Small Business Coach of the Year in the Spotlight - Tina Dulieu

What brought you to coaching?

In 2007 I was in a position where I had just sold my previous business and was looking for the next stage in my professional and business career.  Having always been in the business of ‘helping people reach their potential’ through my mathematical and business skills, I was interested to find out what coaching might have to offer and where it could take me next.

During the two day course taster course led by The Coaching Academy, they spoke about the Corporate & Executive Coaching Diploma and this really appealed to me. I really liked the way The Coaching Academy demonstrated their knowledge in the profession and how well constructed and thorough the courses were the idea of combining my love of business and talent of developing people to reach their potential, seemed the perfect answer to the next stage of my professional career.

What was your profession before becoming a coach?

I'd had two previous careers: firstly as a Mathematics Teacher for 12 years teaching GCSE and A level maths in high school and Further Education College; secondly as a business owner of a franchised study centre in the educational sector.  I developed, ran, grew and eventually sold this business after 10 years, having achieved all my personal and professional goals with it.  It was a great success and where I learned everything about starting, running and growing a business, including the financials, marketing, employing staff, creating systems and training staff.  This gave me credibility when promoting myself as a Business Coach.

What was the most rewarding part of your journey?

Working with the course study clients I took on, practising the techniques I was learning and seeing the positive effects it was having on their personal and business development. Also for me personally to acquire new skills and qualifications to forge a new career as a business coach.


Which parts of the training did you enjoy the most?

I did Corporate & Executive Coaching Diploma in 2007, and in addition I did the Coaching Academy Licenced Trainer programme the same year.  A few years ago I did the DISC Personality Profiling course.  Putting together all my teaching skills, business acumen and newly acquired skills in coaching, management training and DISC Profiling, they served to make a powerful combination of techniques to help my clients achieve their goals and be successful.

All three of the courses have given me the skills and recognised qualifications to promote myself and my business, to prospective clients, initially through networking and now by reputation.  When I first qualified, it was a new direction for me and I had every intention of making it work.


What is your coaching niche and why did you choose it?

My niche is business coaching and management training, working with business owners, directors and management teams to help them focus on business strategy bringing clarity to the way forward, develop their people and grow into organisations that they want to be.  I chose this niche because I love the challenge of business, it excites me.  I love the variety of working with different businesses every day and take great pleasure in their achievements and successes, of which there have been many over the years.

How did it feel to win an award?

Absolutely amazing!  I still beam every time I think of the moment my name was announced as a winner!  For me there couldn't be a greater accolade than being recognised by my own profession for the work I've done with my clients and the successes I've had with them.  I was so very proud to win Small Business Coach of the Year Award and my husband, son and daughter were proud of me too. The personally engraved and beautiful glass award takes pride of place at home - thank you so very much!

What difference has the award made to your life and business?

I have used the award ceremony pictures in social media, on my website and have had local press articles written on my success.  I emailed every client I have worked with over the years thanking them as my experience of working with them contributed to me winning the award.  I had over 50 personal replies of congratulations!  I feel the award has enhanced my reputation further and reaffirmed my confidence to charge the fees that I quote.

What do you enjoy most about being a coach?

Being a facilitator of the clarity that my work brings to the client, seeing the delight on their faces when they make a breakthrough, and for them to achieve in ways that they did not think was possible!