High income earning coaches aren’t working harder (I promise!). But they are working differently. In this episode, I share the five specific strategies I’ve identified that set them apart, and they’re all things you can start applying right away to create more momentum in your own coaching business. What we cover: ✅ Why the most successful coaches sell to corporate clients instead of individuals. ✅ How they see LinkedIn as just one part of the ecosystem, not the whole picture. ✅ The importance of leaning into unfair advantages and personal networks. ✅ How systems save time, energy, and reduce the emotional weight of business development. ✅ Why daily warm outreach is the backbone of consistent client growth. I also share two exciting updates:➡️ A free live masterclass, The Business Growth Playbook for Executive Coaches: Your Pipeline to Consistent Clients, happening on October 21st (October 20th if you’re in the US). Sign up at elliescarf.com/pipeline.➡️ The Corporate to Coach Accelerator opens right after the masterclass, with a special bonus (think - a big discount!) for those who book a call to learn if its a good fit for them. You can jump them queue and book in now if you are ready - elliescarf.com/bookacall.
If you are a coaching business owner, you probably want more corporate clients. But, the gap between that goal and where you are now can feel very hard to bridge. This gap often shows up in two ways. You might overthink and overwork on tasks that just don’t have the impact you want, or you might procrastinate because it all feels scary and high stakes. Both create stress and emotional labor that make activities like posting on LinkedIn or connecting with potential clients feel heavy. Inside this episode, I share why this happens, and some practical steps to create a consistent client pipeline. Listen in to hear more about: ✅ The overwork vs. procrastination cycle and how it shows up for coaches. ✅ Why you instinctive responses don’t work. ✅ Three strategies to bridge the gap. ➡️ And if you’d like a deeper dive, join my upcoming masterclass - The Business Growth Playbook for Executive Coaches. Sign up now at elliescarf.com/pipeline. You’ll walk away with a clear, tailored framework for building your client pipeline with confidence and clarity.As always, I’ll be back next week with more practical tools and strategies for growing your executive coaching business. And if you’d like to take the next step to discuss your business growth, book a call with me and connect with me on LinkedIn.
When it comes to business development, outreach is a hugely important part of your strategy. Over the last few episodes, I’ve shared why warm outreach is so powerful and how the fear of being ‘salesy’ often gets in the way. In today’s episode, I explain why I will never be the business coach who tells you to do cold outreach. Cold calls, cold LinkedIn DMs, and mass cold emails rarely work for executive coaches selling to organisational clients. Instead, I’ll walk you through why warm outreach is more effective and how it creates trust, momentum, and a more sustainable system for growing your business. Listen in to hear more about: ✅ The difference between cold outreach and warm outreach ✅ Why cold outreach rarely works in the organisational client context ✅ How warm outreach can lead to higher response, higher conversion, and stronger motivation ✅ The ripple effect warm outreach has on your content strategy and network growth To make warm outreach easier, I’ve created 30 client generating outreach templates for executive coaches. These message examples are completely free and give you practical ways to start conversations without staring at a blank screen. ➡️ Grab your copy at https://www.elliescarf.com/templates➡️ Book a call with me to explore how we can grow your business together➡️ Connect with me on LinkedIn I’ll be back next week with more practical ideas for growing your coaching business.
As it turns out, the biggest blocker to outreach isn’t time, strategy, or even knowing who to contact. It’s fear, specifically the fear of being (or feeling) ‘salesy’. In fact, when I ran a LinkedIn poll, 70% of coaches said this was their number one concern. That fear shows up as discomfort, as overthinking every word of a message, and as procrastination that leaves outreach undone. And still, outreach is not optional if you want to grow your business. Inside this episode, I share why this fear is so common, how to work through it, and the mindset and systems that will help you do outreach without it feeling out of alignment with your values. Listen in to hear more about: ✅ The tension coaches feel when outreach feels “push-y.” ✅ How perfectionism and fear keep you stuck in avoidance. ✅ How outreach can grow your business if you do it consistently. ✅ Ways to view rejection so it feels like part of your growth. ✅ A free set of 30 outreach templates to get you out of overthinking and into action. Even if only a portion of your messages get replies, you’ll be building conversations, creating opportunities, and moving your business forward. ➡️ Grab your copy of the 30 customizable outreach templates at elliescarf.com/templates and start sending messages without the overthinking. As always, I’ll be back next week with more practical ideas for growing your executive coaching business. And don’t forget to reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn.
