India’s small business ecosystem is witnessing a surge in demand for business coaching as entrepreneurs from across the country book seats at expensive workshops and hire “guru” advisors to tackle everyday challenges with growth, mindset and operational guidance. Owners of family-run firms, salons, tech startups and even yoga studios are spending thousands of dollars — sometimes comparable to full-time MBA costs — to learn practical frameworks on scaling, finances, customer acquisition and leadership that they feel formal education often misses.

The trend reflects a broader gap: many small business leaders feel traditional management models imported from the West don’t always fit India’s relationship-based, survival-driven markets. Coaches blend business strategy, mindset work and even family mediation to suit the unique context of Indian enterprises, creating a booming but largely unregulated coaching industry.

This boom has led to flashy events in major cities where hundreds gather to hear gurus pitch clarity, strategy and confidence as keys to growth. Yet, it also raises questions about substance versus hype — whether expensive promises translate into measurable business performance. For small firms struggling with cash flow, marketing or succession issues, coaching offers hope; but some experts caution entrepreneurs to vet mentors carefully and seek proven outcomes rather than trend-driven buzz.