When I first started my financial coaching business, I sat at my kitchen table with a simple goal: make $2,000 per month helping people with their money. That felt huge at the time. I had no idea what was actually possible, no other coaches to look up to, and plenty of people telling me it couldn’t be done.

Fast forward to today: we’ve built something I never could have imagined back then. But that journey took me over a decade, partly because I had to figure everything out on my own. I’m sharing my story hoping you can get there faster than I did.

The growth happened in stages. That initial $2,000 monthly goal grew to $5,000. Then I hired my first employee—an assistant working just four hours per week. As I kept adding clients, I reached full capacity and started thinking about scaling strategies.

I tried lots of different approaches: a group program, corporate wellness clients, daily money management services, and an online program. Each experiment taught me something valuable about what I enjoyed and what got the best results for my clients. Sometimes we learn by doing; I wasn’t sure what I’d enjoy most until I tried different things.

Then came a huge shift: I started adding coaches to my team. I’d always said I would never train another financial coach, but watching a coach I’d mentored help their client achieve a goal? That felt even better than doing it myself. After that, I began adding strategists to my team—people who help with the strategic direction of my vision rather than implementation.

The milestones kept coming: first $10,000 month, first $20,000 month, first $50,000 month. One year, we hit our first million-dollar year on my birthday, August 3rd. How’s that for a birthday gift?

What Success Can Look Like for You

Here’s what I want you to know: success as a financial coach looks different for everyone. You get to decide what role you want your business to play in your life:

  • How do you want it to impact you financially?
  • What role should it play emotionally and creatively?
  • How does it fit with your goals for family time, travel, and personal growth?
  • What role do you want it to play socially or intellectually?

For example, you might see yourself sitting on panels with other experts, having informed conversations about personal finance, or attending big conferences. Or maybe you prefer more intimate settings.

I recorded this episode a week before heading to Ireland to spend time with nine other financial coaches. Last year, we did the same thing in Greece with my kids. Maybe you see yourself hosting retreats too, or maybe that’s not your thing at all. You get to decide!

Remember to revisit these questions periodically. Our visions for our lives and businesses change as we change.

The Flexibility of Financial Coaching

One of the coolest things about financial coaching is how flexible it can be. Think of these as spectrums you can move along as your life and business evolve:

  • Location: Home-based, office space, or something in between like a coworking space or shared office with an accountant
  • Format: Virtual sessions, in-person meetings, or a mix
  • Schedule: Part-time, full-time, or seasonal (I take summers off completely)
  • Support: Employees, contractors, or flying solo
  • Reach: Local practice or global impact
  • Focus: General coaching or specialized expertise
  • Scale: Intimate practice or large community
  • Service Model: Done-for-you services to DIY options, with coaching in the middle

Take Jessica Medina, a coach I’ll be interviewing soon – she’s created a business with dedicated seasons for marketing and client work, plus extended time off each year. It works perfectly for her life.

Busting Common Myths

Let’s address some myths that might be holding you back:

  1. “You can’t help people with just budgeting.” Yes, you can. Many clients start there, and some stay focused on budgeting while others expand to bigger financial goals. For some clients, getting a handle on their day-to-day money is exactly what they need.
  2. “People struggling with money won’t pay for help.” This usually comes from people who haven’t experienced financial stress. Information about money is free online, but that’s not what people are paying for. They’re paying for someone to show them the way, give them options, help them decide, and hold their hand through implementation. They’re paying for results, and results are valuable.
  3. “You can’t exchange time for money.” Yes, you can. If you reinvest your profits wisely, you can exchange time for money now while building toward financial independence. Millions of people exchange their time for money and still retire. As financial people, we know how to plan for the future while making good money today.

What Real Success Feels Like

After 16 years in this business, here’s what I think success looks like for a financial coach. And remember, this is just me. It might look different for you:

  • You love what you do, and your clients love working with you
  • You inspire your clients, and their commitment and hard work inspire you
  • You’re getting consistent results for people, whether that’s a handful of clients or thousands each year
  • Your business provides for you financially while adding to your life in meaningful ways
  • You can take vacations without worrying about revenue
  • Your business and life feel balanced and connected
  • You’re dreaming big and know you can make those dreams happen

I’ve experienced some bumps along the way. A year ago, things got off track and I had to make some changes. But with focus and strategy, we got back on track and are stronger than ever. We have a growing waitlist, work with amazing coaches and clients, and have built a remarkable team who aren’t just great at their jobs but are genuinely lovely people doing cool things personally too.

The Ripple Effect of Our Work

Most importantly, you’re helping create a ripple effect. When people feel better about their money, they do amazing things for their families, communities, and the world. We get to be part of that.

There are the tangible results—less debt, more savings, better income, more organized finances, increased wealth. But the intangible results are just as powerful:

  • Less stress almost immediately
  • Better physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing
  • Renewed excitement about their future
  • The ability to dream again

One thing that makes me sad is how many people aren’t dreaming about their lives anymore. But that changes through this work. When people feel better about their money, they start doing wonderful things for themselves and others. That ripple effect is what makes this work so meaningful.

Your Turn to Dream Bigger

Your financial coaching business can provide for you in ways you might not even imagine right now. Your path won’t look exactly like mine—and it shouldn’t. But I hope knowing what’s possible helps you dream bigger.

If you’re in the Financial Coach Academy®, you can find exercises to help define your vision in Module 1 (exercises 1.21 and 1.22). If you’re already a member, I encourage you to revisit these exercises yearly as you grow and evolve.

Just remember: I started at my kitchen table, just like you might be doing right now. After 16 years, my business feels like a teenager leaving the nest. It’s been quite the ride, and I’m genuinely excited about what comes next. That’s another beautiful gift of this work—we’re surrounded by people who are striving and achieving their goals, and we get to study both financial strategies and human behavior.

I’ve learned to trust myself and my clients. Together, we’re capable of amazing things. I have the peace of mind knowing I can weather any storm, solve any problem, pivot when needed, and enjoy the ride when things are smooth.