As a retired veteran, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges, but none quite like the daunting task of starting an online business. After years of serving my country, I found myself asking the same question many of us do: “What’s next?” That’s when I discovered the world of online entrepreneurship, a battlefield of a different kind, where strategy, discipline, and adaptability are just as crucial as they were in the military.
In my quest to navigate this new terrain, I’ve learned that having a skilled guide can make all the difference. Just as we relied on experienced leaders in the service, the right online business coach can be the key to transforming our military skills into entrepreneurial success. These coaches understand that we’re not looking for a quick fix or a temporary boost – we’re in it for the long haul, seeking to build something meaningful and sustainable.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the 11 best online business coaches. Each of these mentors brings something unique to the table, offering insights that resonate with the veteran mindset. They’re not just teaching business; they’re helping us find a new purpose and mission in civilian life. So, whether you’re looking to leverage your logistics experience into an e-commerce empire or turn your leadership skills into a consulting powerhouse, these coaches can help you navigate the path from soldier to entrepreneur.
1. Chris Guillebeau
Chris Guillebeau is a renowned author, entrepreneur, and advocate for unconventional lifestyles and side hustles. He gained widespread recognition with his New York Times bestselling books, including “The $100 Startup” and “Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days.” Guillebeau’s expertise lies in helping people create additional income streams without quitting their day jobs. His popular podcast, Side Hustle School, which is downloaded over 2 million times a month, showcases daily stories of ordinary people who have started successful side businesses.
Guillebeau’s approach focuses on low-risk, high-reward strategies that allow individuals to explore entrepreneurship without taking significant financial risks. He emphasizes the importance of finding the intersection between one’s passions, skills, and market demand. Through his workshops, books, and online resources, Guillebeau provides practical steps for identifying opportunities, launching projects quickly, and scaling them over time. His philosophy centers on the idea that everyone can benefit from a side hustle, not just for financial gain but also for personal growth and increased job security.
2. Affiliate Marketing Coaching by Jack Davis
Jack Davis is a seasoned expert in affiliate marketing with over a decade of experience. As the founder of Affiliate Marketing Masterclass, he has built multiple authority sites that generate six-figure incomes annually. Davis offers a comprehensive free masterclass that covers essential topics like finding profitable niches, using AI for content creation, and building white-hat links at scale. His coaching program is highly regarded, with students praising his step-by-step approach and personalized advice. Davis offers various coaching packages, including one-off consultations, recurring monthly consults, and a three-month intensive program. His expertise spans across SEO, content optimization, link-building, and revenue maximization strategies. Davis’s coaching is particularly beneficial for those looking to overcome plateaus in their affiliate marketing journey or scale their operations efficiently.
3. Online Business Coaching by Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith is the founder of High Income Source, an online platform dedicated to helping individuals create successful online businesses. With over 10 years of experience in internet marketing, Smith has established himself as a knowledgeable and successful online entrepreneur. He has a proven track record of generating substantial income through various online business models, including affiliate marketing, digital product creation, and e-commerce.
Smith’s approach to online business coaching is comprehensive and results-oriented. He emphasizes the importance of creating multiple streams of income to achieve financial freedom. His coaching philosophy is built on the belief that anyone can succeed in online business with the right mindset, strategies, and guidance. Smith’s teaching style is described as practical and easy to understand, making complex concepts accessible to beginners and experienced marketers alike.
The Online Business Coaching Program offered by High Income Source is designed to provide step-by-step guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs. The program covers a wide range of topics essential for online business success, including:
- Niche selection and market research
- Building high-converting websites
- Traffic generation strategies
- Email marketing and list building
- Product creation and launch strategies
- Scaling and automating online businesses
One of the unique aspects of Smith’s coaching program is its focus on creating sustainable, long-term income sources rather than quick, short-lived gains. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation for online businesses that can withstand market changes and continue to generate income for years to come.
