Advertise on podcast: The Business of Executive Coaching

In this episode, I’m exploring outsourcing and how it can be a strategic lever for executive and leadership coaches. Outsourcing can free up time, energy and mental bandwidth, both at work and at home. This can include a huge range of tasks, from household tasks to admin, bookkeeping, marketing support and smart systems in your business. I also share some less obvious ways to outsource, including accountability, discipline and decision-making, and how outsourcing to acquire the right tools and support can speed up your learning curve. If you’ve been feeling stretched or overloaded, this episode will help you rethink outsourcing and focus on what matters most. If you’d like support to build momentum with corporate clients, let’s explore whether the Corporate to Coach Accelerator is the right fit for you. Learn more at elliescarf.com/cca and book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear what stood out for you from this episode.

As the year gets properly underway, this episode is all about Follow Up, and why it’s probably the most strategic task that you can prioritise at this time of year. Listen in for practical ideas for who to follow up and lots of ideas of how to do it.  From checking in on conversations that turned cold, to responding to organisational change, sharing insights, flagging capacity and price increases, if you focus on keeping follow up relevant and grounded in real conversations you’ve already had you can’t go wrong. If you’ve invested time in meetings, proposals or coffees over the past year and feel some opportunities quietly slipped away, this episode will help you reset and build momentum for the year ahead. If you’d like support to build consistent momentum with corporate clients, let’s discuss whether the Corporate to Coach Accelerator is the right fit for you. Learn more at elliescarf.com/cca and book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear what stood out for you from this episode.

As we step back into work after the holiday break, this episode speaks to a feeling many coaches experience at this time of year: coming back to your desk and feeling a bit flat and may be thinking “um… no this ain’t it”.  We aren’t diving into big existential questions about whether you should be in business at all, instead this conversation focuses on normalising those moments of doubt and offering practical ways to reconnect with why you started and where you’re heading next. If you’re returning to work feeling unsettled or less energised than expected, this episode will help you reset and refocus for 2026 with practical tools and a refound inner momentum. If you’d like support to create a clear strategy for your coaching business in 2026, let’s explore whether the Corporate to Coach Accelerator is the right fit for you. Book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more elliescarf.com/cca, and don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn -  I’d love to hear what stood out for you from this episode.

In this episode, I wanted to share with you one of the most popular episodes from the last year. This episode is a favourite because it addresses a question that makes many coaches cringe: “So… what do you actually do?” If networking, referrals, or informal conversations play any role in your marketing, how you answer this question really matters. In this episode, I explore why traditional elevator pitches often feel awkward for coaches. Most of us really deeply value service and humility, which can make self-promotion uncomfortable. As a result, we either over-explain our work or downplay it, leaving people unclear about who we help and when to refer to us. I share a simple, stress-free alternative to the standard elevator pitch. If you want a clear, comfortable way to answer “what do you do?” and open the door to more meaningful conversations and referrals, this episode is a great place to start. Listen in and let me know what you think! If you’d like feedback on your own soundbite, feel free to share it with me on LinkedIn. And if you’re curious whether the Corporate to Coach Accelerator could support you as you grow your coaching business, book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca. And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn.

If you are a coach, considering starting your own business in 2026, this episode is for you.For the holidays, I’m revisiting some of last year’s most popular episodes, and this episode was certainly one of them. The start of the year is a perfect time for dreaming so dive in if you want to make your dream coaching business a reality.In this episode, I break down the five (plus a bonus!) essential elements of a successful Corporate to Coach Runway strategy, the period that bridges your corporate career and the launch of your coaching business. We dive into practical, financial, and mindset strategies to help you prepare for the discomfort and uncertainty of starting a business. I talk about how to improve your relationship with rejection and sales and how to define your financial runway - so you can grow your business without feeling desperate or overwhelmed. This episode also touches on the importance of community, and realistic timeframes.If you’re ready to start your executive coaching business with confidence and clarity, I’m offering a free one-on-one strategy call to discuss your runway to starting a coaching business If you’d like guidance to start or grow your coaching business, I’d love to support you. Book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall, explore the program at elliescarf.com/cca, and be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Outreach is one of the most powerful ways to grow an executive coaching business and also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, I wanted to revisit one of the most popular and practical conversations from the podcast this year, focusing on a topic that consistently comes up for coaches working with corporate clients: outreach. More specifically, I explore what I call the outreach myth, the fear of being perceived as salesy, pushy or misaligned with your values. I unpack why this fear is so common among coaches, how it shows up and practical ways to approach outreach differently. If outreach feels heavy, awkward or out of alignment for you, this episode will help you rethink how you approach it and move forward with more confidence and clarity. If you want support to make 2026 the year you start to grow your coaching business, let's chat to see if the Corporate to Coach Accelerator is the right fit for you. Book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca. And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn.

