Free Guide: The 9-to-5 Exit Plan for Aspiring 6-Figure Coaches

How to Become a Wildly Successful Career Coach (7 Steps)

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I’ve helped hundreds of people become career coaches and quit their 9-5, many of them starting from scratch like I did with no certification or social media following. Today, I’ll help you do the same.

Most advice on how to start a career coaching business is written by people who’ve never actually coached a client. 

No wonder it’s confusing.

Back when I was stuck in a corporate job I didn’t love, I asked myself, “Would someone really pay me for this?!”

But within four months of getting my first client, I hit six figures. Since then, thousands of people have used my roadmap to build their businesses.

So if you’re wondering whether you’re “qualified” to be a career coach, or how to even start, this guide is for you.

You’ll learn:

  • Who’s actually cut out for this work (and who’s not)
  • How to start getting clients — fast — even if you feel like a total beginner

Let’s dive in.

This guide focuses specifically on helping you become a career coach. If you are looking for my comprehensive guide for starting a coaching business in any niche, read it here: How to start a coaching business.

TL;DR – Key takeaways

Here’s what you need to know upfront (because I know you’re busy):

  • You don’t need a certification or coaching degree to start. What matters is the transformation you deliver—and how you position yourself as the go-to expert.
  • Choose a profitable niche and focus on clear, measurable results. This attracts clients who want to pay premium rates because they see the value immediately.
  • You can replace your entire salary with just 5-10 clients. I’ll show you exactly how to do this without working 80-hour weeks or burning out.

First, let’s start by understanding why career coaching is the best way to build a fulfilling career doing something you love, with time and financial freedom.

What is a career coach? (And is it even for you?)

A career coach helps people create careers they actually want, whether that means landing a dream job, getting promoted, or switching industries.

Your clients might include:

  • Job seekers who feel stuck sending out resumes with zero responses
  • Executives who want to become better leaders
  • Ambitious professionals who know they’re meant for more—but don’t know what “more” looks like yet

…Just to name a few! 

But are you qualified to coach? 

So many people talk themselves out of ever even getting started. Maybe you’ve thought:

  • “I need a psychology degree.”
  • “I have to be certified.”
  • “No one will take me seriously unless I’ve been doing this for 20 years.”

None of that is true.

If…

  • You’re already the go-to person friends and colleagues turn to for career advice, or…
  • You have a background in HR, or…
  • You’ve achieved some level of career success, and…
  • You’re tired of working on someone else’s terms and want to build something meaningful while getting paid well for your expertise…

You’re already more qualified than you think.

Take myself, for example. When I started my first coaching business, I initially sold career coaching. People kept coming to me for career advice because I had climbed the corporate ladder so quickly. I didn’t have any coaching credentials—I just turned the advice I was already giving into a profitable business.

I wasn’t a born entrepreneur either. I’m the first entrepreneur in my family and an introvert who used to hate being on camera and still avoids networking events.

Screenshot of a career coaching guest post
One of the guest posts I used to promote my career coaching business back then

The thing is: No other coach offers the exact combination of skills, insights, and perspective that you bring.

I’m sharing this to show you just how attainable career coaching truly is.

And the best part is, there’s never been a better time to become a career coach…

Why now is the best time to become a career coach

People spend 40+ years in the workforce—and most of them want more from their careers: more growth, more clarity, more confidence, and more income. With AI disrupting careers, even more people will want help with figuring out the right career for them.

The career coaching industry is already valued at $15.4 billion with 11,500 active coaches. And yet. it’s still wide open for coaches who bring a unique perspective and results-driven approach.

Most importantly, coaching works.

And if you’re wondering if AI is eating up the market…The answer is: No. AI gives information but it’s only as good as the user is.

More importantly, what people really want is emotional support, connection, and someone who can relate. They’re not paying you for the information you provide them – they’re paying you for the results you help them get.

In fact, I wrote an entire Fast Company article on the topic.

Career coaching isn’t just fulfilling – it’s profitable, too

As a career coach, you’re not just helping people write better resumes. You’re helping them change the trajectory of their lives. And that’s exactly why clients are happy to pay premium rates.

