Running a Business in Heels

A flexible business that can fit around your family

Juliette Ryley is 39 and lives with her family in Warwickshire. Family has always been very important to Juliette and she went straight into the family business from school.

She explains: “I had my first child at 19 years old, but continued to work and completed a business degree through the Open University. When I inherited my father’s print business, it was with the help of a mentor that I brought it into the 21st century.

“My mentor, Guy, had been my father’s accountant and when the business was sold in 2014, he encouraged me to become a business coach.”

The first steps

“There were three things that stood out for me when deciding to join ActionCOACH,” Juliette adds. “Firstly, the UK support team and their calendar of over 70 days of support is world class, plus the help that’s forthcoming from over 180 franchise partners in the UK made me feel extremely comfortable in my decision.

“Secondly, ActionCOACH’s system is outstanding, with over 3,500 strategies and tactics, guaranteed to make businesses successful, including your own.

“Finally, the earning potential, with some franchise partners banking over £1 million a year - even if I grow to a quarter of that, I’ll be happy.”

Getting off on the right foot

Juliette launched her ActionCOACH business in January 2016 with a first-year goal of having six clients on one-to-one coaching, working just three days a week.

“It was hard at first - like starting any business, you need to find your feet and work hard,” she says. “It does pay off though and, if you follow the system and take up all the help and support, it becomes very lucrative.

“I was soon on my way to reaching my year-two goal of generating enough income to put both my youngest children through private education.”

Hot on the heels of success

Reaching her financial goals each year was something to celebrate for Juliette, but she wasn’t prepared for the amazing feeling of seeing her clients win every week.

“It’s by far the best thing about being an Action Coach,” Juliette says. “All my clients are successful and I believe success can be measured in all levels.

“For instance, when I met Jo from Willowbrook Nurseries, she was running around like a woman possessed. She had money problems, staff issues and was working round the clock.

“In the past two years, Jo has transformed her businesses into a profitable company where she only needs to spend four days a week and, in her own words, has a dream team.

“Running a business in heels is always going to have its challenges. The business world is very male oriented and many industries are competitive. I think many women don’t reach their full potential due to interference - whether that be by corporate challenges or home-life expectations.

“Joining ActionCOACH is the best thing I have ever done. It’s a fantastic community who help each other continuously and I have made lifelong friendships with coaches and clients.”