Ruth King calls herself an author, entrepreneur, and humanitarian. She’s owned and operated over seven businesses in the past 25 years, where she coaches and trains small business owners to become and stay profitable. We could call her the profitability coach.
She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
In this interview, she talks about how she got started and her journey as a coach and mentor.
Tell us about your journey
I started coaching in 1981. My mission in life is to have a profound, positive effect on people’s businesses and lives by providing the tools to help them get and stay profitable.
How did you choose your niche?
It found me. I had a friend who was working for a franchisor of heating and air conditioning companies. They needed help. I loved working with these contractors. They were great at fixing things but needed a lot of support in running their businesses. This where I helped them become more business savvy.
What was your biggest challenge as a coach?
Getting credibility.
As one of the first women in the HVAC industry in the 1980’s, few people believed that I knew anything. I got my contractors license which started the credibility. I worked hard, got excellent results, and my reputation spread.
How did you get your first client?
When I left the franchise, one of the franchisees suggested that I contact a distributor in Georgia. I did, and their dealers became some of my first clients.
How do you acquire clients?
Now it is through referral. I’ve written for the major industry publications for years. Every month I write a column for three publications. I’ve also written a weekly ezine since June 1999 that has given me many, many clients over the years.
What is your pricing methodology?
I charge per day. Rarely do I have an hourly, quick project. I also have a group that I work with each month which pays a monthly fee.
What are your revenue streams, as a coach?
I consult. I write. I speak. (Books, manuals, consulting days, and training days)
What advice do you have for someone who wants to become a coach?
Become an expert at something. Prove that you know what you are doing. Get testimonials and start writing in publications that your niche reads.
You have to love what you do.
If you don’t, coaching and consulting can be a horrible way to earn a living. Many people think it is easy. It’s not. You need to truly get to know your clients, both on a personal and a business level. You need to understand both to be successful. For the business to survive, the personal must survive.
I love seeing the lightbulbs go on with my clients. Many of them have become friends over the years. I can see their progress and cheer them on. My oldest client started with me in 1988. Many have gone on to sell their businesses for millions. That gives me a great deal of satisfaction.
Readers can connect with Ruth King through her website http://www.thecouragetobeprofitable.com
Interesting article! It’s nice when you can become friends with the clients you work with.
Awesome interview. And honestly kind of a trailblazer. Being women in the HVAC industry in the 80’s. Good for her. And I like the advise on multiple income streams. Very good!
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“You have to love what you do.” That really resonated with me. I’ve definitely been in a job I didn’t love. This is really the secret to her success.
Loving what you do is so important and most of us get there by accident. I’d encourage everyone to follow their dreams, even its not the path you had initially intended!
Loving what you do really is important. I am realizing that even more as I get older and my priorities are changing.
Such an interesting read would be perfect for anyone who is planning on being a coach or an expert
This is such an awesome interview. You shared to us your secret spice of your success. I will definitely check this out.
This was an awesome interview and a great reminder that loving what you do is important.
That is true. Building credibility is very important that is why only businessmen (or women) who mean business get to do business for long. It’s not about the short-term, it’s about investing in building trust. Lovely interview.