Do you want to start a spiritual coaching company? If YES, here is a detailed guide on how to start a spiritual coaching business with no money or experience. Starting a business that offers classes that combine spiritual coaching and healing can provide a unique and lucrative opportunity to transform lives with the kind of power only a spiritual approach can offer.
From a holistic perspective that integrates the body, emotions, mind, and spirit, the spiritual level is the deepest, the most profound, and the most instrumental in creating a fabulously rewarding and fulfilling life. We all must have heard of coaching. Coaches help people to create and achieve goals in all areas of life.
Note that the practice of life coaching has experienced exponential growth during the last two decades, but most people still don’t know much about spiritual life coaching and healing courses. These coaching courses include helping people to overcome the kinds of challenges of life.
Why Start a Spiritual Coaching Business?
It’s very important to state that the emergence of spiritual coaching has helped a lot of people create lives that transcend their previous limits. Have it in mind that with spiritual coaching, you can discover the keys for creating the life you were born to live and guide others to do the same.
Miracles can become daily occurrences as you learn to bring spirit into form in profoundly simple ways. Seeking is an integral part of who we are. Whether we agree to it or not, we are on a quest and life is a beautiful adventure of self-discovery.
A spiritual coach views the challenges his/her clients encounter as synchronous opportunities for expansion and transformation. Healing inner blocks at a spiritual level enables clients to progress in miraculous ways by drawing on inner resources they don’t yet realize they have. Note that in a spiritual perspective, there are no limits to what is possible in this field of coaching.
The essence of the spiritual journey revolves around tapping into spiritual powers to overcome boundaries we place on ourselves, our purpose, and our potential. Interestingly, few people understand how to do this and even fewer actually take the steps required to bring the spirit into form. You can start this business successfully and help a lot of people in modern America achieve their life goals and aims.
19 Steps to Starting a Spiritual Coaching Business
1. Understand the Industry
First and foremost, the spiritual coaching business is solely under the vast life coaching industry. Businesses in the Life Coaching industry help individuals with personal, relationship and business matters. Report has it that the services of life coaches heightens when public confidence goes down and people’s ability to handle issues on their own reduces drastically.
Note that since the industry services are discretionary, it is subject to change in the level of disposable income, which is typically lower during times of poor consumer confidence. But statistics has it that over the five years to 2017, the life coaching business gained extensively from economic improvements. That is why experts estimate industry revenue to grow promisingly over the five-year period.
During the next five years, the industry will continue to benefit from economic improvements. Also, life coaching is more comprehensive than other coaching segments because it incorporates many elements from other segments (e.g. business, family, fitness) to help clients live more fulfilling lives through goal-directed changes.
Personal improvement coaches are known to help their clients remove thoughts of failure to enable future success. They strive to improve client’s control over their thoughts and body, which motivates them in their personal and professional lives. These coaches are also called life vision and enhancement coaches. This segment generates about 39.8% of revenue in 2017 and has slightly contracted as a share of industry revenue over the past five years.
2. Conduct Market Research and Feasibility Studies
- Demographics and Psychographics
Spiritual coaching in this modern age can take many forms. As a spiritual coach, your clients gain access to the inner guidance that lives within. Drawing upon their unique way of connecting with the divine, their belief system is the starting point for your work. Through their beliefs, you then offer them a myriad of tools, techniques and spiritual practices.
Have it in mind that by connecting with the divine wisdom of an individual’s spirit, you help your clients understand and remove any barriers standing in the way of their path to happiness, fulfillment and life success. A good number of a country’s population believe in the presence of a higher power. This is described by many names, including God, The Divine, Source or Collective Consciousness, to name a few.
But irrespective of how your clients refer to their particular system of belief, they desire a deeper understanding of themselves, their purpose and true potential. That is why as a spiritual coach, your clients seek to work with you side-by-side as they connect to their spiritual side.
It is then your job to accompany them as they course-correct their life direction onto the path that is most meaningful to them. Indeed, the drive to seek meaning and our purpose in life is part of what it means to be human. Working within this framework, a lot of people who specialize in spiritual coaching tend to have a spiritual background themselves.
Among many others, this may include a background in ministry or a similar form of spiritual training or practice such as Buddhism, Hinduism (Yogis), or meditation. In the same way, other successful spiritual coaches have employed tarot, astrology, intuitive readings and complementary tools to help their clients find their own way.
3. Decide Which Niche to Concentrate On
As someone who understands the deeper dimensions and multiple access points to the divine, you are well-equipped to support your clients in a myriad of ways. But always remember that the cornerstone to your success within this niche in the life coaching industry is the thorough understanding and acceptance of the belief systems of your clients, as well as your commitment to help them access the divine as they define it.
