How to Start a Coaching Business - International Coaching Federation
New Member-Exclusive Benefit: ICF Engage

How to Start a Coaching Business

Posted by Sue Vizard | July 29, 2014 | Comments (26)

It happened again last week; I met a woman who was really excited because she had ordered her business cards for her new cupcake enterprise. When I asked her why she was going into business for herself she looked at me as if I was mad; “to make money of course.”

My answer to the question “how do I start up a coaching business?” is “with a thorough understanding and acceptance of who you are.” The most valuable resource you have in your business is you. It’s the one thing your business cannot do without. Take time to acknowledge what makes you tick, how you ended up where you are and who you want to be for the rest of your life. Yes, your business will provide an income, hopefully, but it’s also an opportunity for fun and fulfilment.

All great creations, from cupcakes to coaching businesses, start with a dream. You have permission to dream about what you want, where you want to go, who you want to work with. Make this dream as real as possible, use all your senses. Yes, create a vision board. Test drive the car. Listen to the performer you want to see at the Sydney Opera House. Record your dream in a way that you can revisit it as often as you need.

Then check how comfortably your business fits in to your dream. And if it does not, then adjust your business, not your dream.

Next ask yourself why you want to become self-employed. For the majority of my working life I worked for two companies. When I became unemployed after 25 years of giving my all in order to survive within a challenging corporate environment, I could not face going back into another stressful role. So I became a freelance “helper outer” for small businesses, by accident. I did not make a lot of money and I was not happy, in fact I was confused. Looking back I realise that I was still thinking like an employee. I was still carrying my insecurities with me and recreating the stress I worked under just not getting the regular salary and name on the door. Did you jump into becoming self-employed or were you pushed? Please be honest with yourself about why you want to have your own business. If you are running away from stress inducing situations or long working hours or horrible people please know that having your own business will continue to bring you stress, long hours and difficult people.

What are your hang ups? Perhaps your own business will not solve your problem. Working for yourself is challenging. You have to promote yourself, speak up for yourself, stretch your comfort zone every day in order to tell people about your business and, more importantly, ask them for money.  If you want to be successful, you cannot hide and neither can your doubts and insecurities. Understand both your fears and your motivation to have your own business.

Honestly, when you have got all this “know thyself” stuff sorted, the rest is easy.

The next step in understanding your most important resource is to recognise and acknowledge your gifts and talents. When you understand what your gifts are and you begin to live in a way whereby those gifts are being used to their fullest extent, that’s when the dreams come true. Your business success lies in your difference to other coaches, not in your similarity. Understand your superpowers.

My last suggestion is to understand your values. Huge corporations spend millions on their vision, mission and values statements. These are vital tools for any business. They are the backbone for branding, they imbue a company with its identity. A clearly understood company “personality” is how people choose who they like to buy from.

Your business vision and mission statements are likely to change as your business does, but your values are integral to your character. Use your values as the membership rules for your business. If your potential clients do not hold the same values, there will be a clash at some point in your working relationship.

As a coach I don’t have to remind you to love and accept who you are, as you go through this self-diagnosis. With a greater understanding and acceptance of your most important asset you are ready to buy your business cards and write your business plan.

Good luck.

Sue Vizard

After many years working in the corporate world (BT and Sky) and experiencing a wide range of management, including call centre, project, account, sales and marketing, Sue Vizard became self-employed. In the last, few years Sue has learned much about the perils and positives of being a solopreneur and shares these in her book Jump Start. Sue is now coaching people who are considering self-employment, in the key steps to consider before 'going it alone' and a range of techniques from spiritual to practical that will give them the best possible start. Sue lives in Scotland, has a grown-up son. Sue lives to learn more every day about how to live a happy and fulfilled life and share her learnings through writing, speak and coaching.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts featured on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The publication of a guest post on the ICF Blog does not equate to an ICF endorsement or guarantee of the products or services provided by the author.

Additionally, for the purpose of full disclosure and as a disclaimer of liability, this content was possibly generated using the assistance of an AI program. Its contents, either in whole or in part, have been reviewed and revised by a human. Nevertheless, the reader/user is responsible for verifying the information presented and should not rely upon this article or post as providing any specific professional advice or counsel. Its contents are provided “as is,” and ICF makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or completeness and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law specifically disclaims any and all liability for any damages or injuries resulting from use of or reliance thereupon.

Comments (26)

  1. Annette says:

    Thanks for this article. I launched my coaching business this month. It feels like I did it for the right reasons and you confirmed my instinct. Very helpful and thought-provoking!
    Thanks!
    Annette

    • Sue says:

      Thank you Annette. I wish you every happy success with your coaching business. Always trust your feelings and instincts.

  2. Jennifer Brown says:

    Great info Sue! I am just beginning the process of becoming credentialed and hope to start my own career coaching business in the next 2 years. I know this is what I want to do for the rest of my life….and appreciate the honesty about starting up that you provided.

    • Sue says:

      Thank you Jennifer for making the time to comment. Its really made my week! I hope it all goes well.

      • ND Ximba says:

        Thank you Sue, I must say the idea of starting my own coaching business seemed vague until I read this. My question of “The requirements for starting a coaching business?” Was instantly answered with just one decision of going online.
        You are doing a great work, keep it up.
        Daniel

    • Shruti Bajaj says:

      Hello Jennifer,

      I have just begun to consider a step towards my dream of starting a coaching institute in a remote area in India. How have you proceeded at your end?