Welcome to our BONUS episode of the Business of Executive Coaching Podcast. I am delighted to have a repeat guest with us today, Dr. Saba Hasanie. You may have listened to the previous episode where Saba shared her corporate to coach story. Today she is back for many reasons, and especially because she has a book out. Saba’s book is called Unfolding: How Biographical Inquiry Informs Meaning Making in Coaching Psychology and I think it is a must read for executive and leadership coachesIn this conversation, we talk about what it feels like to publish this book, why origin stories matter for coaches, and how the past is always in the room in coaching. Saba explains how her doctoral research developed into the Biographical Dimensions of Meaning Making model and how this has now evolved into what she calls Origins. We also explore how coaches can work safely when the past comes into coaching, why our own journeys of self-discovery are essential to how we show up, and how Origins work supports both the coach and the client. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Saba’s journey to writing Unfolding.✅ Why the past inevitably shows up in coaching.✅ The Origins approach.✅ Practical examples of how Origins can be used in coaching.✅ Saba’s training programme to bring these concepts to life.✅ How this approach helps coaches build confidence and presence. Purchase your copy of Unfolding, by Dr Saba Hasanie here: Americas, Europe, and Africa: Ihttps://ideasforleaders.com/product/unfolding/ Asia, Australia, and New Zealand: https://globalosc.com/solutions/bdmm/E-book: https://www.amazon.com/Unfolding-biographical-meaning-making-psychology-Revelations/dp/191552928X 🌐 Learn more about Origins and the certification program at www.globalosc.com Connect with me: 💼 Visit elliescarf.com/bookacall to take the next step in your coaching journey.📧 You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.
Do you remember the excitement of hanging out your virtual shingle? Maybe it was launching your website or a LinkedIn update saying that you are in business. Maybe you are on the verge of doing this! The likes probably poured in, the congratulations messages rolled through, and you landed that first paying client by referral. Amazing. But then the referrals slowed down. And suddenly what felt like momentum started to feel like waiting, hoping, and refreshing your inbox. Inside this episode, I share why referrals are fabulous for getting started but not enough to keep you consistently bringing new corporate clients in the door, and what to do instead. Listen in to hear more about: ✅ The wake up call coaches face when referrals dry up. ✅ How to shift from passive to proactive client generation. ✅ The mindset every executive coach needs. ✅ How outreach is the missing link to build more real business development conversations. ✅ A free resource with 30 customizable outreach templates to help you take action instead of getting stuck in perfectionism, procrastination or fear of being ‘salesly’. If you can spend even 10 to 15 minutes a day on outreach, at the end of the month you will have a very different business with so many more conversations. This tool will help you do just that - with no overthinking. ➡️ Download your free outreach templates at elliescarf.com/templates and connect with me on LinkedIn to let me know what you think.
In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Clark. Emma is a member of the Corporate to Coach Accelerator and brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare to her work as a coach. Emma shares her Corporate to Coach story, from nursing in London to senior leadership roles at the top of government health agencies. She talks about the challenges of COVID, the turning point of redundancy, and how when she first listened to this podcast… she was angry!! We also chat about how she now supports leaders and organisations with one-on-one coaching, leadership workshops, and consulting. I interrogate Emma on exactly why her clients value her insider knowledge, and Emma reflects on what she has learned about wellbeing, boundaries, and building the right support around her business. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Emma’s journey from nurse to senior health leader to coach. ✅ How redundancy created the space for her business. ✅ Coaching, workshops, and consulting for healthcare leaders. ✅ Supporting leaders with stress, career growth, and succession planning. ✅ Building a business while protecting wellbeing and boundaries. Emma also talks about the blend of coaching and consulting in her work, how she helps leaders build capacity in their teams, and why surrounding herself with the right people has been essential in her business journey. Connect with Emma:💼 Find her at https://www.empoweringhumans.com.au/group-coaching-for-health-leaders📧 You can also connect with her on LinkedIn If Emma’s story resonates with you and you are ready to take the next step in your own coaching journey, I’d love to help. Visit elliescarf.com/bookacall and lets discuss your next step. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.
