Discover Robin Waite’s journey from burnout to business mentor, emphasizing simplifying offers, valuing expertise, & focusing on what truly drives success
In a recent episode of the Disruptive Influence Podcast, renowned business coach Robin Waite joins host Jeff Abracen.
In this engaging conversation, business mentor Robin shares his personal journey and provides valuable insights into how entrepreneurs can streamline their businesses, increase their pricing, and simplify their offers for better growth and fulfillment. From his experiences of burnout to helping small businesses thrive, Robin's story is one of passion, clarity, and a focus on the fundamentals.
Robin Waite's path to discovering his passion for business coaching wasn't without its challenges. In the early stages of his career, Robin experienced a significant moment of burnout that changed his perspective on work and life.
Robin recalls how he didn't realise he was heading toward burnout until it was too late. Despite feeling physically exhausted and disconnected from his work, he continued to show up every day, giving value to clients and attending meetings without feeling engaged. It wasn't until he started recognising these physical and mental signs that he was able to take action and address the issue. He learned the importance of slowing down, recognising burnout early, and preventing it from happening again.
During this time, Robin had an epiphany that changed the course of his career. He realised that he was passionate about simplifying complex business problems and helping others see those solutions clearly. This discovery led him to focus on one of the most essential aspects of business: pricing and numbers. Through mentoring, Robin found fulfillment in helping small business owners understand their financials and transform their businesses.
After selling his agency, Robin transitioned into coaching and mentoring, focusing on helping small business owners refine their business models, particularly around pricing and financial strategies.
One of Robin's early experiences in coaching revealed an important lesson about valuing his time and expertise. He recalls a situation where a client wanted a website built, but when Robin dug deeper into the business's numbers, the client resisted, focusing only on the website. Robin decided not to take on the project, and instead, he handed the client a copy of his book, "Online Business Startup," and told him to figure things out on his own.
At that moment, Robin recognised the importance of valuing his expertise. He also realised that his real passion was in teaching business owners how to understand their numbers and make informed decisions.
Robin's coaching philosophy centers around working with grassroots businesses, particularly those with one or two people. He finds immense satisfaction in seeing the tangible impact that a business's success has on its owners' lives. For example, Robin worked with a web design company where the owners could afford to buy their first house, save for a wedding, and expand their business. These kinds of stories of transformation and success drive Robin's motivation to continue helping small business owners thrive.
Robin openly discusses how helping others reach their "aha" moments feeds his ego. However, he clarifies that ego, in this context, is not a negative force but rather an essential part of his drive. Seeing his clients succeed, especially when they have breakthroughs that change their businesses, energises him and reaffirms his commitment to his work.
Robin emphasises the role of intuition in business coaching. While processes, systems, and structure are vital, the human element of business success comes from understanding people. When Robin interviews potential clients, he uses his intuition to gauge whether they are a good fit for his program. If something feels off, he addresses it directly in the conversation, ensuring that both he and the client are aligned before moving forward.
One of Robin's core principles for business success is the idea of simplifying your offer. He frequently encounters business owners who make things overly complicated by trying to serve too many markets or offering too many products. In Robin's view, success comes from narrowing down to one target audience and offering one service or product that meets their needs exceptionally well.
Robin has a rule in his business that when clients say "it depends," it signals a problem. When someone is uncertain about whether they can increase their prices or how a service will be received, it means there are too many variables at play. The key to success is removing those variables and simplifying the business model.
Robin uses Apple as a metaphor to illustrate the importance of simplicity. Apple creates one product—a phone—that meets the needs of a specific group of people. While there is room for customisation, such as software adjustments, the basic product is standardised. This consistency allows Apple to build systems and processes that scale, delivering a high-quality product to its audience.
For small businesses, Robin advocates for the same approach: simplify your offer, create systems around it, and deliver consistent value. This allows businesses to scale and reduce defects or customer complaints.
Entrepreneurs often face a sense of overwhelm, especially when confronted with the sheer volume of tasks or choices they must make. Robin advises that, when feeling overwhelmed, entrepreneurs should take a step back and focus on the most impactful task they can tackle first.
Robin introduces the Pareto Principle, which states that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of efforts. In business, this means focusing on the 20% of clients, products, or services that contribute the most to your success. By eliminating the non-essentials, you can focus your energy on what truly drives results.
Robin also shares how simple habits, like making your bed every morning, can have a profound effect on one's mindset and productivity. Small wins build momentum and can help entrepreneurs break free from a state of overwhelm.
Robin reflects on how his unconventional approach to coaching, especially when he worked in corporate settings, set him apart from others in the field. He recalls a time when he introduced the idea of "deep work" to a law firm. To signal when someone was in deep focus, his team used tennis balls on their desks. The idea was highly productive, but it disrupted the firm's traditional approach, leading to conflict with the chairman. Despite the pushback, Robin's innovative coaching style helped the team become the most productive in the firm.
One of the most influential books in Robin's career has been "Built to Sell" by John Warrillow. The book inspired him to think about productising services and helped shape his business philosophy. It became the catalyst for Robin to write his own book, "Take Your Shot," sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.
Robin Waite's approach to business coaching is built on simplifying offers, focusing on the numbers, and helping small businesses scale without overcomplicating their models. His passion for mentoring, combined with a clear philosophy around systemisation and process, has made a significant impact on the lives of many entrepreneurs. By focusing on the essential and creating consistent, repeatable processes, Robin has built a business model that not only benefits his clients but also feeds his own sense of fulfillment.
For business owners feeling overwhelmed or unsure about where to start, Robin’s advice is clear: simplify, focus on what works, and take it one step at a time.
Answer 40 questions and we’ll send you a personalised report with feedback tailored to your specific needs. It's quick and free and you get a FREE copy of Take Your Shot.
This Scorecard has been designed to show Coaches, Consultants and Freelancers their blind spots and provide instant, actionable steps on how to increase their prices.
