About Small Business Coach Associates
Your Business Shouldn’t Feel Like Survival Mode—It Should Feel Like Progress.
We know what it feels like to pour your heart and soul into your business, only to find yourself overworked, overwhelmed, and feeling stuck. For more than 22 years, we’ve helped over 1,100 small business owners just like you break free from that cycle. We’re a team of real business coaches who’ve built and grown our own businesses from the ground up, so we know exactly what it takes to turn things around.
Based in the United States, our team works virtually with business owners all over the world. Whether you’re running a local service business, a consultancy, or a professional firm, we meet with you face-to-face via Zoom, bringing flexibility and personal attention to every session.
Why did we start this company? Simple. Too many business owners were burning out, missing time with their families, and barely seeing the financial rewards they deserved. We know because we are business owners too. Stuck. Overworked. And unsure how to grow without sacrificing everything else that mattered. We saw business owners working 60, 70, even 80 hours a week just to keep things together. Worse yet, many felt trapped by systems that didn’t scale, unreliable marketing, and a lack of trusted support.
We developed a unique approach based on real-world experience, not just theory. Every strategy we teach has been tested and proven in our own businesses first. When you work with us, you’re not just getting advice; you’re getting a partner who’s been in the trenches and knows how to win.
Alan Melton
Alan isn’t a professor in an ivory tower. In Alan’s first business after personally experiencing problems with cash flow, customers, employees, debt and burnout, he hired a business coach who transformed his life and business. From there his struggling small business grew to a leading company with 130 employees and high profits. After selling his business to a publicly-held company Alan founded Small Business Coach Associates and created the Small Business Coach framework to help him overcome obstacles in his own company. The process resulted in him doubling revenue and profits for three consecutive years.
Sorpresa Cardoza
Is a versatile and results-driven manager with a strong background in operations, communication, and digital strategy. She excels in vendor negotiation, billing oversight, and internal communications, while also managing the company’s social media presence, graphic design, and SEO initiatives. A certified virtual assistant and 2021 medalist from DigitalJobPH, Sorpresa brings a unique blend of creativity and efficiency to every task. With five years of teaching experience as both a junior and senior homeroom teacher, as well as one-on-one ESL tutoring for children, she is a natural leader and communicator who thrives in fast-paced, service-oriented environments
Dave Pugh
Is a seasoned small business coach and financial advisor with over 30 years of leadership, teaching, and entrepreneurial experience. He has founded multiple successful businesses and financially advised more than 800 business owners and families. A music educator, Dave led award-winning bands that performed for two seated U.S. Presidents—demonstrating his ability to inspire excellence and lead high-performing teams. He has also taught Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University for over 20 years, equipping individuals and business owners with the tools to achieve financial freedom and long-term success.
Bob Zook
Is a seasoned small business coach and consultant with over 18 years of experience helping more than 80 businesses improve performance, reduce costs, and increase profits. He has facilitated over 110 teams to solve complex problems, trained 40+ team facilitators to become effective leaders, and created 30 streamlined procedure templates to help businesses systematize and scale. A recipient of the GE Executive Award for Technological Improvement, Bob is known for transforming company cultures and delivering practical, lasting results.
Odessa Cardoza
Is a dedicated professional focused on creating engaging content, building community, and driving growth across digital platforms. She is responsible for developing and scheduling posts, fostering audience interaction, and implementing strategies that enhance brand visibility and follower engagement. With a keen eye for trends and a passion for connecting with audiences, Odessa plays a key role in strengthening the company’s online presence and supporting its overall marketing goals.
The Small Business Coach Process is taught by Alan Melton, creator of the SBCA framework, and their team of coaches. They have founded multiple small businesses over decades and as such are providing small business coaching services and mentors for their clients out of deep business experience and knowledge. Alan and his team have helped over 1,100 small business owners boost profits, streamline operations, and reclaim their time. His coaching is built on real-world results, a deep understanding of small business challenges, and a passion for helping entrepreneurs thrive.
What sets us apart? Alan Melton has built a national reputation as a top business coach, speaker, and author, with more than four decades of hands-on leadership experience. He has started twelve companies and acquired five more. One of those businesses grew from 2 to 130 employees and was honored alongside brands like Merrill Lynch and the Ritz-Carlton with the Sterling Governor’s Award for organizational performance excellence.
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His achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. Alan was named the Small Business Person of the Year by the SBA, a recognition personally acknowledged by a U.S. President. His company also was a recipient of the Inc 500 award which honors the top 500 fastest growing privately-held companies. He’s been featured by Influence Digest, Six Figure Coach Magazine and HubSpot as one of the top business coaches worldwide. In 2025, Alan with Small Business Coach Associates was also honored as the Top Small Business Coach by Life Coaching Magazine one of the Real Leaders Top Executive Coaches and received the Local Business Person of the Year award in Alignable.
The Inc. 500 is an annual list published by Inc. magazine, recognizing the 500 fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States. It is a highly prestigious subset of the broader Inc. 5000 list, which ranks the top 5,000 such companies. Achieving a spot on the Inc. 500 signifies exceptional entrepreneurial success, innovation, and rapid scaling, often serving as a springboard for increased brand credibility, media exposure, and networking opportunities.
Sterling Governor’s Award for Organizational Performance Excellence
Influence Digest
A respected digital publication that highlights high-impact coaches across regions, naming top professionals who demonstrate notable results and leadership in their field.