As the year winds down and we head into the holiday break, I wanted to revisit one of the most practical and well-loved episodes from the podcast: The 8 things to include in your 2026 coaching business strategy In this episode, I break down the core strategic pillars every executive and leadership coach needs to consider when planning for the year ahead. Rather than staying at a high-level or getting lost in vague intentions, this conversation is all about the nuts and bolts of what actually belongs in your strategy if you want a business that is sustainable, profitable and aligned with the way you want to work.   I walk you through the eight key areas to review and plan for, including your offers, pricing, revenue mix, business development, marketing, financial management, systems and support, and your own professional development. Along the way, I share why starting with reflection and acknowledging your wins matters just as much as setting new goals, and how clarity in these areas can make planning feel far less overwhelming. If you are starting to think seriously about your 2026 plans and want a clear, practical framework to guide your thinking, this episode will give you a strong foundation to work from. If you would like support as you build your strategy for the year ahead, let's explore whether the Corporate to Coach Accelerator is the right fit for you. Book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca. And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn, I’d love to hear what stood out for you from this episode.

As I map out my plans for 2026, I have been thinking about how quickly we jump into revenue targets and marketing tactics without asking an equally important question: Does my business actually support the life I want and the impact I care about? In this episode, I talk about the three priorities most coaches bring into business: financial security, meaningful work and the flexibility to live a life that truly fits. These intentions often fade into the background once planning begins, so I share how to bring them back into focus as you shape your strategy for the year ahead. If you are ready to plan for your 2026 business goals with life in mind, this episode gives you a great starting plan.  If you want support as you build your 2026 strategy please reach out to find out whether Corporate to Coach Accelerator is the right fit for you. There are just a few spots left before pricing increases in the new year. Book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca.And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Planning brings its own kind of energy. There is the excitement of shaping a strong strategy for 2026 and the reality that looking back over the year can be difficult Many coaches would rather stay in the dreaming stage than revisit what actually happened in 2025, especially if we tend to jump straight to what did not go perfectly. This episode invites you to approach reflection in a way that feels lighter and more purposeful. We explore why acknowledging your progress matters, how your subconscious responds to what you celebrate, and why your assumptions about the year often differ from what the data reveals. I’m also sharing four practical prompts designed to guide your review of 2025. These questions help you recognise the wins you may have overlooked, balance out the negativity bias that naturally appears, clarify what you have learned, and understand where your clients or opportunities actually came from this year. It is a simple and coach friendly process that supports you to plan for 2026 without the hustle energy, while still giving due attention to the insights we need to process (positive and negative) for 2026. If you want to go deeper into your 2026 strategic planning, you might want to join me inside the Corporate to Coach Accelerator where we are deep in planning mode.  The Corporate to Coach Accelerator is a 12 month, hands on programme that helps you replace your corporate income with more👉 Book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca. And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn.

