Blog Layout

Why Curated Small Groups Beat the Mass Enrollment Model in Coach Training

October 11, 2024

It's not a slick sales tactic when we say, you might not get in.

Let’s face it—curated small groups are not the most profitable way to run a coach training program. If we were all about making money, we’d fill every available seat with anyone willing to pay and call it a day. That’s what most coaching programs do, and it works…for their bottom line. But we’re not here to rake in the cash at the expense of your learning experience. We’re here to create real coaches, and that means doing things differently.


At The Coaching Guild, we believe that deep learning happens in small, intimate groups where the students learn as much from each other as they do from the instructors. You can’t get that kind of environment in a mass-enrollment model. The one-size-fits-all approach might work for profits, but it doesn’t work for developing powerful, authentic coaches. We’re not interested in churning out cookie-cutter coaches. We’re interested in nurturing people who will make a real difference.


Why We Curate Small, Diverse Groups

Here’s the thing: we don’t just randomly assemble small groups. Each one is intentionally designed with people who have little or nothing in common. Why? Because we know that diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds create the richest learning environments. When you’re in a group where everyone thinks and acts the same, you’re not being challenged. You’re not growing.


In our intentionally diverse groups, you’re going to get perspectives you’ve never thought about before. You’re going to hear ideas that challenge your worldview, and you’re going to be pushed to think more deeply. And guess what? That’s exactly what makes you a better coach. Real coaching isn’t about being comfortable—it’s about learning to navigate the discomfort of new ideas and experiences.


If everyone in the room agrees with you, you’re not learning. Our small groups create an environment where students can truly explore, question, and grow. The beauty is that while you’re learning from the best instructors in the business, you’re also learning from your fellow students—people whose life experiences and perspectives are vastly different from your own.


The Coaching Guild Doesn’t Accept Everyone—And That’s Intentional

Here’s something most coaching programs won’t tell you: their "interview process" is often just smoke and mirrors. They’ll interview you, make you feel like you were specially selected, but in reality, they’re accepting anyone who can pay. Their goal is to fill seats. You could be the most unqualified, disinterested person, but as long as you’ve got a checkbook, you’re in.


At The Coaching Guild, we do things differently. About 60% of applicants who inquire about our program are either waitlisted or not accepted at all. Why? Because we’re not just here to take your money—we’re here to create a learning environment that’s carefully crafted for growth. If you’re not a good fit for the group we’re forming at the time, we waitlist you for another cohort where you’ll thrive. If we don’t think our program is right for you at all, we’ll let you know. No hard feelings, just transparency.


This isn’t the most profitable way to run a business, but it’s the right way to build a program that actually works. We’re not interested in cramming as many people as possible into a group to maximize profits. We care about making sure that the people we accept into our program are not only going to succeed, but that they’ll contribute to the success and learning of the entire group.


Why the One-Size-Fits-All Model Fails Coaches

Most coaching programs follow a mass-enrollment model because, let’s face it, it’s easy. More students equals more money. It’s that simple. But the problem with this approach is that it fails coaches—and their future clients.


When you have too many students in one program, the individual experience gets watered down. You’re one face in a crowd of hundreds, maybe thousands, of people all trying to absorb the same information in the same way. But here’s the truth: coaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all industry. What works for one person may not work for someone else, and if you’re not in an environment that allows you to explore and grow based on your own experiences and ideas, you’re not getting the full value of the training.


Mass-enrollment programs are focused on efficiency, not mastery. The more students they can push through the system, the more money they make. But that’s not the kind of education that builds real, transformative coaches.


Why Our Model Works (Even If It’s Not the Most Profitable)

At The Coaching Guild, we believe that smaller, curated groups lead to deeper learning, better collaboration, and ultimately, better coaches. We intentionally create student groups where people have little to nothing in common, because that’s where the richest learning happens. We want our students to be pushed, challenged, and sometimes even uncomfortable. That’s where growth happens.


We also understand that not everyone is a fit for our program. We’re not going to pretend you’re “special” just because you can pay the tuition. If we don’t think you’re ready for the level of depth and engagement we offer, we’ll waitlist you or suggest a different path. Our goal is to create an environment that maximizes the learning potential for everyone in the group, not to fill seats.


The result? Coaches who are prepared to think critically, to learn from diverse experiences, and to apply their skills in ways that are deep, meaningful, and impactful.


Are You Ready to Be Part of Something Real?

We’re not interested in quick profits or shortcuts. We’re interested in building something lasting, something real. The Coaching Guild’s approach to small group learning isn’t the most profitable, but it’s the best way to nurture deep, transformative learning that prepares you for real-world coaching.


If you’re ready to stop chasing the cookie-cutter coaching programs and start learning in an environment where your voice matters, where you’ll be challenged, and where you’ll grow, let’s talk. This isn’t about filling a seat—it’s about becoming the coach you’re meant to be.


The Coaching Guild is a coach training program specifically designed to nurture dreamers, artists, creatives, outsiders, rebels, and good troublemakers. It is a multi-instructor, multi-disciplinary approach to training that prioritizes learning innovative foundational coaching skills and marketing training.



If you’re ready to invest in your future without selling your soul, hit me up for a no-pressure, no BS, no trip, and fall into a sales funnel conversation. Let’s talk about what’s possible for you as a coach.

February 26, 2025
Coaching is too unpredictable to be served up from a box.
By theomzone February 20, 2025
This is about stepping into your full, undeniable power.
February 18, 2025
Y ou cannot serve a diverse world if you've only learned from one perspective.
Share by: