I’m in the next town over from my home in Portugal, on the hunt for the best coffee spot.
UAU Coffee House (pronounced “Wow”) is the expat favorite. Their coffee is okay coffee (less bitter than the standard Portuguese espresso) and their avocado on sourdough toast is drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
At the next table, a teenage girl whips out her phone to snap a photo of her banana pancakes garnished with purple flowers.
It all looks great, online and in person. They’re clearly targeting expats and tourists: menus in Portuguese and English, vegan and gluten-free clearly labeled, creative plating.
But the sourdough toast is burnt on one side, and the flowers are wilted.
Meanwhile, my partner and I can’t help but compare UAU to our favorite coffee spot, the Boba Cafe, our go-to hangout 1-3x each week.
The Boba Cafe doesn’t do plating, edible garnishes or have designated vegan options. But it delivers consistently good food with fast service and an ocean view across the street. Every time.
UA looks high-end, but something’s off in the execution.
Boba is simple, reliable and totally aligned. They know who they are, what they’re about, and it shows.
Now, I didn’t consult with the restaurant owners, but the feeling is clear.
One business is trying to be something it’s not. The other is aligned with its true vision.
The same thing can happen in a coaching business.
Everything looks polished, professionally designed websites and good offers, but something feels…off.
Maybe they’re using words they’d never say.
Maybe the coach is selling a service they don’t want to deliver.
Maybe the style of the business no longer fits who they are.
I can spot incongruence pretty quickly by feeling the gap between someone’s true vision and what they’re doing.
That’s my gift as a coach:
I ask curious questions, listen deeply, and help you see what’s wanting to emerge. Then we can shape that into a business that feels like you – and works.
If something feels “off” about your business, you already know. But it can be hard to identify what needs to shift when you’re so close.
That’s where I come in.
If you want a coaching business that feels aligned, authentic and alive, let’s chat.
I have two spots open for new 1:1 coaching clients. If something’s not aligned in your business, let’s grab a virtual cuppa and explore what’s next.
☕ Contact me and let’s set up a time to talk.
Yours in love and play,
Steph
If you enjoyed this article, join my daily Wildspire emails list here for more playful and provocative musings on business, being gloriously human and changing the world.
