3 Tips For Life Coaches Who Are Just Starting Out

Seemingly due to the growing complexity of the world, life coaching has become an increasing career choice for many. It sometimes seems that you might have advice or heuristics that another person is in search for. A skilled life coach can help other individuals follow a path that is good for their health and career. And coaching is not just for individuals; big corporations also hire life coaches for their top employees to help them get through rough patches and bring about solutions for their work projects. Now, if you are in the coaching field and have suddenly realized that you are not going anywhere and the work is slow, then chances are you are doing something wrong. Here are the top three tips that every life coach needs to follow.

1. Provide Solutions & Social Proof

Here is the first do and don’ts of becoming a life-coach. Your aim should be to provide solutions and remedies for a problem. Most life coaches try to be service providers, but that should not be the case. It is all about turning your coaching into a business not just dabble in it for some extra cash. To hone this skill you have and be consistent, you have to make it a business that has solutions not just services. By providing solutions, you will be able to keep a good client list. You will need to make a good brand image. Make your clients feel like you are the ONE whom they can count on in times of need. It is important for your incoming clients to know where you are reachable and can check past client testimonials. Starting any business requires a good brand image and consistency. People should know the name or at least have heard it somewhere; it will automatically bring them closer towards trusting you and your solutions.

2. Loyalty & Marketing

Every brand and business knows how important it is to create a customer loyalty factor. These customers will be the ones that are most satisfied with your services and will continuously return to you because they trust you and you are giving them exactly what they need. It is the best way to grow a business because these clients will tell the people they know how much they like you and how good you are for them. Good word-of-mouth can take a business places! It will automatically increase your client list. So, it is necessary that you treat every client with the utmost care and importance. Always start with a few clients and make sure that they are satisfied to the fullest. Use Social Media. You can create a Facebook group and Instagram page where you can start with by posting a few details of what you do and see how people respond. If your idea clicks with them then there will be no limits and people will be attracted automatically. You can post testimonials and create your brand name. Start being an exclusive coach, not just a catch-all type. Then slowly build your way up and accept more clients.

3. Rent An Office Space or Coworking Space

The third tip and the most importantly the last on our list to help you kick-start your life coaching career is to rent an office. This office should be your private space that represents your style and coaching theme. It should be a welcoming venue for your clients, who should get the feeling that you are professionally capable of helping them with their problems and are worth their time and money. The ambiance of the office should be aesthetically pleasing. Clients should feel like being 'at home.' This will enable them to open up and help you as a coach to better understand their problem. When looking at the type of offices that life coaches actually rent local to us in Louisville, KY the general opinion is that there are a few factors that really make an office a success. The list goes decor and design, location, commute, and pricing. It has to be a hip looking location so it’s stunning for potential or incoming clients. It also has easily accessible. People who are having issues in their lives don’t need to add trouble parking to their list of worries.  However, when looking for a place to rent, we advise you avoid a shared space with the wrong type of businesses. Those ‘wrong type’ of businesses include things that require more office work and have a more corporate feel. In other words, it may be a bad idea to practice alongside insurance companies, financial consultants, etc. The space has to match the mood. However, practicing along other health and wellness practitioners can be a big advantage for your business. For one, you have an environment of like-minded individuals who understand the type of work you do. And if you take into account the fact that a shared space with other health and wellness professionals, it should be apparent why it’s an advantage. And this is especially true when you are first starting.

So, these were the top three tips that will help you move forward in your life-coaching career. Remember, these are just the basic tips that are almost required when someone decides to launch a life coaching career. And especially in a profession that is centered around people’s changing needs. And if you need a coworking space tailored for your exact needs, b.mindful Louisville is specifically designed and set up for life coaching businesses. Call or text us at 502-528-1363 for a tour of our space, or Click Here to schedule a walk-through.

Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville

Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!

Private Practice Doesn’t Have To Live In Never Never Land

Throughout graduate school, it was always a dream of mine to “hang my own shingles” and start my private practice. My professors always painted it as something I MIGHT get to do in a land far, far away but definitely not anytime soon after graduation. In my graduate studies, it was so rarely talked about that I didn't even know all that went into private practice therapy and owning my own business.

So when I decided that I wanted to venture into the private practice world just 2 years after graduation, I was honestly quite lost and felt that I was doing something “wrong” or that I hadn’t “paid my dues” long enough. Thank goodness for my amazing therapy networking community here in Louisville and for all the assistance they provided me (both on the business side, and therapeutically).

I have a feeling this is a similar experience as to what you are going through now or what you went through (or you probably wouldn’t be reading this)!

But this is why I am here to tell you that you (well only if you want to, swear you won’t be forced into opening a private practice by reading this blog) should dip your toes into private practice. Choose to dip a toe into it or take the leap, whatever works best for your life.

Whatever you chose to do, know that opening a private practice is a big move and can surely be intimidating (I mean you are starting your own business, how exciting, but also terrifying…I mean what does that even mean to own a business?!).

This might be something you have never done before, and something you’ll be doing on your own (new topic and doing it alone- real power couple right there, ha). But I am here to tell you that this is something you can do and that it doesn’t have to be so intimidating!