But not only is career coaching deeply meaningful work. It’s also incredibly profitable and scalable.

It’s one of the best businesses to build on the side of your 9–5, until you’re ready to make the leap full time.

But what does a career coach do? 

Most new career coaches start with one-on-one clients. You help your clients clarify their goals and then support them in achieving those goals step by step.

Let’s say your client wants a promotion. You might help them:

  • Define the role they’re aiming for
  • Map out their strategy
  • Improve their leadership and communication skills
  • Prepare for negotiations and performance reviews

Career coaching is also different from career counseling

Career counselorCareer coach
Focuses on exploration and guidanceFocuses on outcomes
Often works in schools or universitiesOften works independently or in private practice
Requires a counseling degreeNo formal degree required
Helps with assessments and mental blocksHelps with job search, promotions, and growth
Regulated professionUnregulated industry

Becoming a career coach gives you total control over your time, your income, and your future.

So how do you actually become a career coach and start building a business that gives you that kind of freedom? Let me walk you through it step by step.

👋 Who am I? I’m Luisa Zhou, a Princeton-educated engineer who successfully navigated the transition from a 9-5 into an 8-figure coaching business. I specialize in helping high-achieving professionals build profitable businesses that replace their salaries and provide true freedom. Because I started my own entrepreneurial journey as a career coach, I understand exactly how to translate your skills into a coaching offer that high-level clients value. I’ve mentored 4,000+ students using the same methodology you’ll find in this guide. Read more about my story here.

How to become a career coach in 7 steps

I’m going to walk you through the exact system I used to build my business—and the same one my most successful clients follow.

how to become a career coach thumbnail

Step 1: Choose your career coaching niche

Want to attract clients who say, “This is exactly what I’m looking for”? Start with a niche.

Choosing a niche is hands down one of the biggest reasons I grew my coaching business so quickly. It’s how you go from being yet another career coach… to being the obvious choice.

And no, it doesn’t box you in. It just helps you clearly communicate who you help and what you help them achieve.

What is a career coaching niche?

It’s the specific group of people you serve + the specific result you help them get.

For example, career coaching niches include: 

Or, you can focus on an industry-specific niche, as a nurse career coach, teacher career coach, or engineer career coach. 

How to choose your niche (without overthinking it):

Start by asking: Do I want to work with individuals or companies?

  • Individuals: Help professionals one-on-one to land jobs, pivot careers, or grow into leadership
  • Companies: Work with teams on performance, leadership, or retention

Then, narrow it down based on:

  • Your background or expertise (What do you already know?)
  • A clear outcome (What results can you help clients get?)
  • Market demand (Who’s willing and able to pay for your help?)

Example: My client Adunola focuses on helping ambitious millennials move up in their careers—because she knows that audience inside and out. They connect with her instantly and are ready to invest.

Need a bit more help? I’ll show you how to find your niche with just one sentence in this quick video:

Step 2: Learn the career coaching skills you need

To become a career coach, you don’t have to be an experienced coach or have a specific degree. 

But you do need the right skills to help your clients get real results—and to build a business that actually pays you.

Successful career coaches focus on mastering three areas: coaching skills, career-specific knowledge, and business skills.

Core coaching skills

These are the foundational skills that help you guide clients with clarity and confidence:

  • Active listening & clear communication: So your clients feel heard and walk away with actionable next steps
  • Powerful questioning: Think of your coaching like Google Maps. You ask the right questions to help clients map out the fastest route to their goals
  • Problem-solving: When a client’s stuck, you help them see what’s not working and shift into a better strategy
  • Empathy & emotional intelligence: Career transitions come with self-doubt and fear. You’ll help clients build confidence as they move forward

Career-specific knowledge

You don’t need to know everything, but you need to know how to help your clients get results, whether that means: 

  • Writing strong resumes and cover letters
  • Optimizing LinkedIn profiles to attract recruiters
  • Navigating interview strategies
  • Understanding personal branding, salary negotiation, and internal promotions

Business skills

If you want to coach full time, you’re not just a coach, you’re a business owner.

