Life Coaching Business

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Life Coaching Business? (In 2024)

Updated: October 1st, 2024

Looking to start a life coaching business?

But curious about:

  • how much it costs to start a life coaching business?
  • what are the typical life coaching business startup costs?
  • or the actual cost of starting life coaching businesses?

Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real life coaching businesses and how much they actually cost to start.

Let's go over it.

What is the average cost of starting a life coaching business?

Based on our data reported by actual life coaching business founders, the average cost of starting a life coaching business is between $200 and $15,000.

Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a life coaching business are around $750.

Remember, though, not all life coaching businesses are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of life coaching businesses

Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a life coaching business?

We asked real life coaching business founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?

Here is what they said:

Foti Panagiotakopoulos

Founder of GrowthMentor ($10K/month)

$500 in Google Ads budget.

Fotis Panagiotakopoulos is the founder of GrowthMentor, a platform that connects users with experienced growth mentors.

Read by 46,032 founders

Iman Gadzhi

Founder of Grow Your Agency ($120K/month)

"Since I was only seventeen years old with zero credit, I boot-strapped everything. Creating an SMMA can be done very cheaply which is why it appeals to so many people. You don’t even need a website! My costs were around creating professional presentation materials, traveling to prospective clients, and subscriptions to a few common eCommerce services: that’s it."

Iman Gadzhi is the founder of IAG Media, a social media marketing agency, and Grow Your Agency, an education company that teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA.

Read by 15,834 founders

Jim Ackerman

Founder of Ascend Marketing, Inc ($15K/month)

"Our first 2 clients for the Coaching program came from our workshops and we sold those programs for $1,800 each on the back end of the workshop."

Jim Ackerman is the founder of Ascend Marketing, a marketing coaching business that developed a unique program offering a 200% Return On Investment Guarantee.

Read by 8,804 founders

Sinem Günel

Founder of Personal Growth Base ($10K/month)

"As we made money through our workshops from day one on, we didn’t need any funding."

Sinem is the founder of Personal Growth Base, a personal development business that focuses on seminars, books, online courses, and blogging.

Read by 19,600 founders

Holly Haller

Founder of Ask Holly Hall ($6K/month)

"I had approached my local entrepreneurial startup government program and pitched my radio project and found an investor. He invested a total of $25,000."

Holly Hall is the founder of Ask Holly Hall, a clairvoyant life coach business that has been endorsed by Dr. Shefali and featured on numerous TV shows, including multiple appearances on Oprah.

Read by 3,201 founders

Sarah Wolfer

Founder of Girl Boss Sports ($4.76K/month)

"This came with several startup costs including the legal side of launching the business as well as ordering soccer coaching equipment for each and every coach. I also had to order scheduling software, learn the ins and outs of hiring employees in Washington state, order business insurance, and learn the marketing side as quickly as possible."

Sarah Wolfer is the founder of Girl Boss Sports, a sports coaching service business that started in 2018 and earns around $4,700 per month.

Read by 7,001 founders

Brittney Oliver

Founder of Holistic Wellness Coaching Academy ($15K/month)

"In 2017 I launched an international Academy, based on my first book Buddha Belly with little to nothing as far as the financial startup goes and grew it into a six-figure business by year two."

Brittney Oliver is the founder of the Holistic Wellness Coaching Academy, a gut health and mindset coaching business that has grown significantly since its inception.

Read by 7,267 founders

Tobias Young

Founder of Tobias Young Fitness ($50K/month)

"Getting started initially was all funded by my main job at the time (gym management). From there I decided to invest in mentorship and took out an additional loan for my first big coaching course (The Fletcher Method Mastery Program) which is brilliant by the way."

Tobias Young is the founder of Tobias Young Fitness, an online fitness coaching business that started with personal investment and mentorship loans.

Read by 13,009 founders

Haley Hughes

Founder of Haley Hughes ($3.5K/month)

"My overhead is very low since I rent an office space in a gym who I partner with and coach for. My client portal including scheduling, billing, food journaling and a phone app is about $65 a month making it an easy all in one service. I also hire a team of website designers and small business gurus who I pay $500 a month to help me grow and develop RDRx Nutrition called Estus."

