Meet Allison McGuire, the Founder and CEO of the McGuire Method, a communications coaching firm blending performance techniques with practical skills like pitching and negotiating.
Allison’s journey into the world of communications coaching serendipitously emerged from her experiences as an actor and a tech startup founder. In the midst of financial challenges, she discovered her natural talent for coaching others in effective communication. Thus, the McGuire Method was born. Her entrepreneurial philosophy is rooted in the practical wisdom that success comes from a blend of hard work, risk tolerance, a valuable offering, and, often, a hint of luck. Today, Allison is focused on scaling the McGuire Method through increased public engagements and content development, leaning into her strengths, and empowering her team.
We asked Allison about the story behind the McGuire Method’s founding, the biggest mistakes she’s made, and what she would tell her younger self if she were to start her journey over again.
Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on the McGuire Method?
I started my communications coaching business accidentally. I was running a hemorrhaging-cash tech startup, leaving me totally broke and swimming in credit card debt. However, due to my acting background, I won every pitch competition I entered. As a result, other founders asked me to coach them on pitching. It became a thriving side hustle. This led to me shutting down my tech company to pursue the thing that was actually making money and a huge difference in my clients’ lives. Before I knew it, I was getting massive contracts that I couldn’t handle on my own. I trained up other actors in my coaching methodology, and the business expanded from there!
What are some of the most meaningful impacts the McGuire Method has had so far?
While with our coaching, McGuire Method clients close billion-dollar deals, raise nine figures in funding, and grow revenue 700% in 18 months, my work’s biggest impact is boosting people’s confidence. I’m on a mission to make as many people confident as I can while I walk this planet. Confidence leads to results, and those speak for themselves.
What makes the McGuire Method different from other similar companies in the industry?
Everyone should be trained on how to communicate effectively. There are lots of communication coaching companies, and that’s great. However, we don’t just focus on your message and delivery. We first focus on you and help you develop a public persona. By utilizing one of our nine McGuire Method persona archetypes, we suss out your strengths, map out your challenges, and align those with your ideal self. So many people are taught to act like someone else—usually their boss or industry leaders—in order to be successful. We reject that notion, allowing you to embody your authentic, most powerful self.
In what ways has your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as an entrepreneur?
I grew up in a very toxic household. The only way to get out was work; I’ve been working since I was a teenager. Work always gave me a sense of purpose and made me feel accomplished. Due to my early trauma, I developed resilience, which is a crucial trait as an entrepreneur. While rejection never feels good, my resilience allows me to see that there are opportunities everywhere.
What are the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
I have a really big heart. As a leader, this means I default to putting others first and myself last, giving endless chances to people who disappoint me. I want to believe anyone can do anything. This naivety can cloud my judgment and make me doubt my intuition, leading to bad hires or allowing people to stay on my team for much longer than they should. I’ve been slow to let people go who either didn’t align with my values or simply weren’t doing their job well. 2023 was a rough year for me personally because I kept putting myself last. Though prioritizing myself can feel uncomfortable, my close circle pushed me to see that my well-being is essential to leading a sustainable business and living a full life.
What’s the biggest misconception that others have around entrepreneurship?
People think they can get rich quick and that starting a business or side hustle enables them to do that. Any time you’re promised quick cash or extreme wealth—I’m looking at you, multi-level marketers—it’s a trap. I’ve been an entrepreneur for a decade, and only in the past few years have I seen the fruits of my labor. The other misconception is hard work equals success. I know loads of people who work hard and go nowhere. The recipe for success is having a high risk tolerance, a product/service people will pay for, and luck. Unfortunately, opportunities appear for certain people more than others, some due to what we look like, where we come from, or who we love. While I enjoy taking risks and working hard, I’ve also been incredibly lucky.
So many people are taught to act like someone else—usually their boss or industry leaders—to be successful. We reject that notion, allowing you to embody your authentic, most powerful self.
Have you felt like giving up? What made you persist?
I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life. I put so much pressure on myself to perform that when I don’t achieve a goal, I go all out in self-flagellation. When I shut down my tech company, I felt suicidal. My family told me to “get a real job,” and I was so deflated that I applied to several. But it felt wrong. I grew up going to Catholic school and was told that nuns and priests feel a calling to serve the church. While I never had that nun inclination, I’ve always felt a calling to be an entrepreneur. I know in my bones I’m destined for success. So when I feel down, I get vulnerable with people who believe in me and allow space for them to lift me up.
We dare you to brag. What achievements are you most proud of?
First off, I am so proud of myself for taking the leap into entrepreneurship. That was the hardest step I’ve ever taken, and it’s paid off. Second, I’ve created a company culture that attracts and retains top talent. If you talk to my team, you’ll hear them say how much they love their work and colleagues. You’d also hear how much confidence they’ve gained while in this job. Third, my little company has achieved the No.1 Net Promoter Score at a leading venture capital firm and a Fortune 50 company. Finally, I often look around my house and think: “Everything I see I’ve bought with my own money.” It makes me super proud to be financially independent.
What would you tell your younger self if you were to start your entrepreneurial journey all over again?
This is going to be a lot harder than you think it is. It’s going to reveal your strengths and expose your weaknesses. Start your journey doing everything yourself and spending the least amount of money. Then figure out how to build a business that doesn’t rely on venture capital. Make the necessary investments to get the business to the next level. Once you have the team and infrastructure, focus on the things you’re best at and delegate everything else.
What’s next for you and the McGuire Method?
An inspiring entrepreneur friend of mine, Diana Muturia, told me to read 10x Is Easier Than 2x. This book showed me that, to achieve 10x goals, I need to focus on the 20% of my work I do best and trash the rest. I am not a micromanager, so I’m excited to alleviate myself from my self-imposed insane workload, delegate to my amazing team, and grow the business. This year, I’m focused on being the face of the McGuire Method through media, public speaking, and content development.
