The Story of Sarah: From Doubt to Breakthrough
- Anna Chin
- Mar 21
- 3 min read

Sarah always had high expectations for herself. As a dedicated nurse and a resilient single mother, she embodied the spirit of an overachiever, consistently pushing her limits and holding herself to rigorous standards. Driven by a profound sense of purpose, Sarah saw her life experiences not just as challenges but as opportunities to forge a path that could inspire and support others—especially single mothers struggling with self-belief.
Excited about the impact she could make, Sarah decided to transition from nursing to therapy. She envisioned using her experiences to help other single mothers build resilience and confidence. To prepare herself, she earned multiple certifications, attended workshops, and consumed books on psychology and counseling, fueling her passion with knowledge because she wanted to be thoroughly prepared and responsible in her new role.
Despite her extensive preparation and the glowing feedback from those she helped for free, Sarah hit a stumbling block: she hadn’t secured a single paying client. Her high standards became a double-edged sword; she felt perpetually unready to charge for her services, believing she lacked the necessary experience to justify it. The fear of not living up to her own expectations made her reluctant to ask for payment, leading her into a cycle of perpetual preparation. She enrolled in marketing and sales courses, believing that just one more class would make the difference.
The turning point came when Sarah decided to hire a coach—a decision that would dramatically shift her perspective and approach. Coaching helped Sarah cut through the noise of constant preparation and focus on actionable steps that aligned with her goals. Through coaching, Sarah learned to value the process of continuous learning but not at the expense of taking action. She recognized that her unique experiences already equipped her with valuable insights that were marketable and desperately needed by her target audience.
Coaching helped her understand a crucial lesson: there is a market for everyone, but no one can serve everyone. Sarah began to see that she didn't need universal approval to be successful; she just needed to connect authentically with those who needed her most. With this newfound clarity, Sarah started to position herself confidently in the market, specifying that her services were specially designed for single mothers seeking to enhance their self-belief and personal strength.
Sarah understood to have a business, she needed to "start anywhere because anywhere is better than nowhere." She began by offering introductory sessions that clearly demonstrated her unique approach and the transformative potential of her therapy. Gradually, word of mouth spread as her initial clients experienced significant personal growth and shared their stories with others.
Today, Sarah’s practice thrives with a waiting list of clients. The demand for her services grew not from a flawless marketing strategy or an exhaustive list of certifications, but from her genuine understanding and articulation of her value to a specific group who truly benefitted from her expertise. Sarah’s journey underscores that building a successful business is a highly personal endeavor. It’s not a one-size-fits-all process; it requires making timely adjustments as the market responds and understanding your unique value.
Having a coach proved invaluable for Sarah—it can be the same for you. A coach acts as an ally, focusing your efforts on what truly matters and helping you develop a system tailored to your specific needs. This partnership offers not just timely consulting and problem-solving but also enhances vital skills such as communication, sales, training, strategy, and positioning. If you're on the brink of starting or scaling your own venture, consider the transformative potential of one-on-one coaching. It’s about placing concentrated effort in the right areas, ensuring that your business not only starts on the right foot but also adapts and grows in a way that aligns with your vision and the needs of your market.