That means learning how to:

  • Market your services
  • Price your coaching packages
  • Manage clients and systems efficiently

Remember: you don’t need to be a natural from the start (few people are). But learning these key skills will set you up for long-term success.

What everyone asks at this stage is: “Do I need a certification to actually do this?”

Let’s break it down…

Step 3: Choose a career coaching certification – or don’t

You don’t need a certification to become a successful career coach.

The coaching industry is unregulated, which means you can start calling yourself a career coach today—as long as you have the experience or insight to help others.

What matters most? Results.

Here are a few examples:

  • My client Dagna used her engineering background to help tech professionals land dream jobs.
  • Anna, another client, leveraged her executive experience to coach professionals climbing the corporate ladder.
  • And when I started my first coaching business, as a career coach, I didn’t have a certification either. I just turned the career advice people kept asking me for into a business.

Still unsure if you’re qualified without one? Watch this video to assess whether you already have what it takes to start coaching: 

That said, if you want a certification—go for it! Just consider that while a certification can help in certain situations (if you work with corporate clients), a career coaching certification: 

  • Is not necessary to start or get clients
  • Can delay you from taking action
  • Is costly (often $1,000–$10,000+)

But if you choose to get certified, here’s what the process usually looks like:

  1. Find an accredited program: Look for those recognized by organizations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF). The ICF offers three accreditation levels with individual requirements based on your experience and coaching hours – Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Master Certified Coach (MCC). When you’re starting out, ACC is more than enough. 
  2. Pick a program aligned with your goals: Some focus on coaching technique, others on business skills. 
  3. Complete the training:  Including any required coursework and logged hours.
  4. Pass exams or assessments: Some programs require a final evaluation to get certified.

Once complete, you’ll receive an official credential. 

But what are the best certification programs? Let’s take a look. 

The top career coaching certifications (compared)

Here are some of the most trusted career coach certification programs.

(Note: I haven’t enrolled in these career coaching programs myself. This list is based on information available online, the reputation of the program, and reviews.)

Comparison of the best career coaching certifications 

Certification NameAccreditationPrice
Become a Certified Career Coach™Not ICF-accredited; Career Coach Institute$1,997
Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC)Offered by PARWCC$1,195
Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP)Offered by NCDA$1,300–$1,400
Senior Professional Career Coach (SPCC)ICF-accredited; IACC$2,299
Leadership & Performance Coaching Cert.ICF Level 1 (ACC); Brown University + ACTVaries
Certificate in Executive CoachingICF Level 2 (PCC); New York University (NYU)Varies

1. Become a Certified Career Coach™ 

Offered by Career Coach Institute, this 12-week program requires 50 hours of paid or unpaid coaching. Cost: $1,997.

2. Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC)

A program by the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches, taking 12 weeks to a year. Cost: $1,195.

3. Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP)

Provided by the National Career Development Association (NCDA), it requires completion of the NCDA Facilitating Career Development (FCD) Training and Certification Program. Cost: $1,300–$1,400.

4. Senior Professional Career Coach (SPCC)

This program by the International Association of Career Coaches is a 9-week long ICF-accredited program. Cost: $2,299.

Other alternatives: 

Step 4: Set up your career coaching business

This step is about turning your coaching idea from a hobby to a legit business.

Don’t worry, you don’t need a 20-page business plan or a logo. You just need legal basics, a coaching name, and booking and payment tools.

Let’s take a look at each of these.

Start by choosing a legal structure. The most popular ones for new coaching businesses are: 

  • Limited Liability Company (LLC): Offers strong legal protection, but it’s a more complicated legal structure to set up. 
  • Sole proprietorship: A simpler business to set up, but doesn’t afford as much legal protection.

You can also choose whether you want coaching insurance. Read more about it here.

And you’ll need a coaching contract to take on clients. Here’s how to create one.

2. Coaching business name 

Pick a simple coaching business name by using your own name. (Just like I use my name – LuisaZhou.com). If you have a common name, you can add on “coaching” or “consulting.” 

