A weekly educational podcast from the founder of The Financial Coach Academy®, Kelsa Dickey, that will teach you how to create and grow a profitable financial coaching business that you LOVE and are proud of. At The Financial Coach Academy®, we are passionate about helping you create the business of YOUR dreams – whether that’s a side hustle, part time gig, or 6+ figure company. Get ready to elevate your success!!
Site
RSS
Apple
Données mises à jour le 04/07/2026
Classements récents
Dernières positions dans les classements Apple Podcasts et Spotify.
Liens partagés entre épisodes et podcasts
Liens présents dans les descriptions d'épisodes et autres podcasts les utilisant également.
100. Building a Coaching Business: Celebrating 100 Episodes with Real Questions
Épisode 100
jeudi 27 février 2025 • Durée 34:57
When I sat down to plan this 100th episode, I knew I wanted to do something special—something that came straight from you, our community. So we asked what you really wanted to know about building a financial coaching business, and wow, did you deliver!
From questions about leaving a stable job to start coaching (and when that's the right move), to figuring out how to get more discovery calls booked, to managing a successful business solo, we're tackling the real stuff that keeps you up at night.
On this special 100th episode, I'm sharing what I learned from my own journey, including some “I wish someone had told me this” moments about growing a coaching practice. You'll hear practical advice about things like how much runway you might want before leaving your day job, what marketing actually works (hint: it's probably not what you think), and even which paid software made the biggest difference in my business.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your existing practice, this episode gets into the thick of what it really takes to build a coaching business that fits your life. No fluff, no fancy strategies—just real talk about what works, what doesn't, and how to figure out which path is right for you.
Thank you so much for being a part of this adventure with me!
Starting your coaching business while you have a day job gives you the freedom to be selective with clients. Your steady income is an asset, not a barrier.
Real relationships beat passive marketing. Walk straight into the rooms where your ideal clients already gather.
Great coaches tell the same stories repeatedly because different people need to hear them at different times.
The secret to solopreneur success? Pick two marketing channels and master them instead of spreading yourself thin.
Long-term clients stay because you're their thinking partner, not their information source.
Turn cold leads into warm conversations by partnering with professionals who already have your ideal clients’ trust.
Before you scale, ask yourself: What matters more…maximum revenue or maximum impact? Let that guide your growth.
99. Delighting clients: Creating that Memorable First Impression
Épisode 99
jeudi 20 février 2025 • Durée 26:18
When a potential client reaches out to you about financial coaching, they're often feeling worried and doubtful. They might even be telling themselves they're “too far gone” for help. That's exactly why those first interactions matter so much.
In this episode, we're talking about how to handle those early conversations with confidence (even if you're feeling nervous on the inside). You'll hear about practical, affordable tools that help you look professional from day one, and why making actual phone calls—yes, real phone calls!—can be a game-changer for connecting with potential clients.
For newer coaches who worry about being too pushy, we're sharing a simple three-touch system that takes the guesswork out of following up. You'll learn why timing these follow-ups every two weeks (hint: it has everything to do with when people get paid) can make a huge difference in converting interested people into clients.
I'm also sharing the exact welcome sequence we use at Fiscal Fitness, my own financial coaching practice, to help new clients feel supported and excited about their decision to work with us. These are the same strategies I used when I was just starting out, before I had a team to help me.
Remember what I always say—consistency beats complexity every time. You don't need to implement everything at once. Start with one thing, master it, then add another. That's how you build a coaching practice that truly serves your clients while feeling manageable for you.
This is the first part of our special series on delighting your clients, and you won't want to miss what's coming next.
98. Taking Action Over Perfect Planning with Billy Hofacker [Success Stories Series]
Épisode 98
jeudi 13 février 2025 • Durée 32:30
Have you ever gotten up one morning, opened your door, and found someone ready to tow your car away? That's exactly what happened to Billy Hofacker, and it led him to discover he was $130,000 in debt. Now, years later, he's a financial coach helping fitness professionals avoid the same money struggles he faced himself.