I think a lot of people stop thinking about hanging their own shingle right after having the realization that it is going to be something foreign and that you may be tackling it alone. But the thoughts don’t have to end there. Don’t let the fear of something new stop you from following your dreams and providing needed services to a community that desperately needs them.

I am writing this to help you over the hump, because trust me, private practice is worth it!

Private practice is…

liberating, freeing, and rewarding!

Throughout your journey with private practice, you will find out all sorts of new things about yourself (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and grow as a clinician and person in ways you didn’t see coming.

So, if you have been pondering about starting private practice, either part time or full time, take some time to do your research and be smart about your future moves because the planning and intentionality matter.

Here are some steps you can take during your research phase.

Step #1.    Pick your colleague's brain who is in private practice.

These individuals can be the best resources out there. Use it as an excuse to go grab a drink or go to dinner and talk about their beginning days in private practice. 1) everyone likes to drink/eat, and 2) everyone loves to talk about themselves! Also, remember that we are all therapists here, so helping others out is second nature to us.

Step #2.    Join mental health practice building Facebook groups.

I know, I know Facebook smacebook. But trust me when I say that this can be a very valuable tool for practice building! You have the option to be as active as you want and Facebook makes it easy for you to search all the past posts so you can find answers to your questions quickly. Your city should have a local networking page for therapists (if it doesn’t then be the one to start it) and there are also national pages as well. Some of my favorite are: Louisville Therapy Networking Group, Abundance Practice Builders, Therapists in Private Practice, Amber Lyda(specializes in online therapy) and Practice of the Practice.

Step #3.    Listen to podcasts.

If you haven’t jumped on the podcast bandwagon yet, then hurry up and jump on! You are missing out. This is a great, easy way to get information and learn about all sorts of things (clinical and non-clinical topics). Some of my favorite practice building podcasts are: The Abundance Practice Podcast with Allison Puryear, The Ask Juliet & Clinton Show with Juliet Austin & Clinton Power, and Practice of Being Seen with Rebecca Wong.

Step #4.    Find your community.

Whether it be at your current job, at the gym, or in your home. Just make sure you have your group and they are ready to rally. Feel that you don’t have a community? Or thinking of leaving your current place of work to pursue private practice and feeling like you have no one to talk to there? Well then maybe try to find a space to practice in that fosters the community you are looking for. Shared office spaces and communitties like b.mindful Louisville are great for this. By becoming a part of a community such as b.mindful Louisville, you will be provided with the like-minded support network that you so desperately need in this field, as well as all the furnishings and amenities to support your thriving practice.

Step #5.    Talk with your “rock”

We’ve all got someone who is our go to, ride or die partner in crime. Don’t care if it is your mom, dad, partner, friend, therapist, or dog. Just talk to someone else about your thoughts of opening a business. I know it always helps me sort through things if I have someone I trust listening to me and providing advice where needed. It can be tough doing it all alone, so remember YOU DON’T HAVE TO!

Step #6.    Trust your gut!

Trust your gut (easier said than done, ha). But honestly, if this is something you have been thinking about for a long time, just do it! But, to break that process down for you over-thinkers out there (cough cough not me…)

1) breathe in and relax your muscles

2) ask yourself “what is my gut saying?”

3) explore those thoughts (alone or with a friend)

4) then declare your choice out loud and tell your gut what your choice is.

Just remember that these are just the first steps and doing the initial research will pay off in the long run. I know it can be overwhelming because there are SO MANY places to start and so much information to gather, but just take it slow and remember to rely on your community for support.

Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!

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Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville

I’m a professional counselor and understand the importance of having a safe space to practice in, consulting, networking, having a solid referral list, and being around other like-minded professionals.

Modern, Quiet and Furnished Office Setting for Psychiatrists in Louisville, KY

If you have been looking for an office for your Psychiatric (MD, DO or PSYCHNP) practice in Louisville, KY we are sure you know that not every space is created equally. And that is largely due to some of the huge costs involved in not only renting a space that is right for your patients but also furnishing it in a way that will make your patients feel calm and at home. In this post, we will go over the things we have heard from local psychiatrists & patients in Louisville, KY that make the difference for them when it comes to where they like to get treatment.

A Quiet Space

The space your patient interacts with you in can be as important as how you yourself interact with the patient. That means that a quiet office is paramount for patients to feel secure. Sometimes it’s easy to default to thinking of patient sessions as an energized talked. However, the evidence would say otherwise. It’s often the case that there are periods of long silence during sessions that are meant to provoke thought on the part of the patient. However, if your space is not quiet, this can be a huge challenge. Not only because your patient will feel weird being quiet in a loud space, but also because the noises can be distracting. And when a patient is distracted, it’s going to be difficult for them to really dig into their thoughts.