3. Career coaching tools

Use tools like:

  • Scheduling: Calendly helps you automate call scheduling and follow-ups. 
  • Communication: Use Zoom and Voxer for client calls
  • Client management: Google Drive works well for setting up your client management
  • Contract management: Use Dropbox Sign to automate contract management
  • AI: ChatGPT and Claude can be used to create emails, ideate social media content, and more

Now that you have a solid foundation, it’s time to focus on the truly exciting parts of building a career coaching business – starting with a strong brand.

Step 5: Create a career coaching brand

Your brand is what makes people say “yes” to working with you even if they’ve never met you in person.

And no, a brand isn’t just color palettes or fonts.

The real reason someone chooses you over another coach is you.

Define your unique selling proposition (USP)

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is what sets you apart from every other career coach.

For example: Anna, one of my former clients, built her brand around her experience as an executive in the media industry to help other women get ahead. 

Here’s how to find yours:

Ask yourself:

  • What makes me different from other coaches?
  • What life experiences, beliefs, or values shape the way I coach?
  • What results do I help clients achieve—and how is my method unique?
  • Who is my ideal client?
  • Why am I especially equipped to help them?
Diagram showing the key elements that define your brand

Create an online presence

Once your brand message is clear, your next step is building a simple online presence that backs it up.

You don’t need a full website to get started. I didn’t have one until I’d already made $20,000. 

But here’s what does matter:

1. Start with LinkedIn

LinkedIn gives potential clients a quick snapshot of who you are and what you do.

Optimize your profile to include:

  • A clear headline (“Career Coach for Ambitious Professionals Navigating Job Pivots”)
  • A results-focused summary
  • Client testimonials or proof
  • A simple call to action (“Book a free consult”)

2. Add a simple website (when you’re ready)

Once you’re booking clients consistently, a one-page site helps you convert more leads. Include:

  • Your offer
  • About section
  • Client results
  • Call to action

Here’s an example of a well-branded career coach site:

My former client Emily’s homepage speaks clearly to her niche and makes it easy to book a consult.

3. Grow an email list

When you have a website, create an email list to build your own audience. Start with a simple freebie like a:

  • Resume checklist
  • 5-day email job search challenge
  • “Land Interviews Faster” PDF guide

You can use a simple email platform like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign to collect emails. 

Beyond your brand, you also need a strong offer.

Step 6: Create and price your coaching offer

The next step is to design your career coaching package.

A great beginner-friendly approach is to offer a 3-month coaching program priced at $1,500. This package can include: 

  • 6 bi-weekly coaching sessions (90 minutes each)
  • Email or Voxer support between sessions
  • Resume review and optimization
  • Interview preparation materials
  • 30-day follow-up check-in

Why this model?

  • It’s easier to sell at this price point when you’re just starting
  • Once you’ve helped clients achieve results, you can increase your rates

After a few client wins, you might raise your rate to $2,000 per package—allowing you to replace your 9-5 salary with just a few clients per month.

Graph with coaching salaries
Example of how you can replace your 9-5 salary with a career coaching package.

There’s no cap for what you can charge. Some of my clients charge $10,000 (or more) for a 3-month coaching program

Of course, these career coaches have extensive experience. I’m sharing this to show what’s possible—not to suggest this is where you should start.

Pro tip! Focus on transformation instead of features. So instead of offering “career coaching for tech workers,” you help tech workers “land a new job in 90 days.”

Step 7: Get coaching client practice

You don’t need to be an “expert” to start coaching — you need to start coaching to become one.

So many new coaches get stuck here. They:

  • Wait until they feel “ready” (spoiler: that day never comes)
  • Think they need a perfect offer before they work with clients
  • Stay in learning mode instead of taking real action

But the fastest path to confidence, skill, and client results? Practice.

So how do you start coaching (before you feel ready)?

Free coaching calls

You don’t need a fancy website or 1,000 followers. You just need ONE person to say yes.

