Today is Profile #2: Ryan Dohrn, ACC.
Ryan Dohrn, ACC is the founder of Brain Swell Media, a firm that specializes in sales coaching and sales training. Ryan calls himself a business coach, a motivational speaker, and a revenue consultant. He lives in Beech Island, South Carolina, but travels around the country (U.S.) and world, speaking to teams and using coaching to help people start and build companies. Ryan earned his ACC credential through the ICF two years ago, but has been coaching business leaders and sales professionals for the past fifteen years. He first got into coaching when he, personally, was looking for a coach and couldn’t find what he was looking for. And just how so many great things start, he saw a need and filled it. Since then, he has been coaching leaders and leadership teams in the sales and marketing fields through his work at Brain Swell Media. He says that his main clients are media companies, technology companies and entrepreneurs pursuing overall revenue growth.
Why Coaching: “I do not need to have all the answers. I truly love being a coach and not a consultant all the time.” Ryan is in a unique position in that he is a coach, a consultant and also often runs sales and marketing for his clients. He says he’s like a player/coach – which often times can be challenging. However, he says that his coaching stays relevant due to the fact that he is often times right in the middle with his clients.
His Advice: “Be patient. Coaching takes time. Wait until after at least three to five coaching sessions to gauge your personal satisfaction.”
“You have to learn how to market yourself and your business. No one will seek you out. For me, coaching is not the most difficult part, running a business is. Also, find a niche and own that niche. Refer clients that do not fit your niche. I do not believe that I can coach everyone effectively. Someone with a specialty in a certain area knows how to ask better questions related to their area of expertise. Too many coaches try to be a one-size-fits-all coach. I advise against this.”
Since Ryan often works with groups of people, both small and large, he is constantly working toward building a coaching culture in different settings. He says he can’t coach those that do not want to be coached (and we agree with that!), so, he will start with group work and assessments. He thinks that assessments can be the best guide toward coaching a person and a company.
Client Story: Ryan started coaching a woman who had recently purchased a failing media company. At the start of their conversation, she mentioned that she had $200 in her business checking account. After that first coaching session, she and her team sold over $24,000 in business – and it saved her company.
Most Meaningful CoachNet Class: The team coaching sessions where the most helpful.
Coaching Goals: To have coaches under me and specialize even further.
What’s Next in Your Coaching: ICF re-certification.
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