Entrepreneur Advice & Business Tips | TAB

How an RMT Benefitted from TAB Coaching

Written by Phil Spensieri | Oct 5, 2021 5:00:00 PM

Over the last couple of months, we shared with you what it’s like to be a part of a TAB Board in our “Benefits of a Peer Advisory Board: Board Members Tell All” series, where our members shared their firsthand experiences sitting on a peer advisory board. But a TAB membership is much more than a monthly board meeting - it also involves one-on-one coaching sessions with a dedicated TAB coach.

This month, we bring you Helen Milic, co-owner of Bayview Sheppard RMT, who spoke with us to share her experience about what it’s like working one-on-one with her TAB coach, Phil Spensieri. Helen and her partner, Lisa Macchia, have been TAB members for 10 years, and joined a few years after launching their clinic which started with only 3 registered massage therapists, and now boasts over 20 RMTs on staff.

Helen says it was Phil’s experience that attracted them to working with him: “He is a great mediator, particularly as our business is co-owned. He is able to provide examples of people he’s worked with and draw from similar situations.” She also commends his ability to keep them calm when they are stressed about the business, something that small business owners know all too well.

Once a month, Helen and Lisa meet with Phil to discuss their business. In their sessions, which last approximately one to two hours, they often leave with a sense of clarity that they attribute to Phil’s expertise. They’re also grateful for his flexibility whenever they may require his guidance outside of these meetings: “Phil is available whenever we need input or guidance. For example, if we have to let someone go, or if we’re thinking of financing and want his opinion on the offer.” No matter what issue they’re facing, they know they can lean on Phil for support.

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In the 10 years that they’ve been working with Phil, Helen says the best piece of advice they’ve ever received from him was to take their feelings out of the decision: “With that said, we know we need to have our hearts in our business, but this was the best advice for us. He also advised us to always work through something, to ‘do the work’ to test out what we are planning before jumping in with both feet.” It’s advice like this that Helen says contributed to the immense growth and success of their business.

Of all the money they’ve invested into their business, Helen is steadfast in her support for TAB, saying it’s the best investment they’ve made so far: “Phil has mediated, guided, and provided us with sage advice, and he is the perfect fit for us and our business. TAB coaching is wonderful. It truly has been a blessing for us both.”

Do you want to reap the benefits of a TAB membership? Contact TAB York Region to get started today!