Start Here: The 6 First Steps to Launching Your Coaching Business
In my last blog, I discussed creating a positive mindset about starting your coaching business. Hopefully, you now feel called, capable, and commissioned to take the next step — launching! Remember, we’re taking it one step at a time and starting small so you don’t feel overwhelm by step two!
“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line...”
Step 1: Write Down Your Mission
Why do you want to coach? There are so many answers to this, so don’t get stuck just because you don’t have a full committee to come up with perfect words to put together. Simply think about what brings you joy.
I have had the opportunity to work for some amazing organizations. Everything from corporate tradeshow operations to church financials and HR. I finally realized after many years that my favorite thing to do is figure out how to make something more efficient so that the leaders I work with can spend more time being effective in their calling. So, my mission is just that: To help leaders become more efficient so they can be more effective in their mission. You may not see that tagline in any part of my website or marketing, but you should feel it when you read about me or talk with me. My passion is fostering growth in business practices and witnessing the joy others find in doing what they love.
Writing down your mission becomes the cornerstone for every decision you make - from who you partner with to who you serve. Don’t sleep on this vital step!
Step 2: Define Your Niche
This was (and still is) one of the hardest steps for me because I genuinely want to help everyone! When I took a class about launching a coaching business, I learned I needed an ideal client to build my business around. I hesitated—because I didn’t want to exclude anyone.
What I’ve come to understand is that defining a niche doesn’t prevent you from working with others—it simply invites a specific person into your message and allows you to speak clearly and directly in your marketing.
Meet Gracie. She’s my pretend ideal client.
Gracie has worked tirelessly in ministry, raising her kids (sometimes in the church office!), supporting a husband who travels for work, and pouring her heart into everything from sorting mail to pastoring homebound members. Now that her kids are in college, she has more time and feels called to coach younger women in ministry—but she doesn’t know where to begin. She’s overwhelmed by Google searches and confused by conflicting business advice.
Gracie is someone I’ve taken time to envision. But you can start simply: Do you want to coach women age 22–39? Associate pastors in the Methodist denomination? Youth directors from non-denominational churches?
This is your mission—no one else’s—so you get to decide who you’re called to serve.
Step 3: Apply for an EIN
Note: This is not legal advice. Please consult your attorney or accountant for guidance.
This may feel like a “businessy” thing, but applying for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a wise step as your coaching business grows. Even if you're not forming an LLC or corporation, having an EIN can help when:
Opening a business bank account
Avoiding the use of your Social Security Number on tax forms (like a W-9)
Applying for licenses or registering your business
Visit the official IRS website to apply.
Bonus Sub-Step: Research “how to register my business in [your state],” and/or contact your county clerk or comptroller’s office directly to avoid third-party fees. The cost is typically minimal.
Step 4: Choose a Simple Offering
You may have trained under a coach who offers everything—1:1 sessions, group coaching, speaking, retreats. But odds are, they didn’t start that way.
Start simple.
I suggest offering 1:1 sessions at a per-session rate. This allows you to test the waters, refine your skills, and evaluate fit without long-term commitments.
As you grow, consider:
Creating coaching packages
Offering discounts for bulk sessions
Scaling into groups or courses
Don’t worry about the perfect tech setup right now. Use what you already have—Zoom, email, your calendar. Once you're ready to grow, there are great tools to explore (and I’d be happy to share what worked for me as I built Anchored Results).
Step 5: Create a Basic Presence
You don’t need a fancy website to start. A simple landing page or active social media presence can be enough.
At a minimum, include:
Who you serve
How you help
How to contact you
A clear photo of you
As you grow, a dedicated website with your own domain gives you space to add:
Booking links
Payment portals
Testimonials
Blogs or free resources
This helps build trust and makes it easier for potential clients to find and learn about you through search engines (i.e. Google, Bing, etc.).
Step 6: Start Coaching and Keep Learning!
From experience: Just start. You may feel like you need everything in place before you launch—but that can hold you back.
I didn’t have my own website live when I reached out to a potential client about helping her with hers. To my surprise and joy, she said, “Let’s do it!” That small leap built momentum I never would’ve gained by waiting.
Offer a few free or low-cost sessions, ask for feedback, and gather testimonials. Stay grounded in your mission and connected to a supportive community of coaches and mentors.
Final Thoughts
Remember: God blesses obedience, not performance.
Let Him guide your every step, and give Him all the glory for the results. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
If you have questions about any of these steps—or just want a business buddy to chat with—schedule a 15-minute call with me. I’d love to visit with you!