It's OK to Not Want a 7-Figure Coaching Business (And Be Happy Where You Are)
A few weeks ago, I was invited to be a guest on a coaching business podcast. The host reached out, said I'd be a great fit, and sent me a link to book a slot. Before I could book, there was an intake form — including a question about my business goals. The options were something like: downsize to part-time, grow to seven figures, or I'm happy where I am. I chose the last one. And immediately got a message: "Sorry, all our slots are full."
I was rejected — for being content.
Now, in hindsight, this podcast may have been more of a sales funnel than a genuine interview opportunity — a way to identify coaches who might be targets for high-end business coaching programs or pay-to-play podcast spots. But regardless of the intent, it got me thinking about the message the coaching industry sends when the only version of success worth celebrating is aggressive growth.
This episode is a bit of a manifesto. It's about redefining what success looks like in a coaching business — and giving yourself permission to want what you actually want, even if that's not seven figures. I'm sharing my own journey with money mindset and scarcity, seasons when I intentionally pulled back (including when my dad got very sick), and why I believe the real flex isn't scaling to a million dollars — it's building a business that supports the life you're trying to live.
In this episode, I cover:
- The story of being rejected by a podcast for not having aggressive growth goals (and why that podcast may have been more of a sales funnel than a real opportunity)
- The coaching industry's obsession with "more" — and what message that sends
- The hidden costs of growth: time, peace of mind, health, relationships, creativity, freedom
- My own seasons of chasing growth from a scarcity mindset — and the work I've done to shift into abundance
- What happened when my dad got sick and I had to pull back (and why my business held)
- The difference between complacency and contentment
- The goals no one celebrates: working less, staying small, saying no to opportunities that would shrink your life
- Why I have just as much respect for a coach building a part-time retirement practice as one replacing a corporate salary
- How to define success on your own terms — not the industry's
Resources & Links:
Author & Host
Wendy McCallum
Business Coach for Coaches, Burnout & Alcohol Coach for High Achievers
I’m Wendy McCallum — a coach, mentor, and former lawyer who’s spent the last 15 years helping people build lives and businesses they actually want to wake up to. When I first left law, I had no guidebook for how to do this coaching thing. I floundered — hard. I undercharged, overthought, and overinvested in shiny solutions that didn’t really move the needle. But every mistake taught me something, and eventually, I built the kind of coaching practice I once only dreamed about — one that’s profitable, sustainable, and full of work I truly love. Today, I coach two kinds of people: ✨ Busy professionals who are ready to make big, meaningful changes — whether that's finding balance, recovering from burnout, or rethinking their relationship with alcohol. ✨ And newer coaches who are building their businesses from the ground up and want a clear, sustainable path forward without all the gimmicks and noise. Whether I’m helping someone simplify their business or reclaim their personal life, the heart of my work is the same: giving smart, capable people the clarity, encouragement, and real-world tools they need to move forward — in a way that feels good, not overwhelming. If you’re ready for something better — in your work, your life, or your business — you’re in the right place. And I’m so glad you’re here. IMPORTANT: Blog content including Wendy's podcasts are for information purposes only and not intended in any way to be health advice. Please see full Terms of Use, by clicking on the link in the footer of this page, for details.
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