As both a gym owner and financial coach, Billy brings a unique perspective to this conversation. You'll hear how he built two successful gyms while getting out of debt, and why he now helps other fitness professionals handle their money better.
Billy shares his approach of “building the plane while flying it”—taking action before everything is perfectly planned, just like he used to tell his fitness clients to “just put the darn sneakers on and get outside.”
From starting his podcast in his basement during COVID (which he insists sounds better than saying “first floor”) to now running successful coaching programs, Billy opens up about the messy but rewarding journey of growing a coaching business. He talks honestly about both the wins and the setbacks, including a recent situation where someone signed up for his mastermind and then changed their mind - and why that doesn't slow him down.
Listen in to hear how Billy’s own financial turnaround led him to discover what he was meant to do, and why being a “money nerd” who understands the fitness industry helps him serve his clients in a unique way.
97. Working On Your Business vs Working In It: A Complete Guide for Financial Coaches
Épisode 97
jeudi 6 février 2025 • Durée 18:41
If you've been feeling overwhelmed in your financial coaching business lately, you're probably spending all your time serving clients, creating content, and answering emails. While these tasks matter, they're only part of the story. This week, we talk about why setting aside time to work ON your business (not just IN it) makes everything else feel easier. Despite the perception that you “don’t have time” to do anything other than take client calls.
Think of your business like a garden: you can spend all day watering plants and pulling weeds, but without a good design and irrigation system, you'll always be playing catch-up. On this week’s episode, we share practical ways to create space for strategic work, even if you only have five hours a week for your business right now. Plus, we talk about why having the right support network changes everything, both for building your business and helping your clients succeed.
You'll hear about specific times when doing less actually leads to better results, and why trying to be “kind of okay” at a dozen different things might be holding you back. Whether you're just starting out or feeling stuck in your current business, this episode will help you see where small changes in how you spend your time can make a real difference.
Want to start working on your business instead of just in it? Listen to learn how shifting just 20% of your work time to strategic planning could change everything about how your business feels and grows.
Block off 20% of your work time for strategic planning because one hour of intentional business work creates more impact than five hours of reactive tasks.
Schedule your most challenging business decisions when your energy peaks. A clear mind at 7 a.m. beats a tired brain at 8 p.m. every time.
Your business systems should feel automatic but not robotic. Build processes that make your work smoother while keeping the human connection clients crave.
Real Talk on Social Media for Financial Coaches
jeudi 30 janvier 2025 • Durée 20:41
Social media can feel overwhelming, frustrating, inspiring, and like a time-suck…all at the same time. As business owners, we need to come to terms with it and find out how it fits into our own lives and businesses. Instead of letting it rule us.
This week on the podcast, I’m sharing more about the often-misunderstood world of social media from my own perspective. You’ll hear some real-life hits (and misses!) about how social media has impacted the way I do business.
This episode is not just stories; it’s a journey to uncovering the true impact of social media in our field. I explore how easy it is to make snap judgments based on someone's online profile and question how this influences our perception of success, both of others and ourselves.
Discover how setting boundaries with social media can lead to more meaningful interactions and why it's okay to chart your own path, even if it strays from conventional social media strategies.
Tune in for an episode filled with honest reflections, practical insights, and a fresh perspective on leveraging social media for your financial coaching business. Whether you're a social media enthusiast or skeptic, there’s something in this episode for everyone looking to navigate these digital waters with confidence and authenticity.
Having a huge following doesn't guarantee clients - focus on real conversations that convert instead of chasing vanity metrics
Your energy is the fuel to your business - choose marketing methods that energize you rather than drain you
Social media is just one conversation tool - you can grow a thriving business through networking, speaking, referrals and other channels that feel natural to you
Curb appeal isn't everything - someone's polished social presence might mask an empty house, so validate their substance through real conversations and client testimonials
96. From Solopreneur to CEO: How to Hire Your First Team Member (Without Losing Your Mind)
Épisode 96
jeudi 23 janvier 2025 • Durée 24:10
Does this sound like you? You're working every weekend, answering emails at midnight, and “catch-up” is your new normal. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. More importantly, this can actually be a good sign. It means your business is growing.
