The Business of Executive Coaching

What if the biggest contributor to achieving your revenue target isn't working harder, but understanding all the different ways you could get there? In this episode, I walk you through one tool that will make your revenue target more achievable, and that will help you build a well priced offer suite.Quick note before you dive in: if you want to take this further and map out your whole funnel and your system for growing your business, reach out and book a call with me here.

Today I'm joined by Emma Clark , a leadership and executive coach who works primarily with healthcare clients. Emma brings close to 30 years of clinical and operational experience in the health system, having worked as a nurse, a nursing unit manager and in statewide healthcare leadership roles. In this episode, Emma shares why she was adamant she wouldn't go back into healthcare when she started her business, and how a career break helped her reconnect with why she became a leader in the first place. Emma and I also dig into how her lived experience builds instant trust and credibility with clients and organisations, and how her existing network - including people she worked with decades ago - has become one of her biggest sources of new work. You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn or through her website, empoweringhumans.com.au. If you've been thinking about joining the Corporate to Coach Accelerator, book a call with me to see if it's the right fit for you and your business at elliescarf.com/bookacall , or find out more about the program at elliescarf.com/cca.

What if the thing standing between you and your next client isn't your skill, but a temporary loss of confidence? In this episode, I share nine practical things you can do when you're stuck in a crisis of confidence in your coaching business. These tools run the gamut of practical, reflection and action oriented - so you can guarantee there is something there for you. Quick note before you dive in: last week we wrapped an eight-day promotion for the Corporate to Coach Accelerator ahead of a price rise. If you missed it, I'm opening a 48-hour window to book a sales call with me, so you can still lock in the pre-price-rise investment, it doesn't matter when the call itself happens, just get it booked in by Wednesday the 26th of August. Book your call here.

Today I'm joined by Tracey Nicolson , a coach and facilitator who comes to this work after a 40-year career in the WA public sector, including roles with the State Emergency Service, the Department of Child Protection and the Department of Communities. In this episode, Tracey shares her corporate-to-coach story, from studying her social work degree part-time over seven years while raising a young family, to completing her coach training while travelling Europe. She takes us through the leadership programs she now runs, and how her client base has steadily expanded beyond her initial ideal clients. Tracey and I also dig into the real challenges of building a coaching business, from outreach that doesn't feel salesy, to what she calls "rejection recovery", and how our childhood attachment styles show up in the way we run our businesses - you'll want to take notes on this one. You can connect with Tracey on LinkedIn . If you've been thinking about joining the Corporate Coach Accelerator, we're in the final days of current pricing before it goes up on 21 August. Book a call with me to see if it's the right fit for you and your business at www.elliescarf.com/bookacall , or find out more about the program at www.elliescarf.com/cca.

Today I'm joined by Alex Field, a clinical psychotherapist and naturopath with over 30 years' experience in mental health and wellbeing. Alex's work focuses on chronic nervous system dysregulation, stress and trauma, and she's the founder of the HEAL Method, a program combining psychotherapy with functional body-based medicine. In this episode, Alex unpacks why our capacity as business owners has a strong biological component and that mindset work sometimes just doesn’t cut it. Alex takes us through some of the basics of the nervous system and what it means to be ‘regulated’ as well as some strategies for spending more time in our window of regulation. Alex and I also dig into what it really means to grow sustainably, without white-knuckling your way to burnout - you'll want to take notes on this one. If you'd like to connect with Alex Field, you can find her on Instagram or learn more about the HEAL Method at healforlifeprograms.com If you want to grow your business with more corporate clients, I have a live event this week where I will be sharing all the components of your Executive Coach Pipeline - the foundations you need for your business to thrive. Save your seat over at www.elliescarf.com/pipeline.

How do we know if our resistance is sensible caution or our self limiting beliefs in action? In this episode (a popular one I'm bringing back for the new coaches tuning in), I break down the subtle ways fear shows up as reasonable excuses in your business, and why the cost of playing small is far more layered than the a ost opportunity. Before you dive in, I'm running a free live masterclass next week, the Executive Coach Business Growth Workshop: Your Pipeline to Consistent Clients, where I'll walk you through the exact pipeline model I use with my own clients. You can sign up here . And if you're ready to stop playing small and want support building consistent corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here and please book a call with me to chat about whether it's the right fit for you.