Nice Furnishings & Social Proof

You may find it odd that furnishings and a modern look have an effect on a patient, but these things hit the heart of what business experts have been talking about for years when they refer to “social proof”. What is social proof? It’s basically subconscious signals that indicate that you, the psychiatrist knows what they’re doing. Think of it this way. If you walked into a psychiatrist office and they barely had any furniture at all, you would think something is up. Alternatively, if you walked into a psychiatrist office and all of their furnishings are the nicest you have ever seen, you would think either consciously or subconsciously that this practitioner is at the top of their field. This example illustrates that there is a range of feelings a patient may experience purely based on the furnishings in your office. So you should do all you can to put this to work for you.

Final Thoughts

When either starting or growing your practice, you need to set everything possible to your advantage. This includes not only your style of interacting with your patients but the subtle queues your patients get from their surroundings. To make sure your patients are being set up for success by your surroundings, an office designed specifically for mental health and wellness practices is a great choice. You need a space designed for your exact needs and b.mindful Louisville is specifically designed and set up for health and wellness businesses. Call or text us at 502-528-1363 for a tour of our space, or Click Here to schedule a walk-through.

Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville

Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!

Why Regus May Not Be The Best Solution For Your Louisville Health Practice

Finding the right office space when starting or moving your mental health or wellness practice is a big deal and can be stressful. However, this process can be easy if you know what issues to watch out for. If you are in the mental wellness and health fields, we are sure that you prefer your office to be your home away from home. And we know that you want your clients to feel the same way. Some common issues with renting space for mental health & wellness practitioners that we have heard first hand are problems with long-term leases, the Regus space not being set up for their particular type of business, weird furniture, and a lack of privacy for their clients.

While setting up your health and wellness practice in the Louisville Regus may seem like a no-brainer, it comes with a variety of hidden issues that could cause issues due to the nature of mental health businesses. Those issues include...

Do You Want Regus To Field Mental Health & Healthcare Phone Calls?

Sometimes when running a business that deals with health and mental crisis’, the reception or office admin team can be the “front line” when it comes to dealing with a client crisis. Unfortunately, due to the wide and varied type of tenants that Regus Louisville rents spaces to, there isn't a great chance that reception will know how to adequately handle these type of issues. To solve this you should look for a short-term office rental space in Louisville that is dedicated 100% to the mental health and wellness field. In addition to handling a crisis, you have to worry about regulations like HIPAA. According to the info we found on the Regus in Louisville, they do offer front-desk admin support often for a large extra fee. But even if you opt for this, there is no guarantee of client privacy or that the staff knows the appropriate regulations when dealing with inbound phone calls. This could lead to them breaching client privacy without them even knowing it happened, which could spell big trouble for you or your business.

Is It Private Enough?

The Regus in Louisville has hundreds of tenants. This is something you have to consider if you have clients coming to meet you there. Is their privacy going to be protected? That’s a difficult question to ask when you are dealing with other tenants that have businesses ranging from business consulting to real estate. The most common thing that mental and health professionals look for when it comes to privacy is a separate entrance and exits for clients. This is something that the Regus in Louisville doesn’t cater to and could be a huge negative for clients and customers who are considering becoming your client.

Ease Of Referrals

Often times when dealing with clients in the mental health and wellness field you need to refer them to another practitioner. This can sometimes cause discomfort or anxiety in clients that are used to meeting you in the same building week over week. For some, even the smallest notion of changing their routine can cause a huge stress in their life as they have to find the new office, find parking, and generally get comfortable with the new space. However, if the space you lease is dedicated to the mental health and wellness field there is a chance that you can refer within the same building your clients are already used to meeting you in.

Lease Requirements

According to some health professionals we interviewed who have used Regus within the last year, a lot of the benefits such as choosing a wide range of hours to see your clients are restricted to those who sign a 12-month contract. This may not be ideal for a few reasons. Firstly, because what if you or your clients dislike the space after using it for a few months? This can not only cause you discomfort professionally but could cause you to lose clients as well. Secondly, long-term commitments can be a huge strain on your business especially if you are just starting out or only need to use the space a few times per week. So you should look for a place that allows you to meet clients at any time they need, but that doesn't require something as long as a year-long contract to do so.

Is The Furniture & Architecture Right For Your Practice?

The Regus in Louisville caters to business that ranges from small business to attorneys, to CPAs. And as a result, the offices and decoration have a more “business” feel that you may not find in a smaller space dedicated to the health and wellness field. Depending on the type of health and wellness practice you run, the building could just not be accommodating to your type of business. Do you work with kids? Then you have to worry about the echo of the space, the hard concrete floors, and being disruptive to the other businesses in the space. A good solution would be finding a space that is dedicated and designed for mental health and wellness where all the other tenants are understanding and knowledgeable of what other practitioners go through. This means that the interior design will be catered with mental health and wellness professionals in mind, and provide a more calming environment and manner of decor.

To overcome these issues, a shared office space designed exclusively for mental health and wellness practices are an amazing option. You need a space designed for your exact needs. b.mindful Louisville provides a better alternative to Regus Louisville and is specifically designed and setup for health and wellness business. Call or text us at 502-528-1363 for a tour of our space, or Click Here to schedule a walkthrough.

Shannon Gonter, LPCC, Owner and Founder of b.mindful Louisville

Have additional questions? Feel free to message me and ask!