What You Really Need to Start a Coaching Business (and What You Don’t): Essential Tips for New Coaches
If you’re a newer coach, it’s easy to get stuck in what I call pre-launch limbo — spending months (or years) working on things that feel productive but don’t actually get you paying clients. I call this Shiny Object Paralysis: the pull toward fun, pretty, or “safe” tasks that eat up your time, money, and energy while you avoid the real work that will actually get your business off the ground.
In this episode of The Coaching Edge, I’m breaking it down into two clear lists:
- 10 things you actually need to launch your coaching business
- 10 things you don’t (even if you’ve been told otherwise)
We’ll cover what’s essential to protect yourself legally, start attracting clients, and feel confident in your skills — including why knowing your scope as a coach is just as important as having a booking link or a payment processor. And we’ll bust some of the most common myths keeping new coaches stuck (hint: you don’t need a $5K logo, a massive Instagram following, or a perfectly dialed niche before you start).
If you’ve been spinning your wheels, feeling overwhelmed, or wondering where to even start — this is the reality check you need to move forward with clarity and focus.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The 10 practical, non-negotiable elements you really need to start a coaching business
- Why scope awareness is critical for your confidence and credibility
- How to spot the Shiny Object Drain before it drains your momentum
- 10 common “must-haves” you can skip (and what to do instead)
LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE HERE
Links and Resources:
- 🎯 Before You Launch Your Coaching Business Checklist (FREE): https://www.wendymccallum.com/launch-fundamentals-checklist
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✅ 10 Ways to Get Clients Now (Without an Email List or Social Media Following (FREE MASTERCLASS): https://www.wendymccallum.com/how-to-get-coaching-clients
- 💡 Learn more about the BBB (Business Building Bootcamp for Coaches) and JOIN us at the next Open House: www.wendymccallum.com/bbb
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🎟️ Also, check out the NEXT Coaching Edge Workshop for 90-minutes of laser-focussed practical training at a very affordable price-tag: https://www.wendymccallum.com/workshop
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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