4. Dropshipping Coaching by James Johnson
James Johnson is a prominent figure in the dropshipping industry, having built multiple six-figure dropshipping stores since 2008. As the creator of DropshippingCourse.org, Johnson offers a free comprehensive course that covers crucial aspects of building a successful dropshipping business. His teachings include strategies for choosing profitable niches, finding reliable suppliers, optimizing for SEO, and developing effective marketing campaigns. Johnson’s coaching service is highly praised by students who have achieved significant success, with some reporting monthly revenues of $10,000 to $15,000 within a few months of implementing his strategies. His coaching packages range from one-off consultations to intensive three-month programs, catering to entrepreneurs at various stages of their dropshipping journey. Johnson’s expertise extends to advanced topics such as brand building, inventory management, and scaling operations, making his guidance valuable for both beginners and experienced dropshippers looking to take their businesses to the next level.
5. Yaro Starak
Yaro Starak is a veteran blogger and online business coach who has been in the digital entrepreneurship space for over a decade. He is best known for his blog, Entrepreneurs-Journey.com, where he shares his experiences and insights on building successful online businesses. Starak’s journey began with a hobby website about a card game, which eventually led him to explore various online business models, including blogging, information products, and membership sites.
Starak’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of creating valuable content and building an engaged audience before monetizing. He advocates for a balanced approach to online business, focusing on lifestyle design rather than just profit maximization. Through his courses and programs, such as Blog Mastermind and the Laptop Lifestyle Academy, Starak has helped thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow their online businesses. His teaching style combines practical strategies with mindset coaching, addressing both the technical aspects of online business and the psychological challenges entrepreneurs face.
6. Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk, widely known as Gary Vee, is a prominent figure in the world of social media marketing and personal branding. His journey began with transforming his family’s wine business into a multi-million dollar enterprise through innovative digital marketing strategies. Vaynerchuk’s approach to business and branding is characterized by his unapologetic authenticity, relentless work ethic, and ability to spot emerging trends in the digital landscape.
As the co-founder of VaynerMedia, a full-service advertising agency, Vaynerchuk has helped numerous Fortune 500 companies develop their digital strategies. His expertise extends beyond traditional marketing, encompassing areas such as e-commerce, influencer marketing, and personal branding. Vaynerchuk’s philosophy centers on the importance of “documenting, not creating,” encouraging entrepreneurs to share their journey in real-time across multiple platforms.
Vaynerchuk’s personal brand is built on his ability to provide actionable insights and motivation to his audience. He maintains a strong presence across various social media platforms, tailoring his content to suit each platform’s unique audience. His YouTube channel, podcast, and social media accounts serve as channels for delivering valuable business advice, industry trends, and personal development tips. This multi-platform approach has allowed him to reach millions of followers and establish himself as a thought leader in the digital marketing space.
7. Kendrick Shope
Kendrick Shope is a renowned sales coach who specializes in empowering women entrepreneurs to achieve success in their businesses. With a background as a top-performing Fortune 500 sales representative, Shope brings a wealth of experience to her coaching practice. She is the creator of Authentic Selling®, a sales process designed specifically for modern entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in the online space.
Shope’s approach to sales coaching is rooted in the belief that selling should be authentic and focused on building genuine relationships. Her Authentic Selling® methodology redefines selling as a form of helping, aiming to remove the “ick factor” often associated with traditional sales techniques. This approach has resonated strongly with women entrepreneurs who may have previously felt uncomfortable with aggressive sales tactics.
Through her Sales School, a seven-week curriculum, Shope provides targeted training to small groups of entrepreneurs, allowing for personalized attention and tailored strategies. Her coaching covers various aspects of modern sales, including social selling, opt-in strategies, and other techniques relevant to online businesses. Shope’s success as a coach has earned her recognition from Forbes as a leading sales expert, and she has been featured on numerous platforms, including NBC and various podcasts.
