Coaching in the Dark: Recent Episodes
Patrick Murphy
Coaching in the Dark examines the early, and often difficult days of starting a coaching business. Here, coaches with experience open up around their first few years of owning a business, reflecting on the challenges, fears, insecurities, and ultimately, lessons learned along the way.
Bill Pullen, MSOD, MCC, shares his experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning his coaching business.
Highlights:
1:55 - 5 words to describe owning a coaching business
6:22 - Specific fears he had when starting out
11:07 - A specific memory that encapsulated his insecurities in the beginning
15:37 - The value of relationships in his business development
18:51 - When things started to shift more confidently in his business
23:22 - What he sees new coaches doing in the beginning that's successful
30:27 - What he sees new coaches doing in the beginning that might not be so successful
35:54 - What he's looking for when partnering with another coach
39:10 - His 'turn-offs' when partnering with another coach
41:57 - How Bill authentically builds his business
43:10 - 5 key takeaways for new coaches
Beatriz Nicolau, CPCC, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business.
Highlights:
1) 07:14 - 5 words to describe owning a coaching business
2) 08:41 - the importance of resilience and learning in the journey
3) 11:40 - Her fears, insecurities, and challenges in the very beginning
4) 16:21 - A low moment that stands out in the early days of owning a business
5) 23:11 - When things started to shift more confidently
6) 28:42 - Balancing owning a business and being a mother with 2 young children
7) 34:50 - Authentic ways she builds her business
8) 38:20 - 5 key takeaways for new coaches
John Sigmon, CPCC, PCC, MCEC, shares his experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning his coaching business.
Highlights:
1) 2:08 - Where John currently is in his business
2) 3:43 - How ‘pushing the edge’ is critical to growing his business
3) 6:22 - (5) words to describe owning a coaching business
4) 10:17 - His distinct fears, insecurities and challenges at the beginning
5) 15:09 - A low moment that stands out in the beginning
6) 19:00 - When / how things started to ‘shift’ more confidently in his business
7) 22:09 - Why asking for help has been critical to John’s success
8) 27:48 - As a former C-suite executive, advice for new coaches pitching their services
9) 32:00 - ‘Dealbreakers’ when looking for a coach as a former C-suite executive
10) 34:00 - The things John authentically does to build his business
11) 39:44 - (5) key takeaways for new coaches
D. Marlene Thomas, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business.
Highlights:
1) 4:00 - The importance around sticking to what she does well / authentically enjoys doing
2) 5:56 - (5) words that describe owning a coaching business
3) 9:30 - Lessons around learning where her work really comes from
4) 13:00 - Her distinct fears, insecurities and challenges at the beginning
5) 15:50 - The value of having a ‘fellowship’ and community of coaches to help
6) 17:39 - A piece of advice that really made an impact early on
7) 20:07 - How / when things started to shift more confidently
8) 24:25 - The value she has received by being involved in the ICF DC Chapter
9) 28:24 - Advice for coaches of color
10) 30:00 - The things Marlene authentically does to build her business
11) 32:46 - The value of self-care in owning a business
12) 36:04 - (5) key takeaways for new coaches
Daphne Y. Jefferson, PCC, shares her experience, insecurities, challenges, and lessons learned from the first few years of owning her coaching business.
Highlights:
- 6:22 - 5 words to describe owning her coaching business
- 10:35 - personal insecurities, fears and challenges at the start
- 12:40 - realities around timeline and expectations for the business
- 16:38 - 'low' moments that stand out
- 19:48 - when / how business started to 'shift' more abundantly
- 24:46 - tips for 'coaches of color'
- 29:46 - go-to moves for when business is slow
- 33:51 - 5 key lessons for new coaches starting a business