As the year winds down, you might be noticing that familiar tension. The desire to finish strong combined with the reality that you are tired. You need a break.And if you are like many coaches, you might also be feeling the pressure to build the “perfect” strategy for 2026 so you don’t start the new year on the back foot. This episode (and indeed the new few episodes on this series) are about how to do both. To honor the fatigue of the end of year AND to use our time well to prepare..And so I am pleased to share six intentional and coach friendly actions you can take before the year ends that will strengthen your identity as a business owner, expand your future capacity and set you up beautifully for a powerful 2026 without adding hustle, urgency or overwhelm.These are small, doable shifts that support both your business and your wellbeing.Check out the episode now and let me know which ones feel supportive for you as 2025 winds down.If you’re ready to grow your executive coaching business and work with more of your ideal corporate clients, join the Corporate to Coach Accelerator. It’s a 12-month,hands-on programme that helps you replace your corporate income sustainably.👉 Book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca.And connect with me on LinkedIn.

I’m thrilled to be joined in this episode by Lisa Saunders. Lisa is an extraordinary and experienced coach, supervisor, team coach and facilitator whose career spans more than two decades across corporate HR, leadership development and deep transformational coaching work. In our conversation, Lisa shares her journey into coaching and consulting via a senior HR roles. She talks about the pivotal moments that shaped her path as well as the serendipity that propelled her business.  Lisa brings so much depth to her clients through executive coaching, due in no small part to her deep passion and commitment to her continued personal growth.  Here’s what we cover: ✅ Lisa’s corporate to coach story✅ The power of coaching for leaders in roles that seem impossible to sustain✅ Why authenticity, safe exploration and unfiltered thinking matter in effective coaching✅ How Lisa works at a transformational level by going beneath the conscious layers to unlock impact✅ The surprising influence that competitive horse riding has had on her coaching presence, relational skills, leadership lens and resilience✅ How the pandemic transformed her business and why it ultimately became a gift✅ What it looks like to build a coaching business that supports the life you want✅ The balance between deliberate effort and being in the right place at the right time   If you’re building your coaching business or supporting high performing leaders, this episode offers a refreshing and very human perspective on growth, resilience, presence and the power of saying yes. You can connect with Lisa Saunders on LinkedIn to explore her work in leadership coaching, supervision, team coaching and equine facilitated development. If you'd like support to help you grow your business, you may like to join Lisa with me inside The Corporate to Coach Accelerator, a 12-month hands-on program designed to help you replace your corporate income more quickly and sustainably. Book a call with me at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca.

I’m delighted to be joined in this episode by leadership and branding expert Janine Manning, who brings nearly two decades of experience supporting executives and entrepreneurs to show up with clarity, confidence, and credibility. In our conversation, Janine shares how she helps new and emerging executives as well asbusiness owners navigate visibility challenges. From imposter syndrome to personal brand development and beyond, authenticity is key in Janine’s approach to tackling these challenges. You’ll also hear all about Janine’s career journey, from PR and marketing roles to executive coaching - and how that has shaped her passion for helping others lead and communicate. Here’s what we cover: ✅ The three anchors every leader and entrepreneur needs. ✅ How imposter syndrome shows up for executives and coaches (and how to work with it). ✅ Why visibility isn’t about being loud. ✅ The importance of understanding your strengthse. ✅ How to navigate comparisonitis. ✅ Practical ways to stay connected to your purpose and track your wins. Janine also shares her journey of transitioning from corporate leadership to running her own coaching business, including what she’s most proud of, how she manages the tech and systems side of entrepreneurship, and the mindset shifts that helped her grow sustainably. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, comparison, or the challenge of being more visible while staying genuine, this conversation will give you a grounded, strength-based approach to showing up as the leader and business owner you want to be. Connect with Janine Manning at janinemanning.com or on LinkedIn, where she shares valuable insights on leadership, confidence, and executive presence. Janine also shared details of 2 books on Imposter Syndrome: The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women - Dr Valerie Young Own Your Greatness - Lisa Orbe-Austin If you’re ready to grow your executive coaching business more of your ideal corporate clients, I’d love to support you inside The Corporate to Coach Accelerator. It’s a 12-month hands-on program designed to help coaches to replace their corporate income quicker. You can book a call with me at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to leave a successful corporate career and build a thriving coaching practice, this conversation with Louise Zawada will resonate deeply. Louise has spent her career leading large-scale transformation projects, guiding executives through uncertainty and building high-performing teams. Today, she brings that same depth of experience to her coaching work, helping leaders navigate complex organisational change. In this episode, Louise shares her honest reflections on moving from employee to business owner, how she balances variety and structure in her work, and the role of community, relationships and systems in creating sustainable success. Here’s what we cover: ✅ How Louise’s career in HR and transformation naturally evolved into executive coaching. ✅ What it felt like to take the leap from corporate life into entrepreneurship and why it felt inevitable. ✅ The lessons she’s learned about managing self-doubt, fear and the pressure to do it all. ✅ How she balances variety, structure and systems to create calm and consistency in her business. ✅ The power of connection and why genuine curiosity is her most effective business strategy. ✅ What she’s most proud of in her journey so far, and what she’d tell new coaches just starting out. If you’re a coach, leader or professional in transition, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that clarity, courage and connection can guide you through any season of change. Connect with Louise Zawada 🔗 Website: louisezawadaleadership.com💼 LinkedIn: Louise Zawada **We have reopened doors to the Corporate to Coach Accelerator for just 48 hours based on lots of requests! You can book a call now at www.elliescarf.com/bookacall to find out if the Accelerator is a good fit for you and also to get access to that discounted launch pricing.**

