Coaching Business for Military Spouses: Building a Remote Practice
Launch a coaching business as a military spouse. Life coaching, career coaching, wellness coaching certifications, finding clients, and building location-independent income.
Coaching Business for Military Spouses: Building a Remote Practice
Bottom Line Up Front
Coaching offers military spouses $50,000-$200,000+ annual income helping others achieve goals—all through virtual sessions from any location. You can become certified in 3-6 months for $2,000-$10,000, with some options under the MyCAA $4,000 cap. Coaching is 100% remote, clients pay $100-$500+ per session, and your military spouse experience provides unique perspective that clients value. The market is growing, and specialized niches offer less competition.
The Military Spouse Career Challenge
Coaching aligns perfectly with military spouse life:
Why Coaching Works:
- 100% virtual (Zoom, phone)
- No state licensure required
- Flexible scheduling
- Location-independent
- Build genuine relationships (they transfer across moves)
- Your life experience is relevant
Your Unique Advantage: Military spouses understand transition, resilience, adaptation, stress management, and building community from scratch. These are exactly the challenges coaching clients face. Your lived experience is credibility.
Types of Coaching
Life Coaching
- Help clients achieve personal goals
- Clarity, motivation, accountability
- Broad client base
- Often combined with specialty
- Rates: $100-$300/session
Career/Executive Coaching
- Job transitions, leadership development
- Corporate clients often pay premium
- Certification helps credibility
- High-value niche
- Rates: $150-$500/session
Health and Wellness Coaching
- Nutrition, fitness, lifestyle habits
- Growing health consciousness
- Can combine with fitness credentials
- Rates: $75-$200/session
Business Coaching
- Help entrepreneurs grow businesses
- Strategic advice and accountability
- Experience matters more than certification
- Rates: $150-$500/session
Relationship/Family Coaching
- Couples, parenting, family dynamics
- Distinct from therapy (not mental health treatment)
- Military family specialty possible
- Rates: $100-$300/session
Specialty Coaching (Military-Adjacent)
Niches Where Military Spouse Experience Shines:
- Military spouse career coaching
- Military transition coaching (for service members)
- Deployment resilience coaching
- PCS adjustment coaching
- Military family life coaching
- Remote work/work-from-home coaching
Certification Options
ICF-Accredited Programs (Gold Standard)
International Coach Federation Paths:
- ACC (Associate) - 60+ hours training + 100 hours coaching
- PCC (Professional) - 125+ hours training + 500 hours coaching
- MCC (Master) - 200+ hours training + 2,500 hours coaching
ICF-Accredited Programs:
| Program | Cost | Format | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPEC | $12,000-$15,000 | Virtual | 6-9 months |
| Coach Training Institute (CTI) | $12,000-$16,000 | Virtual/hybrid | 6-12 months |
| Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching | $13,000 | Virtual | 6-8 months |
| Life Coach Training Institute | $4,500-$7,500 | Virtual | 4-6 months |
| Coach U | $9,000-$12,000 | Virtual | 6-12 months |
Budget-Friendly Options (Under $4,000 for MyCAA)
Affordable Certifications:
| Program | Cost | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Coach Institute | $3,500-$6,000 | Online | ICF-accredited |
| Transformation Academy | $500-$1,500 | Online | Multiple specialties |
| Life Purpose Institute | $3,000-$4,000 | Online | Affordable ICF path |
| IECL | ~$2,500 | Online | Budget-friendly |
| Udemy/Coursera | $50-$500 | Online | Not ICF, but informative |
Specialty Certifications
Health/Wellness:
- NBHWC (National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching) - ~$600 exam
- Precision Nutrition - ~$1,500
- ACE Health Coach - ~$800
Career:
- CPCC (Certified Professional Career Coach) - Various programs
- Gallup Strengths Coach - ~$3,500
Executive:
- Center for Creative Leadership - Varies
- BetterUp Coaching Certification - Internal
Certification Reality Check
Do You Need Certification?
- Not legally required (coaching is unregulated)
- Helps credibility and confidence
- ICF credential matters for corporate clients
- Less important for personal clients
- Experience matters more over time
Recommendation: Start with affordable certification if budget-constrained. ICF credential valuable for career advancement but not required to start earning.
Building Your Coaching Business
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)
Get Trained:
- Complete certification program (or self-study)
- Practice coaching skills with friends/volunteers
- Define your coaching approach
- Identify your niche
Define Your Niche:
- Who do you want to coach? (Demographics, challenges)
- What problems do you solve?