Just like all other branches of coaching, spiritual coaches are soul-driven individuals who feel satisfaction in helping clients attain their best possible future on a soul level. Unlike other coaching niches however, this branch places the soul’s yearning and spiritual fulfillment in the fore front. It taps into an individual’s divine connection and gifts as the primary source of wisdom. Niches to consider in this field include;
- Energy and vibrational fields
- Imagery and soul college
- Intuitive painting
- Manifestation
- Divination
- Soul work
- Shamanism and spiritual journeys
- Religious or spiritual practices related to the coach’s background
- Extensive range of specialized rituals and practices that serve individual belief systems
The Level of Competition in the Industry
Personal and life coaching has become big business in America, as clients seek guidance for career transitions, starting a business, getting more organized, improving their sales or marketing skills, and a lot more. There are virtually no barriers to entry to the coaching industry, and start-up costs are minimal.
No degree or certification is needed. As a result, the market has attracted many would-be coaches, who want to leverage their life experience for pay.
Coaching is reported to be a $2 billion global industry that is rapidly growing, as evidenced by a dramatic increase in coaches, professional coaching organizations and coaching-related research. Note that to sustain this growth, coaches, clients and coaching organizations must remedy three critical failures related to coaching: context, complexity and calculus.
According to the International Coach Federation (ICF), the largest professional coaching organization in the U.S., the number of worldwide coaches has grown from 47,500 in 2012 to 53,300 in 2016 with the addition of approximately 1,500 coaches per year for the last four years.
Western Europe was estimated to have the highest number of coaches with 18,800 coaches in 2016. North America followed closely behind with an estimated 17,500 coaches in 2016.
4. Know Your Major Competitors in the Industry
- D Jakes
- Michael Port
- Michael Gerber
- Jay Conrad Levinson
- Alexander
- Brain Tracy
- Jay Abraham
- Lucinda Bassett
- Brad Sugars
- Marketing Joynes
- Paula Michelle White
Economic Analysis
The typical personal coach earned about ,000 per year in the united states in 2015. 68% of coaches are female. Coaches usually charge between $200 and $500 per month for their services. Businesses in this industry make money by charging clients for coaching services. They often either charge an hourly fee or request a retainer.
One key issue or problem facing this industry is untrained or incompetent business/life coaches, many of whom may be “certified” by a long list of dubious credentialing organizations. More than 500 entities certify coaches worldwide. There is pressure mounting among clients for more accountability.
Also, as the Baby Boomers age, the 75 million American Millennials will create demand for coaching services. Webinars, coaching apps, and online delivery via video conferencing will be the norm for personal and life coaching in the next few years, rather than by phone.
According to industry experts, the U.S. coaching industry will grow slightly slower than the international market, as the American market may be getting saturated and is more established than overseas emerging markets. A bubble may be developing in this profession. Awareness of personal coaching is increasing, but most consumers have not yet used it. Only 16% of consumers had used a life or business coach as of 2014.
The U.S. personal coaching market appears to be getting saturated, and some consolidation in the near future is likely, as coaches are held to higher accountability standards.
5. Decide Whether to Buy a Franchise or Start from Scratch
You need to first understand that this particular decision is a very important because each option has its pros and cons. Normally, starting from the scratch might seem beneficial to one entrepreneur, but it might not go well with another because both entrepreneurs have different business objectives and goals. But, the spiritual coaching business is filled with independence and as such there are no franchises in existence for those looking to go into this business.
This means that you must have the passion and motivation for this business. Do not be discouraged by the lack of good franchises in this business, starting a business from the scratch gives an entrepreneur the opportunity to have an intimate knowledge of the business. It also give you the benefit of being able to determine the right niche for your business and what strategies would be best in helping you push your business into achieving its goals and objective.
6. Know the Possible Threats and Challenges You Will Face
Have it in mind that coaching business’ brands often revolve around the business owner. Even if a business has employees providing coaching service, the business owner is usually the leader who oversees all coaching. Therefore, they become the face of the company. Since the business owner is largely a coaching business’ brand, the growth potential is somewhat limited.
Have it in mind that some of the threats and challenges that you might likely face when starting your spiritual coaching business are; having to make your target market know the importance of your business in their lives, facing and taking care of competition from new and already existing competitors and also dealing with the downturn of the economy because it will affect the incentives clients need to get a spiritual coach, like funds.
7. Choose the Most Suitable Legal Entity (LLC, C Corp, S Corp)
There are different legal requirements that you will need when starting your spiritual coaching business legally. Take your time to check with your local city and county government to get the necessary licensing before you open your doors for business.