But if you feel like starting your business was tough, I’m here to tell you that hiring your first support person is actually more difficult. You'll probably feel like you're letting go of something you've built and nurtured for so long (because you have). And you might wonder if anyone else could possibly love your business as much as you do.
When most coaches reach the 8-12 month mark in their business, they hit a ceiling. You're doing $10/hour tasks instead of $200/hour coaching work. Your inbox is overflowing. Those Post-it notes with tasks are multiplying. But staying in this place will absolutely lead to burnout and eventually cap your income.
This week, we dig into exactly how to make the transition from solopreneur to growing a team, including some lessons I learned first-hand.
Want to know the exact steps to document your tasks, create training materials, and set up your systems before bringing someone on? Listen in to learn the framework we've used to help dozens of coaches make this transition successfully.
"The trap of excellence" sneaks up on you. Being good at something doesn't mean you should be the one doing it.
Your zone of genius is where energy, value, and unique expertise intersect—anything outside of that is costing your business growth.
That $10/hour task is actually costing you $200/hour. Every minute spent on admin is time not spent on high-value coaching.
95. The First 7 Days: How to Make New Coaching Clients Feel Confident They Made the Right Choice [Delighting Clients Series]
Épisode 95
jeudi 16 janvier 2025 • Durée 12:52
After a client says "yes" to working with you, those first few days are huge. They might be excited about finally taking action with their money, but they're probably also nervous, wondering if they made the right choice. In this episode, we're talking about how to make your new clients feel completely confident in their decision to work with you.
We've noticed that there's actually more uncertainty right after someone pays you than at any other time in the coaching relationship. Even though they've already committed, they might be thinking "Will this actually work for me?" or "Did I just waste my money?" Your onboarding process needs to address these worries before they even come up.
Here's the thing about financial coaching: we're dealing with really personal stuff. Money touches every part of our clients' lives, which is why those first interactions matter so much. So this week, we’ll talk about specific ways to welcome your new clients, from sending a personal video message to giving them a quick win right away. We also share real examples of systems you can use to make sure nothing falls through the cracks while still keeping things personal and genuine.
Want to know exactly what needs to happen between "yes" and that first session? Listen in to learn our tried-and-true timeline that keeps your clients feeling supported and builds their confidence from day one.
The moment after payment is when clients are most uncertain. Reassure them immediately with a welcome message or personal video that shows you're excited to work with them.
Your systems make personal touches possible. Set up templates and reminders so you can consistently show up for each client without keeping everything in your head.
Quick wins build confidence. Give clients something valuable they can do right away, like a simple money tracking template, so they feel momentum before the first session.
94. How to Build Trust to Attract Financial Coaching Clients
Épisode 94
jeudi 9 janvier 2025 • Durée 17:29
Trust matters more than ever in financial coaching. People have become more and more skeptical about coaching in general and they’re incredibly discerning when it comes to how they find solutions to their challenges. And they’re looking to people they trust for the answers.
So how do you build trust with potential clients if you can’t even get them on a call? Partnerships.
Whether you're just starting out or growing your coaching practice, one of the best ways to grow your audience and potential client base is by leaning on your relationships with others who already know, like, and trust you. And this week on the podcast, you'll learn three proven ways to build meaningful relationships that bring in clients who are ready to do the work.
You'll hear practical examples of how to create partnerships with other professionals (like real estate agents and CPAs), build a referral network that works both ways, and use speaking opportunities to show people what it's like to work with you—without the pressure of a hard sell.
We also talk about why these particular strategies keep working even as marketing trends come and go, and how you can start using them in ways that feel natural for you. Best of all, these approaches help you meet people exactly when they need you most, through someone they already trust.
Plus, I share a free client journey roadmap to help you put these trust-building ideas into action. If you're ready to grow your coaching business by focusing on real relationships instead of fancy marketing tactics, this episode is for you.
93. Marketing Without the Noise: A Fresh Approach to Client Conversations with Nora Sudduth
Épisode 93
jeudi 2 janvier 2025 • Durée 44:47
Most coaches have been taught that when marketing isn't working, they need a new tactic, funnel, or strategy. Marketing expert Nora Sudduth sees it differently. After 25 years of helping businesses generate over $500 million in sales, Nora has noticed a significant shift in how consumers respond to marketing messages.