And you can start by offering 3–5 free sessions to people in your network. Those sessions can then help you upsell your coaching – so that you land your first client.

I call this the “Taster Technique” because potential clients get to “taste” what it’s like working with you before they commit.

When I started coaching, some of my first clients came from these types of free calls. 

Get paying clients

Getting paying clients also doesn’t have to be as complicated as many “gurus” want you to believe. 

Take it from me – an introvert who wasn’t a born salesperson.

Ultimately, marketing your coaching business comes down to one simple thing: 

Get visible in front of the people you can help — and make it easy for them to say yes.

Let’s break it down:

Step 1: Start with your warm network

Most new coaches overlook this, but your first few clients often come from people who already know you.

  • Post on LinkedIn or Instagram: “I’m opening 2 coaching spots for professionals who want clarity on their next career move. DM me if that’s you (or someone you know).”
  • Reach out personally to former colleagues, friends, or classmates who might need support or know someone who does and can refer you

I landed my first career coaching clients by reaching out to coworkers who had already come to me for career advice. I simply asked if they’d be interested in paid coaching—and a few said yes. Just like that, I was in business!

Step 2: Use social media

Another way to attract clients is through social media.

Pick the one platform where your ideal clients already hang out. For career coaches, these are the top options:

  • LinkedIn: Great for professionals, job seekers, and executives
  • Instagram: Ideal for visual content, stories, and personal branding
  • Facebook groups: Good for networking and sharing value posts
  • Reddit: Great for reaching an engaged community
  • TikTok: Good for reaching Gen Z professionals

Don’t try to do all of them at once — start with one and show up consistently.

What should you post or share?

Focus on content that builds trust and shows your value:

  • Career tips your niche is Googling
  • Mistakes to avoid in job interviews, resumes, or pivots
  • Stories of how you or your clients overcame similar challenges
  • Behind the scenes of your process or coaching wins
  • Testimonials, even from beta clients

Real examples:

  • Emily got her first client by posting on LinkedIn and asking people about their biggest career struggles.
  • Anna, a career coach for ambitious women, also landed her first coaching clients after sharing career-related content on LinkedIn.

Step 3: Sell your coaching

To build your reputation, offer free coaching calls before selling your coaching. And to lead your sales calls confidently, use this simple discovery call flow: 

  1. Ask about their current challenge
  2. Clarify the outcome they want
  3. Share how your coaching helps bridge the gap

Step 4: Leverage testimonials

Once you have a few clients, ask them for testimonials.

  • Why? Testimonials build trust and prove that your coaching delivers results.
  • As you collect more success stories, it becomes easier to attract new clients—and raise your rates.

That’s the full step-by-step strategy for getting coaching clients. I break it down even further in this quick video: 

How much can a career coach make?

Career coaching can absolutely be both meaningful and profitable.

The average career coach salary is $68,700 per year.

But that’s just an average—as a self-employed career coach, your income potential is much higher

How much you can make depends on three things:

  • Your offer
  • Your pricing model
  • Your consistency in marketing

Many of my clients have built multiple six- and seven-figure coaching businesses by setting their own rates and scaling their services with one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and online courses. You can also add on other offers, like workshops, corporate training, speaking gigs, books, and digital products.

Most new career coaches charge:

Here’s a breakdown of typical rates based on experience level:

Experience levelTypical package priceHourly equivalent
Just starting out$1,000–$1,500 per package$50–$125/hr
6–12 months in$1,500–$3,000+$125–$250/hr
Advanced$3,000–$10,000+$250–$500/hr

Note: These aren’t corporate coaching retainers — these are standard career coaching packages for individuals.

Examples of successful career coaching businesses

I saved the best for last! 🙂 

Now you know how to build your career coaching business. 

But you might still be unsure if it’s really possible for you

Here, I share how two of my clients (with families, careers, and busy lives) were able to build their businesses.

Read on!

How this six-figure career coach planned her wedding during her most successful launch

Meet Emily Liou, founder of Cultivitae.com, a six-figure career coaching business she started while still working full-time.

