The Business of Coaching: Vision, Strategy, and Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Angie and John discuss the dos and don’ts of building a coaching business, reflecting on how they started with little guidance and often spent money on marketing and setup that didn’t work. They emphasise creating a clear vision of what “success” looks like (lifestyle solopreneur vs. scaling with staff), understanding finances and time constraints, and following a general progression from one-to-one coaching to groups and then scaling. They warn against getting distracted by non-priorities, overspending without a strategy, and growing too quickly, sharing an example of a startup that scaled fast and had to lay off its team. They critique coaching “job” postings that are actually franchises or MLM-like models, urging due diligence, and stress the value of trustworthy mentorship plus expert advice on legal structure and tax efficiency.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Business of Coaching

01:36 Starting Without a Handbook

03:44 Roadmaps and Realities

06:50 Vision and Growth Stages

11:24 LinkedIn Coaching Schemes

13:46 Franchise vs MLM Warning

20:05 Scaling Too Fast Lessons

25:36 Spend With Strategy

27:01 Pay Coaches and Value People

30:24 Taxes, Mentors and Wrap Up

Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast

You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn:

John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com for coaching enquiries with John

Angie's LinkedIn Profile or visit AngieSpeaks.com

2023 Present Influence Productions Coaching Clinic: scale your business, acquire high ticket clients & master coaching skills 86

Prepared Coaching: Notes, Energy, and Being Fully Present with Clients

SUMMARY:

Angie and John discuss why showing up unprepared to coaching sessions harms client outcomes and rapport, and why “work before the work” matters.

They emphasise protecting energy and presence by avoiding back-to-back sessions and building in at least 15 minutes between calls to reset, review prior notes, and track action steps. They argue that coaches who wing sessions without notes or tracking may be adequate but cannot be masterful, and that forgetting prior commitments is a “bad look” that can damage trust, renewals, reputation, and business.

They describe notes as a strategic tool that helps clients feel uniquely seen, supports continuity over months or years, and provides a story of the client’s progress when reviewed near the end of an engagement.

They also compare manual note-taking with AI note-taking, noting that AI can organise summaries and action steps, while coaches still capture standout moments and edit them before sharing.

Finally, they debate recording sessions, suggesting that recordings can help coach development and quality assurance, but may distract clients or pull them back into an old emotional state, while well-structured notes may deliver more value for client reflection and transformation.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Prepared or Not

00:58 Willy Nilly Coaching

01:54 Energy and Spacing

04:18 Sweet Spot Scheduling

05:59 Notes and Mastery

09:35 Presence Feels Magical

10:32 Coffee Chat vs Results

13:52 Assembly Line Warning

14:57 Why Notes Matter

16:01 Rocks Pebbles Sand

16:57 AI Note Takers

19:21 Stay Present Coaching

19:58 Recordings For Clients

22:17 Transformation Over Replay

24:15 Final Session Story

25:57 Renewals And Progress

26:29 What Did You Say

28:09 Wrap Up And Next

Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast

You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn:

John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com for coaching enquiries with John

Angie's LinkedIn Profile or visit AngieSpeaks.com

2023 Present Influence Productions Coaching Clinic: scale your business, acquire high ticket clients & master coaching skills 85

We know some problems are good problems to have, but they still need solutions. In this episode, Angie and John discuss the real challenges coaches face when reaching their capacity limits. They share insights on managing workload, setting boundaries, and scaling your coaching business sustainably while maintaining quality and personal well-being.

Key Topics

1. The emotional and mental impact of reaching coaching capacity
2. Understanding and defining your personal coaching limit
3. How solopreneurs can avoid burnout and manage their time effectively
4. Strategies for handling client waitlists and managing client engagement
5. Shifting from one-on-one to group coaching to increase capacity
6. Building a referral network and collaborative coaching partnerships
7. Managing the pipeline and avoiding cyclical business models
8. Setting boundaries around weekends and personal time
9. Preparing clients for wait times and maintaining high-value engagement
10. Planning for business scaling: when and how to expand your team or offerings

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: Why capacity limits matter for coaches

