Small Business Coaching

If you are just getting started:
Henry can help you determine if you are ready to be your own boss - and if you are not quite ready, he can help you put together a plan to get there!
He can also help you develop your business idea, make the transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, develop your business plan and model, get your small business launched, and organize and manage your business for growth, profit and success!
If you are an existing small business owner:
Henry can help you organize and grow your business by improving your marketing, operations and management systems, allowing you to finally realize the benefits and freedoms of being your own boss!

Coaching Client Testimonial

Duncan Gill
Child Psychiatrist, Owner of Direction Behavioral Health Associates

Coaching Client Testimonial:

How did Henry help you achieve your business goals through his coaching?
Henry has been tremendous: he’s personal, very smart, and understood where I was coming from immediately. He’s also been extremely available and genuinely interested in my expansion of my business, and he has gone above-and-beyond in helping me bring it to the next level.

Would you recommend Henry as a business coach and why?
Absolutely — his help has been invaluable for my business. I signed up for the 6-meeting package and now plan on continuing to meet with him monthly, and perhaps until one of us retires. 🙂

Henry Lopez' coaching programs are designed to help you with every stage of your entrepreneur journey.

From preparing for the challenges of entrepreneurship and launching your first business, to growing and operating a profitable small business and perhaps navigating a successful business exit, Henry provides you the support and guidance you need.

Henry's coaching clients have enjoyed overwhelmingly positive results, and they appreciate Henry's coaching style and approach, as highlighted by his numerous 5-star reviews and testimonials.

With over three decades of business experience, Henry has seen first-hand the challenges and obstacles small business owners can face.

He can help you achieve your goals and realize your vision of successful business ownership.

From helping you find and launch a small business that's right for you, to scaling and eventually exiting, Henry's coaching programs provide the guidance and support you need...

Determine if you are ready to be your own boss.
It starts with clearly defining your personal why. Why do you want to be a business owner, and are you ready for the challenges and sacrifices?

Henry will help you develop a clear vision and purpose and a realistic and honest understanding of what it will take to be successful.

Prepare for Entrepreneurship.
From developing a strong and positive mindset, to ensuring that your personal finances and credit are strong, Henry will provide valuable guidance to help you get ready to become a successful business owner.

Develop your Business Idea, Model and Plan for success.
Henry will assist you with the development of your business idea and creating a solid business plan that will help you validate your business model - resulting in a higher probability of success for your small business.

This includes a comprehensive Business Plan and Financial Projections to guide your business launch and startup stages.

Henry can also help you create the foundation for a successful business partnership, and secure loans or investors for your business.

You are invited to schedule a free coaching consultation session with Henry Lopez.

There is no obligation and no credit card required. This is your opportunity to meet with Henry Lopez, and successful serial entrepreneur, through an online conference (you can choose audio only, or video and audio) using Zoom.

During this free session, you will learn more about Henry's coaching style and approach, he will provide guidance and insights on your top issues and questions, and explain how he works with his coaching clients.

After the free consultation call, you will be better able to determine if Henry can help you achieve your goals and dreams - to launch your first business or to grow your existing small business.

If you are interested in Henry's one-on-one small business coaching program, the first step is to schedule a free consultation.

Private one-on-one online coaching sessions with Henry Lopez.

Initial Coaching Session Package:

Six 1-hour business coaching sessions – one session every two or three weeks (you and Henry will jointly schedule the calls at the appropriate intervals) over a period of three to six months, depending on your needs and situation.

These 1-on-1 coaching sessions are conducted through internet video conference calls using Zoom, and can be recorded for your future reference.

Includes Email Business Support in between coaching sessions.

During the first coaching session, you will work together to establish the goals to be accomplished by the end of the program.

Henry will customize his proven coaching methodology to help you achieve your specific small business goals.

After completing the Coaching Program, you can schedule individual follow-up coaching calls at Henry's hourly rate or renew the coaching program.

If you are interested or ready to begin your one-on-one small business coaching program with Henry Lopez, the first step is to schedule a free consultation.

If you have already completed your free consultation and are ready to invest in the coaching program, please email Henry directly (or complete the Contact Form below) for instructions on next steps.

