Cindy Excell 's Linkedin Analytics

This time last year, I was standing at a crossroads for my side coaching business. I had spent over four years building my fitness coaching business. A business I had poured my heart into. A business that had helped so many people transform their lives. But quietly… There was a voice inside me growing louder. A voice that kept asking: “Is this really what you’re meant to build in the long term?” At first, I tried to ignore it. The little voice in my head: “You’ve already come so far.” “Don’t start over.” “Stay where it’s safe.” But deep down, I knew: I had changed. My vision had changed. My business-building skills have improved tremendously. And it was time to pivot. So- without feeling fully "ready" - I made the leap. I pivoted into business coaching, helping corporate women turn their skills into profitable side coaching businesses. And today? I know with every fibre of my being: 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜’𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲. Building this business feels aligned, powerful, and 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. It’s not perfect. It’s not always easy. But it’s growing faster and stronger because it’s built on truth, not fear. More importantly, it's a business I want to build sustainably in the long term. Entrepreneurship isn’t about waiting until you feel 100% ready. It’s about moving before you do. Because clarity doesn't come from thinking about it longer. It comes from taking the next step - even when it feels scary. If you’re at your own crossroads right now - wondering if you’re ready to start your next chapter -  You don’t have to figure it out alone. → I created a Free PDF called '$𝟱𝗞/𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁' to show you a step-by-step blueprint to turn your expertise into a profitable side coaching business in just 10 focused hours a week. → DM me '𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁' and I will send you the link!

My honest advice for every corporate woman thinking about turning her skills into a coaching business: (After building a multiple 5-figure side coaching business 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 and being a mum of 2…) You don’t need to quit your job to take your business seriously. You don’t need to prove your commitment by walking away from your income. You prove it by showing up - consistently, strategically, and with the time and energy you 𝘥𝘰 have. → Not everyone can afford to quit on day one. → But anyone can start with what they already know. → And momentum? It’s built in focused, intentional hours, not in quitting everything overnight. Be strategic. Be consistent. Be resourceful. Because building your coaching business 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘥? That’s not playing small. That’s playing smart. Grow your income. Grow your confidence. Grow your runway - before you leap. Not impulsive. Not reckless. Not all-or-nothing. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲? Comment or DM me “𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁” and I’ll send it your way.

You don’t need a perfect niche to hit $5K/month on the side. But you 𝘥𝘰 need this: Get super clear on the one problem you solve. One problem your people 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 solved right now, not someday. Not “mindset.” Not “career clarity.” Not “helping women feel empowered.” I see so many smart women stuck at square one. Overthinking their niche. Second-guessing their idea. Trying to perfect a brand before they’ve signed one client. But here’s what works: → Solve one urgent problem → Package it simply → Start conversations → Make real offers That’s how I signed clients before I ever built a funnel. Before I had a big audience. Before I had everything figured out. Real results don’t come from the perfect niche. They come from solving one real problem for one real person. If you’re sitting on a pile of skills and experience but don’t know how to package them into a sellable offer, I created a FREE blueprint to help you with that. DM me 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥 and I’ll send you this free resource that shows you how. You’re closer than you think.

Let’s be honest… $5K/month doesn’t sound as sexy as six figures. But if you’re building a coaching business on the 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 of your 9-to-5? $5K/month is one of the smartest goals you can aim for. Here’s why: → You don’t need 40 hours a week → You don’t need a big audience → You don’t need a fancy funnel → You don't need a team (yet) You can get there with: ✔ 2–3 high-ticket clients ✔ One clear offer ✔ A simple marketing system ✔ 5–10 hours a week And that’s what I did. I built a 5-figure side coaching business while working full time in my 9 to 5 job, without burning out, and without scaling before I was ready. 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 $𝟱𝗞/𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 — 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳. → Proof your idea works → Proof people will pay for it → Proof that you can do this - on your terms It gives you room to 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴-𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴, and 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 - all without the pressure of making it work overnight. And when you’ve built that foundation? Then yes - go for $10K/month. Go full time. Scale if you want to. But let’s not skip steps. Start simple. Start lean. Start with a goal that gives you freedom, not burnout. That’s what $5K/month did for me - and it’s what I help my clients build too. If you want to learn more - tune in to this week’s podcast episode - I break it all down. 👇 DM me "Ep26' I will send you the link to the episode, or just search “Hustle With Heels” on your podcast app.

You don’t need more credentials to coach. One of the biggest lies the online world whispers is this: You’re not ready yet. You need another certification. You need more letters after your name. I believed it too. For years, I collected qualifications, thinking it would finally make me "ready." It never did. Confidence doesn’t come from paper. It comes from action. In this week's podcast episode, I’m sharing: → Why “credential chasing” kept me stuck longer than necessary → The truth about what actually qualifies you to coach → How to build 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭, unshakable confidence — not the fake kind → Why your lived experience matters more than you think If you’ve ever thought: "Maybe I just need one more certification before I can start..." This is your permission slip to stop waiting. You’re more ready than you realise. And the people who need you? They’re not looking for ‘expert’.  They’re looking for a ‘guide’ 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘵. 🎧DM me ‘𝗘𝗽 𝟮𝟳’ I will send you the link to the episode.