Six‑Figure Coach Magazine
The only bi‑monthly magazine exclusively dedicated to business coaches and consultants, featuring industry experts, case studies, and tactics for building thriving coaching practices.
HubSpot
A global leader in marketing and CRM platforms, known for its award-winning workplace culture, being recognized by HubSpot underscores credibility and impact within business communities.
Top Small Business Coach by Life Coaching Magazine
An award given to coaches who demonstrate exceptional success in helping small business owners grow their ventures, recognizing consistent impact and coaching excellence.
Real Leaders Top Executive Coaches
Awarded by Real Leaders magazine, this title honors executive coaches who create meaningful and measurable change in leadership based on client results and ethical, impact-driven coaching.
Alignable’s Local Business Person of the Year
A peer‑voted award on Alignable, a community for small business owners. It honors local leaders who actively help peers through referrals, advice, and support, fostering a learning community trust.
As the author of Small Business Solutions, and a Certified Business Coach and Certified Family Business Advisor, Alan brings both authority and heart to every client relationship.
Our process is simple but powerful: We help you build a strategic plan, optimize the key drivers of profit and time freedom, and provide one-to-one coaching and mentorship to help you follow through.
The results speak for themselves:
- We’ve helped clients grow from $10k per month to over $10 million per year in sales.
- Some clients have doubled their income, paid off six-figure debts, or taken their first real vacation in years.
- Others have hired high-performing teams, built better cash flow, and finally achieved the work-life balance they’ve dreamed of.
“Alan Melton has been working with me to set and meet aggressive goal for my company. He’s even gotten my employees on board with my vision, and I’ve had problems with them in the past. After several “false starts,” I’m finally taking my business to its potential, and I would like to see my clients do the same. He helped me identify $20,000 in unmade sales (services people wanted but we didn’t offer to them and they didn’t know we could provide) and another $25,000 in missed revenues due to under pricing certain services. We also found a way to change our process for preparing returns that cut the turnaround time by 30%.” Dan, Owner, CPA Firm
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FAQs
Who are the experienced business coaches behind your small business coaching programs?
We’re a team of experienced business coaches with strong backgrounds in entrepreneurship, management, and leadership. Each coach brings years of hands-on experience and proven success in guiding small businesses toward growth. Our mission is to share practical strategies and insights that help business owners make smarter decisions, improve operations, and reach their goals through personalized, online sessions available worldwide.
Can I learn more about the expert coaches working with small businesses?
We’re happy to introduce you to our dedicated team of professional coaches who work closely with small business owners. Each coach has a strong track record in business growth, marketing, and operations. You can explore their profiles online, learn about their expertise, and discover how their skills can be matched to your specific business needs through our worldwide virtual coaching platform.
Are your coaches also successful business owners or business professionals?
We’re proud to have coaches who are not only skilled mentors but also successful entrepreneurs and business professionals themselves. They have built, managed, and scaled their own ventures, so they understand the real-world challenges of running a business. This firsthand experience allows them to offer practical advice, effective solutions, and proven strategies through online coaching sessions accessible anywhere in the world.
Do your business coaching associates specialize in different industries?
We’re a diverse team of business coaching associates with expertise across multiple industries, from retail and hospitality to technology and professional services. This wide range of knowledge allows us to match you with a coach who truly understands your market. Whether your business is local or global, our online coaching ensures industry-specific guidance tailored to your unique goals and challenges.
Who are the expert business coaches behind Small Business Coach Associates?
The coaches at Small Business Coach Associates are seasoned business owners and consultants with decades of hands-on experience across multiple industries. They’ve helped clients achieve measurable results, including revenue growth of up to 400% and streamlined operations that save both time and money. Each coach brings specialized expertise and a proven track record, ensuring business owners receive practical strategies, accountability, and the guidance needed to achieve long-term success through our virtual one-to-one coaching programs.
Can I work with a specific business coach based on my needs?
We’re happy to match you with a specific coach who fits your business needs and goals. Whether you prefer someone with expertise in marketing, leadership, operations, or a certain industry, you can request a coach who aligns with your vision. Our flexible, online worldwide coaching makes it easy to work with the right expert for your unique situation.
Do your coaches provide ongoing mentoring as well as coaching?
We’re committed to offering both ongoing mentoring and structured coaching. Beyond helping you set goals and strategies, our coaches provide continuous support, accountability, and guidance. You’ll have a trusted partner who understands your progress and challenges, ensuring long-term business growth. All of this is delivered through our flexible online sessions, making it accessible worldwide at your convenience.
What makes your coaches different from other coaching firms?
We’re different because our coaching staff combines real entrepreneurial experience with a personalized, results-focused approach. Each coach has built or managed successful businesses, giving them the practical knowledge to guide you effectively. We focus on creating strategies that work in the real world, delivered through online worldwide coaching that’s flexible, accessible, and designed around your unique needs and goals.
Can I schedule an introduction call with one of your coaches?
We’re glad to offer introduction calls so you can connect with a coach before starting. This allows you to discuss your challenges, goals, and expectations, ensuring the right fit. You can book these calls online, no matter where you are in the world, and begin your journey toward business success through our flexible virtual coaching platform.
Where is your coaching team based?
We’re a global team offering coaching services entirely online. While our coaches are located in various regions, our virtual platform allows us to work with clients anywhere in the world. This means you can access expert business guidance, proven strategies, and personalized coaching without location barriers, making our services available to entrepreneurs and small businesses worldwide.