This week on the podcast, Nora shares why adding more content or trying new tactics often makes things worse in today's noisy marketplace. Instead of feeding into the noise, she reveals how coaches can instead create authentic conversations that truly resonate with the people they’re trying to connect with. She shares practical ways to shift from templated marketing that feels pushy to natural conversations that build trust.
The conversation takes an honest look at fear-based marketing, with Nora explaining why exploiting pain points often backfires. She offers a refreshing perspective on leading with empathy while still acknowledging clients' real challenges.
Drawing from her experience crafting thousands of marketing campaigns, Nora also walks through her three-part framework for having genuine customer conversations that convert. She explains why many coaches struggle with sales conversations and shows how to make invitations feel natural rather than forced.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your coaching practice, this episode offers a practical roadmap for connecting with clients in a way that feels authentic to you and resonates deeply with them.
92. Building a Seasonal Financial Coaching Business to Fit Your Life [Success Stories Series]
Épisode 92
jeudi 26 décembre 2024 • Durée 34:25
When Jessica Medina took her husband on a 3-month RV trip to follow the Atlanta Falcons for his 50th birthday, she didn't put her financial coaching business on pause—she designed it to thrive during their adventure. As a former big law attorney who now helps other attorneys create financial freedom, Jessica opens up about how she's structured her entire business year around the life she wants to live.
In this episode, Jessica shares her journey from graduating law school as a single mom of twins with $200,000 in student loan debt to building a successful coaching practice. She explains how she structures her business into focused seasons—dedicated times for bringing on new clients and periods reserved for serving her existing clients.
You'll hear how Jessica moved from practicing law for 15 years to building a thriving financial coaching business, why she chooses to work exclusively with attorneys, and how she's expanded her impact through speaking at law firms and bar associations. She also shares honest insights about what it really takes to grow a coaching business, including why some of her best ideas took two years to fully develop.
For coaches wondering how to balance impact with lifestyle, this conversation shows how being intentional with your business design can create space for both client success and personal priorities. Jessica's story is a perfect example of building a business that truly works for your life.
Design your business schedule around your life—Jessica fills her client roster in specific seasons so she can take off other times of the year.
Going deep in a niche works—her focus on attorneys led to a 10x revenue increase in one year.
Past financial struggles can become strengths—her $200,000 student loan experience helps her better serve clients with similar challenges.
Podcasts Similaires Basées sur le Contenu
Découvrez des podcasts liées à The Financial Coach Academy® Podcast. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
A confused buyer doesn't buy, so keep your initial communications clear and simple, without overwhelming them with details.
Looking professional doesn't have to be expensive—$16 a month covers both a business email and phone line to start looking established.
When clients ghost you, remember this: they're most likely to respond two weeks after your last contact, right when their paycheck is running low.
Your quick audit call isn't for coaching. It's a 15-20 minute conversation to see if you're the right fit for each other.
Those early “I messed that up” moments on client calls? They're not failures—they're your path to becoming a better coach.
The best time to ease buyer's remorse is right after they say yes—a simple welcome call can transform doubt into excitement.
Your client's belief in what's possible with money starts by borrowing yours. Share your excitement about their future progress every chance you get.
Key Takeaways:
A car repossession became the credibility cornerstone: Your biggest setbacks can transform into your greatest teaching tools.
Small actions create business momentum, so treat building your practice like starting a workout routine: just put on the sneakers and begin.
Your previous career isn't baggage. It's your superpower when you find the right audience to serve.
Perfect planning keeps you stuck. Moving forward with thoughtful action teaches you what you could never learn from preparation alone.
Scale your investments as you grow: Begin by doing everything yourself, then let proof of concept guide your decisions to outsource.
Marketing magic lives in genuine connections. A thoughtful holiday card can outperform the most polished sales pitch.
Authenticity attracts ideal clients. Let them see your real life because they're living in their real lives too.
