If you are the type of person that others tend to turn to for advice, you enjoy listening to and helping people, and you are good at problem-solving, life coaching might be a great career path for you. For those who need to talk to someone who is not quite a therapist but offers more than just the listening ear of a good friend, a life coach can be invaluable. You can make a real difference in the lives of your clients in this profession. In addition, it gives you the opportunity to work independently, including from your home if you choose.
There are two types of home-based life coaching businesses. You can work online, or you can have people come to your home. Each of these has advantages and disadvantages that you need to take into consideration. However, your first step is to get the education and training that you need.
Your Education
Unlike related fields, such as becoming a therapist, life coaching does not require certifications or licenses. Technically, anyone can decide he or she is a life coach, but you will be better at your job and more credible to your potential clients with a bachelor’s degree.
The degree that you get depends on what you want your concentration to be. If you plan to take a more general approach helping clients set and reach goals, then psychology might be a good major. If you plan to concentrate on a specific area, such as exercise and nutrition, seek a degree in those areas with perhaps a minor or some additional classes in psychology.
To pay for your education, one option is to look to private student loans. This can be a good supplement for scholarships or grants or may cover most of your expenses if you are not eligible for other funding.
Getting Experience
While you are still in school, working as a peer counselor or in a similar capacity can help you start to gain the life coaching experience that you need. In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you may also want to consider getting a life coaching certification. Before you start your own business, you could get some experience contracting with a large company. This can also be a way to earn money while slowly building your own client base.
In-Person Advantages and Disadvantages
For many people, the biggest advantage of in-person life coaching is right there in the words “in person.” Dealing with someone without the medium of technology between you is preferable to some people in building a rapport.
The potential downside of in-person clients for a home-based business is that you need to consider how it will affect your sense of privacy and safety in your home. More practically, you need to have the space. Furthermore, it needs to be legal for you to run this type of home-based business in the jurisdiction where you live.
Online Life Coaching Advantages and Disadvantages
Even when you are working to improve your work-from-home experience online, you may not feel as connected with your clients as if you met them in person. On the other hand, your potential client base is much larger without a geographical limitation. Working online can be a great way to reach out to many more people who might not be able to attend an in-person life coaching appointment for various reasons even if they live in your area. Instead of needing an entire room of your home to devote to your sessions, you just need a nice background for video conferencing.
Of course, working with some online clients and some in-person clients is an option. Allowing clients to switch between the two options based on what is more comfortable or convenient for them is another option.
The Legal Fine Print
You may be able to do the paperwork yourself. However, there are attorneys who can help you set up your business and make sure that you are compliant with local, state, and federal regulations. You may want to explore what kind of insurance might be necessary. Set up a separate bank account to keep your business expenses separate from your personal ones and to make filing taxes easier.