You can build your side business with integrity alongside your full-time job. I built mine while working full-time in financial services. No secret LinkedIn. No hiding it from your employer. Just boundaries, focus, and honesty. I made sure there was no conflict of interest. I did my corporate job well. And I used my own time to build something of my own. Why? Because I never wanted to rely on one income stream again. Redundancy taught me that. So I started small. 1 hour a day. Helping people. Testing ideas. Until it grew. Now I help other corporate women do the same. You don’t have to wait for a crisis to build your options. And you don’t have to do it in secret. 📌 P.S. Want to see the exact steps I used to grow a multiple 5-figure coaching side business in less than 10 hours a week? Comment or DM me “𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁” and I will send you the free $𝟱𝗞/𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁.

My secret coaching business hack (steal this): Whenever you’re trying to figure out your niche, ask yourself:   “What do people ask me for help with - even when I’m not trying to sell anything?” It is so simple, but it works because when you’re paying attention to what’s already reflected back at you, you: - Stop overthinking your niche - Uncover real problems people 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 you to solve - Build offers based on demand, not guesswork It’s not about picking the perfect niche. It’s about listening to the clues that are already there. Ask yourself: What do people ask you for advice on? What do friends, colleagues, or clients thank you for? What’s easy for you but valuable to someone else? Spot the gap between what’s obvious to you    - and still a struggle for them. That’s where the 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 business opportunity lives. Not in a brainstorm doc. But in your lived experience. So next time someone asks, “Can I pick your brain for a minute?” Lean in. That might be your business idea calling. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿? Comment “𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁” and I’ll send you the free guide that walks you through it.

The #1 reason most corporate women never launch their coaching business? They’re waiting to feel “ready”,… and that moment never comes. In this newsletter, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real reason so many smart, capable corporate women who dreamt of starting a side coaching business but stay stuck at the beginning stage - chasing certifications, second-guessing their value, and putting off their coaching dreams. I’ll show you why confidence isn’t something you earn from credentials - it’s something you build by taking action. And if you’ve ever told yourself, “I just need one more course” before you can start coaching? This one’s for you.

For years, I only knew one path to career success: Get good grades. Get into a good uni. Land a good job. That path led me to a 19-year career in financial services. I became a Certified Financial Planner and Private Wealth Manager. I did everything “right.” But somewhere along the way, I started asking myself a hard question: 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗺 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿? Because while I was helping clients grow their portfolios… I was missing school events with my daughters. Working weekends to deal with company-wide changes I didn’t choose. Logging late nights to meet deadlines from “cost-saving decisions” made above my head. No say. No control. Just more pressure. More burnout. And that’s what no one tells you: Even when you’ve “made it” in your career, You can still feel stuck building someone else’s dream. I’m proud of my work. I’ve always shown up, delivered, and gone the extra mile. But that drive? That discipline? It wasn’t building 𝘮𝘺 future. So I made a shift. Quietly. On the side. I took everything I’d learned - My lived experience, my skills, my perspective - And I started a coaching business. One built around my goals, my values, and my time. Because 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆. It’s about ownership. It’s about options. It’s about not missing the moments that matter. If you’ve been climbing the ladder, doing everything “right,” But deep down, you know it’s time to build something for 𝘺𝘰𝘶 - I see you. You don’t have to burn it all down. You just need a plan to start building your financial runway. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲? Comment or DM me “𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁” and I’ll send it over.

Twelve years climbing the ladder. Then they kicked it away in 2018. Nearly two decades into my time in corporate - I worked nights. Weekends. Holidays. Did every extra task. Hit every target. Then it happened: Promotion? Given to someone else. Bonus? Cut, even though I delivered. Job security? Restructured overnight. The painful truth? Your company doesn't owe you anything. → Loyalty doesn't matter. → Hard work won't save you. → Your paycheck isn't security. Real security is owning your income. → I took what I learned in corporate and my personal transformation. → Turned it into a coaching business. → Built a second income on the side. Now I help other women leaders do the same. Stop climbing ladders other people control. Build your own. Agree? 👇 ------ 🔔 P.S. If you want the full step-by-step plan, download my free guide: The $5K/Month Side Coaching Business Blueprint . It lays out everything you need to know to get your side coaching business off the ground. - DM me the word 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧 and I’ll send it over.

Most new coaches get it backwards when building a side coaching business. If you're balancing a corporate job, a family, and building a coaching business on the side, you can't afford to waste time. Yet most new coaches do - without even realising it. They spend months: • Building websites before selling anything • Posting daily but never making real offers • Chasing followers instead of clients If you want real traction, the order of what you do in your business matters: 1. Solve one urgent, painful problem. 2. Package it into one simple, sellable offer. 3. Focus on direct conversations. 4. Sign your first high-value clients. 5. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 build out repeatable systems that work around your 9 to 5 This is exactly how I built a 5-figure side coaching business in less than 10 hours a week, while working full-time. First get paid. Then get fancy. If you want the full blueprint, download my free guide: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 $5𝘒/𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵. It walks you through exactly what to focus on first, so you can grow without burning out. → Link is in my Profile section. Or. DM me 'Blueprint', I will send you the link.

