In this episode of Coach as Entrepreneur, David sits down with Francis Strickland, a business strategist and coach who brings 30 years of global corporate HR leadership to small and mid-sized businesses. Now based in Switzerland after a remarkable career journey from South Carolina to Wisconsin and beyond, Francis shares powerful insights on what it truly means to build a coaching business with clarity and purpose.
Key Topics Covered:
- The shift from corporate coaching to entrepreneurship – How COVID-19 revealed the need for authentic leadership and sparked Francis's transition into professional coaching
- Authentic leadership vs. performative leadership – Why leaders must connect with their genuine selves rather than just executing mandates
- The harsh realities of scaling too fast – A cautionary tale about hiring corporate talent for a small business and the importance of values alignment
- What coaches really need before building a website – Why message clarity trumps professional branding in the early stages
- Selling safety, not services – How to communicate value in a way that builds trust with potential clients
- Vertical vs. horizontal development – The difference between skill-building and transformational mindset shifts for entrepreneurs
Francis offers candid advice for new coaches: get crystal clear on who you are and the impact you want to make before your first client conversation. She's currently building a community to provide straightforward, high-impact business foundations for coaches and entrepreneurs who need guidance beyond just coaching methodology.
This conversation is essential listening for any coach struggling with messaging, scaling decisions, or the transition from service provider to true business owner.