Are you an all-or-nothing person? I think I am. I like to sprint and then rest. I like to go hard, and then I like to go home. The challenge many coaches face is that in business, most of our deadlines are self-imposed.And without urgency or external accountability? It can be hard to get into action. Inside this episode, I share five ways that I use sprints, streaks and batching to maintain momentum and get things done when there is no external pressure. Listen in to hear more about: ✅ The power of an action orientation.✅ How to create a marketing hour of power. ✅ Content posting sprints. ✅ The importance of ‘CEO time’.. ✅ Batching through theme days. ✅ How to use constraints to move forward. If you want creative strategies to get into action and keep moving in your business, this episode is for you. Listen in, try some of these ideas, and if you have other ways you apply sprints, streaks or batching, please send them to me on LinkedIn to collate and share! If you would like to chat about whether my group coaching program, the Corporate to Coach Accelerator, could be a good fit for your business, head to elliescarf.com/bookacall to book a call.
For so many of the coaches I work with, there’s a pivotal moment in their career journey. They have that burning desire to start their own coaching business, but they are not sure how to make the financial leap. They know they want to move from corporate to coach, but the risk and uncertainty feel huge. In this episode, I share eight practical financial transition strategies you can use to support your move from employee to business owner. This is not financial advice - , but real options to consider and discuss with your own advisor. Inside this episode, I talk about ideas such as ✅ The gradual ramp down strategy o create time for your business while reducing risk. ✅ Quasi-employment and why contracting back to your current employer can shift how you think about yourself as a business owner. ✅ Turning your current employer into your flagship client. ✅ How voluntary redundancy or timing your exit with bonus payments can help fund your move. ✅ Using part-time work, a savings buffer, or even a loan to bridge the gap as you ramp up your business. And more! If you are in the “yes, I really want to start a business, but how am I going to do it” space, this episode will give you options to think about and steps you can take to prepare. Listen in and if you want to talk through your own situation, head to elliescarf.com/bookacall You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.
Of all of the clients who come through my metaphorical door, about 70% come with a particular experience. They have been attempting to sell coaching to individual leaders. They are not getting the traction they want.. They know that there is an opportunity to sell to corporate clients, but pursuing those seems overwhelming.. In my opinion, the solution that I generally see work? Rip the bandaid off, stop selling to individuals and prioritise selling to corporate clients.. Inside this episode, I talk about: ✅ The vast chasm of total budget spend on coaching by organisations vs individuals. ✅ The mismatch between the number of coaches targeting individuals and the small percentage of coaching spend they represent.✅ Reasons why it seems sensible to target individuals (but isn’t!). ✅ What changes when you shift from marketing to individuals to marketing to organisations. If you have been focusing your marketing energy on individuals, even just as a fallback, this episode will show you why it is time to pivot. Listen in. Reflect honestly. And if this hits home, book a call with me at elliescarf.com/bookacall. We can talk through how to make this shift inside your business. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.
In today’s episode, I’m talking about what we do as coaching business owners when the worst (or even just the crappy) happens. This is something I raised on LinkedIn a while ago, and it struck a nerve for lots of folks. So I wanted to explore it more deeply here on the podcast. Because the truth is, there’s no getting out of business or life without the hiccups. From the mild to the devastating, it is all part of the human experience. And as business owners we all bring our ‘human selves’ along for the ride. This week, I’m walking you through: ✅ How manage when things go wrong in business, both on a macro and micro level. ✅ Real-life examples that you might face. ✅ Why being self-employed can make hard times feel even harder. ✅ The importance of contingency planning. If you’d like to talk through your business and how to prepare for these scenarios, you can book a call with me at elliescarf.com/bookacall You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.