The next steps will include reviewing and signing the simple Coaching Agreement, submitting your payment (through PayPal), and scheduling your first coaching call.

Coaching Client Testimonial

Angela Wagner
Entrepreneur, Life & Wellness Coach, Yoga Teacher/Trainer

Coaching Client Testimonial:

“Henry was a fantastic mentor to me for many years.

He helped me organize my financials, understand my P&L, lower costs/increase profits, and grow my company and offerings. He also helped me launch my podcast as well as my online business.

Henry listens, cares, and has a wealth of knowledge from creating, purchasing, and selling so many different types of businesses.

He really understands what you go through as an entrepreneur so you not only get the business mentoring but also the emotional and mental support that I believe every small business owner needs.”

The SuRGE business growth methodology is based on the 4 primary stages of a small business: Start, Run, Grow and Exit.

The future success of your business depends on executing on each of these foundational stages.

A well planned and funded Start, allows for the development of critical systems in the Run stage, which then supports your ability to scale in the Grow stage, and finally leads to the opportunity to Exit or transition your business.

SuRGE Methodology Life Cycle:

1. 1. START your small business.
    Focus: Build or Buy a small business.
    Goal: Launch and achieve profitability.
  2. RUN your small business.
    Focus: Develop systems and teams.
    Goal: Prove business model, create repeatable systems, empower your team, and prepare for scaling.
  3. GROW your small business.
    Focus: Scaling and repeatability.
    Goal: Refine business model, stabilize operations, develop leadership team, maximize profits, invest in growth.
  4. EXIT or transition from your small business.
    Focus: Plan and prepare for transition or exit.
    Goal: Leadership, and prepare for your transition and/or exit.

If you are not ready for one-on-one coaching, or simply prefer group coaching, then consider joining The How of Business Group Coaching Membership Program.

The Group Coaching Membership Program, hosted on Patreon, provides you with exclusive benefits, including workshop discounts, exclusive content, monthly group coaching sessions with Henry Lopez, and more...

Group Coaching Membership Program:
Investment: $49.99 monthly subscription (cancel anytime)

Group Coaching Membership exclusive benefits include:
🔹 Monthly Group Coaching Sessions with Henry Lopez.
🔹 "Ask Me Anything" - Henry answers your business questions.
🔹 Workshop Discounts
🔹 Online Courses Discounts
🔹 Exclusive Content

Group Coaching Membership Benefits:

Jennifer Ballard
Owner, Peak Wellness Studio

Coaching Client Testimonial:

How did Henry help you achieve your business goals through his coaching?
Henry’s coaching has been invaluable in developing Peak Wellness Studio. He provided clear guidance on everything from financial planning and marketing to long-term growth strategies. His calm, confident approach and deep knowledge helped me stay on track and feel secure in my decisions, knowing I had a seasoned expert on my team. I wouldn’t be where I am without his support. I know that he will be an asset during all stages of my business.

Would you recommend Henry as a business coach and why?
I can confidently and enthusiastically recommend Henry Lopez’s Coaching Program. Henry has been an invaluable asset at every step of my business development process. His experience, insight, and strategic thinking have had a profound impact on my journey.

His ability to guide me through financial projections—from startup costs to ROI and long-term forecasts—was crucial in helping me make informed decisions and secure an SBA loan.

He brings a level of expertise that only comes from years of experience across multiple industries, helping me navigate challenges and think ahead in ways I hadn’t considered.

Mohammad Afaneh

Bluetooth Developer and Founder of Novel Bits

Coaching Client Testimonial:

Why did you choose Henry Lopez as your coach?
“There is one specific thing that made Henry standout while chatting with multiple candidate coaches. Initially, Henry took one hour of his time (free of charge) to speak with me, introduce himself, describe his way of working, and address any questions I had. None of the other coaches made an effort to spend some time upfront learning about my business (without wanting to charge me!).”

How did Henry help you achieve your goals during his small business coaching program?
“Henry was able to provide me concrete advice to help me focus on my goals. He also has great insights and provided me with strategies to overcome some of the challenges I went through while working to achieve my goals during the program.”

Would you recommend Henry as a small business coach and why?
“Absolutely! Henry is a very nice guy, he has a lot of business experience, and he was able to share a lot of sound advice to help me overcome the challenges I’m running into with my business.