- What transformation do you provide?
- Why are you qualified?
Example Niches:
- "I help military spouses find remote careers they love"
- "I coach working moms to reduce overwhelm and increase energy"
- "I help new entrepreneurs launch their first business"
- "I support people navigating major life transitions"
Business Foundation:
- Business entity (sole proprietor or LLC)
- Coaching contract template
- Session scheduling system (Calendly)
- Video platform (Zoom, Google Meet)
- Payment processing (Stripe, PayPal)
Phase 2: Finding Clients (Months 3-6)
Start with Your Network:
- Offer free/discounted discovery sessions
- Coach friends and family (build confidence)
- Ask for testimonials and referrals
- Share your new venture widely
Content Marketing:
- Start sharing insights on LinkedIn
- Create valuable content (articles, tips, videos)
- Build email list
- Demonstrate expertise through content
Outreach:
- Direct messages to ideal clients
- Speaking opportunities (virtual and local)
- Podcast appearances
- Guest blogging
Phase 3: Growth (Months 6-12+)
Package Your Services:
- Individual sessions
- Multi-session packages (12 weeks, 6 months)
- Group coaching programs
- VIP intensive days
Raise Your Rates:
- Increase prices as you gain experience
- Premium packages for committed clients
- Corporate contracts for higher rates
Scale Your Impact:
- Group coaching (coach multiple clients at once)
- Online courses (leverage your expertise)
- Retreats or workshops (eventually)
Pricing Your Coaching
Session Rates by Experience
| Experience Level | Per Session | Package (12 sessions) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Out | $75-$150 | $750-$1,500 |
| Established (1-2 years) | $150-$250 | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Experienced (3+ years) | $250-$400 | $2,500-$4,000 |
| Expert/Niche Authority | $400-$1,000+ | $5,000-$10,000+ |
Package Pricing Strategy
Why Packages Work:
- Transformation takes time
- Commitment improves results
- Predictable income for you
- Better outcomes (clients stay engaged)
Typical Packages:
- 3 sessions: Testing the relationship
- 6 sessions: Short-term project/goal
- 12 sessions (3 months): Standard transformation
- 24 sessions (6 months): Deep change work
Pricing Psychology
Don't Undercharge:
- Clients value what they pay for
- Low prices attract uncommitted clients
- Your time and expertise have value
- Raise rates, not hours worked
Value-Based Framing:
- What is the outcome worth to them?
- What are they losing without change?
- Position as investment, not expense
Marketing Your Coaching Business
Content Strategy
Platforms:
- LinkedIn (professional audience)
- Instagram (personal brands)
- YouTube (longer-form content)
- Podcast (yours or guest appearances)
- Email newsletter
Content Types:
- Tips and insights (quick value)
- Stories and examples (connection)
- Case studies (social proof)
- Behind-the-scenes (authenticity)
- Live Q&A sessions (engagement)
Finding Clients
Warm Outreach:
- Direct messages to connections
- Email to past colleagues
- Referrals from current clients
- Speaking to groups you're part of
Cold Outreach:
- LinkedIn connection + value message
- Podcast pitch (guest appearances)
- Guest articles for relevant publications
- Speaking opportunities
Inbound Marketing:
- SEO-optimized website
- Consistent social media content
- Email nurture sequences
- Free resources (lead magnets)
Military Spouse Market Advantage
Target Military Spouses:
- Authentic understanding of challenges
- Credibility within community
- Less competition than general coaching
- Strong word-of-mouth networks
Target Service Members:
- Transition coaching (your spouse's experience is relevant)
- Leadership coaching
- Career pivoting support
PCS-Proofing Your Coaching Practice
Coaching is Already Portable
Remote by Design:
- Sessions conducted via Zoom
- Clients anywhere in the world
- Calendar and scheduling online
- No physical office needed
PCS Reality:
- Notify clients of move timeline
- May adjust session times briefly
- Resume normal schedule within days
- Zero client disruption long-term
OCONUS Coaching
Works Perfectly:
- Virtual sessions transcend location
- Time zones require planning
- US-based clients continue seamlessly
- May even expand to international clients
Time Zone Considerations:
- Europe: Early morning US = evening Europe
- Asia: Evening US = morning Asia
- Build schedule around client time zones
- Some prefer asynchronous support (Voxer, email)
Resources for Military Spouse Coaches
Training and Certification
ICF:
- International Coach Federation: coachfederation.org
- Find accredited programs: coachfederation.org/find-a-training-program
Affordable Options:
- Transformation Academy: transformationacademy.com
- Health Coach Institute: healthcoachinstitute.com
- Coach Training Alliance: coachtrainingalliance.com
Business Tools
Scheduling:
- Calendly: calendly.com
- Acuity: acuityscheduling.com
Video:
- Zoom: zoom.us
- Google Meet: meet.google.com
Practice Management:
- Practice Better: practicebetter.io
- Paperbell: paperbell.com
- Satori: satoriapp.com
Military Spouse Networks
Communities:
- Military spouse coaching groups (Facebook)
- ICF local chapters
- LinkedIn military spouse professional groups
Support:
- Military OneSource career counseling
- SCORE mentorship
- SBA veteran/spouse resources
Success Stories
Jessica, Navy Spouse - Military Spouse Career Coach "I was the spouse everyone asked for job search advice. After three PCS cycles of rebuilding my own career, I knew the struggles intimately. I got my ICF certification, niched down to military spouse career coaching, and now I coach spouses worldwide on finding portable careers. I charge $250/session and have a waitlist. When we PCS'd to Japan, zero clients even noticed—we just adjusted session times by a few hours."