In today’s episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes with a more personal update. After a few weeks of travel, I’m back and reflecting on my time away including the moment I quite literally fell into a bush in Budapest! And well, I guess there was a lesson there for me, and hopefully you too. I walk you through: ✅ The highlights of our three-week family adventure through Europe. ✅ Why this holiday felt different and what it reminded me about being present. ✅ A chance encounter with Nick Cave in Paris (yes, really!). ✅ The surprising life and business lesson I took away from an unexpected fall. ✅ How this applies to navigating the ups and downs of running a coaching business. ✅ Why we often handle challenges better than we expect. ✅ A quick update on what’s coming next for the Accelerator and how you can join. Book a call with me if you’re ready to start the next phase of your business and want to explore whether the Accelerator could be right for you. Book here. You can find me on LinkedIn.Learn more about the Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca.
In this episode, I’m sharing one simple and very practical idea that could help your LinkedIn strategy - and it’s likely a gap in your current approach. It’s something most executive coaching business owners aren't doing consistently. And if your LinkedIn efforts have been falling flat, this could be the missing piece. Especially if you’re already showing up and doing the basics like posting, engaging, and having a great profile. It’s for you if: – You can’t seem to connect with your ideal clients – Your feed seems to be full of the wrong people – You’re posting content, but not getting traction We start with a quick refresher on the basics of LinkedIn for executive coaches then go into the one thing that most people aren’t doing consistently. In this popular episode, we cover: ✅ The four basics of a solid LinkedIn strategy for executive coaches ✅ Why deliberately adding more people to your network matters ✅ How to decide who your dream clients actually are ✅ Tips for using search and building a daily or weekly rhythm ✅ What to include (and not include) in your connection request note ✅ Why this is about building genuine connection not being salesy If adding new connections isn’t something you’re already doing, this episode shows you how to start with just a few minutes a day. You can Book a call with me or listen to more episodes of The Business of Executive Coaching wherever you get your podcasts. Or come and connect with me directly on LinkedIn
In today’s episode, I’m sharing an idea I’ve been implementing and teaching that has really helped with something I’m calling marketing creep. You will know if marketing creep is an issue for you. It is when the list of marketing tasks you have to do seems both endless and also completely unclear. It is that tension between procrastinating and not doing the activities you know you need to do, and also feeling like you could lose entire days to your marketing. This week, I’m sharing something that has genuinely changed the game for me, what I call my hour of power. I walk you through: ✅ What an hour of power is and where I came across the idea. ✅ The exact tasks I include in my daily hour of power (yours will look different!). ✅ Why it helps me feel more in control and less reactive. ✅ How it helps me get things done that I’ve decided are priorities. ✅ How it puts structure around things that could otherwise take all day. ✅ The benefits I’ve experienced including building momentum and consistency. ✅ The challenges I’ve noticed and how I manage them. ✅ Ideas to create your own hour of power including focus areas and frequency. ✅ How to keep it effective and not boring. ✅ Tips for staying focused and not letting a missed day derail you. If you decide to create an hour of power please let me know what you put in it and how you find it. Book a call with me if you’d like to make sure you are doing the right things, so you can make sure marketing doesn’t become your full time job. Book here. You can find me on LinkedIn Learn more about the Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca
In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Dr Louise Kovacs long-time coach, supervisor, academic, and someone I’m very lucky to also call a friend and mentor. Louise has been a coach for more than 20 years and brings an incredible depth of experience from both practice and research. She holds a Master’s in Organisational Coaching and a Doctorate in Executive Coaching, has published widely on the practice of coaching, and has recently joined the Corporate to Coach Accelerator as our resident coaching supervisor and in this conversation, we’re digging into her expertise on group and team coaching. This is a topic that comes up a lot in the Corporate to Coach Accelerator particularly from coaches thinking about new offers, navigating sales conversations, and wondering how to structure group or team coaching