The coaching industry has never been louder or more confusing. Everyone is suddenly a “mentor,” raising their prices, and selling frameworks they’ve never used to build a business. In this episode, we talk about the difference between a transactional coach and a transformational mentor, why so many founders feel misled, and how to protect yourself from bad advice that can stall your business growth. We break down the four red flags of fake mentors, why most coaches lack real receipts, and how to choose guidance that aligns with your values, your goals, and your next level. Tune in to learn how to choose the right support, accelerate your growth, and build a business with integrity, wisdom, and strategy, not just hype.

Highlights

00:00 Why everyone is suddenly calling themselves a “mentor.”

04:00 The danger of cookie-cutter frameworks and empty promises.

08:00 Why inexperienced coaches struggle to get clients.

09:45 Madeline’s four red flags for spotting fake mentors.

14:45 The lessons we learned from hiring the wrong marketers.

19:00 Why your mentor doesn’t need to be in the room with you.

21:00 The four-part Alignment Test Madeline uses to choose mentors.

23:45 How to know whether you need a coach, consultant, strategist, or mentor.

Resources

Stop guessing if you’re ready to scale - take the assessment!

Schedule Your Free Strategy Call with Trustedpreneurs HERE

Get 5 Key Strategies to Balance High Impact Leadership & Personal Fulfillment HERE

Watch on YouTube HERE

Follow

Trustedpreneurs IG: @trustedpreneurs_llc

David IG: @davidjriccitx

David on LinkedIn

Madeline IG: @themadelinericci

Madeline on LinkedIn