He is also very punctual, organized, and best of all, very generous with his time. He didn’t mind occasionally going over the one-hour time slot to listen to everything I had to say and needed help with.”

Kurt Russell

Co-Founder of Clear Stay Properties

Coaching Client Testimonial:

Why did you choose Henry Lopez as your coach?
“After listening to many of his very good podcasts and actually putting into practice some of what I learned, I decided to work with Henry directly.”
How has Henry helped you achieve your goals with his one-on-one business coaching?
“Henry is a no-nonsense guy. This is essential in a coach. After asking very probing questions and listening carefully, he cut through the fluff of what I was telling him and myself. He offered clearly stated goals, asked me if these were good goals with regard to my business, and then followed up to assess the progress in achieving those goals.

Even now, after several months since our last session, I still check my progress and ask myself, “Is this what I agreed to with Henry?”. That is the mark of a good coaching session, concepts that stick and remain pertinent.”

Would you recommend Henry as a business coach and why?
“I would definitely recommend Henry as a business coach. In fact, I have done so several times. I have spoken with many successful small business owners and entrepreneurs. One of the few items that is in common with all is the presence of a coach/mentor. Henry is my coach and mentor.

He speaks clearly and directly to the concerns I have about my business. He makes very good use of our time together. And, most importantly, my business has experienced growth as a direct result of the ideas and methods we work out together.”

Eva Stoeger

Owner of Maui’s Finest Gifts

Coaching Client Testimonial:

Why did you choose Henry Lopez as your coach?
“I had been listening to his podcast through which I learned a lot and then signed up for his cashflow workshop in which I got to experience his coaching style in a one on one setting. From these encounters I felt that he would be a great coach for me.”
How has Henry helped you achieve your goals with his one-on-one business coaching?
“In our coaching calls we discuss topics of my choosing- challenges and opportunities that I am currently facing. Henry listens carefully and asks questions to completely understand the situation and then suggests a roadmap on how to approach it. He provides materials that break down the goals into easy to tackle action steps.”

Would you recommend Henry as a business coach and why?
“I would absolutely recommend Henry as a business coach, and here is why: Generally speaking, a coach can help you significantly shorten your learning curve of becoming a small business owner as you can avoid lots of the trial and error to figure things out.

Henry has an impressive wealth of knowledge in all aspects of running a small business, and his advice is sound, honest and straightforward. I am also very grateful for how Henry goes above and beyond. When a topic has not been completely addressed at the end of our 60 minute call, he generously continues the call. He also sends me a comprehensive recap after every call, along with further information pertaining to the topic. Case in point: We talk about a Marketing Plan during my call, and afterwards he sends me a Marketing Plan outline which I can customize for my business.When I have questions between calls he addresses them promptly as well.

What really makes partnering with Henry most special to me, however, is that I feel that he genuinely cares about me as a person and my personal success. He listens intently and instinctively and is able to read between the lines. He understands and recognizes the personal and emotional struggles I sometimes face as a new small business owner. He encourages me to celebrate my successes and to acknowledge how far I’ve come. Having Henry in my corner makes me feel confident that my business is here to stay and grow. I could not ask for a better coach. Thanks Henry!“

Brent Shigeoka

Entrepreneur and Investor, Honolulu Family Law Office

Coaching Client Testimonial:

Why did you choose Henry Lopez as your coach?
“Heard Henry’s podcast on Audible.com and thought he was authoritative and very good at communicating with all of his guests.”
How did Henry help you achieve your goals during the small business coaching program?
“With a very disciplined and experienced approach, Henry walked me through developing each step of the business. It shouldn’t have been amazing, but it was, when the steps were implemented, the business took root immediately as hoped.”

Would you recommend Henry as a business coach and why?
“Absolutely. If though, you are not willing to work hard with Henry and follow through on his advice, don’t waste your time. Henry is a very experienced business coach who can and will work with you to do the hard work that needs to be done to create and establish a real world business.”

Thomas Erickson

President at Clark Distributing Co

Coaching Client Testimonial:

Why did you choose Henry Lopez as your coach?
“I had been listening to his podcast for a while and really liked the content and the way he explained things. What he said made sense and make me think. So I decided to reach out to him.”
How did Henry help you achieve your goals during the small business coaching program?
“He helped me think differently and gave me the tools to help me make better decisions in my business.”