My 13-year-old daughter is a gifted singer. She loves it. But she doesn’t like being in the spotlight. The idea of standing center stage… that’s where the resistance shows up. She once told me, "Mum, I just feel awkward when everyone’s looking at me." I get it. Visibility feels vulnerable - even when you're talented at what you do. But this year, she pushed through. She auditioned. She performed. And she landed the lead role in her Year 8 musical - High School Musical 🎵🎤 . When I watched her on stage on Thursday night - completely in her element - I saw something shift. She didn’t just perform. She owned the space she used to shrink from. And it hit me... That’s what entrepreneurship asks of us too. To stop hiding behind the “I’m not ready” story. To step into the spotlight even when it feels exposing. To show up fully - even if it makes you feel awkward at first. You can be confident AND still fear being seen. But real growth? It comes from letting yourself be seen anyway. 👇 Who else needed to hear this today?

Redundancy is not the end. It might be your best beginning. Let’s be real - redundancy hits hard. Even when you see it coming. Even when it’s “voluntary.” It can shake your identity, your finances, your future. That’s what it did for me, in 2018. But it also gave me one undeniable truth: I’m no longer willing to build my life around a job I could lose overnight. Because redundancy isn’t rare anymore - it’s reality. And while it brings uncertainty, it also brings opportunity. This was the moment I drew a line in the sand. No five-year plan. No perfect roadmap. Just one decision: To take back control. I started my coaching business. On the side. Intentionally. While in my 9 to 5. And it became the thing I 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥, not just something I did. If you’re facing a crossroads right now - If you’ve just been let go or know it’s coming - Know this: → Your job may be gone. → But your skills, experience and expertise aren’t. → Your value isn’t. → And your potential? Still fully intact. → You’ve spent years building skills for someone else’s bottom line. Now’s the time to use them for yourself. A side business isn’t just about income. It’s about having 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. Freedom. Leverage. Choice. Redundancy isn’t the end. It might just be your best beginning. ♻️ Share this with someone who needs to hear this today.

I used to think career success meant climbing the ladder. Get the title. Get the raise. Get the bigger paycheck. That’s what I believed success was. Until one day - I lost it all. No warning. No signs. No “heads-up, you should prepare.” Just like that, the career I’d worked so hard to build was no longer in my control. And that was my wake-up call. If your entire future depends on someone else’s decisions, It’s not real security. That moment changed everything for me. I stopped seeing my career as my safety net. I stopped believing my title could protect me. I stopped thinking that my 6-figure salary can bring any financial security for me. Instead, I started building something that no one could take away - A side business that gave me options. Now? I’m still in corporate. But I no longer worry about what would happen if the company changed direction, because I’ve built something of my own outside of it. I’m no longer tied to a single income stream. I’m not waiting for someone else to decide my future. And that’s what real career security looks like. It’s not about how high you climb the ladder. It’s about making sure you’re not holding on to just one rung. If this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. And it’s never too late to start building something of your own. Agree?

This was my office earlier today: 🫖 A cup of coffee 💻 A laptop on the dinning table 🎧 And one quiet hour while the house was still asleep It wasn’t glamorous. There was no ring light, no perfectly timed Instagram Reel. Just me - checking in with a client, replying to a couple of DMs, and moving the needle quietly and intentionally. Just one hour of focused work this morning - Before a day fully planned out with the family. And that’s what building a side coaching business 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 looks like. → One focused hour → One clear offer → One conversation at a time You don’t need 40 hours a week. You don’t need a big launch. You just need a system that works 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 your 9-to-5, not against it. So if you’ve been putting off starting until life gets quieter or more perfect… This is your sign. You can start small. And still build something real. Happy Friday 💛

The one piece of advice I wish someone had given me when I first started my side coaching business. Your first offer won’t be perfect. Your first social media post might flop. Your first message might not land. Your first client might not be a dream client. Because building a business isn’t about getting it 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 every time. And that is okay. You won’t get clarity until you start taking action. And here’s what I see so often - Most corporate professionals who start a coaching business think they need the perfect plan. -Flawless messaging. -Crystal-clear niche. -A launch strategy that’s airtight. But the truth is… 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. When I started, I tested everything. → Different messaging angles → Different ways to explain what I do → Different ways to show up online Some things worked. Others flopped. But every “failure” gave me: → More data.   → More confidence. → Clearer direction. Instead of spiralling when something didn’t land, I learned to tweak, to pivot, to try again. It’s not about getting it right every time with your business. It’s about being committed to keep moving, even when it’s messy. Your side business won’t be polished in the beginning. But that's the point. Your first few steps won’t bring instant results. But they’ll bring momentum. And if you adopt the 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 - You win either way. This is the advice I 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 someone gave me when I was just starting out: → Be willing to try. → Be open to feedback. → Be willing to fail forward. Agree?