The 5-Step Blueprint for a Referral-Driven Coaching Business
Do you ever feel like getting new clients is an endless grind? You’re spending hours on social media, creating content, and still not seeing results. But what if that’s actually what’s holding you back?In this episode, Stephen Box breaks down how to build a referral-driven coaching business—without feeling pushy, begging for testimonials, or relying on complicated marketing strategies. Learn how to create an amazing client experience that naturally leads to referrals and the simple systems that make it easy for clients to send new business your way.By the End of This Episode, You'll Know:The #1 reason most coaches struggle to get referrals (it’s not what you think).The 5-step client experience strategy that makes people want to refer you.How to ask for referrals in a way that feels natural and easy—for both you and your clients.A simple system to make referrals a consistent part of your business (instead of hoping for them randomly).Next Episode Teaser: Next time on Coach Smarter, we’re talking about a marketing mistake that 99% of coaches make—and how you can stop making it today. Be sure to hit follow so you don’t miss it!Have a question or episode suggestion? Send us a text, we'd love to hear from you!Support the showMORE RESOURCES Join my weekly newsletter and get notified when new episodes drop—plus insights to help you coach smarter and grow your business. Cick Here to Join - It's Free! Join the pre-sale list for the Coach Smarter Mentorship Program (Launching April 2025). Click here to join the free pre-sale list! SUPPORT THE SHOW Liked this episode? Share it and tag me @coachsmarterpodcast Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH STEPHEN: Website | Instagram | YouTubeCopyright 2025 Unshakable Habits, Stephen Box LLC, all rights reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms and Conditions Affiliate Disclosure
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22:18
Do You Have a Coaching Business—Or Just Another Job?
You started your coaching business for freedom—but does it actually feel like a business, or just another job? Too many coaches unknowingly bring the same habits from their 9-to-5 into their coaching business, leaving them overwhelmed, stuck, and chasing external validation instead of real impact.In this episode, Elona Lopari shares her journey from corporate success to entrepreneurship and the key mindset shifts that allowed her to build a business that truly serves her. If you’re feeling like your coaching business is running you instead of the other way around, this episode is for you.By the End of This Episode, You'll Know:Why success in a job doesn’t always translate to success as a business ownerHow to break free from the employee mindset and think like an entrepreneurThe #1 mistake coaches make that keeps them stuck in “hustle mode”Why posting content isn’t the same as building real connections—and what to do insteadAbout Elona Lopari: Elona Lopari is a business strategist who helps service-based entrepreneurs scale their purpose and profits to build independent companies that they can exit from, use as a philanthropy channel, or turn into a lasting legacy. She specializes in fixing cash flow issues and helping entrepreneurs scale beyond themselves by creating better systems and assembling the right team.Want to learn more? Connect with Elona: 🌎 Website: elonaloparicoaching.comNext Episode Teaser: Next time on Coach Smarter, we’re diving into something every coach needs to master—how to deliver an amazing client experience that naturally generates referrals. If you want clients to stick around and send others your way, you won’t want to miss it. Hit follow now!Have a question or episode suggestion? Send us a text, we'd love to hear from you!Support the showMORE RESOURCES Join my weekly newsletter and get notified when new episodes drop—plus insights to help you coach smarter and grow your business. Cick Here to Join - It's Free! Join the pre-sale list for the Coach Smarter Mentorship Program (Launching April 2025). Click here to join the free pre-sale list! SUPPORT THE SHOW Liked this episode? Share it and tag me @coachsmarterpodcast Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH STEPHEN: Website | Instagram | YouTubeCopyright 2025 Unshakable Habits, Stephen Box LLC, all rights reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms and Conditions Affiliate Disclosure
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26:13
The Wake-Up Call That Changed One Coaches Business Forever | Business Sustainability | Coach Smarter
Imagine grinding your way to a seven-figure business—only to have it nearly kill you. That’s exactly what happened to today’s guest, Colby Wegter. After pushing himself to the brink and experiencing not one but two major burnouts, Colby was forced to rethink everything about how he worked and ran his business.In this conversation, we dive deep into the hidden dangers of burnout, why taking a break isn’t enough, and the mindset shift that helped Colby finally build a sustainable business. If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on empty but don’t know how to stop, this episode is for you.By the End of This Episode, You’ll Discover:Why burnout happens even when everything looks successful on the outside.The mistake Colby made after his first burnout that led to an even bigger crash.How setting boundaries changed everything—and how to start doing it yourself.The one decision that instantly freed up hours of his week.How to shift from overworking to focusing on what actually moves your business forward.About Colby Wegter:Colby Wegter is a top 1% globally recognized digital marketer and the creator of Autonomy Agency, a community that teaches agency owners how to solve their lead problems for good by keeping their clients for years. He excels at teaching others how to 2X, 3X, or 4X client retention and increase their lifetime value.Connect with Colby:Website: AutonomyAgency.comNext Episode Teaser:Next time on Coach Smarter—what happens when you do everything right but still feel unfulfilled? My guest, Elona Lopari, had the corporate success, the promotions, and the security. But after reaching the top, she realized something was missing. In this conversation, we unpack why so many coaches end up treating their business like just another job and how to break free from the habits keeping you stuck. Don’t miss it—hit follow now!Have a question or episode suggestion? Send us a text, we'd love to hear from you!Support the showMORE RESOURCES Join my weekly newsletter and get notified when new episodes drop—plus insights to help you coach smarter and grow your business. Cick Here to Join - It's Free! Join the pre-sale list for the Coach Smarter Mentorship Program (Launching April 2025). Click here to join the free pre-sale list! SUPPORT THE SHOW Liked this episode? Share it and tag me @coachsmarterpodcast Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH STEPHEN: Website | Instagram | YouTubeCopyright 2025 Unshakable Habits, Stephen Box LLC, all rights reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms and Conditions Affiliate Disclosure