Would you recommend Henry as a business coach and why?
“Yes. He will help guide you in the process of running a business that makes sense and also challenges you to improve yourself as a business owner.”

The How of Business Podcast is a top-rated show hosted by Henry Lopez. The show includes hundreds of released episodes on a wide variety of topics to helping you start, run and grow your small business.

The How of Business podcast show offers something for everyone - from first-time small business owners to experienced entrepreneurs.

Henry has over 35 years of diverse business ownership and management experience. He has helped numerous mentoring and coaching clients launch, manage and expand their small businesses.

Henry takes a positive approach to working with his clients and has a unique ability for helping you ask the right questions, keeping you accountable, and helping you achieve your entrepreneurial goals.

[Henry Lopez - Full Biography]

Henry Lopez is a serial entrepreneur who has been directly involved in numerous small businesses since purchasing his first franchise small business in 1991.

His business ventures have included owning and operating Mr. Jim's Pizza franchise locations (a franchise business offering pizza and other Italian foods for pickup and delivery), MAR Property Investment (focused on real estate investments and development), Old World Salons (a suite salon business with two locations in Texas), iTopIt (the first self-serve frozen desserts restaurant in Colorado Springs), Wild Blue Carwash (a highly successful exterior-express car wash business in Colorado), L3 Destinations (a travel consulting business operated by his wife Pam), Office Evolution (Henry is currently a minority partner of this shared office space and co-working space franchise), and Levante Business Group - offering small business coaching and consulting and producer of top-rated The How of Business podcast show.

Henry’s industry experience includes:

Retail – including brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce
Home Services – including handyman, garage doors, gutters, concrete coatings, and HVAC
Landscaping & Hardscaping
Professional Services
Medical Practices
Health & Wellness Services
Professional Services
Technology
Consulting Services
Software Development & Sales
Restaurants Industry– including franchises, food service, food trucks, catering, restaurant supply and restaurant equipment
Franchises – across many industries
Shared Office Space & Co-Working
Salon Suites
Carwashing
Real Estate – including residential rental properties, vacation rentals, wholesaling, flipping, hard-money lending, and investment funds.
Property Management
Travel Consulting
Wholesaling & Distribution
Business Consulting & Coaching
Creative Products
Individual & Corporate Promotional Items & Gifts

Henry Lopez - Coaching for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Frequently asked questions and answers about small business coaching.

