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MacKenzie Morris

Business Coach, Consultant, or Strategist? How to Choose the Right Fit for Your Business

Updated: 6 days ago



If you’ve ever felt stuck in your business—pouring endless time and energy into it but not seeing the growth you envisioned—you’re not alone. Many business owners hit a point where they realize they need help, but figuring out who to turn to can feel overwhelming.


Should you hire a business coach, a consultant, or a strategist? I dive into the differences below! Are these professionals really different or are the terms interchangeable? Fun fact, they actually are different. The terms are often used fluidly, but they actually have very different meanings and it's really important to understand the difference between them when looking for support in your business.


From Stuck to Strategized

Now, a little back story. Early in my journey, I was running a business that was generating revenue but felt stagnant. Despite all my hard work, I wasn’t seeing the kind of growth I knew was possible. That’s when I decided to invest in a coach—a decision that changed everything, not just for my business but for how I now work with my own clients.


At the time, my business was making just enough to cover expenses, but there wasn’t enough left over to create stability or peace of mind. I was constantly working—late nights, early mornings, always trying to figure out the next move. I relied on my own knowledge and pieced together ideas from webinars, articles, and podcasts. But nothing seemed to stick, and the weight of not knowing where the next sale would come from was exhausting.


I decided to hire a coach to help me navigate the challenges I was facing. It was a leap of faith and one of the biggest investments I had ever made in myself and my business. During those months, I learned valuable lessons about mindset, leadership, and perseverance. My coach provided incredible insights and support, but even with all of that guidance, something was still missing.


What I came to realize was that my business didn’t just need ideas—it needed action. While I had the advice and the strategies, I still didn’t have the time, tools, or resources to fully implement them. That experience taught me something crucial: success doesn’t just come from knowing what to do—it comes from doing the work (duh right?). But truly, the magic is in the implementation and execution.


That realization shaped the way I now approach my clients’ businesses. I don’t just provide strategies—I roll up my sleeves, put my own time and skin in the game, and work alongside them INSIDE THEIR BUSINESSES to ensure that the plans we create turn into results (because I can give them all the strategy in the world but if no action takes place then what was the point? My client doesn't have progress, they don't get good results, and selfishly that looks bad on me. So, I put in the extra effort and do it with them. A true support system, a true win-win partnership.


What’s the Difference Between a Business Coach, Consultant, and Strategist?


Knowing the right kind of support you need for your business starts with understanding these roles and how they differ. Let’s break it down:


What is a Business Coach?

A business coach focuses on you, the person behind the business. They help you develop as a leader, overcome mental roadblocks, and navigate personal challenges that may be holding you back. Coaches are there to guide you through mindset shifts, encourage accountability, and empower you to step into your full potential.


What They Do:

- Help you set goals and create action plans.

- Work on leadership, communication, and confidence.

- Provide personalized support for overcoming mental blocks.


Who Should Work with a Coach?

- Entrepreneurs who feel stuck in self-doubt or fear of failure.

- Leaders wanting to improve their management and decision-making skills.

- Business owners seeking personal growth alongside business growth.


Examples) Leadership development, accountability, mindset shifts, personal growth, confidence-building, goal-setting.


What is a Business Consultant?

A consultant is like a surgeon for your business—they specialize in diagnosing and solving specific problems. Whether it’s optimizing your marketing funnel, improving operations, or restructuring your finances, consultants provide targeted advice.


What They Do:

- Focus on specific areas like marketing, paid ads, or technology.

- Diagnose problems and recommend expert solutions.

- Offer specialized knowledge to fill gaps in your expertise.


Who Should Work with a Consultant?

- Businesses facing clear, specific challenges (e.g., low conversion rates, inefficiencies).

- Entrepreneurs who need a subject matter expert to solve technical issues.

- Teams needing external insights for critical projects.


Examples) Expert solutions, problem-solving, marketing optimization, financial strategy, technical expertise.


What is a Business Strategist?

A business strategist focuses on the big picture of your business. They create actionable plans to align your goals, resources, and vision. Strategists are ideal for businesses ready to scale, helping you map out growth opportunities while managing challenges along the way.


What sets a strategist apart is their ability to not only plan but also guide the execution, ensuring every step aligns with your overall vision.


What They Do:

- Develop customized, long-term strategies for growth.

- Align resources, priorities, and goals for maximum impact.

- Help implement the plan to ensure success.


Who Should Work with a Strategist?

- Entrepreneurs ready to scale but don't know the next steps.

- Business owners who feel stuck and overwhelmed by too many moving parts.

- Leaders seeking clarity on priorities and alignment across the organization.


Examples) Business strategy, growth planning, scaling your business, actionable plans, resource alignment, big-picture thinking.


How to Choose the Right Support for Your Business


When deciding whether to work with a coach, consultant, or strategist, ask yourself these questions:


1. What’s my biggest challenge right now?

- If it’s about mindset, leadership, or personal growth, a coach might be the answer.

- If it’s a specific operational issue, look for a consultant.

- If you need clarity and action steps for big-picture goals, a strategist is your best bet.


2. What stage is my business in?

- Startups often benefit from coaching to build a strong foundation.

- Established businesses with specific challenges need consultants.

- Growth-stage businesses thrive with strategic planning and execution.


3. What outcome do I want?

- Personal development? Go with a coach.

- Expert advice on specific problems? Hire a consultant.

- Comprehensive, actionable growth strategies? Call a strategist.


Why I Do What I Do as a Business Strategist


My experience taught me that knowing what to do is only half the battle—doing the work is where the magic happens. That’s why I partner with my clients, not just to create strategies but to implement them side by side.


When we work together, I’m not just giving you a game plan and sending you off to figure it out. I’m in the trenches with you, helping you navigate the challenges, refine and create the plan, and execute each step so you can start seeing results faster.


Whether it’s launching a course, scaling your audience, or creating systems that finally free up your time, I’m here to make sure your goals become reality—not someday, but now.

Choosing between a coach, consultant, and strategist isn’t about which role is better—it’s about which one is the right fit for where you are right now. Each serves a unique purpose, and the right choice can help you break through barriers and achieve the growth you’re aiming for.


If you’re ready to move from overwhelmed to thriving, let’s connect. I’d love to hear about your goals and help you create a plan to make them happen. Book a call with me here.


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