Last October, I interviewed Christine Tao, co-founder of Sounding Board, a tech-enabled coaching and mentoring platform. Christine shared her journey from her previous work at Tapjoy, Google and YouTube to partner with Lori Mazan to co-found Sounding Board, a venture-backed startup that raised almost $50 million in funding. Christine and Lori essentially built a company that made executive coaching more scalable and accessible.
Less than six months after that podcast episode was published, Sounding Board has been acquired by BTS Group AB. Here’s a release.
The company’s acquisition tells me two things:
1️⃣ The market for leadership development is growing.
2️⃣ More entrepreneurs and investors are recognizing that coaching isn’t just for struggling executives, it provides a competitive advantage.
Coaching as a growth tool
For years, coaching was seen as something reserved for C-suite execs at Fortune 500 companies. If you were a new founder or a junior investor, you were supposed to figure it out on your own. That’s what is now changing.
Venture firms today recommend coaching to their founders, and some pay for it because they see the impact. Founders who work with coaches scale faster, lead more effectively and they avoid costly mistakes.
Christine shared this in our conversation:
“We’ve seen a shift in venture capital where more firms now offer coaching as a core service to their portfolio founders. Some firms even subsidize it because they see how coaching helps leaders scale faster.”
And it’s not just for CEOs. The best companies build leadership at every level, from new managers to senior executives.
The “Aha” moment of why coaching works
So why does coaching make such a difference?
Christine said it well:
“A coach sits outside your organization. They have no agenda, nothing to gain or lose. Their only job is to help you think clearly about your challenges, remove obstacles and move forward faster.”
That external POV is invaluable, she says, whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur, an emerging investor or a seasoned operator.
As for me, I’ve also worked with coaches, and I’ve seen firsthand how it helps. It’s like having a thought partner whose only job is to make you better.
Takeaways for founders and investors
If you’re a founder, coaching can help you scale faster, manage stress and develop your leadership skills.
If you’re an investor, coaching can help your portfolio companies build stronger leadership teams and grow more efficiently.
If you’re a seasoned pro in any field, coaching keeps you sharp and adaptable in a fast-changing world.
Final thoughts on getting a coach
If you’ve ever thought about it, my advice is, Just try it. Whether you work with an independent coach, join a structured program or find a mentor with a coaching mindset, it’s an investment in yourself.
And if Sounding Board’s acquisition tells us anything, it’s that the world is moving toward more coaching, not less.
Play the podcast to hear more
I edited my conversation with Christine Tao into a 12-minute episode highlighting why coaching is so valuable.
🎧 Click on the video at the top of the post to play the full episode. You can also follow The Venture Variety Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
📬 I also want to hear from you! If you have ideas for future guests or topics, send me a note. Your suggestions help keep The Venture Variety Show podcast vibrant and relevant.
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