Want to quit your 9-5 and start a successful coaching business from scratch?
So you can finally achieve more freedom, fulfillment, and live your life on your own terms?
Today, I’m sharing the exact steps I used to build my own coaching business — and help thousands of others do the same.
Ready to jump in and learn how to start your own business? Let’s go.
How to start a coaching business – checklist:
2: Get certified (if you want to)
5: Brand your coaching business
6: Create and price your coaching package
7: Get your first paying clients
Get the Ultimate Guide
for building a
6-Figure Coaching Business so you can achieve more freedom!
What is coaching?
A coaching business allows you to use your expertise, skills, and experience to help others transform their lives.
And coaching is something you can likely start doing, right now…Coaches are in demand across virtually every industry:
Health, career, relationships, personal finance, business, productivity, spirituality, sports, stress, parenting — the list goes on.
Whether you’re seeking a flexible schedule, a more fulfilling career, or a higher income, there’s never been a better time to set up shop as a coach – and use it as a way to leave your 9-5. The coaching industry is booming, valued at $4.564 billion, and with the shift towards self-employment, nearly half the workforce will be self-employed in the next few years. By reaching clients online, you can start selling your coaching services immediately.
I know from experience. In my first four months of running an online coaching business, I made over six figures. This success allowed me to transition comfortably into full-time entrepreneurship. Within 11 months, I’d grown my current business to a seven-figure business:
But how do you start a coaching business?
Let’s take a look.
How to start a successful coaching business
If you’re looking to replace your 9-5 income with a business, coaching is one of the fastest and most profitable paths. As a coach, you can set premium prices and create a highly profitable business with minimal overhead.
But maybe you’re thinking, “Do I have what it takes to become a coach?”
The answer is yes. You can build a thriving and profitable coaching business.
These are the steps that will help you build your coaching business fast. Read through to the end to learn how to apply these strategies and start your own six-figure coaching business today.
Step 1: Pick a profitable coaching niche
Most people think choosing a niche is about finding the “next big thing.” But really, it’s about using what you already have.
Coaching opportunities are everywhere, but without a proven formula, finding a niche can feel like throwing spaghetti at the wall. Here’s a tried-and-true formula that’s helped me build multiple six- and seven-figure businesses:
Before I started coaching on building online businesses, I launched a few ventures in different areas.
- Tutoring company: Grew it to six figures but realized it wasn’t a long-term passion.
- Mobile payments start-up: Reached a multi-million dollar valuation, but it eventually fizzled.
- Excel consulting: Profitable but not engaging enough for the long term.
- Career coaching: Closer to my passion but still not quite right.
The breakthrough? Using my job skills in digital advertising to create a digital advertising consulting business. (The business that helped me grow to six figures and quit my day job.)
Ultimately, starting your own online coaching business is all about solving a problem and providing a solution. You’re already doing that on a daily basis in your day job. Now it’s simply time to get paid by clients instead of your employer.
Here are just a few examples of people looking for coaches in different niches.
Career coach:
Relationship coach:
But how can you find your own, profitable niche?
Let’s break it down…
Find your niche
You already have existing skills, strengths, and experiences that other people want to pay you for. You just need to choose the best idea for yourself.
Before you sit down to brainstorm, grab a pen and paper.
Quick Exercise: List 10 ideas based on these prompts.
- Have you overcome a big challenge? Maybe you’re good at getting promotions or you’ve lost weight. Or you’re great at automating your savings.
- Have you learned a skill in your 9-5? Are you a copywriter? Or a chef? Or an executive assistant? These (plus so many other skills) are skills you can use to start your coaching business.
- Do you have a hobby you’re passionate about? Do you like running? Or singing? Or are you a member of Toastmasters and know how to deliver a great speech?
- What are your core strengths? Call 5 friends and ask them what they would describe as your core strengths.
There, now you have at least a few more ideas to work with!
Next, take a look at your list of ideas.
Which idea feels like something you’d enjoy talking about even in your spare time? That’s an idea you’re probably pretty passionate about.
Is your niche already in demand? Search platforms like Google, YouTube, and Upwork. If people are actively seeking help, that’s a good sign of profitability.
If you need more ideas, I share plenty of niches in this post.
And you can also learn how to clarify your niche into just ONE sentence, in this video:
Identify your target audience
Ask yourself: Who do you want to help? And with what?
In my case:
- My WHO are busy entrepreneurs
- My WHAT is helping my clients create profitable businesses that allow them to leave their 9-5
Next, make sure your audience can afford your coaching services.