Meanwhile, there are six legal entities available to entrepreneurs in the United States of America and they include; Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Cooperative, C Corporation, Partnership and the S Corporation. However for the purpose of starting a spiritual coaching business, the options are reduced to two – sole proprietorship and LLC.
But no matter the size and concept you have for your business, note that the LLC is the best option for you. Have it in mind that LLC stands for Limited Liability Company. When a business is structured as an LLC, it becomes its own legal entity.
Forming an LLC is the simplest way of structuring your business to provide personal liability protection. This means your personal assets are protected if your business is sued. The LLC is responsible for its own debts and lawsuits, not the owners. It’s advantages may include;
- Personal assets protection
- Flexibility
- Simplicity
- Pass through taxation
- Increase credibility
- Access to Business loans
8. Choose a Catchy Business Name
- Born Spiritual
- David’s Touch of Health
- Change and Evolve
- Beautiful Reflections
- Healthy family
- Efficient Coaching
- Better personality
- Wildly Better
- Michelle Life
- Learning Well with Margaret
- Live Excellently
- Yes2HealthyLife
- Natural Healthy
- Vibrant-Healthy Living
9. Discuss with an Agent to Know the Best Insurance Policies for You
As a spiritual coach, your expertise rests on helping your clients understand the balance between their physical and spiritual being and finding ways of aligning them. Although coaching business is a rewarding job for sure, but like any business it comes with certain risks.
That is why having adequate insurance can help your business stay afloat if you face compensation claims, with professional indemnity insurance if you’re sued for making a mistake in your work, and public liability insurance if someone claims compensation for injury or damage. Plus you can insure your business premises and equipment in case of damage by something like fire or flood.
Having a good life coaching insurance policy also shows clients and potential clients that you’re a professional and you take your responsibilities seriously, so it could help you secure new business. You may need;
- Public liability insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Employers’ liability insurance
- Business equipment insurance
- Business building insurance
- Business interruption insurance
- Legal expenses insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Consultant insurance
- Limited company insurance
- Self-employed insurance
10. Protect your Intellectual Property With Trademark, Copyrights, Patents
It is absolutely necessary that you seek for ways to make sure that you have intellectually protected your materials from being copied and either used by other coaches or your clients. But note that because of how difficult and rigorous applying for an intellectual property protection might be, it is necessary to seek the services of an attorney to help you file for an IPP.
Note that intellectual property protection also protects your company’s logo, slogan or any other materials you might consider valuable to you. Any attorney with experience in this field should be able to put you through on what requirements to fulfill in getting an IPP.
11. Get the Necessary Professional Certification
In most places in the United States, there is no legal obligation to obtain certification for spiritual coaching. Anyone can start a business and be a self-proclaimed spiritual coach. But, becoming a certified spiritual coach can provide a lot of advantages that will help you succeed in your coaching. Two of these benefits are very important.
First of all, certification helps to differentiate you from the “self-proclaimed spiritual and life coaches” that have sprung up online. It is pretty normal for someone to abuse the lack of legal certifications in order to take advantage of clients.
Secondly, certification involves training that will help you become the best coach you can be. Not only will training help you learn techniques that will help you serve clients as well as you can, it will also help you learn how to think like a successful coach in order to succeed in your own endeavors.
- ICF Master Spiritual Life Coach Program
- AA Spiritual Life coaching Certificate
- Crystal Lynn certified Spiritual Life Coach
- Master SPIRIT LIFE Coac
12. Get the Necessary Legal Documents You Need to Operate
Note that to do this business, you will need few state permits and licenses. Always take your time understand more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits. In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply. Licenses you might be need include;
-
Services Contract
In such a coaching business where services are provided on an extended basis, a services contract is often put in place outlining terms and conditions of service. It’s your job in this industry to require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This is because the agreement will clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, and service level expectations.
-
Coaching Disclaimer & Waiver
It’s your job to also make it clear to your clients that you are not a trained medical professional. This can be accomplished by having clients sign a release of liability form.
-
Certificate of Occupancy
Indeed this business can be managed out of an office, which will give you the space for meetings. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
If you will be leasing a location
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a life coaching business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
If you will be buying or building a location
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your life coaching business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
13. Raise the Needed Startup Capital
Finance is very crucial part of every business organisation. The ongoing expenses for a spiritual coaching business, like the start-up expenses, are low. Ongoing costs include expenses for insurance, marketing, transportation, internet access and a phone.
Coaches that hire employees and open offices also have labour, rent and utility expenses, but coaches don’t have to take their business in this direction. Ways to finance your life coaching business may include.