Screenshot of Emily Liou's Instagram account
Source: Emily’s Instagram

Before launching her business in 2016, Emily spent years as a recruiter for Fortune 500 companies. But eventually, she realized she wanted more freedom and more meaning.

So she took what she already knew — how recruiters think, what gets candidates hired — and turned it into a business that helps job seekers land roles they actually love.

Today, her signature program, Happily Hired, helps people get promoted, pivot into new industries, and feel excited about Mondays again.

But she didn’t start with a polished course or big audience.

Emily got her first clients by announcing her new side hustle on LinkedIn and asking her network what they needed most help with.
She had private conversations, offered low-cost coaching, collected testimonials, and grew from there.

She also joined Facebook groups, ran polls, and talked to jobseekers one-on-one about their struggles, building real relationships before pitching.

Fast forward to today?

Emily brings in clients through multiple channels, like LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google, and her blog — and her business has grown into a multiple six-figure brand.

Oh, and during her biggest launch ever… she was also planning her wedding. 🎉

How this stay-at-home mom made $20,000 as a career coach in just 4 months

When Anna Cosic (TilesCollab.com) started her coaching business, she wasn’t in an office — she was at home with her 18-month-old son.

Screenshot of Anna Cosic's website

After spending nearly a decade climbing the corporate ladder, Anna decided to turn her leadership experience into a business helping ambitious women earn more, achieve more, and build careers they’re proud of.

But starting a business with a toddler? Not easy.

Still, she made it happen.

Anna started small — by reconnecting with her network on LinkedIn and offering coaching to people who already trusted her.

She focused on just one thing at a time, and made the most of her schedule:

  • Two hours during nap time
  • Four evenings a week
  • Sundays for planning and client work

Within four months, she’d made $20,000.

And today? Her coaching business is a six-figure brand and her full-time job.

🚀 Want to learn the exact steps to starting your own coaching business? Here’s how I grew a coaching business and quit my 9-5.

FAQs about becoming a career coach

Are career coaches in demand? 

Yes, they are! The coaching industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. People need career coaches at all stages of their career throughout their 40+ years in the workforce. Plus, don’t forget that there will be plenty more demand in the future thanks to AI.

Is career coaching legit? 

Yes, career coaching is legit. Thousands of career coaches have built profitable and sustainable businesses using their unique skills and gifts to help their clients land better jobs, increase their salaries, and completely change the trajectory of their careers.

Do career coaches make money?

Yes, career coaches can make six figures and more with different offers (private coaching, group programs, online courses, and digital products). You need to position yourself in the right way with a specific coaching niche that helps people get results.

Do I need a certification to be a career coach?

Career coaching is an unregulated industry, so you don’t need a certification. But you need real-life experience to coach others. Say you’re a recruiter or you’ve climbed the corporate ladder and want to help others do the same. Both are excellent foundations for your coaching business.

What’s the best certification for career coaching?

It depends on your goals. If you want to work with corporate clients or coach within organizations, a certification from an ICF-accredited program (like the Co-Active Training Institute or iPEC) can add credibility. But if your focus is on private clients and building your own business, you don’t need a certification to get started. What matters most is your ability to help people get results.

How long does it take to become a career coach?

The time it takes to become a career coach depends on you. You can start your business right away by marketing your business to new clients. But if you decide to get a certification, you can typically get started in 6-12 months.

Can I be a career coach as a side hustle?

Yes, career coaching is one of the best side hustles out there. You don’t need to quit your job or go all-in on day one. Many successful coaches (myself included) started part-time, working with a few clients on evenings or weekends before going full time. This type of business is flexible, scalable, and doesn’t require a huge upfront investment.

Can I become a career coach without HR experience? 

Absolutely. You don’t need a background in HR to become a career coach and many of the most successful coaches come from completely different fields. What you do need is insight into how careers grow, how people navigate transitions, and how to help clients move forward. Whether you’ve worked in tech, education, corporate leadership, or simply mentored others through career changes, that real-world experience matters more than an HR title.

What’s the best career coaching niche?