programs. In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ The difference between group coaching and team coaching✅ How a team has shared goals and interdependencies and why that matters✅ Examples from Louise’s own coaching and facilitation programs✅ Why group dynamics matter and how they add complexity✅ What makes a team “ready” for coaching✅ How to think about team development vs team coaching✅ The models Louise has used for team coaching and group coaching delivery✅ How pricing and preparation differ from one-on-one coaching We also talk about how group coaching can be a more accessible option for organisations, what happens when you’re managing group dynamics in real-time, and why being calm and able to hold the space is essential. If you’re coaching-curious about group or team programs or wondering how to take them to market this episode is packed with practical insights and examples straight from Louise’s own coaching experience. Connect with Louise: 👉 You can connect with Louise on LinkedIn 🌐 Learn more about the Accelerator, including our monthly Group Coaching Supervision with Louise, at elliescarf.com/cca
In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Katrina Casaclang—a coach, facilitator and consultant with a passion for learning, a zest for life, and a single minded focus on coaching in her community. Katrina is also a member of the Accelerator, and I’m so extremely fortunate to have the chance to interview her. We talk about Katrina’s incredible 34-year journey across policing, community services, youth mental health, and leadership. From starting in the police force at 18 to managing large teams and supporting young people in community organisations, Katrina shares how her passion for people and purpose has shaped every step. In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ How Katrina’s leadership journey began in the police force and evolved across community and youth mental health✅ Why she believes quality leadership is essential to delivering great service to the community✅ How she discovered coaching through professional support roles and why it clicked✅ What led her to start her own coaching business after decades working in organisations ✅ Why she focuses on emerging and middle managers especially those who’ve never been given leadership skills ✅ The challenges of working in underfunded organisations and the impact on staff and service delivery ✅ How the Accelerator gave her clarity, confidence, and structure in the early days of business ✅ How she faced imposter syndrome, overwhelm, and learned to back herself. Katrina now offers one-on-one coaching and consulting, with a focus on younger teams and emerging leaders.She shares what she’s learned about herself, how she’s grown in confidence, and how building a business feels a bit like being in the ocean—waves and all. Katrina’s story is one of heart, depth, and purpose—and she brings a refreshing, grounded perspective to coaching in the community space. Connect with Katrina: 💼 Find her at Valued Asset Coaching📧 Connect on Instagram @valuedassetcoaching 📞 Book an Accelerator Fit Call🌐 Learn more about the Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca
In today’s episode, I had the joy of speaking with the incredible Dr. Mercia Spare. Mercia is a former Chief Nurse with over 40 years in the NHS, including time in transplantation, infection control, national governance, and executive leadership. Her career spans everything from clinical practice to regulation and quality improvement—and now, she’s bringing that deep experience into coaching. We talk about her extraordinary journey: from training as a nurse later in life, to being side-lined by a motorcycle accident, to becoming a PhD-qualified leader in health and social care. Mercia now runs a coaching business that supports leaders across health, social care, research, and education—bringing her signature warmth and wisdom to folks making a difference. In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ How Mercia built a rich and varied 40-year NHS career—from the wards to the executive suite✅ How a career-changing accident became an unexpected gift✅ What led her to coaching and why it’s the perfect extension of her nursing career✅ The power of relational leadership in high-pressure environments like health and social care✅ How she’s building a purpose-led coaching business✅ The mindset shift that helped her step into being a business owner✅ Why she believes formal coaching training is essential—and what she learned about herself along the way✅ How she’s making her business work by leaning into connection, curiosity, and asking for help Mercia’s story is a testament to lifelong growth, generous leadership, and backing yourself when the next chapter calls.Connect with Mercia: 💼 Find Dr. Mercia Spare on LinkedIn Interested in building your own coaching business? You can book a call with me to explore whether the Accelerator is a good fit.🌐 More at elliescarf.comUntil next time!