Are your clients WILLING and ABLE to pay?
After all, it’d be heartbreaking to dedicate so much of your barely existent spare time to building a business of your dreams only to find out that the people you wanted to work with can’t actually afford to hire you.
Spare yourself the pain and choose a market where there’s money – or else you’ll have given yourself a very expensive hobby rather than a business.
For example, if you’re a career coach who targets recent college grads, you’ll have a harder time selling premium coaching packages.
But if you target people who’ve been in the workforce for at least a few years? That’s a market with the ability to pay.
Step 2: Get certified (if you want to)
A common misconception among new coaches is thinking they need a certification to start working with clients. The truth? That’s mostly a myth.
Coaching isn’t the same as counseling, where a degree or certification is often required. What truly matters here is your experience.
Your clients aren’t paying for a piece of paper — they’re paying for you, your expertise, and the transformation you deliver.
Take me, for example. I don’t have an MBA. But I do have over 10 years of experience across various industries, plus a track record of helping thousands of students in 50+ industries build successful online businesses. I get my clients results, and that’s what they value.
The same applies to you. If you have the knowledge and the experience to guide others, you’re ready to coach.
However, there are industries, especially in health and mental health, where certification is required. And you may still decide to get certified — just choose carefully. The coaching certification industry is unregulated, so it’s essential to pick a reputable program.
For credibility, look for programs accredited by institutions like the International Coaching Federation (ICF), which offers three main credential paths:
- ACC (Associate Certified Coach)
- PCC (Professional Certified Coach)
- MCC (Master Certified Coach)
Each credential has its own requirements based on your coaching training. Here are a few examples of ICF-accredited programs:
- iPEC Coach Training Experience: An online, self-study program covering coaching basics and the COR.E Energy coaching method. (Life coaching)
- Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC): A self-paced program by the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches, covering career management and job-seeking strategies. (Career coaching)
- Mayo Clinic Wellness Coach Training Program: A three-month course designed to develop confident wellness coaches. (Health coaching)
Get the Ultimate Guide
for building a
6-Figure Coaching Business so you can achieve more freedom!
Step 3: Set up your business
Most people dive into creating the “perfect” website right away. But that’s a quick way to get stuck. Instead, let’s be strategic and ensure your business is set up for real success.
Plan your business
You don’t need an exhaustive coaching business plan. In fact, it’s better to spend that time taking action, learning, and adjusting as you see what works.
However, there are a few things you want to be clear on:
- Revenue Streams: Where will your income come from? Your initial focus will likely be one-on-one coaching. Later, you can add group coaching or online courses (more on those later).
- Costs: Early expenses are minimal. Typically, you’ll need an internet connection, call software ($10-$20/month), scheduling software ($10/month), and a client contract (often a few hundred dollars).
Choose a business structure and register your business
Decide on your structure — most coaches opt for either an LLC or a sole proprietorship. For more information, the IRS website is a good resource. Legal coach Lisa Fraley also offers guidance and checklists for setting up an LLC or S-Corp if needed.
Get licenses and insurance
Generally, coaching doesn’t require a license. However, niches like nutrition coaching might, so check the regulations for your specific field. For more on legal requirements for coaches, take a look at this article.
Insurance isn’t mandatory for most coaches, but if you’d like added peace of mind, you can find top life coaching insurance options in this article.
Choose a coaching business name
Naming your coaching business is simple. I usually recommend using your own name (LuisaZhou.com). If your name is common, you can add “coaching” or “consulting” (LuisaZhouCoaching.com).
Create a website
Do you need a website right now? No. At the start, focus on getting your first client instead of building the perfect site.
Personally, I didn’t launch a website until I had made $20,000 in sales — and it wasn’t pretty! When potential clients asked for a site, I pointed them to my LinkedIn profile, which had all the information they needed.
For more on how to set up your business, take a look at this video:
Next:
How do you learn how to help your clients as a coach?
Step 4: Learn how to become a great coach
To become a coach, you need to learn how to coach. There are three parts to this:
- Develop a coaching methodology
- Systematize client onboarding
- Run effective coaching sessions
Let’s look at each of these below.
Develop your coaching methodology
Start by designing a framework. Outline a three-month coaching program that’s focused on delivering results. This means defining an overall goal for the program and setting subgoals for each month.
This basic structure is all you need to start working with your first paying clients. The rest? You’ll learn as you go. Working with clients will reveal their challenges and help you refine your program over time. After a few clients, you’ll know the exact steps they need to achieve their goals.
