How Do I Start a Successful Coaching Business? I'm really interested in starting a success coaching business. I'm really good at giving advice to my friends--and their friends, family, etc. What do I need to know in terms of marketing? And will people take me seriously, since I'm so young?

For starters, one of the things you can do is be a peer mentoror work for a Boys & Girls Club where students give advice andact as role models for younger students. Visit their Web site atwww.bgca.org tofind a local club and get more information. You can also join theGirl Scouts or Boy Scouts and become a counselor. These would begood ways to hone your skills and prepare yourself for businessownership.

You should find a mentor, someone who is already a successcoach, who can guide you through the process of starting this typeof business. A good mentor is invaluable in learning the skillsneeded not only for, say, success coaching, but also for successfulbusiness ownership--namely, the ins and outs of marketing, sales,pricing, image (as you've indicated, you don't want yourage to be a deterrent to potential clients), accounting and soon.

Finally, there are coach training programs available--Coach U isone of the more well-known programs. Their Web site tells you allabout their programs and can also help you find a coach (if youjust want to talk to a few coaches before you jump in and start abusiness). Coach U even has teleclasses available where you can"attend class" over the phone.