving people support when they need it most.
What sets Plato Cleaning Solutions apart is their commitment to going the extra mile. With a customer satisfaction guarantee, attention to detail, and a friendly, approachable team, they're building a business where trust and service come first.
It's always great to see local businesses backing themselves and making a difference in our community.
If you know a local business doing great things, give them a shout-out below. Like, comment, and share to help support Christchurch businesses and the people behind them.

The scoreboard in business is no different to the scoreboard in sport.I was sitting courtside watching this game and it ...
02/06/2026

The scoreboard in business is no different to the scoreboard in sport.
I was sitting courtside watching this game and it got me thinking...
Every player on that court knows exactly where they stand.
The score is visible. The clock is visible. The stats are visible.
Nobody is guessing.
Yet when I sit down with business owners, one of the biggest challenges I see is they're trying to win a game without knowing the score.
They know they're busy. They know the phone is ringing. They know the team is working hard.
But they can't tell you:
Their gross profit margin.
Their cash position 90 days from now.
Their conversion rate.
Their labour efficiency.
Their breakeven point.
Imagine a basketball team turning up each week without knowing the score, the time remaining, or the game plan.
They wouldn't stand a chance.
Business is no different.
The best business owners I work with don't rely on motivation or hope. They rely on data, discipline, and consistent ex*****on of the fundamentals.
Because high performance isn't built on emotion.
It's built on knowing the numbers, understanding the game, and making better decisions under pressure.
So here's my question:
If your business had a scoreboard today, what number would you be most proud of... and which one are you avoiding looking at?
👇 Drop it in the comments.

Meet Sam from Southern Wash Worx — a young Christchurch business owner building something solid through hard work, good...
27/05/2026

Meet Sam from Southern Wash Worx — a young Christchurch business owner building something solid through hard work, good people skills, and getting stuck in.

After spending years in landscaping, construction, and project management, Sam realised he wanted to back himself instead of building someone else’s dream. What started as a side hustle cleaning windows quickly turned into a growing local business. In just a couple of months, Southern Wash Works has expanded from window cleaning into house washing, gutter cleaning, roof treatments, and solar panel cleaning across Christchurch.

What stands out is the approach. Sam knows inviting someone onto your property is about trust first. That’s why customers keep mentioning how easy he is to deal with, how reliable the service is, and how much pride he takes in the finished result. It’s not a faceless franchise. It’s a young local owner-operator who genuinely cares about doing a good job.

Southern Wash Works also focuses on safer, smarter cleaning methods like soft washing instead of aggressive high-pressure cleaning that can damage roofs and surfaces over time. It’s the small details and honest advice that are helping the business grow quickly through word of mouth.

As we head into winter, clogged gutters, dirty exteriors, and roof maintenance become a real issue for Christchurch homeowners. Sam’s making it easier for people to protect their homes without having to climb ladders or spend their weekends doing it themselves.

If you love seeing local Canterbury businesses backing themselves, give Southern Wash Worx a follow, tag someone who needs their place cleaned up, and share this post to support local.

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Christchurch

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+64273658238

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