Q. What should I expect from a business coach?
A. You should expect professional guidance, advice and accountability. A business coach won't have all of the answers, but will be skilled in helping you ask the right questions to help your start, run and grow your business. A professional small business coach will also be a great listener, and the "friend" who understands what you are going through because they have experienced the same or similar situations. They will also shares their experienced opinions, and challenge you when they think you may be making a mistake.
Q. Who needs a business coach?
A. Every small business owner can benefit from a small business coach. You will find that even the most seasoned of entrepreneurs have business coaches to help them grow to the next level. Being an entrepreneur or small business owner can be a lonely pursuit, and a business coach can serve as a trusted advisor and counselor. Hiring the right business coach will be one of the best investments you make in your business.
Q. What should I ask my business coach?
A. Before you engage a small business coach, you always want to have a consultation to get to know them and learn about their background. As you are evaluating a business coach, you should ask about their experience and approach. Have they owned a small business themselves? What is their approach to helping their clients?
Q. Who are the best business coaches?
A. The best small business coaches tend to be people who have owned small businesses. It's difficult to offer expert advice without first having experienced the challenges of business ownership. The best small business coaches also have a gift for communicating and inspiring. They are also excellent listeners, and have a deep empathy, compassion and understanding of the struggles of entrepreneurship and small business ownership.
Q. When should I hire a business coach?
A. A small business coach can help you at every phase of your business lifecycle, including business planning, start-up, growing and exit or sale. Some business coaches specialize in one particular stage, like helping you prepare your small business for sale, but most have the experience and knowledge to help you regardless of the stage of your business.
Q. Is it worth paying a business coach?
A. Everyone can benefit from the help and guidance or an experienced business coach, and experienced and effective small business coaching will come at an investment. If you can afford it, then yes, you should consider paying for the advice and help of a professional small business coach.
Q. How much does a small business coach cost?
A. Costs can vary widely, depending on the industry and the experience of the business coach. Hourly rates can range anywhere from $100 to $300 or more, and many small business coaching offer a bundle or coaching program of one-on-one or group coaching sessions.
Q. Does Henry really offer a FREE Coaching Consultation?
A. Yes, you are invited to schedule a completely free 30-minute small business coaching call with Henry Lopez. There are no further commitments and no credit card required.
Q. What happens during the FREE Coaching Consultation with Henry Lopez?
A. During this free session, you will learn about Henry's coaching style and approach, he will provide guidance and insights on your top issues and questions, and explain how he works with his coaching clients. After the call, you will be better able to determine if Henry can help you achieve your goals and dreams - to launch your first business or to grow your existing small business.
Q. What happens during the first paid coaching session?
A. Your initial paid coaching session with Henry will be about getting to know each other better, and then Henry will ask you a series of questions to better understand your business. During this initial coaching call, you and Henry will also establish the goals you would like to achieve during the coaching program. Henry will help you begin to get clarity on your long-term vision, and help you execute on the short-term tasks and projects that will ensure you achieve your dreams of small business ownership.
Q. Are small business coaches just for start-ups?
A. Business coaches can help you at any stage of your business ownership life. From determining if you are ready to be your own boss, to helping you exit your established small business, a coach can help you navigate the complexities and uncertainties of business. Experienced business owners and entrepreneurs realize the value of having coaches through all phases of their businesses.
Q. Who is your ideal business coaching client?
A. Someone planning to start a small business, and existing small business owners looking to grow or exit their business. An ideal client is someone who appreciates the value of what Henry Lopez can offer, and is willing to invest the money, time, and effort to have a positive impact on their business venture.
Q. What is the problem you solve for your coaching clients?
A. For those wanting to start their first small business: overcoming the fear of failure, understanding and working through the overwhelming and paralyzing effort involved, and the how-to steps to get your business launched. For existing business owners: developing and implementing the systems to help you grow, and the business model that allows you to realize the full potential of a business owner. Keeping them from being consumed by the business, and developing equity so they have options if they decide to exit.
Q. Is it necessary to have a business coach?
A. Hiring a small business coach may be one of the best decisions you can make as you plan to start your small business, and to help you grow and possibly exit your small business. A good business coaches has the ability to identify areas of improvement and make your business stronger. They can also provide a level of accountability and help you avoid the common mistakes that can keep you from achieving success and profitability.
Q. How do I know if business coaching is right for me?
A. Hiring a small business coach may be one of the best decisions you can make as you plan to start your small business, and to help you grow and possibly exit your small business. A good business coaches has the ability to identify areas of improvement and make your business stronger. They can also provide a level of accountability and help you avoid the common mistakes that can keep you from achieving success and profitability.
Q: What is a business coach?
A: A business coach is a professional who offers guidance, support, and advice to business owners, helping them identify strengths and weaknesses, and crafting strategies to drive success. A business coach also provides a level of accountability to help people achieve their goals.
Q: How can a business coach help in setting clear business goals?
A: Business coaches provide clarity by helping small business owners define their vision, set clear and measurable objectives, and create actionable plans to achieve these goals. Whether it a development plan, business plan, marketing plan, or growth plan - planning is critical to focusing our efforts an achieving success as an entrepreneur or small business owner.
Q: Can a business coach assist in improving decision-making skills?
A: Absolutely! Business coaches often use tools, exercises, and discussions that sharpen decision-making abilities, helping small business owners to make more informed and confident choices. Decision making, including the difficult decisions that can result in the success or failure of a small business, is a critical ability and skill that successful small business owners must posses and develop.
Q: What role does a business coach play in time management and productivity?
A: Coaches teach time management techniques, prioritize tasks, and introduce tools to increase efficiency, ensuring that business owners make the most of their time. Effective time management skills are essential for successful business owners. Developing time management skills is not easy. It requires self-discipline and the development of positive habits which must be consistently exercised. A skilled small business coach not only teaches the necessary micro skills and techniques for effective time management and productivity, but can also help with accountability.
Q: How do business coaches impact leadership and team management?
A: They assist in honing leadership skills, improving communication, and fostering team-building. This not only enhances the work environment at a small business, but also boosts team morale and productivity which also results in a positive culture. A common challenge for business owners and entrepreneurs is to transition from being the person who gets everything done, to leading a team to get things done. It's simply the only way to scale a small business.
Q: Can business coaches help in financial planning and management?
A: Yes, while they aren’t financial advisors, they can offer insights into financial strategies, profit optimization, and cost-saving, ensuring the business remains financially healthy. An experienced small business coach will help you with making business decisions based in part on your financials. While you will have accounting experts to help you with the financials aspects of your business, as a business owner you must learn how to interpret your financial statements and a business coach can help you learn how to do so.
Q: How do business coaches assist in navigating business challenges?
A: With their vast experience, they offer unique perspectives on challenges, helping business owners to find solutions, adapt, and evolve amidst business uncertainties. An experienced coach can offer alternatives to consider, and also help a business owner think through the consequences and potential benefits of the options available to help navigate and overcome a business challenge.
Q: Can they help in enhancing sales and marketing strategies?
A: Definitely! Business coaches often guide in refining sales pitches, understanding target audiences better, and optimizing marketing strategies for increased reach and conversion. An experienced business coach can also help you refine your marketing and sales funnels to drive efficiencies and improvements.
Q. What's the best way to find a small business coach near me?
A. With the ease of meeting online with platforms like Zoom, you don't necessarily have to find a coach who is located near you. If you prefer to meet in person with your coach, however, then searching for a coach near you is important. We recommend starting by searching online for "small business coach near me" and then narrowing your potential coaches down to two or three to consider further. You may also ask for referrals from your local CPA or small business attorney. Your local chamber of commerce may also be a good place to find a small business coach. The next step is to schedule a free consultation or initial meeting to meet the coach and get to know their background, areas of expertise and coaching approach. It's imperative that you select a coach who is a match for you personally - someone your feel comfortable with and who will earn your respect and trust.
Q. What types of businesses does Henry have experience with?
A. Either through his personal experience or his coaching and consulting, over the past 35 years Henry has had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of businesses. His experience includes restaurants, retail businesses, ecommerce, consulting, software, car washes, personal care, medical practices, home services, real estate, brokerage, shared office space, property management, professional services, hospitality, and many more.

