How do you start a life coach business in 2027?

Life coaching in 2027 is oversaturated and trust-eroded — Instagram is full of self-declared coaches, the BetterHelp/Talkspace world has blurred the therapy/coaching line, and AI companions (Replika, Pi, ChatGPT) handle low-stakes "what should I do" questions for free. Profitable lanes: high-ticket niche coaching (divorce recovery, ADHD adults, sober curious, midlife career pivot) where buyers want a human and a specific lived-experience match. Honest 5/10.

Startup costs. ICF ACC cert $3k-$8k (100 logged hours). Insurance $300-$600/yr. LLC $100-$400. Booking + payments $50-$150/mo. Website + funnel tools (Kajabi, Kit, Stan Store) $50-$200/mo. Brand photography $300-$1.5k. Optional NLP/IFS/Enneagram trainings $500-$5k each.

Credentials. Legally none, ethically ICF or equivalent. Disclaim coaching is not therapy in writing. Niche-specific cert (Gottman, Recovery Coach Academy, ADHD coach training) lets you charge premium and refer out clinical cases safely.

Customer acquisition. IG and TikTok dominate (relatable content, transformation stories, talking-head reels). Podcast guesting, Substack/newsletter building. Pinterest still works for women 30-55. Affiliate referrals from therapists who don't take clients pre-coaching. Group programs convert from email list at 1-3%.

Revenue model. 1:1 packages $1.5k-$8k for 3 months. Group programs $400-$2k. Retreats $1.5k-$6k/seat. Memberships $30-$100/mo.

Year-1. 5-15 1:1 clients + small group, $25k-$80k gross. Most life coaches plateau under $60k without serious marketing investment.