Shope’s impact extends beyond individual coaching, as she frequently speaks at conferences and corporate events, sharing her sales expertise with larger audiences. Her ability to translate corporate sales strategies into accessible, practical advice for entrepreneurs has made her a valuable resource in the business coaching landscape. By focusing on empowering women to sell without sacrificing their integrity, Shope has carved out a unique niche in the sales coaching industry.
8. David Siteman Garland
David Siteman Garland is a renowned expert in the field of online course creation and marketing. As the creator of “Create Awesome Online Courses,” Garland has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and experts transform their knowledge into profitable digital products. His approach focuses on a step-by-step system that guides course creators from ideation to launch, emphasizing the importance of validating ideas and positioning courses for maximum impact.
Garland’s methodology is rooted in practical experience, having started with his own successful course that generated nearly $20,000 in its first launch. He advocates for a systematic approach to course creation, covering everything from content planning and recording to effective launch strategies. His teaching style combines actionable advice with an emphasis on authenticity, encouraging course creators to leverage their unique expertise. Garland’s philosophy extends beyond just course creation; he stresses the importance of building a sustainable online business model that can generate revenue consistently, even while creators are sleeping.
9. Tanner J Fox
Tanner J Fox has made a name for himself in the world of Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and online entrepreneurship. At a young age, Fox achieved significant success, reportedly building a multi-million dollar fortune through his Amazon business and subsequent educational products. His journey began with exploring various online business models, including Kindle publishing, before focusing on Amazon FBA.
Fox’s approach to Amazon FBA emphasizes product research, understanding Amazon’s algorithm, and leveraging the platform’s massive customer base. He advocates for the advantages of FBA over other e-commerce models, particularly highlighting the benefit of tapping into Amazon’s existing traffic rather than having to generate it independently. Through his course, Amazon Mastery, Fox aims to teach others how to replicate his success, covering topics such as product selection, sourcing, and marketing strategies specific to the Amazon marketplace.
While Fox’s rapid success and youth have drawn both admiration and skepticism, his course has reportedly helped many students establish profitable Amazon businesses. His teaching style is characterized by practical, step-by-step guidance, designed to be accessible even to those with no prior experience in e-commerce. Fox’s story exemplifies the potential of online entrepreneurship, particularly within the Amazon ecosystem, and his willingness to share his knowledge has contributed to his popularity among aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs.
10. Danny Iny
Danny Iny is a prominent figure in the world of online education and course development. As the founder and CEO of Mirasee, Iny has established himself as a leading voice in helping coaches, consultants, and experts monetize their knowledge through online courses. His journey began in 2011 when he started his business with nothing more than an idea and a message to share, overcoming significant personal debt and initial setbacks.
Iny’s approach to online education emphasizes the importance of creating valuable, engaging content that truly serves the needs of students. He advocates for a systematic approach to course creation, focusing on validating ideas and refining course content through iterative pilots. This methodology has helped thousands of entrepreneurs transform their expertise into profitable digital products. Iny’s influence extends beyond his company, as he is a best-selling author of nine books, including “Teach Your Gift” and “Leveraged Learning,” which offer insights into the evolving landscape of online education.
11. Franklin Hatchett
Franklin Hatchett is a renowned expert in dropshipping and various online business models. Based in New Zealand, Hatchett has gained a substantial following through his YouTube channel and online courses, particularly his eCom Elites program. His expertise spans across dropshipping, affiliate marketing, Facebook advertising, and search engine optimization.
Hatchett’s approach to teaching dropshipping is comprehensive and practical. His eCom Elites course covers a wide range of topics, from setting up a Shopify store to advanced marketing techniques using Facebook ads, Instagram, and chatbots. What sets Hatchett apart is his emphasis on real-world examples and his willingness to share his own experiences in building successful online businesses. He advocates for a lean startup approach, encouraging entrepreneurs to iterate and optimize their strategies based on real market feedback.
