Coaching Resources

Thank you for volunteering to be a coach!  We hope the information on this page will help you get the most out of your coaching experience.  Being a coach is an experience that will is both rewarding and challenging. For more information on who we serve, please click here. You can also read about a C.E.O. Women client's experience with the coaching program.

Below, you will learn:
coaching

Savita Nair coaches C.E.O. Women client Beatriz Mena.

Being a C.E.O. Women Coach

  • The objective of the Coaching Program is to help recent C.E.O. Women graduates to clarify important business issues, set goals, identify and address barriers to their success, and create action plans that work.
  • You should be able to commit at least 1-2 hours a week to your coaching relationship for the duration of the 3-month program
  • We have made this coaching program flexible, but we strongly recommend meeting with the client in person when possible or via phone.  In-person meetings will help you and the client build a stronger relationship.
  • We encourage you set goals and expectations for the coaching relationship. See the Goals Worksheet below for more help with this.  As a coach, you should help your mentee plan, problem solve, and find resources. She is responsible for defining her goals and identifying the specific advice that she needs.
  • Please contact volunteer@ceowomen.org with any questions or concerns.

Tips for Working with C.E.O. Women Clients

All of our clients are learning English and most have limited Internet access, so please be patient and help them by considering these tips:
  • Keep your sentences short and direct. Use the present or simple past tense whenever you can.
  • Enunciate. Speak clearly.
  • Focus on your main points. Clients get lost during tangents.
  • Repeat important ideas; say the same thing again in a different way.
  • Use the simplest words to make your point. Instead of "expedite the process," say "make it fast."
  • Speak literally. Avoid abstract expressions. (e.g. "out of the blue,")
  • Be flexible about methods of contact. Be prepared to conduct meetings over the phone or in person, rather than via email.
  • Be patient. Recognize that the majority of clients are very low-income and many are single mothers, so work with clients to ensure that meetings accommodate both of your schedules.
  • Be open to cultural differences. Recognize that your mentee might come from a country with a very different concept of time or communication style. By the same token, part of your role as mentor is to help your mentee adjust to the American professional norms needed to be successful.

Resources for Coaches

  • "Building Your Relationship" Resources -Links to action plans, tips, and behaviors that lead to a successful mentoring relationship. 
  • C.E.O. Women Volunteer Page -Information about C.E.O. Women, the communities we serve, and volunteer training opportunities.
  • C.E.O. Women FAQs -We answer some of the most commonly asked questions about our mission, program,  and outcomes
  • Goal Setting Worksheet -Use this worksheet to help the client outline her long- and short-term goals.  Setting specific, attainable goals will help you and the client make the most out of your coaching relationship.
  • First Meeting Agenda -This suggested agenda will help you get to know the client, understand her goals and expectations, and be prepared for the next steps.
  • Sample Introduction Letter -A good starting point for making initial contact through the MicroMentor program.
  • MicroMentor Resource Center -These pages have sections with "Entrepreneur Resources" and "Business Tools & Resources" to support you and your mentee. 
  • C.E.O. Women Business Resources Page -Lists a number of articles, worksheets, and videos that can help with all aspects of starting and running a business.  This page also has Resource Directories for the Bay Area and Santa Clara County that provide general services, education, training, and much more. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of questions will clients have for their coaches?

Each client will have a different set of questions and different goals.  Frequently asked questions of C.E.O. Women clients include:
  • How do I apply for the appropriate permits and licenses for my business?
  • How do I finish writing my business plan (in English)?
  • How do I find customers for my business?
  • What kinds of marketing materials do I need?
  • Where should I start my business (at home, in a farmers market, in a store front, etc.)?
  • How do I find a location for my business?
  • I am a full time mom, student, and employee.  How do I find balance and room for entrepreneurship in my life?
  • How do I get over my fear of speaking English with strangers and interact with my customers?
  • How do I decide on prices and packaging for my products?
  • What kind of legal structure do I need for my business?
  • Where can I go for help? 

What business background will C.E.O. Women clients have?

All coaching program participants have graduated from C.E.O. Women's Starting a Small Business training program and have a completed business plan portfolio.  Coaching program participants have existing businesses OR plans to start up their businesses in the next 6 months.

What kinds of businesses are C.E.O. Women clients starting?

Recent C.E.O. Women graduates businesses include:
  • Graphic design companies
  • Restaurants
  • Catering businesses
  • Farmers' market food stalls
  • Import/ Export businesses
  • Copy shops
  • Janitorial supply companies
  • Childcare businesses
  • Galleries/ Fine Arts and Crafts Sales
  • E-bay businesses (selling toys, clothing, etc.)

Will all coaching volunteers be matched with clients?

Not all interested volunteers will be immediately matched with a client. C.E.O. Women is careful in the matching process.  We want to ensure that we find a client who will benefit most from your skills and expertise.  If you are not selected to work with a client now, we will put you into our provider database and contact you as future needs arise.