The Business of Executive Coaching

Hosted by Ellie Scarf

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141

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Aug 2026

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August 16, 202645 min

From Child Protection to Coaching: Tracey Nicolson's Corporate-to-Coach Story

Today I'm joined by Tracey Nicolson , a coach and facilitator who comes to this work after a 40-year career in the WA public sector, including roles with the State Emergency Service, the Department of Child Protection and the Department of Communities. In this episode, Tracey shares her corporate-to-coach story, from studying her social work degree part-time over seven years while raising a young family, to completing her coach training while travelling Europe. She takes us through the leadership programs she now runs, and how her client base has steadily expanded beyond her initial ideal clients. Tracey and I also dig into the real challenges of building a coaching business, from outreach that doesn't feel salesy, to what she calls "rejection recovery", and how our childhood attachment styles show up in the way we run our businesses - you'll want to take notes on this one. You can connect with Tracey on LinkedIn . If you've been thinking about joining the Corporate Coach Accelerator, we're in the final days of current pricing before it goes up on 21 August. Book a call with me to see if it's the right fit for you and your business at www.elliescarf.com/bookacall , or find out more about the program at www.elliescarf.com/cca.

August 13, 20261 hr 21 min

Masterclass Replay - The Executive Coach Business Growth Workshop

If you want the cheat codes - listen in! In this episode, I am delighted to share a live recording from this week’s Executive Coach Business Growth Workshop. In this workshop I walk you through my entire Executive Coach Pipeline model, the ten-part system I use with my own clients to build a steady, consistent flow of corporate coaching clients. I also break down funnel thinking, showing you how to turn a scary revenue target into a doable, weekly numbers game, and I unpack the sales mindset blocks, like the fear of being "salesy", that quietly stall so many coaching businesses. And if you're ready to build a consistent pipeline of corporate clients with real support behind you, the Corporate to Coach Accelerator is currently open with a discounted investment for a limited time, with prices rising from 21 August. You can learn more about the Accelerator at www.elliescarf.com/cca and book a call with me at www.elliescarf.com/bookacall to chat about whether it's the right fit for you.

August 9, 202652 min

Your Business Can't Outgrow Your Physiology, with Alex Field

Today I'm joined by Alex Field, a clinical psychotherapist and naturopath with over 30 years' experience in mental health and wellbeing. Alex's work focuses on chronic nervous system dysregulation, stress and trauma, and she's the founder of the HEAL Method, a program combining psychotherapy with functional body-based medicine. In this episode, Alex unpacks why our capacity as business owners has a strong biological component and that mindset work sometimes just doesn’t cut it. Alex takes us through some of the basics of the nervous system and what it means to be ‘regulated’ as well as some strategies for spending more time in our window of regulation. Alex and I also dig into what it really means to grow sustainably, without white-knuckling your way to burnout - you'll want to take notes on this one. If you'd like to connect with Alex Field, you can find her on Instagram or learn more about the HEAL Method at healforlifeprograms.com If you want to grow your business with more corporate clients, I have a live event this week where I will be sharing all the components of your Executive Coach Pipeline - the foundations you need for your business to thrive. Save your seat over at www.elliescarf.com/pipeline.

August 2, 202630 min

The cost of playing small for executive coaches

How do we know if our resistance is sensible caution or our self limiting beliefs in action? In this episode (a popular one I'm bringing back for the new coaches tuning in), I break down the subtle ways fear shows up as reasonable excuses in your business, and why the cost of playing small is far more layered than the a ost opportunity. Before you dive in, I'm running a free live masterclass next week, the Executive Coach Business Growth Workshop: Your Pipeline to Consistent Clients, where I'll walk you through the exact pipeline model I use with my own clients. You can sign up here . And if you're ready to stop playing small and want support building consistent corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here and please book a call with me to chat about whether it's the right fit for you.

July 26, 20266 min

The Referral Trap: Why Word of Mouth Isn't a Business Strategy

Getting clients via word of mouth and referrals feels like the "right" way to build a coaching business doesn’t it? None of that messy sales business. And gosh it feels good when clients come to us.But I’m sorry to say, if referrals are your whole business development strategy, we need to talk. In this episode I break down why the word of mouth and referral-only approach that worked for coaches starting out 15 - 20 years ago doesn't hold up in today's market, and why hope is not a sustainable strategy.If you'd like support building a strategy that gets you consistently in front of corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here and please book a call with me to discuss whether it makes sense for your business. And don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know your take on this episode!

