Coaching Niche for Mums: Find Your Dream Coaching Clients
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Feb 19, 2024
- 7 min read
From Muddle to Magnetism: Defining Your Dream Coaching Niche & Offer (Yes, Even with Kids in Tow!)
Ever feel like you’re trying to nail jelly to a wall when it comes to your coaching niche? One minute you think you’ve got it, the next it’s slipped away, leaving you more confused than when you started & often with a little voice (or an actual small human) demanding your attention right now? Like that morning I was prepping a client call, the laptop precariously balanced on a stack of cookbooks, only for Espresso (our resident Miniature Pinscher puppy) to decide that the charging cable was definitely a chew toy. If you’re nodding along, lovely, you are so not alone. This is a classic Foundation Builder feeling, especially when you’re a mother trying to weave your business dreams into the beautiful & let’s be honest, sometimes bonkers, tapestry of family life.
But what if I told you that defining your niche & crafting that first compelling offer isn’t just another task on your already overflowing to-do list? What if it’s actually one of the most empowering acts of self-discovery you can undertake on your entrepreneurial journey?
Beyond Business Mechanics: This is About Authentic Alignment
Let’s be honest. Defining your niche & crafting that first offer can feel like one of those ‘big, scary business things’ that textbooks make sound so straightforward. But here’s a secret from my own winding journey – from feeling like a replaceable cog in the corporate world, through an MBA while juggling my second baby, to founding Femmeprenista & now navigating a PhD with my two youngest – this isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about unearthing the very soul of your business.
It’s an act of profound self-discovery, helping you pinpoint exactly who you’re meant to serve & how your unique blend of brilliance – yes, all those experiences that make you you, the triumphs, the lessons, even the bits you might think are irrelevant – can genuinely change their world. Truthfully, it took me ages to realise that my love of wine & plants could actually help me stand out! It’s really funny, because I vividly recall trying to map out what Femmeprenista would truly stand for, spread out on the living room floor with notes everywhere, while my then-toddler decided my carefully organised piles were a new mountain range for her toy animals to conquer, & the baby needed a feed right then. In those moments, if your ‘why’ isn't rock solid & your vision isn't deeply resonant, it's so easy for it all to feel... well, impossible. That deep alignment is your anchor. When I was first starting out, even with all my MBA knowledge, I remember feeling completely lost about where to even begin, questioning if I was even cut out for this, to start with.
When your niche feels like a true extension of your purpose, & your offer lights you up from the inside out, it’s not just sustainable; it’s magnetic. This profound clarity, this deep inner knowing of your direction, is what helps you filter out the noise, say ‘no’ to distractions, & stay true to your path. And crafting a message that truly speaks from your heart to theirs? That’s where the real magic happens, creating marketing that feels effortless rather than a chore.
Overcoming Those Foundational Fears with Personal Responsibility
Now, I know what often comes next: the mental gymnastics of ‘what ifs.’ What if I pick the wrong niche? What if no one wants what I offer? What if I’m not really an expert? Honestly, that pesky imposter syndrome, it loves to gatecrash the party right when you’re on the verge of a breakthrough, doesn’t it? I’ve been there, staring at a blank page wondering if I was completely mad trying to build something new, especially with tiny feet pattering around & the constant juggle that comes with it.
But here’s where one of my core beliefs, & something we champion at Femmeprenista, kicks in: personal responsibility. This isn't about blaming yourself if things feel tough; it's about empowering yourself by taking ownership of this discovery process. It’s about trusting that quiet voice of intuition – the one that often gets drowned out by the everyday hustle – alongside taking practical, deliberate steps. You know, that gut feeling that tells you, "this feels right," or "hmm, maybe not that." It's surprisingly astute.
Clarity, my dear, rarely arrives in a perfectly packaged thunderbolt while you’re waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s forged in the doing, in the trying, in courageously taking that next small step, even when your knees are knocking. As I often tell my clients & remind myself during my own PhD journey with four children underfoot, your path might feel slower or look different to others & that’s okay! It's okay for the journey to look different for each person. Your progress is down to you & the smart, consistent actions you take.
Your Niche as a North Star, Not a Cage
And please, let’s bust a myth right here: your initial niche & offer are not a life sentence carved in stone! Phew, right? Think of them more like your North Star for this leg of the journey – a powerful starting point to gain momentum, test your ideas, & get that all-important validation from real, paying clients. It’s not a cage designed to trap you; it’s a launchpad designed to propel you.
