From Former Teacher to Life Coach: How Ana 3X Her Business
I’m bringing you one of my absolute favorite types of episodes today—a real client success story that’ll give you chills and show you exactly what’s possible when you stop overcomplicating your coaching business.
Meet Ana Cortes-Holbert, a former teacher turned life coach, who has tripled her income since joining my programs. We’re talking real numbers here: she’s now contributing $7,000 toward family vacations, setting aside money for quarterly taxes, and attracting her dream clients from literally everywhere she goes.
Furthermore, this isn’t some overnight success story with a magic formula. Ana’s journey reveals the actual path to life coach business growth—the kind built on clarity, confidence, and genuine human connection.
The Hidden Struggle Most New Coaches Face (And Why It’s Keeping You Broke)
Here’s the truth bomb Ana dropped on this episode: Before finding clarity, she was speaking “too coachy.”
Sound familiar?
You know your coaching works. You’ve invested in certifications, done the inner work, and genuinely want to help people. However, when someone asks, “What do you do?” you fumble through coach-speak that makes their eyes glaze over.
You might say things like:
- “I help people with their inner critic.”
- “I work with mindset and limiting beliefs.”
- “I support clients in their personal transformation journey.”
Meanwhile, your ideal client is thinking: “That sounds nice, but what does that actually mean for ME?”
Ana experienced this exact problem. She wanted to “save the world” and was positioning herself as someone who could help everyone. Consequently, she was attracting no one—or worse, attracting clients who weren’t the right fit.
The Framework Builder Lab Transformation: From Scattered to Strategic
Ana joined my Framework Builder Lab (FBL) after we’d connected in a networking community. She was already a passionate, skilled coach—but clarity was missing.
Here’s what shifted during FBL:
Before FBL:
❌ Wanted to help everyone
❌ Using certification language that didn’t resonate
❌ Uncertain about pricing and service structure
❌ Unconsciously rejecting money (even though she didn’t realize it)
❌ Struggling to articulate her unique value
After FBL:
✅ Clear, compelling niche statement
✅ Speaking in her clients’ language
✅ Confident pricing that creates financial stability
✅ Attracting ideal clients organically
✅ Building a full roster without complicated funnels
Additionally, Ana describes her experience this way: “You helped me get focused. Once I got clear on the people I help and how to speak to them, the level of client I’m attracting is so different.”
That’s the power of clarity. It’s not about working harder—it’s about getting laser-focused on who you serve and how to communicate your value.
The Organic Client Attraction System That Actually Works
Now here’s where Ana’s story gets really good. Let me ask you: Where do you think most of her clients come from?
Instagram ads? Complicated sales funnels? Webinar sequences?
Nope.
Ana attracts coaching clients from:
🎯 The gym where she works out (including referrals from the tough-love instructor she adores)
🎯 Airplane conversations while traveling
🎯 Networking events she attends with genuine curiosity
🎯 Her women’s business group (people who were “right under her nose”)
🎯 Former students and their parents from her teaching career
One woman even paid in full before Ana sent the coaching agreement.
Best Damn Coach: Zooming In On The Full Business Ecosystem
After her FBL success, Ana joined Best Damn Coach (BDC)—my year-long coaching program for established coaches ready to scale.
Here’s where we zoomed in:
Building Systems For Sustainable Growth
✨ Creating an email list (new growth edge for Ana)
✨ Developing workshop and speaking opportunities
✨ Podcast guest strategies (she’s appeared on three podcasts)
✨ Pricing structure for financial sustainability
✨ Managing money mindset issues
The Community Effect
Ana describes the BDC community this way: “It’s the type of driven women that you attract in Best Damn Coach. You’re so strategic about giving us the ability to participate in workshops we’ve taken in the past, so newbies not only hear from you but get to ask us questions. When we see a colleague accomplish something, we all support each other.”
This is intentional community design. I don’t just teach—I create an ecosystem where coaches lift each other up, share wins, and provide real-world examples of what’s working.
Real Results From Real Action
Since joining BDC, Ana has:
📊 Hosted her first free Zoom workshop (despite being terrified no one would show up)
📊 Spoken at a Realty Event (even did it for free to build relationships)
📊 Landed three podcast guest appearances
📊 Met with potential clients at local coffee shops
📊 Attracted higher-caliber clients who truly value her work
📊 Contributed financially to family goals (hello, New Zealand trip!)
Most importantly? She’s playing the long game. Not every speaking gig converts immediately. Not every podcast listener becomes a client. However, each opportunity builds her authority, expands her network, and deepens her confidence.
As Ana beautifully summarized: “Your journey is a gem. Don’t forget that. You may minimize it, but don’t forget how much of a gem your journey is.”