Getting clients via word of mouth and referrals feels like the "right" way to build a coaching business doesn’t it? None of that messy sales business. And gosh it feels good when clients come to us.But I’m sorry to say, if referrals are your whole business development strategy, we need to talk. In this episode I break down why the word of mouth and referral-only approach that worked for coaches starting out 15 - 20 years ago doesn't hold up in today's market, and why hope is not a sustainable strategy.If you'd like support building a strategy that gets you consistently in front of corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here and please book a call with me to discuss whether it makes sense for your business. And don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know your take on this episode!

Today I'm joined by Jennifer Lewis , a leadership and team coach who spent three decades in senior advertising and media roles before making the leap into coaching. In this episode Jennifer shares her corporate to coach story, from running the day-to-day of a major agency's Los Angeles office to the moments along the way that showed her the importance of trust at work. We dig into Jennifer’s three layers of trust, her assessment strategy, and how she's building her business in line with her purpose. Jennifer and I also explore the role of creativity in business - you will love what she has to share. If you'd like to connect with Jennifer Lewis, you can find her on LinkedIn or search for her business, jennifergel.com If you want to grow your business with more corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca and if you'd like to discuss whether it could be a good fit for your growth agenda, let's chat! elliescarf.com/bookacall

Selling your coaching services is tough. And if you're a coach working with corporate clients, chances are there are one or more barriers getting in your way - and it might not be what you think. In this episode I break down the four biggest obstacles I see preventing coaches building a comfortable and consistent sales approach. As you listen, my challenge to you is to pick just one that you will work on this week. If you'd like support to work through these barriers and build a strategy that gets you consistently in front of corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here and please book a call with me to discuss whether it makes sense for your business. I'm also running a free masterclass, Three Ways to Use LinkedIn as a Tool to Get Your Next Three Corporate Clients, on 16th July (15th for the US/Canada). I'm not sure when I'll run it again, so save your spot here if you'd like to join. And don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know which of the four barriers is your biggest one!

Today I'm joined by Stephanie Abbott , a coach, consultant, facilitator and strategist with decades of experience in knowledge management, learning and development, and legal transformation. In this episode Steph shares her corporate to coach story and the unique blend of expertise that she now brings to clients across the legal world (and beyond). Steph and I discuss her work, but also dig into the real impact AI is having on leaders right now, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable coaching business, including pushing through the sales ick and getting comfortable with not being the right fit for everyone. If you'd like to connect with Stephanie Abbott, you can find her on LinkedIn or via her website: stephanieabbott.com.au If you want to grow your business with more corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca and if you'd like to discuss whether the Accelerator could be a good fit for your growth agenda, let's chat! elliescarf.com/bookacall

My guest today is Padraig O'Sullivan (Pod to his friends!. Pod is an executive coach, team coach, author and international leadership specialist with nearly three decades of experience working with CEOs and top leadership teams across multinational organisations. In this episode Pod shares his corporate to coach story and his framework for building a business that can sustain his passion for the work that he does. Pod’s pre-coaching career spans intensive care nursing, medical device sales, recruitment and headhunting. It was his transition into coaching though that has brought out his passion and entrepreneurial spirit. Pod and I discuss his work, but also our takes on the details of business building including things like value-based pricing, and what it really takes to build a sustainable coaching business. If you'd like to connect with Pod O'Sullivan, you can find him on LinkedIn or via his website podosullivan.com If you'd like to work with me to grow your own coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca and if you’d like to discuss your business and whether the Accelerator could be a good fit for your growth agenda, lets chat! elliescarf.com/bookacall

This week I'm sitting down with the brilliant Jo Saies , a highly experienced PCC credentialed coach with 15 years of experience supporting leaders and organisations across the public and private sectors, including government, regulatory bodies and for-purpose organisations. In this episode Jo shares her corporate to coach story, including the two things that have shaped her life: a vision impairment and a spirit of adventure that saw her represent Australia as a disabled downhill ski racer. We cover Jo's business building journey, her support for leaders in aged care, disability and the public sector, and her passion for helping subject matter experts step into leadership roles. We also dig into the realities of running a coaching business and the power of community and connection built over a long career. If you'd like to connect with Jo Saies, you can find her on LinkedIn or via her website pbperformance.com.au. If you'd like to work with me to grow your own coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca or book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall

Marketing your coaching business shouldn't feel heavy. But for most of us, it does. For most of us there are a series of decisions, doubts and fears that attach a whole heap of emotional labour to the marketing and business development that we do. In this episode I look into why you might be experiencing that (you aren’t alone!) and I share practical shifts to help lighten the load. If you'd like support to build and implement a marketing system that takes the emotional labour out of growing your coaching business with more corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here and please book a call with me to discuss whether it makes sense for your business. And don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know what your experience with marketing is!