About Billy Hofacker
Billy Hofacker is a Financial Coach who specializes in helping fitness professionals and business owners improve cash flow, reduce financial stress, and achieve long-term success. With over 25 years of experience as a personal trainer and the owner of Total Body Boot Camp in Long Island, NY, Billy uniquely understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the fitness industry.
After navigating his own financial turnaround, Billy has become passionate about empowering others to take control of their finances. He is the author of Fitness Profits and the host of Your Fitness Money Coach Podcast, a leading resource for financial education tailored to fitness professionals.
Billy is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) and a sought-after speaker who has presented for respected organizations like Perform Better and the Functional Aging Institute.
Get really good at 2-3 things instead of being okay at a dozen things. Excellence in a few areas brings better results than mediocrity in many.
Treat your business metrics like you treat a budget. The numbers tell you whether your time and energy investments are paying off.
Use a dedicated notebook for your strategic work. When you look back, you'll see how yesterday's planning became today's foundation.
Your client journey needs the right balance. Create systems flexible enough to personalize but structured enough to scale.
Create content in your natural style - forcing yourself to write in a way that doesn't match your voice will burn you out, while embracing your authentic format energizes your work
Social media works for you, not the other way around - set boundaries by treating it like email with designated check-in times rather than letting notifications control your day
Judge yourself by client results, not follower count - your expertise and impact aren't measured by social metrics but by the transformations you create for real clients
Don't ask "Can I afford help?" but "How can I make help possible?" Shifting from limitation to possibility changes everything.
Document before you delegate—two weeks of tracking your tasks saves two months of messy training later.
Your SOP creation formula: Record yourself doing it → Transcribe it → Let AI structure it → Review for accuracy.
A "Never Would I" list is just as important as a "How To" list. Set boundaries before you need them, not after you learn them the hard way.
Clear communication prevents doubt. Tell clients exactly when and how they'll hear from you next, with specific ways they can reach out if needed.
Time gaps kill momentum. Schedule the first session within a week of payment to keep their motivation high and self-doubt at bay.
Success stories set expectations. Share examples of what other clients have achieved so new clients can envision their own path forward.
Trust needs nurturing, even after payment. Each interaction between signup and first session should reinforce their decision to work with you.
Trust isn't built through fancy marketing. It comes from showing up consistently where your ideal clients already are.
Your first speaking opportunity doesn't need to be perfect. Start with one simple talk that solves one specific problem well.
Stop trying to serve everyone. The clearer you are about who you help, the easier it is for partners to send you the right clients.
The strongest referral relationships go both ways. Look for opportunities to send referrals just as often as you receive them.
People need to see how you teach before they trust you with their money. Create simple resources they can try on their own first.
Your expertise might feel basic to you. If your teaching points feel too simple, you're probably right on track for your audience.
Strong client relationships start before the sale. Make it easy for people to get a small win before asking them to commit.
How to spot value fatigue: Lower engagement, fewer email opens, prospects needing more reassurance to buy
What clients need before they buy: Their perceived needs (in their words), necessary beliefs to invest, underlying fears holding them back
Natural sales conversations: When marketing addresses beliefs and fears early, sales become a natural invitation, not a hard pivot
Why most marketing fails: Telling people what to feel pushes them away. Let them experience your value instead
The trust sequence: Meet clients at their starting point, show (don't tell) your expertise, then invite
Empathy without fear: Acknowledge challenges while focusing on possibilities, not shame
About Nora Sudduth
Marketing advisor and Hello Audio co-founder Nora Sudduth has spent 25 years helping businesses generate over $500M in sales. She specializes in crafting brand messaging and customer conversations that connect and convert, having consulted on thousands of marketing campaigns. Through her courses, coaching, and certification programs, she helps businesses create authentic client interactions that drive sustainable growth.
Six months is the minimum time needed for meaningful financial coaching—rushing transformation doesn't serve clients well.
Speaking can be an effective way to scale impact without creating courses or group programs.
Good ideas take time to execute—her speaking business took two years from concept to successful implementation.
Additional offers should solve specific problems—her student loan program meets a distinct need separate from her core coaching.