David, Army Spouse - Executive Transition Coach "My background was corporate leadership. When my wife joined the Army, my career cratered. Coaching was my way back. I now coach service members and spouses transitioning out of military life. The corporate world pays premium rates—$400/session. I work 15-20 hours a week making more than I did in corporate."
Aisha, Marine Corps Spouse - Wellness Coach "I got my health coaching certification through MyCAA. Started coaching military spouses on stress management and self-care during deployments. My clients are all military—they find me through spouse groups and word of mouth. I do group coaching programs for $500/person, six-week program. Twenty people per cohort = $10,000 per program. I run four per year."
Common Obstacles and Solutions
"I don't have credentials"
Solution: Coaching doesn't require licensure. Start with an affordable certification to build confidence and skills. Experience and results matter more than credentials over time.
"Who would pay me for advice?"
Reality: People pay for accountability, support, and structured help—not just advice. Coaching is about asking questions and guiding clients, not lecturing. Your life experience makes you relatable.
"The market is too saturated"
Solution: General life coaching is crowded. Niches are not. Military spouse coaching, career transition coaching, deployment resilience coaching—these have less competition and better targeting.
"I don't know how to find clients"
Solution: Start with your network. Offer discovery calls. Create content that demonstrates your expertise. Most coaches build clientele through relationships, not ads.
"What if a client needs therapy, not coaching?"
Solution: Know the difference and refer out when needed. Coaching is about goals and forward movement; therapy addresses clinical mental health issues. Build relationships with therapists for referrals.
90-Day Action Plan
Days 1-30: Foundation
- Week 1: Research certifications, choose program, enroll
- Week 2: Define your niche and ideal client
- Week 3: Set up business basics (entity, contracts, tools)
- Week 4: Begin certification training
Days 31-60: Skill Building
- Week 5-6: Continue training, practice coaching with volunteers
- Week 7-8: Create website and social media presence, start content
Days 61-90: Launch
- Week 9-10: Offer discovery calls to network, book first clients
- Week 11-12: Deliver coaching sessions, collect testimonials, refine approach
Realistic Targets:
- End of Month 1: Enrolled in training, foundation set
- End of Month 2: Active practice with volunteers, content started
- End of Month 3: 1-3 paying clients
- End of Year 1: 10-20 regular clients, $50,000+ revenue
Resources
Certification:
- ICF: coachfederation.org
- NBHWC: nbhwc.org
- Find programs: coachfederation.org/find-a-training-program
Business Tools:
- Calendly: calendly.com
- Zoom: zoom.us
- Paperbell: paperbell.com
Learning:
- The Life Coach School Podcast
- Master Coach Podcast
- Books: "Co-Active Coaching," "Becoming a Professional Life Coach"
Communities:
- ICF chapters: coachfederation.org/chapters
- Coach Foundation: coachfoundation.com
- Facebook coaching groups
This Website:
- Consulting and Coaching Guide
- Professional Services Resources
- militarytransitiontoolkit.com
Coaching transforms your life experience into a career helping others. Your understanding of transition, resilience, and reinvention—learned through military spouse life—is exactly what clients need. Build a practice that travels with you and makes a difference with every session.