- Debt Financing
- Personal savings
- Raising money from investors and business partners
- Applying for Loan from your Bank / banks
- Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from donor organizations and angel investors
14. Choose a Suitable Location for your Business
How you set things up will depend on whether you prefer face to face, phone or online meetings, or a mixture of all. But even if you are going to work from home or hire a room for your coaching, you will still need the same basic furniture and equipment.
But you also have to think about how, if you are doing face to face coaching, you can make your coaching office into a space that is comfortable for you and safe and welcoming for your clients. Things to consider when choosing a suitable location;
- If it’s the right location
- Does it require modification?
- Tax and infrastructure
- Style of operation
- demography of the location
- Nearness to other business and services
- Accessibility of the location and parking space for your clients
- The local laws and regulations in the community / state
- Traffic and security
- Allowing for future growth
- Separate your needs from your wants business
- Technical and manpower requirements
15. Hire Employees for your Technical and Manpower Needs
Spiritual coaches spend much of their time meeting with clients. Most coaches meet with each client two to four times in each month. Meetings most times last between 20 and 60 minutes, but this doesn’t include doing pre-meeting preparation, driving to and from meetings, and taking post-meeting notes.
An hour-long meeting may easily take up two hours of a business owner’s time, especially if it’s held at a client’s location. Meanwhile coaches can reduce the time they spend driving to and from meetings by having clients come to an office.
Clients may not want to drive to an office, though, and running an office increases overhead. When not meeting with clients, spiritual coaches often spend time building on their own skills by attending seminars and marketing their businesses.
Note that starting up a life coaching business is a low-cost endeavor, but you will need reliable transportation, a phone, a computer and internet access. Other expenses include marketing costs and insurance. And to keep initial expenses minimal, most coaches use their personal vehicle, phone and computer when starting out, and they meet clients in public places (e.g. coffee shops or business centers).
It’s very important to note that a spiritual coaching business can be run by one person, and some coaches never hire employees. Others find that hiring a personal assistant streamlines their workflow, as an assistant can help prepare documents and schedule meetings.
Meanwhile, a few life coaches hire other employees to coach clients in specific areas. Having several employees, each specializing in a different area of coaching, helps a business appeal to a broader market and lets it provide more comprehensive coaching.
Also note that top coaches charge as much as $3,500 per hour to help CEOs and other executives, but few are able to command such high salaries. Most coaches’ hourly rates fall between $75 and $200 per hour coaching a client, which doesn’t typically include prep time. When working on a retainer, coaches typically charge a client between $500 and $2,000 per month.
The Service Delivery Process of the Business
When working as a spiritual coach, it’s very important to “dress for success.” Clients hire coaches to help them be successful, and portraying an image of success will give clients confidence in the business. A coach should both look professional and act professional whenever they’re seeing clients.
Having a credential can also give clients confidence. The most widely recognized credentialing body is the ICF, which offers associate, professional and master coaching certifications.
The essence of spiritual coaching and healing is tuning into the spiritual journey, helping people to discover and embrace the magnificence of their true identities, and to bring spirit fully into form. This approach is holistic, integrating the body, emotions, mind, and spirit. The six processes involved with coaching a client spiritually are;
-
Establish Coaching Agreement
Understand the specific issue for the session.
- What is the issue/goal you would like to focus on today?
- What is important about this for you?
-
Set The Goal or Outcome for The Session
Invite client to envision their desired outcome.
- How will you know you achieved what you wanted to accomplish today?
- What will that look like or feel like (subjective or objective)?
- Where are you now regarding what you wanted to achieve today?
-
Coach the Client
Begin with the desired outcomes, invite client to explore different actions or shift perspective for unearthing possible solutions.
- What is the BEST solution for you in this situation?
- What changes or differences might you or others notice?
-
Understand and Commit to Action
Client chooses actions to commit to.
- What might get in the way of accomplishing this?
- How will you support your commitment to this action?
-
Key Outcomes
Client summarizes actions, commitments and/or perspective shifts.
- What are your take-aways from this session?
- What new awareness or learning happened today?
- How will this support you going forward?
-
Accountability
Coach partners with client to “hold” their promise to themselves.
- How will you hold yourself accountable to the goal(s) you set today?
- How I can I partner with you to enhance your accountability?
16. Write a Marketing Plan Packed with ideas & Strategies
In this line of business, radio and newspaper advertisements can be used extensively, but few efforts are more effective than word-of-mouth marketing. Also in this business, you can ask your current client for referrals to other potential clients, possibly offering a free meeting as an incentive to refer someone to you.