02:11 - Recognising the emotional overwhelm of hitting capacity

04:00 - The importance of knowing your coaching capacity

05:28 - From one-hour sessions to managing your time effectively

06:48 - The necessity of preparation and session boundaries

07:56 - Handling weekend coaching and personal boundaries

09:26 - Protecting your weekends and personal time

10:14 - Managing client waiting lists and maintaining engagement

12:22 - Strategies for lead flow and pipeline management

14:15 - Transitioning to group coaching to scale capacity

16:33 - Creating waitlists and managing client expectations

17:48 - Planning for business growth and team expansion

20:08 - Delegating coaching to trusted partners

22:13 - Reflecting on future business scalability

Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast

You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn:

John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com for coaching enquiries with John

Angie's LinkedIn Profile or visit AngieSpeaks.com

2023 Present Influence Productions Coaching Clinic: scale your business, acquire...

Navigating Client Communication: What Coaches Should and Shouldn't Say.

In this episode, John and Angie discuss the complexities of communication in coaching relationships. They explore the fine line between coaching and consulting, emphasising the importance of prioritising what clients need to hear without overwhelming them. They also talk about the potential pitfalls of sharing personal information and expressing judgments, whether positive or negative. The conversation includes anecdotes about awkward or uncomfortable situations, emphasising the need for coaches to stay detached and focused on the client's growth. Listeners are encouraged to share their own experiences regarding communication mistakes in coaching.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts

00:19 The Challenge of What to Say to Clients

03:18 Balancing Coaching and Consulting

07:25 Navigating Sensitive Topics

10:45 Maintaining Professional Boundaries

15:53 Judgment in Coaching

18:37 Conclusion and Call to Action

Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast

You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn:

John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com for coaching enquiries with John

Angie's LinkedIn Profile or visit AngieSpeaks.com

2023 Present Influence Productions Coaching Clinic: scale your business, acquire high ticket clients & master coaching skills 83

Can you coach anyone on anything?

It’s a question that sounds simple but exposes some of the deepest tensions in the coaching profession.

In this episode of The Coaching Clinic, John and Angie unpack what really sits behind this debate. Not just imposter syndrome, but credibility, boundaries, ethics, and the uncomfortable moments coaches don’t talk about openly.

They explore:

1. The difference between pure coaching and consulting or mentoring
2. Why having tools matters more than having the “right” background
3. What happens when sessions drift into territory coaches are not trained for
4. How credibility crises show up when clients are more senior, successful, or powerful
5. Why relatability, rapport and interest matter more than matching life experience
6. When it is right to say yes, and when it is essential to say no

Through real client examples, including NASA executives, world-famous speakers, and moments where sessions crossed into unsafe territory, this conversation brings clarity to a question many coaches silently wrestle with.

If you are a coach questioning your authority, your boundaries, or whether you are “qualified enough”, this episode offers a grounded, grown-up perspective on what coaching really requires and where its limits are.

00:00 – The question that stops coaches cold

An innocent client conversation triggers a deeper credibility dilemma.

02:00 – Can you coach anyone on anything?

Why the answer is both yes and no.

04:30 – Coaching vs consulting vs mentoring

Where many coaching relationships quietly shift.

06:45 – Imposter syndrome and credibility crises

Why senior or high-status clients trigger self-doubt.

08:00 – Tools over titles

Why coaching effectiveness is not about shared life experience.

10:30 – Hard boundaries and knowing your lane

Why saying no is sometimes the most ethical move.

13:00 – When sessions go somewhere unsafe

Abuse, trauma, and moments that change the coaching relationship.

17:30 – Relatability, rapport and interest

Why wanting to coach the topic actually matters.

20:30 – Generalist vs specialist coaching

How coaches naturally steer conversations.

23:00 – Training, certification and real standards

What credentials do and don’t guarantee.

26:00 – So… can anyone coach anyone on anything?

The nuanced conclusion most coaches need to hear.

Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast

You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn:

John's LinkedIn Profile or go to

Summary:

The Role of Feedback in Coaching: Balancing Guidance and Independence. In this solo episode of the Coaching Clinic, Angie dives into the complexities of providing feedback to clients. She discusses the importance of allowing clients to rely on their own observations rather than the coach's validation. Angie shares her strategies for addressing clients' habitual need for approval and explains how coaches can navigate this delicate aspect to encourage self-evaluation and independence in their clients. She also invites listeners to share their experiences and thoughts on managing feedback in coaching relationships.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Solo Session Announcement

00:59 The Challenge of Providing Feedback

03:27 The Importance of Client Self-Evaluation

04:47 Handling Habitual Validation Seekers

05:27 Personal Experience and Lessons Learned 07:43 Strategies for Redirecting Clients

11:02 Conclusion and Call for Feedback

Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast

You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn:

John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com for coaching enquiries with John

Angie's LinkedIn Profile or visit AngieSpeaks.com

2023 Present Influence Productions Coaching Clinic: scale your business, acquire high ticket clients & master coaching skills 81

SUMMARY

Many coaches do the work, show up consistently, and still wonder why their business feels stuck.