Haley Hughes is the founder of Haley Hughes (Registered Dietitian Prescribed), a nutrition counseling private practice that provides customized nutrition plans and 24/7 support to clients.

Read by 14,002 founders

Ryan Milton

Founder of TeamFFLEX ($82K/month)

"Starting with literally 0 dollars and a hell of a lot of drive I successfully built my business into the 6 figures in less than a year."

[Founder Name] is the founder of TeamFFLEX, an online personal training business that coaches athletes, Hollywood actors, professional musicians, and everyday people all around the world.

Read by 26,262 founders

Enjoyed reading these real world examples?

Our platform is full of case studies of successful life coaching businesses that you can learn from.

Starting a life coaching business - what you should know:

Launching a life coaching business involves multiple cost factors that can vary significantly based on your choices.

Initial Certification and Training

Investing in a recognized life coaching certification program can range anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000. While more affordable online courses are available for around $500, accredited programs often provide more credibility and comprehensive training, which may translate into higher client confidence and potentially higher fees.

Marketing and Branding

Marketing yourself as a life coach will require some budget allocation. Creating a professional website might cost between $500 and $3,000 depending on the complexity and whether you hire a professional or use a DIY website builder. Additionally, budget for domains and hosting services, which can run about $100-$200 annually. Ongoing marketing strategies, including social media advertising, can vary, but a starting budget of $200-$500 per month is typical.

Office Space and Equipment

While many life coaches start working from home, renting office space adds a significant expense—expect to pay between $300 to $1,000 monthly depending on location. Alternatively, you might need to invest in quality home office equipment such as a reliable computer, a webcam for virtual sessions, and business software, totaling around $1,000 initially.

Ongoing Education and Development

Staying updated through continuous education is crucial. Additional workshops, seminars, or certifications can cost between $200 to $2,000 annually. Besides enhancing your skills, this ongoing investment can keep your practice relevant and adaptable to new coaching trends.

Considering these cost aspects helps anticipate expenses effectively, ensuring you're financially prepared to launch and sustain a successful life coaching business.

Potential Costs of Starting a Life Coaching Business

Starting a life coaching business involves various costs ranging from initial setup expenses to ongoing monthly fees. Here is a detailed breakdown of all the potential costs you may encounter:

Cost Element Description Estimated Cost
Website Development Professional creation of a business website $500 - $5,000 (one-time)
Domain Registration Purchase of domain name $10 - $20 per year
Web Hosting Hosting service for the website $10 - $50 per month
Marketing & Advertising Online advertising, social media promotion, SEO $100 - $1,000+ per month
Business License Legal permits to operate the business $50 - $400 (one-time)
Professional Email Service Business email hosting and service $5 - $15 per month
Client Management Software CRM tools to track client interactions and appointments $30 - $150 per month
Scheduling Software Tools for managing appointments and client scheduling $10 - $50 per month
Insurance Liability insurance for business protection $200 - $500 per year
Office Supplies Basic supplies like pens, paper, notebooks, etc. $50 - $200 (initial setup)
Continuing Education Courses, certifications, or attending seminars for professional development $100 - $1,000 per year
Legal Fees Legal consultation and agreement drafting $200 - $1,000+ (one-time)
Accounting Software Bookkeeping and accounting tools $10 - $50 per month
Branding & Logo Design Professional branding, logo design, and business cards $100 - $1,000 (one-time)
Coaching Tools & Materials Resources like books, assessment tools, and online subscriptions $100 - $500 (initial purchase)
Workspace Rent Cost of renting office space if not working from home $200 - $1,000+ per month
Technology Hardware Computer, phone, and other necessary devices $500 - $2,000 (initial setup)
Client Gifts Small gifts for client appreciation $50 - $200 per year
Networking Fees Membership fees for joining professional networking groups $50 - $500 per year
Professional Attire Business clothes for client meetings and events $200 - $1,000 (initial purchase)
Miscellaneous Costs Any additional unforeseen expenses $100 - $500+ as needed

Starting a life coaching business requires careful planning and budgeting to cover both initial setup and ongoing operational costs.