  3. Thanks for posting Sue. I set up my coaching practice at the start of this year and your points about knowing yourself and your values strike a real chord for me. My goal is to stay true to my original purpose even if elements of the business change over time. I am also finding a trend for clients wanting support with setting up their own business and the majority in my experience are largely motivated by the need to get out of the situation they’re in, eg stress of corporate job and juggling childcare. These are great questions I can work on with these clients to help them gain clarity.

  4. Sue says:

    Thank you Sarah for your comments. I wish you every happy success with your business. It takes courage for people in pain to recognise they need help, being a coach is a responsible and rewarding mission, and always challenging. Thank you.

  5. Gaurima says:

    Wonderful post !! I appreciate the way you inspired to adjust the business and not the dream. Loved it 🙂 simple yet profound.

  6. Kim says:

    Oh thank you for saying that Sue! People underestimate their true purpose…sharing your gifts with the world is what success truly looks like….and the place to start is in understanding what those gifts are.

  7. […] Vizard featured on the International Coach Federation […]

  8. […] Vizard featured on the International Coach Federation […]

  9. Thanks for your great post Sue! ” Self employment really is remarkable for one like me who has dreams. I completed my eBook for coaching purposes just this morning. I agree with what you shared. This would aid me more to start my new found career. Indeed, you are a gift !

    Nenita
    Philippines

  10. ashok gaur says:

    before 1hours i just thought about a coaching center and it was completly catch me and my mind to build it….. its 12:30 am and i am watching a dream with open eyes ……thanks to give me your valuable ideas because i am a mechanical engineer which have no jobs…..,

  11. Robin LaGrow says:

    Absolutely love this and will use some of your wisdom at a Summit this weekend! Credit will go to you, of course! Thanks for the wisdom!

  12. Didi says:

    Thank you so much for the article, I’m in transition and thinking of starting my own business too. I appreciate your voice of wisdom, especially in regards to knowing thyself. Thank you, may God bless you.

  13. Paul says:

    Thanks for this great piece. Read it just few minutes ago. It gave me some inspiration now that I am about to begin my coaching institute. The questions you raised by the ‘self’ got me more into evaluating my goals and mission.

    Thank you so much. God bless you.

    Paul, Nigeria.

  14. rajkumar yadav says:

    Thank you very much for the self employment. I am about to start a coaching center alongwith my brother for academic subjects.

  15. Chrinstine says:

    I am sure this article has touched all the internet viewers,
    its really really fastidious piece of writing on building up new blog.

  16. […] 4. Coaching and Consulting: Know a lot about leveraging social media as a business? Maybe you’re an expert in productivity, or perhaps you’re a fitness expert. Whatever the case, you can turn that expertise, knowledge, and experience into a successful coaching or consulting business with ease. There are few startup costs here, and building your clientele is also relatively simple. If you’re looking for examples in the consulting world, consider Neil Patel. If you’re looking for a blueprint to get started coaching, check out this article by Sue Vizard on the International Coach Federation website. […]

  17. Thank you very much Sue for the inspiration and motivation. Me and wife Betty wannabe start our own life coaching business We are both ministers of Christian church and professional teachers. My wife has got God given talents and gifts of helping people who are having marital problems, youth problems etc. She is always inundated with people who need her to help them. They phone her in the night, she will wake up in the middle of night pray with them Long hours. I Believe you are the right person give us guidance

  18. Luyanda mathenjwa says:

    Wow thank you so much for this article .It really inspiring.I Love It!

    I am a 20year old who is working on starting a coaching business and i need a mentor.

    I would be so glad if you could be my mwntor Sue.

  19. […] 4. Coaching and Consulting: Know a lot about leveraging social media as a business? Maybe you’re an expert in productivity, or perhaps you’re a fitness expert. Whatever the case, you can turn that expertise, knowledge, and experience into a successful coaching or consulting business with ease. There are few startup costs here, and building your clientele is also relatively simple. If you’re looking for examples in the consulting world, consider Neil Patel. If you’re looking for a blueprint to get started coaching, check out this article by Sue Vizard on the International Coach Federation website. […]

  20. Dear Sue,

    I am a Coach having been in coaching for the past five years and now a certified Meta Coach since 2 years. I practice coaching in the organisation where I work as HR Manager with employees and managers and does it also outside for Life Coaching both paid sessions and also on pro bono.

    I am planning to start my own Coaching business with principal focus on Coaching Managers, newly promoted ones and employees that enterprises knowing their potential want to promote their self development.

    I am presently needing guidance to set up a Business plan and would like to know if you can help.

    Thanking You

    Jac

  21. Tonetta says:

    I happened to stumble upon your article in my search for starting a Coaching Business. I thank you for writing this and sharing this information with the world. I do not currently have an active coaching business, but looking to start one in 2018. I have been thinking and researching and brainstorming how I can create a business different from the ones already out here. I don’t want to do the same thing that others are doing with their businesses. I want to stand out from the crowd and this has been my hang up in getting started. I thank you for this information as it has given me something to think about in creating my business.

  22. Sujono says:

    Thanks for share this article. its very usefull for me. maybe if you have a time, you can visit my blog some time. cara membuat akun bisnis wa

Leave a Reply

Not a member?

Sign up now to become a member and receive all of our wonderful benefits.

Learn more