In this episode of Career Coaching Secrets, host Pedro sits down with Tony Smith, a management professional, U.S. Air Force veteran, and career transition coach, to unpack what it really takes to build a coaching business rooted in adaptability, resilience, and real-world impact.
Tony shares his powerful origin story, from growing up in a working-class family and navigating multiple career disruptions, to returning to school at 47 to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. He explains how being coached himself became the tipping point that transformed his career and led him into coaching full-time.
The conversation explores how Tony works with clients facing career disruptions, intentional career changes, and retirement transitions. He breaks down his client-centered approach to coaching, combining one-on-one sessions, group work, workshops, and synchronous materials that clients can use between sessions to maintain momentum and track progress.
They also dive into pricing, data-informed decision-making, testing offers, avoiding “shiny object syndrome,” and why competing with yourself, not other coaches, is key to sustainable growth. Tony shares his long-term vision for expanding services, increasing impact, and building a coaching business that aligns with real life, not burnout.
Connect with
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-tony-smith/
Website: https://tonysmith-coaching.com/
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/@CareerCoachingSecrets
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