If you’re an executive coach who wants to grow your business, especially with more corporate clients, but you think you just might be getting in your own way? This episode is for you. You might notice that you’re not doing the things that would really move the needle, like reaching out to people in your warm network, posting on LinkedIn, or showing up more visibly. It’s not that you don’t know what to do; it’s that something deeper keeps getting in the way. In this episode, I’ll share the subtle ways fear and self-protection limit your growth, and the emotional, financial, and even personal cost of staying stuck in that pattern. Here’s what I cover: ✅ How fear shows up as “reasonable excuses” in your business. ✅ Why playing it safe on LinkedIn or avoiding outreach keeps you stuck. ✅ The hidden energy drain that comes from inaction. ✅ How negative beliefs about sales and visibility quietly hold you back. ✅ The real cost, in time, opportunity, and confidence, when you keep yourself small. I’ll also talk about what it looks like to step into a bigger version of yourself as a business owner, one who embraces discomfort, visibility, and bold action without getting caught in perfectionism. If this episode resonates with you and you’re ready to stop playing small, I’d love to support you inside The Corporate to Coach Accelerator. It’s a 12-month hands-on coaching program that helps executive and leadership coaches attract more corporate clients with a marketing and growth strategy you can maintain in under five hours a week. Doors are open until October 30, and early enrollment includes $1,500 off the annual program price. You can book a call with me at elliescarf.com/bookacall or learn more at elliescarf.com/cca. I’ll be back next week with more tools, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you grow your executive coaching business with clarity and confidence.

In this 100th episode (I can’t quite believe it!), I’m celebrating the incredible community of coaches who tune in every week and taking you behind the scenes of the Corporate to Coach Accelerator. Inside this episode, I share what really happens inside the program, from the curriculum and coaching calls to the community and accountability that help you move from “Where do I even start?” to real, consistent momentum in your business. Listen in to hear: ✅ The full walkthrough of the Accelerator, what’s included and how it all works.✅ The Quick Start Challenge that helps you create your foundational assets without perfectionism or overwhelm.✅ My Business Development Framework, the system I teach for growing your corporate client pipeline in just five hours a week.✅ How our group coaching, supervision, and Slack community help you stay focused, supported, and accountable every step of the way. ➡️ If you’d like to actually see the Accelerator in action, head to elliescarf.com/cca where I’ve included a link to the full video of this walkthrough. And if you want to find out more about the system I teach inside the Accelerator, join my free live masterclass Business Growth for Executive Coaches: Your Pipeline to Consistent Clients. Sign up at elliescarf.com/pipeline and if you join live, you’ll go in the running to win a 90-minute strategy session (valued at over $1000) with me. As always, I’ll be back next week with more tools, insights, and strategies to help you grow your executive coaching business with clarity and confidence. If you’re ready to take the next step, you can book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall or message me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear about your goals and explore how we can get you there.