The Real Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Business Coach with Sonia Barney

In this episode of The Real Women Real Business Podcast, Shauna Lynn Simon sits down with Sonia Barney, founder of Kaivari and Sonia Barney Design, to unpack one of the biggest decisions entrepreneurs face when growing their business - choosing the right coach.With more than two decades in the interior design industry and over ten years running her own business, Sonia shares how her journey through multiple coaching programs shaped her perspective on what truly makes coaching valuable. Together, she and Shauna Lynn explore why many entrepreneurs hesitate to invest in support, how costly the wrong coaching fit can be, and why clarity about your needs is essential before committing to any program.Sonia also introduces Kaivari, a platform she created to help interior designers connect with vetted coaches, trusted service providers, and a supportive peer network so they can grow sustainable businesses without navigating the process alone.Listeners will walk away with practical guidance on identifying business gaps, asking smarter questions during discovery calls, and approaching coaching with confidence rather than guesswork.Timestamps:(00:01) - (05:30) - Sonia Barney’s design background and early business challenges(05:31) - (13:40) - The real risks of hiring the wrong coach(13:41) - (22:20) - Why time, money, and overwhelm stop entrepreneurs from seeking coaching(22:21) - (31:45) - How Kaivari connects designers with the right support network(31:46) - (43:30) - What to look for when evaluating a coach(43:31) - (52:10) - The key questions every entrepreneur should ask before hiring a coachResources:Book Your FREE Coaching Assessment Call with Shauna Lynn: https://www.aboutshaunalynn.com/coachmeLearn more about the show: AboutShaunaLynn.com/podcastGet the Questions to Ask Yourself and Your Coach Before You Hire Tip Sheet: https://kaivari.com/questionsLearn more about Kaivari: https://www.kaivari.comConnect with Sonia Barney:Learn more about Sonia: https://www.kaivari.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/soniabarneydesignInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaivarico/Sonia Barney is an award-winning interior designer and the founder of Kaivari, a platform created to help designers connect with the right coaches, resources, and community to support sustainable business growth. With more than 20 years in the design industry and over a decade running her own firm, Sonia combines creative experience with a systems-focused approach to help designers build businesses that are just as intentional and well-structured as the spaces they design.