When I started my first coaching business, I spent hours preparing for each call and went above and beyond to deliver results.
That’s how you figure out what your clients need.
I talk more about it here:
Set up a client acquisition and onboarding process
You also need a streamlined way to handle sales calls and client onboarding.
- Scheduling calls: Use a tool like Calendly to set up your availability and intake questions. Then, share your booking link with potential clients.
- Holding calls: Use a platform like Zoom to conduct your sessions.
- Onboarding new clients: Use a a client intake form and have a coaching contract ready. A reliable payment system like PayPal or Stripe will help you manage payments seamlessly.
To use Calendly, set up a new event.
Add everything from your availability to questions you ask people when they sign up.
Then, share a link and send it to people who want to book calls with you.
Now, you’re ready to start taking on clients! But let’s also focus on how to be the best coach possible.
Run effective coaching sessions
I use a coaching style called “coach-sulting” — a mix of coaching and consulting. Rather than relying solely on traditional Socratic questioning (where the client comes up with all the answers), I guide my clients by offering insights from my own experience. This approach helps clients reach their goals faster while still building the tools they need for long-term success.
That’s how my clients get these types of results:
Regardless of your coaching style, each coaching session should have a clear purpose tied to the overall program goal. For instance, if you’re coaching someone to land a better-paying job, your goals might look like this:
- Month 1: Identify key skills and build a standout resume
- Month 2: Expand their network by connecting with 10 new people weekly
- Month 3: Prepare and send tailored job applications
Each month’s goal is then broken down into smaller steps for each session, like mapping skills or resume-building.
This structure ensures your clients get results. For a step-by-step guide on planning your first coaching call, check out this video:
Now that you have these fundamentals in place, let’s explore how to stand out as a coach in a crowded market.
Step 5: Brand your coaching services
How do you connect with clients and create a coaching business that stands out? By building a unique coaching brand.
A major part of your brand is your “secret sauce” — your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). This is what sets you apart and attracts your ideal clients.
Your brand goes beyond just visuals or voice. It’s about your story and what makes you unique. Ask yourself:
- What makes you different?
- How is your coaching methodology unique?
- What are your values and beliefs?
- Who is your audience?
- How is your offering distinct?
For example, I position myself as a strategic and systematic business coach, which draws clients who want to build a real business with skills, systems, and strategies — not just become social media influencers. My brand also includes my goofy German Shepherd, Falco, my life in New York, and my Asian upbringing.
Here’s another example:
My student David, a health coach, helps people improve their health using herbs. That’s a unique “secret sauce” that makes his business memorable.
If you want to learn more about branding your coaching business, take a look at this quick video:
Next, we’ll cover how to create a coaching offer that sells!
Step 6: Create and price a coaching package
Most online coaching businesses start with a one-on-one model, where you work privately with clients to deliver customized support and help them achieve the best results.
Why is this model ideal for you as a new entrepreneur?
Working one-on-one lets you charge a premium because clients are paying for your expertise, time, and personal support. But clients don’t pay a premium just for your time; they’re investing in achieving the best possible results within the shortest (within reason) timeframe.
This is why online coaching can allow you to replace your salary with just a few clients — so you can finally leave your 9-5 job.
Get the Ultimate Guide
for building a
6-Figure Coaching Business so you can achieve more freedom!
Step #1: Define the solution you offer
Let’s be clear: This isn’t a “get-rich-quick” approach. To succeed, your coaching business must provide real value and drive results for clients. It’s the transformations you deliver that determine whether your business will last.
With coaching, you solve a specific problem. And there are three types of outcomes clients are willing to pay for:
- Feeling better (more confident, loved, or happy)
- Becoming better (improved public speaking skills)
- Having more (more money, time, or freedom)
Step #2: Package and price your offer
A simple package for new coaches is a three-month program with weekly or biweekly calls. This structure allows you to start earning quickly without the need to create a standalone product.
A solid starting point for pricing is around $1,500 for the package, with the option to offer monthly payment plans for recurring income.
For financial security, I advise most of my students to leave their day jobs only after they’re consistently earning at least twice their monthly salary. This cushion covers business expenses and taxes, reducing financial stress as you transition.
With a high-end offer, you don’t need many clients to reach your goals. This is why I recommend against hourly or monthly pricing models, which require more work to replace your income.
Want to learn more about packaging? Take a look at this video:
Once you’ve defined your offer, the next step is getting people to buy it. We’ll dive into that next.
