Still Coaching, Just Differently: Making Space to Pivot With Support

Today, it really hit me: A lot of us are trying to keep a brave face, but if we’re honest? We’re in a tough spot. The economy for consultants is really, really rough right now.

I just got off a networking call with a third business owner who’s preparing to look for a full-time job and scale their consultancy back to a side gig. I heard anecdotally from a friend who works at a bank that even generational, family-owned businesses—ones that have been successful for decades—are seeking loans to stay afloat.

There’s grief here. There’s uncertainty. And there’s shame too, though there shouldn’t be. The economic conditions we’re facing are making long-term planning nearly impossible. Individuals and businesses alike are tightening their belts. You're not alone if you feel the squeeze.

So here’s the question many of us are quietly asking: How do I keep doing meaningful work if I have to scale back my coaching practice?

What a Flipped Coaching Model Could Look Like

If you’re at that crossroads, you’re not alone. And you’re not failing. You're adjusting to something that’s out of your control—and that takes real courage.

One approach we’ve seen work is flipping the coaching model to protect your time and energy while still serving the people who need you.

Instead of meeting with clients to deliver your expertise, giving them homework, and repeating the cycle, you flip the structure. You share your insights through videos, podcasts, or written content—formats clients can engage with on their own time. Then you offer guided prompts to help them reflect, apply, and practice.

That’s when you step back in. You meet to unpack how it went, answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, and offer the kind of support that really moves people forward. The part where your time truly shines.

Why It Works

There’s a reason this model is so popular in universities. Faculty record lectures once and save their time for what really matters: giving students one-on-one feedback, guiding them through real-world applications, and helping them improve. It’s efficient, profitable, and learner-centered. I know; I’ve been helping people do it for 15+ years.

And it’s a win-win. Students, or in your case, clients, gain flexibility and deeper support, working through content at their own pace while still having access to personalized guidance. You reclaim your time and focus on the parts of your work that matter most: transformation, not repetition.

If you design your bootcamp intentionally, there’s even potential to connect it to larger credentialing systems or partner with programs that offer college credit. With the right structure, your offer could do more than just serve clients. It could help them advance their careers in tangible, credential-backed ways.

But let’s go back to the core issue: funds are tight, you’re overwhelmed, and the idea of building this all from scratch? That’s exhausting. And you're probably not in a place where dropping thousands on a done-for-you solution feels realistic.

And honestly, it would probably feel great to be in a room with other people going through the same thing. It sounds lovely to me, too.

What If We Built It Together?

Even if that model sounds interesting, you might not have the energy or resources to build something new from scratch. And investing in a done-for-you program right now? That might feel impossible—or just unwise.

What would help, at least for us, is space.

• Space to think out loud.

• Space to explore new formats.

• Space to grieve what’s changing—and slowly imagine what’s next.

So Rachel and I have been talking. What if we created that kind of space together?

Something low-pressure. A weekly drop-in. A short lesson or shared reflection to start, followed by open working time—space to troubleshoot, brainstorm, or just sit in community with others figuring this out too.

Would that be useful?

We don’t want anyone’s dreams to die because of a tough economic season. I’m old enough to have been through this before, and I know—it’s tough. But we can get through it, especially when we have the right people alongside us.

Rachel and I want to help however we can. We want to support others through this transition—not by offering a quick fix, but by holding space to reflect, regroup, and rebuild.

If that sounds like something you’d find helpful, we’d love to hear from you. We're still shaping what this might be, and your voice matters. If you have 15 minutes to share your perspective, we’d love to offer you a free session of whatever we co-create.

Because you still care. You have something to offer, and your work matters.