The best career coaching niche is the one that matches your personal experience and strengths, solves a specific, high-value career problem, and serves an audience that’s actively looking for help. For example, a few high-demand career coaching niches are career transition coaching, executive career coaching, and job search strategy coaching.

Start building your successful career coaching business!

Look: 

A coaching business can be highly fulfilling, flexible, and help you increase your income.

But to become a career coach, you need to take consistent action and find the right strategies that work for you. 

And while this blog post is a massive guide that will absolutely help you take the next step, there’s only so much I can share in one article. 

That’s why I created my coaching business training program, Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE). 

You see, I’ve worked with thousands of coaches. And many of those have gone on to build five, six, and multiple six-figure businesses (and beyond). 

How? They used the system I teach in ETE. 

I created ETE because I couldn’t find a similar program when I myself wanted to build a coaching business and leave my 9-5. All the programs out there were geared toward people who had already quit their jobs.

The thing is, I had worked hard to build my career. I wasn’t going to risk my income or future – and that’s why I wanted a proven roadmap that would help me build my business on the side so that I could safely transition into entrepreneurship.

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The exact plan I used to build a
6-figure coaching business before I turned in my notice.

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You’ll also get my best strategies, insights, and updates via email.

After years of trial and error, I finally figured it out and successfully built my first coaching business to over six figures in the first four months. After which, I of course quit my day job! 🙂 People began asking me how I’d done it, and so I started helping others do the same.

I eventually packaged that methodology into ETE – the best system for people who want to build a profitable coaching business without having to spend years figuring out how to do it. 

Want to learn more? 

Start with my FREE blueprint that shows you how to build a massively profitable and meaningful online career coaching business…right now!

Warmly,

Luisa Zhou

About Luisa Zhou

Luisa Zhou has helped thousands of students build and scale their own profitable online coaching business. Fun Fact: She used to work as an engineer for the Space Station and holds a B.S.E. from Princeton. Click here to learn more about Luisa.

Hope you enjoy this blog post.

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  1. It’s great to hear that there aren’t really that many requirements to become a career coach. My husband just retired and is looking for a way to spend his time these days and it’s great to see this may be a good fit for him. He’s had work experience in HR and did pretty well for himself, considering he managed to buy a house and send all our kids to college. It sounds like he can give a solid yes to both the questions you asked when it comes to qualifications. I’ll tell him about it and see if he’s interested in taking any career coaching courses. It’ll be a good use of his free time, and who knows? he may just help create the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs.

  2. This is the most amazing and easy to understand steps to becoming a career coach I have ever seen. Your website is designed in a clean and attractive to read way. Your videos are to the point. As a new career coach, I found your career guide the best especially I like when you said, “our clients doesn’t want information but transformation”.

  3. Hello!

    My name is Tara Odell. I’ve been in banking for almost 20 years and I am frankly burned out. Not to brag, but I have a fancy title and fantastic sales record with over 6 figure salary and 6 figure bonus – all in commercial banking. It’s great but I am at this point that I want to transition into coaching and helping other women succeed. I have a passion for it and I think I would be good at it. But to be honest I’ve never thought very entrepreneurial and I haven’t the slightest idea how to set up my own coaching practice, and what my value prop should me. I am thinking something around sales and leadership. Maybe even some “life coaching”. I have a unique story that includes a lot of adversity.

    Long story short. I wondered if you offered 1:1 consulting to help launch practices?

  4. Your website is a very detailed short course on its own, and what’s amazing is that there’s so much information for free! Keep up the Good work????

  5. Luisa,
    Excellent post, my friend, and I’ve read quite a few of them in the past.

    I don’t want to be a career coach, I want to be a premium email marketing ghostwriter for career coaches. I’ve been a copywriting generalist for the last 30 or so years, but I want to niche down in one specific area. I do not have any experience in the executive coaching realm, but I was in the military for 15 years and I took a lot of leadership courses. Do you think it would be too much of a stretch for me to learn about this field and approach coaches in it? I value your opinion, and appreciate your well written information. Have a blessed day!

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