Step 7: Get your first paying coaching clients in the next few weeks
You might be thinking, “Great, but where are these clients actually coming from?” By the end of this chapter, you’ll know exactly how to find your first coaching clients!
Your marketing plan
To attract clients, you need a focused marketing approach. There are many ways to market your coaching business, including:
- Joint ventures with other coaches
- Leveraging social media
- Asking for referrals
- Running paid ads
- Optimizing for search engines
- Pitching to media outlets
While all of these options work, the key is to focus on one strategy at a time.
This focus is what helped me grow my business to six figures in four months. I concentrated solely on mastering one platform (Facebook) before adding other strategies later, once I had already achieved multi-seven-figure success.
To choose your primary marketing channel, consider where your ideal clients spend their time. Are they on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or attending conferences and listening to podcasts? For me, Facebook groups were ideal, as my audience of small business owners was active there.
2. Get referrals and testimonials
As a new coach, social proof is essential. Testimonials from happy clients build trust and show potential clients that you deliver results. Start by working with a few clients, helping them achieve their goals, and gathering testimonials. These will not only boost your credibility but also help you get referrals, bring in more clients, and grow your revenue.
Step 8: Grow your business to six figures
You don’t have to work with clients one-on-one forever. Once your solution is proven and you’re helping clients get results, it’s time to consider scaling.
Scaling means expanding beyond one-on-one coaching to maximize your time and increase your income. With scaling, you work less but reach more clients. Here are two popular ways to scale:
#1: Group coaching
Transitioning to group coaching allows you to support more clients without working more hours. By offering group support instead of—or alongside—private coaching, you can multiply your impact. You can even hire additional coaches to support your program, enabling you to help more people without increasing your own workload.
#2: Online courses
Another scalable option is to create a self-study version of your program. With an online course, you only need to build the content once, which clients can then access at any time. This allows you to serve clients around the clock, generating income 24/7.
This approach is how I developed my Employee to Entrepreneur program, enabling more people to learn from my methods without requiring additional time from me.
The benefits of starting a coaching business online
Now you know how to start a coaching business. But why should you even start one?
Here are the top reasons:
1. Replace your income quickly
With a coaching business, you focus on attracting a few clients with a premium package, rather than chasing thousands of small sales like in traditional ecommerce. For example, if you charge $2,000 per client, just five clients will earn you $10,000. This approach allows you to build a thriving business quickly. This is a big reason why I scaled my own business to seven figures in the first 12 months.
2. Find purpose and fulfillment
Coaching lets you create meaningful relationships with clients and make a real impact on their lives. The transformations you help clients achieve bring a deep sense of fulfillment that’s hard to find in a traditional job.
3. Leverage your time and increase your income
As a coach, you’re offering high-end services that allow you to build a profitable business fast. Over time, you can add group programs, workshops, retreats, books, or speaking engagements to your offerings.
Your coaching offer is just the beginning, and yes, there’s definitely a coaching niche out there for YOU. Coaches come in all types — let’s dive into finding your perfect niche.
Types of coaches
Some of the most popular and in-demand types of coaching include:
- Career coaching
- Health coaching
- Financial coaching
- Relationship coaching
- Mindset coaching
- Stress coaching
- Productivity coaching
- Marketing coaching
- Confidence coaching
- Weight loss coaching
- Recovery coaching
- Fertility coaching
- Personal development coaching
- Wellness coaching
- Mindfulness coaching
- Motivational coaching
- Transformational coaching
- Executive coaching
- Leadership coaching
- Life coaching
For example:
#1: Dating coaching: Ruby Le
My client Ruby Le draws on her past experience working with companies like eHarmony and It’s Just Lunch to help high-quality men attract more dates.
#2: Medicinal herbs: David Alsieux
My student David Alsieux coaches people on how to use herbs to take charge of their health, skills he picked up after a personal family health incident.
#3: Sales coaching: Sanae Floyd
My student Sanae Floyd started her business and grew it to 5-figure months by drawing on the decades she spent working in sales.
#4: Career coaching: Emily Liou
Emily Liou leveraged her experience as a recruiter for Fortune 500 companies and grew a career coaching business that helps people find fulfilling jobs.
Frequently asked questions about starting a coaching business
How do you start a coaching business with no experience?
You can absolutely start a coaching business as a new coach. While you’ll need experience in the area you’re coaching on, remember that coaching itself is a skill you build by working with clients. Start by offering a lower rate to create a win-win situation, allowing you to gain experience while providing value to your clients.
Are coaching businesses profitable?
