Navigating the Business Support Industry: Is It Reliable or Full of Empty Promises?

Ever wondered why the business support industry has a bad reputation?

Working in the business support space (strategy, coaching, consultancy, training, etc.), I am acutely aware of some of the negative perceptions that business owners hold. And to be honest, I can see why!

Recently, a well-known company, which provides guidance and support to aspiring entrepreneurs, used the name and image of someone in my network to promote their services at a live event, backing it with a fabricated success story.

This is something that I too have experienced. My own image was used by a coaching company, with a fake testimonial slapped beside it. This trend of fake testimonials, fake case studies, and even fake experience is real, and it's really quite misleading.

For anyone wondering why the business support industry gets a bad rap—there’s your answer. Some people have turned it into a quick cash grab, promising a dream come true without any real substance. I don’t align with that.

My testimonials are real. My case studies are genuine. My track record speaks for itself, delivering tangible results like increased revenue, team expansion, and improved client retention.

I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to support business owners. I’ve run my own business, faced challenges, and had to sell it. I’ve invested heavily in myself, pouring years into building my knowledge bank. From my MBA to my accreditations in management, intellectual property, and innovation—I've committed to a journey that’s allowed me to offer real, transformative support to my clients.

And here’s the thing: just because someone has built a successful business for themselves doesn’t mean they have the skills or know-how to help someone else succeed - especially if that person is selling a different product or service or targeting a completely different audience.

Being good at building your own business does not automatically translate into the ability to support others in doing the same.

It’s disheartening to see others enter this space with nothing but smoke and mirrors. If you have to fabricate testimonials, I seriously question what you’re doing. To me, that speaks volumes.

For my clients, the impact is real. I know I’m great at what I do—not just because I say so, and not because I’ve done it for myself. Because helping yourself doesn’t mean you can help others. I know I’m great because my clients continue to tell me, even years after we’ve stopped working together.

There needs to be more regulation to stop business owners and founders from getting bamboozled by individuals who look credible outwardly but, behind the scenes, are empty vessels. Guidelines on client testimonials and accreditations could go a long way in protecting founders.

Trust, integrity, and genuine expertise shouldn’t be rare in our field.

If you’re seeking real support in growing your business, know that genuine, experienced professionals are out there, committed to your success.

Have you encountered any questionable practices in business support? Let’s continue this conversation. Share your thoughts or reach out if you’re curious about what genuine support can do for your business.

"Hi, I'm Daniella ???? I help service business owners streamline their processes, gain clarity, and scale using my proven VISSA? framework (Vision, Innovation, Strategy, Systems & Accountability).

Ready to take your business to the next level with real, results-driven support? DM me to get started!"