Graduates of Mentor Agility’s Trauma-Informed Coaching Program are equipped with

exceptional skills including deep listening, empathy, and powerful tools for facilitating real

change. Many go on to earn their ACC Certification through ICF (International Coaching

Federation) or their board certification through NBHWC (National Board for Health & Wellness

Coaching), further validating their professional expertise.

But building a sustainable, profitable practice is a different skill set altogether, and one that can

feel overwhelming without a clear roadmap.

If you come from a background like military service, law enforcement, disaster relief, or first

response, entrepreneurship may feel like unfamiliar terrain. This article will break it down

step-by-step with practical, real-world advice to set you up for success.

Start with a Business Foundation: Structure Matters

Deciding how to set up your business is one of your first major moves. There are three common

options:

● Sole Proprietor: Easiest to start and you can simply begin offering services under your

own name. However, you carry full personal liability.

● LLC (Limited Liability Company): This separates your personal assets from your business

liabilities and offers flexibility without a lot of red tape.

● Corporation: More complex and often unnecessary unless you’re building a larger

company.

Consult with a small business attorney or legal clinic (many offer free consultations) to choose

the best fit for your situation. There are also a few attorneys who specialize in Wellness Law

who are excellent resources and understand exactly what coaches do.

Business Insurance

Even though coaching is a low-risk profession compared to other fields, you still need

protection.

● Professional Liability Insurance (also called Errors & Omissions insurance) covers claims

related to professional mistakes or negligence.

● General Liability Insurance protects you if someone is physically injured during an

in-person session (think tripping over a chair in your office).

● If you coach virtually, your risks are lower, but insurance is still wise.

There are several companies that provide insurance specifically for coaches and these can be

found online after a quick search.

Find Your Niche and emphasize your credentials

Your background is your superpower. Leverage it.

Instead of being a "life or health coach for everyone," position yourself clearly. Examples:

• Transition coaching for veterans re-entering civilian life
• Stress and trauma recovery coaching for first responders
• Burnout prevention coaching for disaster relief workers

Why does it matter? People seek out specialists when they have a specific need. Niching also

makes marketing so much easier because you can speak directly to your ideal client's pain

points. This also helps position you as an expert and gives you direction for continuing

education in your specific coaching specialization.

In addition, it’s important to be able to clearly articulate information about the training you

received from Mentor Agility or the Veterans Talking to Veterans program and to note that your

training program is accredited by NBHWC which is an affiliate of the National Board of Medical

Examiners (NBME), and by ICF. These may seem like small nuances, but they can make a big

difference when you are building credibility in your profession.

Set Up Your Brand: Simple, Clear, Trustworthy

You don't need a fancy logo or a big budget. To begin with, concentrate on making forward

progress. In our experience, we have seen so many people stall because they are waiting to be

ready. You are trained and ready so move ahead.

• Develop a professional-looking website. Use a simple platform and create minimal pages

like Home, About, Services, and Contact. Note that GoDaddy and other providers offer

the ability to create free sites!

• Create a professional email address.
• Create a couple of social media channels such as a LinkedIn profile, or Facebook or

Instagram business page. Start to get the word out about what you’re doing and position

yourself as a qualified coach (because you are!).

• Develop a succinct “pitch” about what you do and who you work with.
• Write out a bio and publish this on your website and your social media sites. Also, don’t

be shy about sharing it with your professional contacts, friends and family. They will

want to see you succeed!

Pro Tip: Add “Trauma-Informed Certified Coach” and your ICF or NBHWC credential (when

earned) to your social media profiles and website.

Create a Realistic Marketing Plan

You don’t need to be everywhere. Focus on consistent, quality connection over quantity.

 Start here:

● Referrals: Tell friends, family, and professional contacts you’re accepting clients. Many

early clients come through personal referrals.

● Speak: Offer free talks (online or local) on topics like "Managing Stress After Critical

Incidents" or "Trauma-Informed Leadership."

● Network: Attend local business meetups, veteran groups, or first responder wellness

events.

● Social media (optional): Pick one platform where your clients spend time and post short

insights, tips, and client success stories (with permission).

Keep Learning, Keep Growing

Entrepreneurship is a journey. Make time for business learning:

● Podcasts: Listen to coaching and small business podcasts as these can provide valuable

information and help you stay motivated to move ahead.

● Courses: Many free or low-cost business courses are available through your local Small

Business Development Center (SBDC).

● Mentorship: Find a business mentor or join a group with other trauma-informed

coaches.

● Connection: Connect with like-minded coaches through organizations like ICF and the

NBHWC or through the many Facebook groups that exist for the coaching profession.

Final Thoughts

You already have the heart and skills to create a life-changing impact. By adding simple business

systems, a clear niche, and steady outreach, you can build a thriving, sustainable, and deeply

rewarding trauma-informed coaching practice. Remember that successful businesses don’t

happen overnight. Be patient, stay curious, and above all keep going. You’ve got this!