July 19, 202640 min

Creativity, Courage and Trust with Jennifer Lewis

Today I'm joined by Jennifer Lewis , a leadership and team coach who spent three decades in senior advertising and media roles before making the leap into coaching. In this episode Jennifer shares her corporate to coach story, from running the day-to-day of a major agency's Los Angeles office to the moments along the way that showed her the importance of trust at work. We dig into Jennifer’s three layers of trust, her assessment strategy, and how she's building her business in line with her purpose. Jennifer and I also explore the role of creativity in business - you will love what she has to share. If you'd like to connect with Jennifer Lewis, you can find her on LinkedIn or search for her business, jennifergel.com If you want to grow your business with more corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca and if you'd like to discuss whether it could be a good fit for your growth agenda, let's chat! elliescarf.com/bookacall

July 12, 202617 min

Why coaches struggle to sell (and it's not what you think)

Selling your coaching services is tough. And if you're a coach working with corporate clients, chances are there are one or more barriers getting in your way - and it might not be what you think. In this episode I break down the four biggest obstacles I see preventing coaches building a comfortable and consistent sales approach. As you listen, my challenge to you is to pick just one that you will work on this week. If you'd like support to work through these barriers and build a strategy that gets you consistently in front of corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator here and please book a call with me to discuss whether it makes sense for your business. I'm also running a free masterclass, Three Ways to Use LinkedIn as a Tool to Get Your Next Three Corporate Clients, on 16th July (15th for the US/Canada). I'm not sure when I'll run it again, so save your spot here if you'd like to join. And don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know which of the four barriers is your biggest one!

July 5, 202648 min

Stephanie Abbott on the Human Side of Change (for Coaches and Clients!)

Today I'm joined by Stephanie Abbott , a coach, consultant, facilitator and strategist with decades of experience in knowledge management, learning and development, and legal transformation. In this episode Steph shares her corporate to coach story and the unique blend of expertise that she now brings to clients across the legal world (and beyond). Steph and I discuss her work, but also dig into the real impact AI is having on leaders right now, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable coaching business, including pushing through the sales ick and getting comfortable with not being the right fit for everyone. If you'd like to connect with Stephanie Abbott, you can find her on LinkedIn or via her website: stephanieabbott.com.au If you want to grow your business with more corporate clients, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca and if you'd like to discuss whether the Accelerator could be a good fit for your growth agenda, let's chat! elliescarf.com/bookacall

June 28, 202658 min

Pod O’Sullivan on the Business of Building a Practice that Lasts (and so much more!)

My guest today is Padraig O'Sullivan (Pod to his friends!. Pod is an executive coach, team coach, author and international leadership specialist with nearly three decades of experience working with CEOs and top leadership teams across multinational organisations. In this episode Pod shares his corporate to coach story and his framework for building a business that can sustain his passion for the work that he does. Pod’s pre-coaching career spans intensive care nursing, medical device sales, recruitment and headhunting. It was his transition into coaching though that has brought out his passion and entrepreneurial spirit. Pod and I discuss his work, but also our takes on the details of business building including things like value-based pricing, and what it really takes to build a sustainable coaching business. If you'd like to connect with Pod O'Sullivan, you can find him on LinkedIn or via his website podosullivan.com If you'd like to work with me to grow your own coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca and if you’d like to discuss your business and whether the Accelerator could be a good fit for your growth agenda, lets chat! elliescarf.com/bookacall

June 21, 202645 min

Jo Saies on Elite Sport, Disability and Performance in the Workplace

This week I'm sitting down with the brilliant Jo Saies , a highly experienced PCC credentialed coach with 15 years of experience supporting leaders and organisations across the public and private sectors, including government, regulatory bodies and for-purpose organisations. In this episode Jo shares her corporate to coach story, including the two things that have shaped her life: a vision impairment and a spirit of adventure that saw her represent Australia as a disabled downhill ski racer. We cover Jo's business building journey, her support for leaders in aged care, disability and the public sector, and her passion for helping subject matter experts step into leadership roles. We also dig into the realities of running a coaching business and the power of community and connection built over a long career. If you'd like to connect with Jo Saies, you can find her on LinkedIn or via her website pbperformance.com.au. If you'd like to work with me to grow your own coaching business, you can learn more about the Corporate to Coach Accelerator at elliescarf.com/cca or book a call at elliescarf.com/bookacall