Deciding if business coaching is right for you largely depends on your personal needs, business goals, and current challenges. Here are some considerations to help determine if small business coaching might be a good fit for you:

Desire for Growth: If you have a strong desire to grow your small business and need guidance to define and reach your goals, a business coach can help provide the structure, accountability, and expertise needed to scale your business effectively.
Facing Challenges: If you're facing specific challenges or obstacles in your small business that you're struggling to overcome, a business coach can provide valuable insight, offer new perspectives, and help develop strategic solutions. A coach will leverage his previous experience and knowledge to help you overcome your challenges.
Need for Accountability: If you're having trouble staying focused or accountable, a coach can provide the external accountability needed to keep you on track and moving toward your goals. We can all benefit from a level of professional accountability to help us achieve our goals.
Feeling Overwhelmed or Stuck: If you're feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running your small business or feel stuck and unsure of how to move forward, a small business coach can provide support, help prioritize tasks, and guide strategic decision-making.
Lack of Specific Skills or Knowledge: If you lack certain business skills or knowledge, a coach can help fill these gaps, or guide you to resources and experts who can.
Wanting a Trusted Advisor: If you want an experienced and unbiased advisor to bounce ideas off, provide feedback, and offer advice, a business coach can play this role effectively to help you start and grow your small business.
Willingness to Invest Time and Money: Engaging a business coach is a commitment in terms of time, money, and effort. You should be prepared to invest in these areas to get the most out of the coaching relationship.
Openness to Feedback and Learning: Successful business coaching requires openness to feedback and a willingness to learn and make changes. If you're not receptive to hearing about areas where you need to improve, or are resistant to change, you may not be ready to invest in a business coach.

The How of Business Podcast & Resources

Small Business Coaching