Yes, coaching businesses can be very profitable. Since coaching is a personal and transformational service, people are often willing to pay a premium for your expertise — especially when your services are positioned effectively.
How hard is it to become a coach?
Starting a coaching business is straightforward, even though it does require patience and resilience. You can begin with your current skills and talents. The key is understanding the specific transformation your clients want and showing them how you can help achieve it.
What coaching is in most demand?
There are many in-demand coaching niches. Popular areas include health coaching, financial coaching, and career coaching. Emerging industries like artificial intelligence coaching are also growing. Even smaller niches, like vocal coaching or empowerment coaching, have significant potential.
Let’s start building your coaching business today!
And that’s it! Now you know exactly how to start a coaching business online.
I’m not an exception, and neither are my students. You can start a business and make money with the skills you already have.
But remember, there’s only so much I can cover in a blog post. Building a profitable coaching business comes down to consistent action and discovering which strategies work best for you.
That’s why I created my coaching business training program, Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE).
Before launching my first online business, I was in a well-paid corporate job. I wanted to start my business safely on the side, but I couldn’t find any program that showed me exactly how to transition without risking my income or career. After years of trial and error, I built my coaching business to six figures in four months — and finally quit my job. Soon after, people began asking how I’d done it, and ETE was born.
Get the Ultimate Guide
for building a
6-Figure Coaching Business so you can achieve more freedom!
If you’re ready to stop fumbling about building a business and want a clear roadmap to follow, that’s exactly what ETE provides. It’s a complete, A-to-Z guide that helps you launch and grow your business from scratch.
Want to learn more?
Start with my FREE blueprint to discover how to build a six-figure coaching business — and learn more about ETE.
Warmly,
Luisa Zhou
Learn more:
The Best Coaching Business Model
Checklist for Starting Your Coaching Business
The Best Coaching Business Courses for Coaches
13 Responses
Hi Luisa,
I have enjoyed reading all of your content. You make the process very easy to understand and I love your strategic approach. I am a registered nurse and have many ideas for a business as I have an interest in helping others with chronic disease and moving into the functional medicine approach with wellness. I also have an interest in helping women/ young ladies who need encouragement with not feeling worthy. Anyhow, I am looking forward to the challenge!! Kathleen
Happy to hear it, Kathleen! 🙂 And looking forward to supporting you in the challenge!
Hello Luisa! Your story is remarkably impressive and you are truly an inspiration! Thank you for allowing us all to connect to your wisdom. I appreciate the fact that you broke it down into chapters which actually made me feel I was reading a book, which I love to do! These are enlightening coaching information! I Am currently working on sales, marketing, networking, website to hopefully start receiving high paying clients who want my service! I’m also looking forward to this challenge! What time does it start on May 4th? I hope the time works out for I have yoga classes to teach that day. Thank you and God bless! <3 Chessa =)
Hi Chessa! So glad to hear you found this helpful. 🙂
The challenge is a day-long event, so you can read the email and participate whenever you have time that day. 🙂
Perfecto! I’m excited now! Thank you again for this opportunity! Thank you also for accepting me in the FB group, Namaste! =)
Luisa, Thank you for this information-packed post! You answered so many of my questions in a succint and energetic manner – I read every word. I am looking into a few coach training programs and trying to gather as much information as I can. I have wondered how to market my services when I get to that point, and answering your four questions provided me real clarity as there was a consistent theme in my responses. Again, thank you!
Thank you so much for this thorough information! I’m planning on becoming a transformational Life Coach
Hi Luisa, I’ve appreciated this article, especially step 6. I’ve adjusted my niche to work with a demographic that I haven’t worked with in the past, so I’ve been getting creative about systemitizing the best ways to help my ideal client find me. This process has given me insight into shifting into groups & online courses sooner than I originally thought I might, & I’ve yet to do them before. I’m finding this process to be taking me more time, rather than streamlining my time so far though. This funnel system is what’s resonating with me, so thank you
It’s not always that people can convey and express information in such a clear and easy understable way. You have done it Liusa. Well done. This article was inspirational, motivational and created to excitement which says” Go now”
The coaching niches I will engage in is :
– Personal Development
– Business Development
– Financial Coaching
I like your approach of Coach- Consultant
Thank you very much
Thank you for such a rich and helpful post Luisa. You held nothing back and I really appreciate it!! Super helpful.
You’re welcome! Glad you found it helpful!
Very interesting article, many people need “how to get out of confusion” and develop their inner potential ????
Glad you found it useful!