The Business Clinic is an innovative initiative that pairs undergraduate and postgraduate business students—who are completing their final consultancy projects—with real organisations seeking research, insight and strategic recommendations. It’s a fantastic model: businesses get tailored consultancy support, and students gain hands-on, practical experience that enhances their studies and future employability.
The project and the student team
For my consultancy project, I was assigned three talented students studying BA degrees in Business and Marketing, Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Their task was to research the UK coaching market and provide insights that would support the development of my work as a coach for business owners and leaders.
From the outset, the students brought enthusiasm, professionalism and curiosity. Over several months, they investigated coaching trends, audience perceptions, pricing structures, marketing opportunities and competitive landscapes. Their analysis gave me fresh perspectives on how business owners engage with coaching and what they most value in a coach.
I was particularly impressed by the structure of the project. The students approached the process like a real consultancy team, setting timescales, booking meetings, conducting research and presenting interim findings along the way. It was a privilege to be their real-life client and see firsthand how seriously they took the work.
Valuable findings for the coaching industry
One of the most interesting insights they uncovered was the impact coaching has on business performance. According to their research, 92% of business owners who had previously worked with a coach reported significant business growth. This reinforces what many of us in the industry already see daily: coaching moves the needle faster, offering accountability, clarity, mindset support and strategic direction.
However, the students also identified two key barriers that prevent many business owners from investing in coaching:
1. a lack of understanding of how coaching can help
Many business owners still aren’t sure what coaching involves or how it differs from mentoring, training or consultancy. Some are unsure what outcomes to expect or whether coaching would suit their personality, communication style or business challenges.
2. the perceived high cost
While coaching is a powerful investment, some people feel hesitant due to cost—often without fully understanding the return it can generate. The research highlighted the need for clearer communication around value, outcomes and accessibility.
These findings were incredibly helpful, not only in affirming what I already knew from experience, but also in highlighting opportunities where coaches can better educate and support potential clients. It’s something I’m now taking forward in my messaging and client conversations.
Supporting fledgling entrepreneurs at northumbria university
Alongside this project, I’m also proud to be an Expert in Residence coach at the Incubator at Northumbria University. In this role, I support fledgling business owners as they take their first steps into entrepreneurship. Many are at the very beginning of their journey—full of ideas, passion and ambition—and it’s a privilege to help them build confidence, gain clarity and turn their concepts into viable businesses.
Working with these early-stage founders is one of the highlights of my coaching work. Their energy is infectious, and supporting them with mindset, planning, visibility and resilience skills often makes a transformative difference, especially in those early, vulnerable months of starting up. It also aligns beautifully with the mission of the Business Clinic, creating a whole ecosystem of support for students and graduates ready to launch their own ventures.
A rewarding collaboration
What I particularly enjoyed about the Business Clinic project was the opportunity to collaborate closely with the students over four months. They attended client meetings, asked thoughtful questions and presented their research with clarity and confidence. At each stage, they welcomed feedback and used it to strengthen their final presentation.
I’m incredibly grateful to Nicola Burnip, who managed the process with professionalism and care, ensuring everything ran smoothly and that both the students and the businesses involved had a positive experience.
How the Business Clinic can support local organisations
If your business could benefit from fresh insights, market research or strategic recommendations, I would highly recommend exploring the Business Clinic’s services. The consultancy available is wide-ranging and includes areas such as marketing, operations, HR, finance, entrepreneurship, strategy and more.
You can find more information about the consultancy available on Northumbria University’s website.
Interested in business coaching in newcastle
If you’re a business owner or leader and curious about how coaching can support your confidence, clarity and business growth, I’d love to help. I offer one-to-one coaching, accountability sessions and mindset support designed to help you grow your business with more ease and less overwhelm.
For business coaching in Newcastle, please get in touch below.