Coaching Client Case Study: How this airline worker got laid off and pivoted into a new coaching business

Are you finding the current work and career circumstances a challenge? Before Covid-19, maybe you were working a job that you actually enjoyed (if you were one of the lucky ones out there who found work they love). Perhaps you were finally finding your groove when suddenly, pandemic hit, and you found yourself sidelined and out of work. Today I’m sharing the story of one of my clients, Ryan Banks, and how he pivoted from being laid off from his job to seeing it as an opportunity to explore something new. His story is an inspiration for how to see the bigger picture, how you can get out of your own way, shift, and serve where needed. Read on to find out how it’s possible to take a challenge like being surprised by a layoff, and turn it into a chance to pursue a new path in life.

Ryan had finally landed his dream job of working in the airline industry, when he suddenly found himself out of work because of Covid-19. While he could have just waited for his job to come back online, Ryan decided this was the perfect chance to explore some other things he felt passionate about. After some soul searching, he realized this would be a great opportunity to pursue a nagging he had been feeling for some time, to explore coaching others about positive mindset.

How he pivoted into a new coaching business…

Ryan reached out to me after discovering he would be placed on temporary leave from his job. He wanted to know more about the coaching world and how he could get started. After chatting with him, I could tell he was passionate about helping people achieve happiness. He described how much he enjoyed working in the airline industry because he loved seeing people accomplish their travel plans and get to their destination. When he got laid off, he felt a craving to expand on this passion for helping others and thought coaching might be a great way to connect with people who need help with their mindset.

Ryan described how he had been through his own fair share of challenges in his life, and through those experiences, he discovered the power of a positive mindset. He spent years studying up on self-help and exercise and was using much of what he learned in his own life. The dedication to his own well-being was having a positive impact, and now he felt the desire to share this expertise with others.

Shifting his mindset allowed him to pivot into coaching

I was very excited to work with Ryan because he had a true desire to connect with people and serve. He had discovered a way to shift out of overthinking and negative thoughts and wanted to share his mindset concepts with the world. He knew he could impart this knowledge onto others, and he was excited to find ways to connect with the right clients.

Ryan already knew what group of people he wanted to work with, and he also knew what type of information he wanted to impart. His biggest goal was to learn how he could deliver this information in a way that was natural and authentic.

We talked about ways he could achieve finding his ideal clients through sharing his own experiences. Ryan started opening up on social media about how he was pivoting during the current challenging circumstances. His content detailed how he was able to successfully transition by practicing all of the key things he mastered about mindset.

Becoming clear about how he could serve as a coach

Right away, people who knew Ryan reached out wanting to take him up on his offer for a free call. We mapped out his pricing for coaching services ahead of time in case someone wanted to work with him. In just the first two weeks of creating his coaching business, he was signed up with a client!

And just like that, The Pure Mind Coach was born!

Ryan continues to share stories and useful tips through social media to attract clients who resonate with his message. He’s sharing in a way that doesn’t feel sleazy or salesy. He’s simply being himself and offering his services to those who may need a helping hand through challenging times.

I am excited for Ryan as he continues to take brave steps to pivot and shift into coaching. He embraced his fears with putting himself out there as a coach, and saw this as an opportunity to expand into a new passion. It’s been fun to see his confidence grow as he shares videos about his next steps forward and builds out his new coaching business! You can check out his helpful mindset videos on Instagram here!

Tips for when you are laid off and want to pivot into coaching or a new business…

If you are finding yourself in the same boat as Ryan and looking for ways to pivot since you’ve been laid off, here are some tips to help you make a positive shift…

Ask yourself if there is something else?

We are often so wrapped up in our busy days when we are working a job that it leaves little room to explore ourselves fully. You are a limitless being with a TON of potential locked up inside of you. This pandemic has truly become a blessing for so many folks because it has given them a chance (albeit they go into it kicking and screaming) to discover new things and change old habits. If you are feeling frustrated by what has happened to you because of the pandemic, it’s okay to have a “moment” to stew… but don’t stay stuck there. Shift your attention to what things have been on your heart to do, accomplish, and be NOW. If you are able to tap into that, you will be able to adapt and most likely discover something exciting and new for yourself.