I remember when my school-aged daughter was little & I was exploring different business ideas after my MBA. That initial ‘perfect fit’ took some serious iterating. Some ideas sounded brilliant on paper but didn’t quite spark that fire in my belly when I delved deeper. Others felt exciting but didn't quite meet a pressing market need. It’s an adventure of define, test, refine. Each interaction, each piece of feedback, every client conversation is a clue. It’s a bit like when one of my daughters, Alana, was learning to ride her bike; those first wobbly attempts, knees scraped & a determined little frown etched on her face, weren't failures, they were essential data points helping her find her balance, her confidence, & eventually, her freedom. As I often tell my clients, your path might feel slower or look different to others & that’s okay! Your progress is down to you & the smart, consistent actions you take. Give yourself permission to evolve. Your business will thank you for it. Like Sarah, one of my Momentum clients, who initially thought her niche was 'general wellness' but after digging deeper, discovered her passion and expertise truly lay in helping busy mums reclaim their energy through simple, sustainable habits. And now, she's fully booked, helping women just like her, all while juggling school runs & bedtime stories.
Practical Steps for Soul-Aligned Clarity
So, how do you move from that muddle of ideas to genuine, soul-aligned clarity that feels both exciting & grounded? It’s about asking the right questions & listening deeply – both to yourself & to those you feel called to serve. Here are a few pointers to get you started:
1. Who Are You Really Meant to Serve?
Go beyond the surface. Yes, demographics can be a starting point, but who is that one person you feel an undeniable pull to help? What are their secret hopes, their quiet fears, the dreams they barely dare to whisper even to themselves? Imagine sitting down with them for a cuppa – what’s really going on in their world, beyond the polished exterior?
Demographics are a starting point, but go deeper.
Who do you feel an undeniable pull to help?
What are their secret hopes, quiet fears, & barely whispered dreams?
Imagine sitting down with them for a cuppa – what’s really going on?
2. What’s Their 'Hair on Fire' Problem?
What’s that one pressing challenge, that persistent niggle, or that burning question that keeps them scrolling Google at 2 AM? What are they desperately seeking a solution for? It’s not always what they say it is on the surface. Your job, as a coach, is to gently uncover the real ache, the unmet need that’s causing them discomfort or holding them back.
What keeps them scrolling Google at 2 AM?
Uncover the real ache, not just what they say.
What's the unmet need causing discomfort?
3. How Does Your Unique Spark Provide the Solution?
This is where your story, your skills, your passions – even the bits you think are irrelevant or "not professional enough" – come together to create something truly special. Perhaps it’s your corporate experience combined with your mindfulness practice that offers a unique take on leadership. Or maybe it’s your journey through motherhood alongside your graphic design skills that helps other mums build beautiful brands. Your unique blend is your superpower. How can you package this into a solution that feels both incredibly valuable to them & genuinely fulfilling for you to deliver?
Your story, skills, & passions combine to create something special.
What's your unique blend that is your superpower?
4. Craft an Offer That Feels Like a 'Heck Yes!'
When you align what they desperately need with what you uniquely & joyfully provide, your offer almost creates itself. It feels authentic to you, irresistible to them, & is priced in a way that honours the transformation you facilitate & sustains your business (& your energy!). It’s not about just listing features; it’s about conveying the true value & the tangible outcomes they can expect.
Align their needs with your unique gifts.
Convey the true value & tangible outcomes.
Price to honor transformation & sustain your energy.
Laying this foundation is truly one of the most empowering things you can do for your business & honestly, for yourself. It's about building something that not only works but also feels deeply right, energising you rather than draining you. To help you get started, I've created a simple worksheet to brainstorm your ideal client, their 'hair on fire' problem, & your unique solution.
If you’re a Foundation Builder – that’s someone just starting out, perhaps with an idea they’re itching to validate or those first few clients under their belt – & you feel that pull to get this right from the start, to truly validate your coaching idea & gain crystal clarity on your niche & ideal client before you invest significant time & money, then I warmly invite you to explore our Spark Program Spark Program Page. It’s a 4-week accelerator designed specifically to guide you through this exact process, with the support, expert guidance, & accountability you deserve. It's all part of the holistic approach we explore with our clients - often starting with mindset shifts using the Business Flourish Framework and our focus on Focus, Flair, Flow, Fuel, and Fusion - to help you build sustainable success.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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