Have it in mind that you can attend networking events, where people can get to know you. Even if no one at a networking event needs life coaching, they might recommend someone else who could use the service to you. Ways to effectively market your life coaching business is outlined below;
- Business cards and more
- Business networking
- Getting Testimonials From Delighted Clients
- Creating an attractive website
- Writing a unique book
- Find your specialty or niche and become an expert.
- Free introductory coaching lessons
- Talk your way to recognition as a life coach authority
17. Develop Iron-clad Competitive Strategies to Help You Win
In this business, your clients will be entrusting their emotional and possibly their physical well-being to you. You owe it to them to stay on top of current trends in your industry, as well as best practices for coaches. Competition in this industry is intense and you need to make use of all available strategies within the confinement of the law to stay afloat and stay ahead of your competitors. Few strategies may include;
-
Stop worrying about it
Note that first thing to do is stop worrying. There will be lots of new coaches coming into the industry and worrying about that too much will lead to stress, anxiety and bitterness about the job you love. The number of coaches out there is one factor you have no control over so stop worrying about it.
-
Compete on value not on price
Another thing that happens with increased competition is that new coaches will enter the market and attract new business with low prices. You may be tempted to lower your prices to stay competitive. You should avoid this at all cost.
Competing on price will take you down a road that will lead to frustration and bitterness. Lowering your prices will attract a lower quality of clients and reduce your revenue. In a crowded market place you should compete on value not on price. Differentiating yourself with high quality “premium” services is a solid strategy for staying competitive.
-
Focus on your own business and don’t get distracted
Just as in training and racing, focusing too much on your competitors can be deadly. You can’t control what your competitors do and if you’ve been in the industry for a while you’ll already have a good grasp on what works and what doesn’t. If you’ve been successful so far, continue to focus on your own growth and development and keep doing a great job for your clients. Remember that energy flows to where attention goes.
-
Diversify your products and services
Have it in mind that offering a broader range of services can protect you against new competition. During times of industry growth, the squeeze will be applied to the most common offering of one-on-one coaching. If you have additional related services that are more difficult to replicate or get setup, then some of your income will be more protected.
It’s important that your products and services are closely related to your core offering but there are lots of things you can consider offering to diversify.
-
Up-scale and be patient
You’ve got the coaching skills but it’s also important to keep improving your skills around business and technology. New coaches coming into the market will likely have skills they can leverage to balance out their lack of experience. The most successful coaching business will be those that can combine experience, knowledge and modern business and technology skills.
One of the most valuable yet least common skills in the coaching industry is internet marketing. If you can develop even a basic understanding of internet marketing and begin to implement some core strategies, you will be at a huge advantage.
Often new coaches get into the industry because they’ve decided to make a lifestyle choice and coaching seems like something that’s quite easy to get into. They don’t need to invest much money upfront and can get started right away.
Sooner or later they’ll discover what you already know, that coaching is difficult and to be successful you need a lot of knowledge and experience that only comes with time and hard work. You’ll find that hard work is what some new coaches were trying to avoid in the first place.
18. Brainstorm Possible Ways to Retain Clients & Customers
A life coaching business can stand out in this competitive field by specializing in a particular niche, which may be a particular industry or area of life. Staying totally in a specific niche may limit a business’ target market, but it also sets the business apart from generic life coaching businesses and also make your customers know what you can do for them specifically. Ways to increase customer retention in your spiritual Coaching business include.
- Focus on becoming a dependency
- Listen to them
- Improve competitive advantage
- Build ‘sticky’ customer loyalty
- Keep your eyes open for external environment changes
- Know your weakness
- Set and meet customer expectations
- Nail the first impression
- Always be adding value
- Let clients know what your doing for them
19. Develop Strategies to Boost Brand Awareness and Create a Corporate Identity
Competition is here to stay. Don’t let it distract you from doing what you do best, getting great results for your clients. Competition will come and go, and even though coaching is relatively easy to start it’s very difficult to be great at it. Sooner or later the “not so great” coaches will be filtered out either through poor results for their clients or deciding that coaching is not a long term goal for them.
But before then, remember that you can increase your revenue by offering coaching online, or running classes or seminars. This business doesn’t require traveling to meetings, which means you will be able to serve more clients. Classes and seminars also help you to reach more clients, as you can speak to several people at once in each setting.
Also note that classes and seminars can be especially successful after a coach has a list of established clients to recruit to a class or seminar in their business. Ways to boost your business Brand may include;
- Create a social media presence and use your social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus to boost your business
- Always place adverts in newspapers and magazines as well as on radio and television stations
- You should consider speaking in seminars, conferences and workshops
- Ask your loyal customers to help refer others to your business
- Create an attractive website and put up articles and resources to ginger up your target audience
- Share your handbills and fliers in strategic locations