Once you get an idea, explore it!

Once you’ve shifted your perspective and allowed some of your desires to emerge, give yourself the grace and time to explore some of these new ideas. Ryan was able to say to himself, yes to the airline industry… AND yes to coaching. He didn’t shut himself off and only allow one thing into his life. He allowed himself to be excited about this OTHER idea, and he explored it by reaching out to experts and asking questions about how he could easily get started. If you have what I call “naggings on your heart,” they are there for a reason. You are probably meant to work with or serve people in a specific way, and you can’t possibly know what that is unless you give it a chance. Some easy ways to explore are to read up on the subject, join a Facebook group, start following a few people who are already doing what you’re drawn to, sign up for a course, start a daily practice, find new “friends” who are also exploring that subject… have fun trying it out!

Reach out to an expert or mentor to make the process go faster

There are people who have been through what you are going through now and can lend a helpful hand! Coaches like Ryan are offering services to show people a fastest path to success. A mentor can offer guidance and feedback while you are making BIG decisions and taking next steps. They can help you avoid pitfalls, keep your mind in a positive place, encourage you to work through obstacles with grace, and give you tips and tools IN THE MOMENT to keep you on track. There’s nothing like having immediate feedback and guidance from a teacher or mentor. Surrounding yourself with people who can serve you in this way can mean the difference between your success and failure.

Create a daily routine and start incorporating it

Incorporating one new daily routine is an easy way to develop a new skill set and work towards a goal. One of my favorite ways to ease myself into a new routine is to choose one thing that is mostly on my heart to learn or work on and do a 30 day challenge for myself. Of course it helps to have a mentor or accountability buddy on hand while you are working through the growing pains. When Ryan came to me, he didn’t have experience with video or posting content for a business. But he made the decision to challenge himself and build it into his weekly routine. With practice, he realized it only took a few minutes each day to post. And once he got into his routine, it became easier, and he improved a little more each time. Now he feels comfortable and enjoys shooting videos about topics he is passionate about.

Seeing challenge as a chance to grow….

One of my favorite videos Ryan created has to do with adversity and how it can provide an opportunity for growth. Ryan discovered through the whole process of exploring this desire to coach, that there were areas where he could improve and grow. By challenging himself to step outside of his comfort zone and simply try, he allowed himself to learn new things and develop important skills. He now has MORE CONFIDENCE, and he is reaching more people and SERVING on a GREATER LEVEL. This paid off big time for him because people who resonate with his message are reaching out. Ryan is touching people’s lives in the way he had envisioned, and he gets to do it in a very natural way… through sharing his own experience and exposing his own challenges in an inspiring way.

What are you feeling called to do?

It all starts with asking yourself what is most on your heart to offer or do RIGHT NOW. Getting clarity about what feels most important to you can help start you off on the right foot when you are starting a business or passion project. It helps to understand your values and what’s important to you. Once you have that clarity, then it’s simply up to you to act on it.

Ryan is the perfect example of how pivoting into starting a business you love doesn’t have to be hard. You can tap into what you are passionate about to help others. You most likely already have expertise and experience to guide others through a process… the next step is allowing those people who need you to find you!

Are you feeling it’s time to pivot into a business you love?

If you are feeling it’s time to pivot and create a business or passion project, reach out to us to set up a time to chat about your ideas! You can reach us at BePassionateAndProsper@yahoo.com or you can message us through our Be Passionate and Prosper Facebook page here or our Instagram page here. We also highly recommend you reach out to people like Ryan who can support you in staying positive as you make big changes in your life. You can find out more about booking a call with Ryan by clicking here or following him on Facebook or Instagram!

Cheering you on!

Mandy and Kyle Gatlin
Be Passionate and Prosper Coaching