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.


Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group
• Client Creator Challenge
• Client Journey

Key Takeaways:

• 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.

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.

Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group
• Client Creator Challenge
• Financial Coach Academy®
• Unlocking Your Unique Value Proposition
• Visit Nora’s website
• Join Nora’s 5-Minute Mentor
• Join Nora’s Finisprint
• Follow Nora on Instagram
• Connect with Nora on Facebook

Key Takeaways:

• 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.

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.

Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group
• Learn more about Jessica Medina

Key Takeaways:

• 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.
• 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.

Have you been thinking about raising your prices but feel a little queasy about having that conversation with your clients? You're not alone. In today's episode, we’re talking about real-life conversations about raising rates without cringing or worrying that every client is going to pack their bags. Or at least not worrying as much as you may have before this episode.

You’ll learn how to have these conversations with confidence (without that awkward shoulder shrug or apologetic tone we sometimes default to). Whether you're wondering if you should grandfather in your long-time clients (like my wonderful client who stayed at $75 per session for over a decade), or you're trying to figure out the right timing for your increase, we cover it all.

You'll also learn a simple formula to calculate your new rates that takes into account the hours you actually want to work (because burnout isn't part of your business plan). Plus, you’ll hear specific examples of how to communicate your price increase in a way that focuses on the benefits to your clients.

And if you're worried about what might happen - like losing all your clients overnight - we talk about that too. There's a simple exercise that helps put those fears in perspective and builds your confidence for these important conversations.
Join us for an honest discussion about growing your coaching business in a way that serves both you and your clients better. Because at the end of the day, that's what raising your prices should be about.


Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group
• Episode 12: How to Niche Down
• Toolkits
• Client Creator Challenge

Key Takeaways:

• You don't have to cringe when talking about money with your clients. A simple formula helps you know exactly what to charge for your expertise.
• Long-time clients might deserve special consideration. I kept one client at $75 per session for over a decade, and I'll tell you why that was the right choice for my business.
• Price increases can actually make your clients happy. One coach doubled her rates, and her clients celebrated because they saw the value she was providing.
• Your confidence comes from being prepared. Creating a "wins document" helps you remember all the ways you've helped your clients succeed.
• Client conversations don't have to be awkward. I'll share the exact words to use whether your client says yes right away or needs time to think.
• Timing matters more than you might think. Learn why 90 days' notice helps your clients plan and keeps the relationship strong.
• The details matter when raising your rates. From updating your systems to tracking grandfathered rates, I'll show you how to handle the nuts and bolts without any hiccups.

Remember when making $2,000 a month as a financial coach felt almost impossible? I sat at my kitchen table dreaming about it, having no idea how I'd make it happen. That was my first BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal), and it made my palms sweat just thinking about it.

Today, my BHAGs are much bigger—and yes, they still make my palms sweat. Because here's the thing about setting goals for your coaching business: if they don't make you a little nervous, they're probably not big enough.

This week, I'm sharing the exact process I use to set goals that actually mean something—not just arbitrary revenue goals that other people talk about or goals that I think I “should” care about. We'll talk about those sneaky stories holding you back (like my old belief that making too much money would make me less relatable to clients), and I'll show you how I plan my entire year around what matters most.

Plus, I'm giving you real homework at the end of this episode. Yep, homework. Because we're not just here to talk about goals, we're here to make them happen.
Ready to set goals that excite you and scare you at the same time? Let's make those palms sweat a little.

Note: If you're in the Financial Coach Academy®, this pairs perfectly with exercises 1.21 and 1.22 in Module 1. And if goal-setting for a whole year feels overwhelming? We'll talk about how to start with just 90 days instead.

Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group
• Financial Coach Academy®
• Client Creator Challenge
  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Your big goals should make your palms sweat. If they don't make you nervous, dream bigger.
• Planning is a skill you build. Start with 90-day goals if annual planning feels overwhelming.
• There's a story behind every limitation you accept in your business. Find it, flip it, and watch things change.
• Use "Good, Better, Best" goals instead of single targets. It keeps you moving forward even in tough weeks.
• Give your business priorities the same respect you give client appointments—show up prepared and on time.
• Personal commitments go on the calendar first, then business plans. Your business should add to your life, not drain it.
• Pick just 2-3 numbers to track, mixing things you can control with actual results.
  
  

Remember sitting at your kitchen table, imagining what it would be like to help people with their money while earning $2,000 a month? That's exactly where I started. I had no idea what was possible back then—no roadmap, no other coaches to look up to, and plenty of people telling me it couldn't be done.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my 16-year journey of building a financial coaching business. I share the milestones that meant the most to me (like hitting our first million-dollar year—on my birthday no less!), and the surprising turns my financial coaching business has taken along the way.

We'll explore what success as a financial coach can actually look like, from working at home in your PJs to traveling the world hosting client retreats (I recently went to Ireland for a week with nine other financial coaches!). I'll walk you through the practical decisions you'll face when building your business, like whether to:

• Work virtually or in-person
• Focus on private coaching or group programs
• Build a boutique practice or reach the masses
• Create a seasonal schedule or work year-round
• Hire employees or stay solo

Most importantly, I'm addressing those doubt-planting myths that might be holding you back, like "people won't pay for help with budgeting" (spoiler alert: they absolutely will).

If you're dreaming of building a coaching business that doesn't just pay the bills but actually enhances your life—creatively, emotionally, and financially—this episode is your permission slip to think bigger. Because I've learned that this work isn't just about exchanging time for money - it's about creating something that works for your life while helping others achieve their dreams.

Ready to expand your vision of what's possible?

Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group
• Financial Coach Academy

Key Takeaways:

• Your coaching business doesn't have to look like anyone else's. You get to choose how and where you work.
• Starting small is normal and good. That clarity and focus can help build the foundation for bigger things.
• Your business model can (and will!) shift as you grow. I tried everything from one-on-one coaching to group programs to corporate wellness—and used those experiences to figure out what worked best.
• Support can come in many forms, from a 4-hour-per-week assistant to employees and contractors who help run different parts of the business.
• Ignore the naysayers who say "people won't pay for budgeting help." People who are stressed about money will absolutely pay for someone to show them the way and hold their hand through the process.
• Your business can fit your life, not the other way around. Whether that means taking summers off, working part-time, or building a year-round practice—you get to decide what works for you.
• Success isn't just about money—it's about building something that adds to your life in meaningful ways while helping others do the same.
  
  

We've introduced the idea of “niching” your audience - your clients - so that you can better communicate with them and serve them. But for some, just the thought of niching down to a “singular” ideal client is terrifying. Maybe you’re worried about limiting your prospects or potential. Or maybe you are afraid of saying “no” to someone who doesn’t match with the niche that you’ve chosen.

Or maybe you just want to help everyone. There are a whole host of reasons that may decide to make an appearance when you choose a niche - but not a single one is worth stopping your progress. And the best part? When you niche, if you find that it’s not working (or you’re not loving it), you can always pivot or shift to a different focus.

Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group
• Niching Down 101
  
  

Ever sat on your couch on a Saturday night, watching a movie with your family, when suddenly you get a notification that someone just booked a session with you? But instead of scrambling to send emails and set up reminders, you can keep watching that movie, knowing everything is happening automatically—from payment processing to welcome emails to calendar updates.

That's the power of having the right systems in place. In this week’s episode, I share some hard-learned lessons about choosing and setting up business tools—including a "ticking time bomb" mistake that nearly derailed one coach's entire business.

Whether you're just starting out or feeling overwhelmed by managing multiple clients, this episode shows why keeping things simple might be your smartest move.

You'll hear real stories about coaches in the trenches, including one who was literally afraid to take on new clients because she didn't trust her systems to deliver consistently. Plus, I'll explain why that "all-in-one" platform you're considering might be the riskiest choice you could make.