In this episode of The Coaching Clinic, John and Angie unpack the often-overlooked principle that coaching businesses grow in direct proportion to what you intentionally plant, not what you hope will happen.

Using the simple metaphor of sowing and reaping, the conversation explores why visibility alone does not create momentum, why being busy is not the same as being strategic, and why many coaches accidentally dilute their brand by trying to do too much, too early.

You will hear a grounded discussion on:

1. Why clients cannot buy from you if they do not know what you stand for
2. The difference between foundational work and high-level activities like podcasts, books, and speaking
3. Why referrals dry up without a system that keeps you visible and memorable
4. How clarity of audience, message, and platform choice drives sustainable growth
5. The danger of chasing tactics without a clear strategy behind them

This episode is especially relevant if you feel like you are working hard but not gaining traction, or if your coaching business relies too heavily on referrals, hope, or inconsistent visibility.

Rather than offering hacks or quick wins, John and Angie focus on building a business that compounds over time, with clearer positioning, intentional action, and fewer wasted efforts.

If you want a coaching business that feeds you consistently, not sporadically, this episode will help you rethink what you are planting and why.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Concept of Branding in Coaching

04:19 Building a Strong Foundation for Growth

09:41 The Importance of Clarity and Specificity

14:45 Creating Memorable Connections

18:43 Choosing the Right Social Media Strategy

20:18 Contact the show

Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast

You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn:

John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com for coaching enquiries with John

Angie's LinkedIn Profile or visit AngieSpeaks.com

2023 Present Influence Productions Coaching Clinic: scale your business, acquire high ticket clients & master coaching skills 80

Building a Strong Coaching Brand

SUMMARY

If your coaching or speaking business feels stuck, there’s a good chance the problem is not your skill. It’s your brand clarity.

In this episode, John and Angie break down how coaches and speakers accidentally dilute their authority by trying to be “all things to all people”, taking random collaborations, chasing visibility without strategy, and constantly changing direction. The result: mixed messaging, weak positioning, and an audience that cannot tell what you stand for, or who you actually help.

You’ll hear why associations matter (who you work with becomes part of your reputation), why “being busy” is not a growth plan, and how to make smarter decisions about podcast guesting, content, and partnerships without drifting into brand confusion. They also unpack the difference between experimenting to find your voice versus restarting your momentum every time you panic.

If you want more traction, clearer positioning, and a brand that makes the right clients think “this is for me”, this episode will help you tighten the message and stop leaking credibility.

Chapters

00:00 Defining Your Coaching Brand

03:13 The Importance of Associations

06:18 Intentional Branding and Message Clarity

09:04 Strategic Collaboration and Momentum

12:13 The Role of Strategy in Branding

14:57 Building Audience Connection and Clarity

20:30 Identifying Pain Points and Audience Engagement

23:01 Finding Your Voice and Clarity in Messaging

24:20 Overcoming Desperation in Business Strategies

26:04 The Ineffectiveness of Cold Outreach

30:00 Building Trust and Brand Awareness

32:10 The Importance of Transparency in Selling

36:20 Collaborating with Competitors for Growth

38:55 Branding and Its Impact on Business Success

41:14 TCC outro.mp3

Want to contact the show? You can leave us a voicemail. It's free to do, and we might feature you on our next episode. All you need to do is go to https://speakpipe.com/thecoachingclinicpodcast and leave us a message. You can also find our clips and full episodes on the exclusive Coaching Clinic YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@coachingclinicpodcast

You can send us a video or voice message on LinkedIn:

John's LinkedIn Profile or go to PresentInfluence.com for coaching enquiries with John

Angie's LinkedIn Profile or visit AngieSpeaks.com

2023 Present Influence Productions Coaching Clinic: scale your business, acquire high ticket clients & master coaching skills 79