In this episode, I'm joined by the extraordinary Zsofia Juhasz , ICF MCC coach with over 9,500 hours of coaching experience, mentor coach, coach supervisor, and creator of a Level 3 training program for PCC coaches journeying towards MCC credentialing. Zsofia shares her corporate-to-coach story, from her HR days to building a thriving practice after relocating to Australia 14 years ago and why she calls herself an "accidental MCC." We cover the two pillars of her practice, executive coaching and coach development and why the path to MCC is as much about unlearning as it is learning. We also get into the realities of business building including saying no, building systems, trusting yourself, and finding the community that carries you through. If you'd like to connect with Zsofia Juhasz, you can find her on LinkedIn here and on her website becomingamasterfulcoach.com. You can also find Zsofia's podcast for coaches on the MCC journey, linked here. If you'd like to work with me to grow your own coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca or book a call here: elliescarf.com/bookacall

Rejection is the cost of entry to business ownership. But what if you could get so used to it that it stopped stopping you? In this episode I share five practical, gentle ways to expand your tolerance for rejection, and the not-so-secret bonus is that every single one of them will also grow your business. If you’d like support to build your rejection resilience and grow your coaching business with more corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here or book a call with me. And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know what stood out for you from this episode!

In this episode, I’m joined by Jenny Toh , hot off the back of her recent trip to present at the ICF Converge Summit 2026 in Paris! Jenny and I cover all sorts of territory - from her transition from law and banking into coaching, to how her experience as an introvert shaped the work she does today and the business she has built. In this episode Jenny shares why she’s passionate about supporting quieter leaders who are navigating visibility, executive presence, and influence in environments that often reward louder leadership styles. We also talk about the realities of building a coaching business, including perfectionism, rejection, sales conversations, and the importance of systems, structure, and community support. Jenny shares how her mindset around business development has evolved, and why focusing on being of service changed the way she approaches coaching conversations. Jenny also shares insights into her work as a mentor coach and supervisor in training for other coaches. If you’d like to connect with Jenny Toh, you can find her on LinkedIn here You can also learn more about River Life Coaching here: www.riverlifecoaching.com If you’d like to work with me to grow your own coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at http://elliescarf.com/cca or book a call here: http://elliescarf.com/bookacall

I’m often asked for tips about starting coaching businesses, and one of my biggest tips is one you might not expect. In this episode I’m talking about how taking some tangible business building steps while still employed can create momentum, build confidence, and help things move faster once you officially launch. Listen in for real tips on what you can do to set yourself up for the best corporate to coach transition possible. If you’d like support as you grow your coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here or book a call here. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. I love hearing from you about your business challenges and what stood out for you in this episode.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kirsty Grace to talk about her transition from financial services into executive and leadership coaching, and the experiences that shaped the work she does today. Kirsty shares how a difficult period during the GFC pushed her to reassess what mattered most and ultimately led her into coaching psychology and organisational development. Kirsty shares why she is so passionate about working with leaders and teams, and also shares what she’s learned from building her own coaching business, including the value of patience, networking, and staying focused on the bigger picture while growing something sustainable. If you’d like to connect with Kirsty Grace, you can find her here: https://leadwithgrace.com.au https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstygrace/ If you’d like to work with me to grow your own coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at http://elliescarf.com/cca or book a call here: http://elliescarf.com/bookacall

What if the reason your business isn’t growing at the rate you want it to isn’t because of anything you are doing or not doing? It is possible that you are getting in your own way, and in this episode I want to talk about self trust - and how a lack of it might just be holding your business back. Of course I am sharing some practical tips for what to do if you think this could be you. If you’d like support as you grow your coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at http://elliescarf.com/cca or book a call here: http://elliescarf.com/bookacall

Today I’m joined by Sue Bush , and we talk about her journey from a long corporate career into coaching, and the work she now does supporting people stepping into leadership for the first time, or those already in leadership who are wondering what they might be missing. Sue shares her experience across accounting, technology, and consulting, and how that led her into coaching. We explore the impact on organisations when leaders aren’t well supported, and Sue shares how she is addressing this within her work. Of course, we also talk about her process of growing her coaching business, including the challenges of working for yourself, learning new skills, and the importance of connection and community. If you’d like to connect with Sue Bush,you can find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suebush https://www.suebushcoaching.com.au/ And here is where you can learn all about the Breakfast Club globally: https://breakfastclubbing.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/breakfast-clubbing/ If you’d like to work with me to grow your own coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at http://elliescarf.com/cca or book a call here: http://elliescarf.com/bookacall