Want a list of my favorite tools that keep Fiscal Fitness, my own financial coaching practice, running smoothly? Head to financialcoachacademy.com/resources.


Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group
• Find the resources mentioned in this episode

Key Takeaways:

• Start small, usually with just a scheduling tool. Add other systems only when you need them.
• Keep your tools separate instead of using all-in-one platforms. It's safer and more flexible for your growing business.
• Build your systems around your client journey, not the other way around. Think of support first, then make it automatic.
• Own your tools and data. Never use someone else's account or agency model. Your business deserves its own foundation.
• Manual processes teach you what works. Learn from doing things by hand before automating.
• The less organized you are naturally, the more you need solid systems. Let technology be your strength.
• Time for better systems? When you're afraid to take on new clients or spending too much time on tasks that could be automated.
  
  

Five guitar solos blasting at once. That's how business owners with ADHD might describe their daily mental experience. While everyone faces challenges in running their own business, ADHD adds an extra layer of complexity. Instead of “only” staying organized or managing their time, they have the added layer of wrestling with a brain that sees every shiny object, generates endless ideas, and sometimes makes even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming.

The real struggle? Many business owners don't even realize ADHD is behind their daily battles with focus, follow-through, and feeling perpetually scattered.

In this conversation with my husband Michael Dickey, we share how our family's understanding of ADHD began with our son's diagnosis and led to Michael's own revelation. He opens up about the moment everything changed when he started medication: the mental chaos quieted to calm classical music, allowing him to focus in ways he never could before.

And after 17 years of marriage, I witnessed a transformation in how Michael could plan his day, communicate his thoughts, and engage in deeper conversations.

As both a business coach and someone with ADHD, Michael talks about the real challenges of trying to do it all yourself, especially those tedious tasks that feel like kryptonite. He talks about building a business when your brain works differently and shares practical tips for creating systems that actually work. You'll learn what feels like a weakness might actually be your superpower…if you learn to work with it the right way.

Links & Resources:

• Get Michael’s free goal-setting course 
• Join Michael’s upcoming planning retreat
• ADHD 2.0 by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey
• Succeeding with Adult ADHD by Abigail Levrini
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Getting Things Done by David Allen
• The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

You know that feeling when you want to help people with their money, but you're stuck thinking you need another certification first? Or wondering if you really know enough? I spent years believing I needed more credentials before I could make a real difference in people's financial lives.

Here's what I learned: The most powerful thing you have isn't a fancy degree or certification—it's your desire to help people see what's possible with their money. I started at my kitchen table, talking with family and friends about their finances. Today, I help people dream again and believe in their potential, while running a business I love.

In this week’s episode, I share the whole truth about building a financial coaching business—from those first kitchen table conversations to creating a sustainable practice that works for you. We'll talk about what you actually need to know (hint: it's probably less than you think), and what to focus on first so you don't get overwhelmed.

I also walk through my simple framework that helps both new and experienced coaches create consistent results with their clients. Plus, I share why trying to figure this out alone makes everything harder than it needs to be, and how to find the right support as you grow.

Whether you're just starting to consider financial coaching or you're ready to take your practice to the next level, this conversation will help you see exactly what's possible—and your next best step to get there.

Links & Resources:

• Ultimate Growth Guide
• Join the Facebook group

Key Takeaways:

• You don't need special certifications. Start with basic financial knowledge and a desire to help others.
• Success requires two skills: coaching clients and running a business. Learn both as you go.
• Don't get stuck learning forever. Instead, start helping one person at a time and grow from there.
• Use the EAC Method (Education, Application, Commitment) to create consistent results with clients.
• Find support. Having a community of other coaches makes everything easier.
• Start simple at first, then expand your services as you gain confidence.
  This work goes beyond money. We help people dream again and see their potential.