In 2018, my coaching business made $42k, primarily with 1:1 coaching.
And in 2021, my coaching business made $1.2M, entirely with group coaching offers.
That is some fast, serious scaling. And while it may sound like an amazing dream come true on the outside – and I won’t lie, it WAS fun! – there’s so much more to the story than the revenue numbers.
And what you might be noticing looking around the coaching industry right now is that people are pivoting and shifting. Things don’t look the way they did in 2021. And there’s a huge lesson in that for you.
The Problem with Scaling Your Coaching Business Too Quickly
The resounding message in the online business & coaching space back then was essentially “make as much as possible, as fast as possible, doing as little work as possible.” That was basically the definition of scaling for so many people.
And when revenue growth is the top priority, guess what isn’t?
- stability & sustainability
- values
- client experience
You’ve probably seen many business owners adjusting their strategies in the past couple of years, and here’s why. For some of us, we realized that focusing only on fast growth wasn’t aligned with what truly mattered. In 2022, I made shifts in my own business to realign with my values, and for many others, the lack of attention to sustainability and client experience eventually led to burnout or frustration.
Why Sustainable Growth Matters in Your Coaching Business
There’s only so long you can prioritize growth over everything else before it catches up to you. Scaling quickly, without focusing on a balanced and sustainable approach, can compromise the experience you’re offering your clients. They want quality service, connection, and a coach who truly cares.
In my work with clients, I help them go beyond what they’ve seen other coaches do as they grow and scale. Together, we identify what really matters to them and their businesses. For many, this means realizing that a mid-six-figure business with high profit margins and more face-to-face client time is more fulfilling than a seven-figure business with fewer client calls, but much more overhead and marketing demands.
Scaling Your Coaching Business the Right Way: My Advice to You
So, here’s my advice if you’re looking to scale your coaching business in a way that’s sustainable and aligned with your values:
- Drop the goal of making as much as possible, as fast as possible, doing as little work as possible.
- Get clear on your personal and business values.
- Remember, as a coach, it’s about IMPACT—not just revenue.
- Prioritize the experience you and your clients have with your business.
These principles are at the core of what I teach my 1:1 clients. We focus on creating a business that you’re excited about. One that not only generates revenue but also allows you to work with clients in a way that aligns with your personal values. Together, we figure out what type of business you truly want to build—and then we make it happen.
In my 1:1 Coaching work with clients, this is what I help them do. We focus on building the business you actually want to have. The one you’re going to love. I help you to figure that out by giving you all the behind the scenes scoop on what it’s actually like running different types of businesses and offers, and help you to figure out a path you’re genuinely excited about – and then we do it. Click here to learn more about working with me 1:1.