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34:53
Turn Strangers Into Coaching Clients With These 5 Essential Questions
Ever had a conversation with someone who seemed like the perfect client—only for them to walk away after you gave them your best advice? You answered their questions, shared insights, and maybe even coached them a little… but instead of taking the next step, they just say, “That was really helpful!” and move on.Why does this keep happening? And more importantly, how do you turn these conversations into paying clients—without feeling pushy or giving away free coaching?In this episode, I’ll share the five essential things you need to uncover to confidently guide potential clients toward working with you—without feeling like you have to “sell” them on coaching.By the End of This Episode, You’ll Discover:The real reason potential clients don’t take the next step (even when they seem interested)The five essential things you need to uncover to move a conversation forwardHow to naturally transition from answering questions to discuss coachingA simple framework to make your coaching feel like the next logical stepNext Episode Teaser:Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps up on you—until one day, you hit a wall. My next guest, Colby Wegter, knows this all too well. After scaling his marketing agency to seven figures, he burned out… twice. And the second time? It nearly cost him everything.In our conversation, we unpack what really causes burnout, how to break free from overwork, and why sometimes making a mess is the key to moving forward.Hit follow so you don’t miss it!Have a question or episode suggestion? Send us a text, we'd love to hear from you!Support the showMORE RESOURCES Join my weekly newsletter and get notified when new episodes drop—plus insights to help you coach smarter and grow your business. Cick Here to Join - It's Free! Join the pre-sale list for the Coach Smarter Mentorship Program (Launching April 2025). Click here to join the free pre-sale list! SUPPORT THE SHOW Liked this episode? Share it and tag me @coachsmarterpodcast Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH STEPHEN: Website | Instagram | YouTubeCopyright 2025 Unshakable Habits, Stephen Box LLC, all rights reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms and Conditions Affiliate Disclosure
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17:44
Why Introverts Make Some of the Best Coaches—And How to Leverage Your Strengths
Many coaches have been told that success requires being outgoing, high-energy, and always “on.” But if you’re an introverted coach, that approach can leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed, and questioning whether coaching is really the right fit.Today’s guest, Stacey Chazin, is a leadership coach who helps introverts transform their natural strengths into professional assets. In this episode, we explore the biggest myths about introversion, and how introverts can approach client calls, networking, and marketing in a way that actually works for them.By the End of This Episode, You’ll Know:✔️ How to structure your business so it works with your energy, not against it✔️ Why common networking and marketing advice doesn’t always apply to introverts✔️ The biggest myths about introverts that might be holding you back✔️ How to confidently coach extroverted clients—without feeling drainedAbout Stacey Chazin:Stacey Chazin is a dynamic leadership coach who empowers introverts to transform their innate qualities into professional assets and get the recognition they deserve. She holds a master’s in organizational development and leadership, degrees in marketing and communication, and certification as a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator practitioner.Want to learn more from Stacey? Grab her Daily Productivity Hacks for Introverts or Conference Survival Guide for Introverts:🔗 Productivity Hacks for Introverts🔗 Conference Survival Guide💻 Visit her website: ifactorleadership.comNext Episode Teaser:How do you move a conversation with a potential client forward—without it feeling awkward or forced? Whether you’re at a networking event, in a discovery call, or just chatting with someone who’s interested in coaching, knowing the right questions to ask makes all the difference. I’ll be sharing the five key things you need to uncover when speaking with a potential client—and how to use them to confidently guide the conversation toward a natural next step. If you’ve everHave a question or episode suggestion? Send us a text, we'd love to hear from you!Support the showMORE RESOURCES Join my weekly newsletter and get notified when new episodes drop—plus insights to help you coach smarter and grow your business. Cick Here to Join - It's Free! Join the pre-sale list for the Coach Smarter Mentorship Program (Launching April 2025). Click here to join the free pre-sale list! SUPPORT THE SHOW Liked this episode? Share it and tag me @coachsmarterpodcast Love the show? Leave a review and let me know! CONNECT WITH STEPHEN: Website | Instagram | YouTubeCopyright 2025 Unshakable Habits, Stephen Box LLC, all rights reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms and Conditions Affiliate Disclosure
About Coach Smarter: Build a Thriving Health Coaching Business
You became a health coach to change lives, but now you’re trying to figure out how to stand out, deliver real results, and build a sustainable business without drowning in all the details. Maybe you’re unsure how to coach effectively, overwhelmed by the endless marketing advice, or struggling to balance it all while still staying true to your mission. You’re passionate about helping others, but you didn’t expect building a coaching business to feel this confusing.That’s where Coach Smarter comes in. I’m Stephen Box, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach and founder of Unshakable Habits. With more than a decade of experience, I know that thriving as a coach isn’t about doing more—it’s about focusing on what matters most: developing your coaching skills, finding your unique voice, and simplifying your business so it works for you.Each week, I’ll help you coach with confidence, market with clarity, and build a business that lasts. If you’re ready to become a better coach and finally feel confident in your approach, hit the + follow button and join me every week on Coach Smarter.
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