In this episode, I’m so privileged to have time with Paula Shannon, a coach with experience across public education, philanthropy and business. Paula is a coach, consultant, and facilitator—someone with a deep passion for leadership, emotional intelligence, and helping mission-driven leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Paula shares how she spent nearly 30 years in public education, rising from teacher to senior executive leadership—and how burnout, purpose, and a desire for something different led her to build a business of her own.In this episode, we talk about:✅ How she started in Teach for America and grew through the ranks of education✅ Her love of coaching “little and big people” and the joy of one-on-one development✅ Making the leap after the pandemic and deciding “enough is enough”✅ Creating the life she actually wanted—one with nature, flexibility, and joy✅ What clinical burnout felt like and how it changed everything✅ Why she believes women with wealth accelerate doing good in the world✅ The mission behind her business and the work she does with leaders✅ Why content and consistency matter—and how Sage (her ChatGPT!) helps✅ Tips for new coaches covering outreach, networking, and nurturing relationships (and more!)As Paula says, “The only way to get started is to get started.” Her story is generous, grounded, and so relatable—especially if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to do good, do well, and live the life you want.Connect with Paula:👉 Find her on LinkedIn: Paula Shannon 👉 Work with Paula at the Whole Leader LabIf you're listening and think the Accelerator could be a good fit for you too— and you’d like to join before we close doors at the end of June and increase prices in July—you can:📞 Book a call with me🌐 Learn more about the Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca
In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kelly Schmidt. Kelly is a coach and consultant with 25 years in the corporate space, mostly in life sciences and technology. As she puts it, “I love to build cool things, but I started to find I really liked it better when people use those cool things.” Kelly shares her journey from tech professional to executive coach, and how her natural leadership style—“providing space for people to get things clear”—led her to realise she’d been coaching long before she had the language for it. We talk about building teams, navigating gnarly transformations, and making the leap into coaching after being laid off. Kelly’s story is a powerful example of “getting really comfortable figuring out what I wanted” instead of following the “shoulds.” In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ How Kelly transitioned from 25 years in corporate life sciences and IT into coaching and consulting ✅ Why her natural style of holding space and asking questions shaped her leadership and coaching approach ✅ What helped her shift from “shoulds” to “wants” when deciding what to do after being laid off ✅ The mix of consulting, coaching, and facilitation she now uses to support leaders through change ✅ Her journey with visibility and how she approaches LinkedIn and content creation with intention ✅ Why she’s found the Corporate to Coach Accelerator so valuable—especially the group coaching and accountability “It’s so rich... there's always something new going on. I didn't expect to get nearly as much out of the group coaching calls. Just being able to say out loud, what's my win and what's my priority—that helps me stay on track.” Connect with Kelly: 💼 Find Kelly Schmidt on LinkedIn 💬 Want to work with her? She’s helping leaders get clear and hold space through transformation. Need help building your coaching business with corporate clients? You can book a call with me to explore whether the Accelerator is a good fit. As Kelly says, “It gave me a framework. I love a good framework.” 🌐 More at elliescarf.com See you next time!
In today’s episode, I am speaking with Corporate to Coach Accelerator member, the extraordinary Toni Carroll. Toni is a coach, a consultant, and a long-time leader in senior people roles—and someone who brings deep insight and empathy to her work with organisations and leaders. Toni shares how she went from 30 years in people and culture roles—including time in Australia, London, and 16 years in Asia—to starting her own coaching and consulting business. It’s a story that speaks to the mindset shifts, self-doubt, and surprising wins that come with building something new. In this episode, we talk about: ✅ Why it took over a decade between becoming qualified and actually starting her business ✅ The two major blockers that held her back from making the leap sooner✅ What she learned from seeing firsthand how leaders struggle with expectations inside organisations ✅ How she thinks about leadership programs that are practical, connected to strategy, and create real behaviour change ✅ The importance of managing your mindset, building your own ecosystem of support, and learning to market yourself ✅ What’s changed for her in the last 18 months—and why she’s finally feeling clear on who she is, what she offers, and who she works best with Toni is a founding member of the Corporate to Coach Accelerator community and shares generously about what has helped her grow, what still feels hard, and what’s shifted in how she thinks about her work. Connect with Toni: Her website: toniscarroll.comFind her on LinkedIn at Toni CarrollReady to grow your coaching business? 🎓 Join the free masterclass: Three LinkedIn Strategies to Get Your Next Three Corporate Clients📞 Book an Accelerator Fit Call🌐 Head to elliescarf.com/cca to learn more See you next time!