Chelsea Quint by the Numbers: My Business Income Over the Years
/The other day, I saw a coaching industry peer post about her first official year in business, and how she’d generated $40,000.
It was a celebratory post - and one pointing out that not everyone makes $100k+ in year one.
My response, was this…
“Dude... YES!
And let’s expand this... MOST people don’t make six figures their first year in business.
And, of the people who do, many of them had a following before, had other businesses before, had pre-existing entrepreneurial skillsets and or audiences before starting.
Is it possible? Of course!
And, the idea that not making $100k+ in your first year means you aren’t enough is nonsense.
You are an absolute goddess.”
Because it’s true - she’s amazing. And YO!
making $100,000 in revenue is not the only measure of success.
Making $100,000 in year one is abnormal. Don’t let the industry fool you.
This post got me thinking about something I’ve done in the past - for my own personal growth practice.
Looking at year over year growth, where my money came from, and how long things took.
And in an effort to always bring more realness and transparency to what is often a BS filled industry, I'm sharing my numbers with you.
A few notes:
I didn’t keep great records my first couple years of business. Do better than I did, fellow entrepreneurs. This is based on money in from my primary payment processors - Stripe and PayPal. I get more detailed about where money came from as the years go on - because I remember better.
These numbers are CASH IN, not sales.
These are numbers strictly from my coaching business, not other freelance gigs.
2016
The year I unofficially began! I started my health coach training program, started my IG account, built my website between May and December.
Income: $1,329.41
Where it came from: As I recall, I did some single sessions, a membership, and a low cost health coaching challenge with some digital content to create this income.
2017
The first full, official year of my business - and also the year that my personal life crashed and burned. 2017 was the year my dad committed suicide, my husband had an affair, and everything crumbled. It was also a year of lots of investments, learning, training (both academic, mentorship and school of life training), and growth.
Also note, this year I did a lot of freelance work outside of my coaching business to supplement my income. Aka working another job while your business grows IS NOT SHAMEFUL OR BAD. It’s responsible and necessary.
Income: $6,252.38
Where it came from: private coaching clients (I charged about $150-$300/month), a monthly membership (which I’ve now converted into a bundle that still exists!) and one digital course-style program.
2018
A year of rebuilding - my marriage, my momentum, my self. Money wise things definitely picked up - more than 4x increase in revenue. And, clearly, things were still slow. 2018 was also a year of a lot of trial and error. Launching programs that no one bought, tweaking, adjusting, trying again. I also did some single sessions, Human Design readings, sold one-off digital programs (mostly low ticket). A year of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what stuck.
Income: $27,991.54
Where it came from: private coaching clients - low ticket, and starting to charge higher ticket prices and take on fewer clients. I created my first big, juicy digital course, playing with group coaching programs, and running affiliate launches.
2019
BOOM! The year I hit my stride. About a 5x increase in income, so far. I applied everything I’d learned thus far, and got good at being consistent, providing value, and selling. I also started having fun and being playful with my business - sharing and growing only in ways that felt fun, and kicking the rest to the curb.
Income: $132,963 (YTD)
Where it came from: again, a lot was from private clients - whether through VIP immersions, long-term coaching packages, or intensive breakthrough sessions. I’m excited to share 2020 income a year from now, when 1:1 clients will be a much smaller piece of my income, as I’m phasing out that option to work with me. The other big chunks came from a few different containers. One, group coaching programs - Divine Desires, a manifestation and healing program, and the Aligned Abundance Accelerator, my soulful business and sales coaching program. Two, lower ticket digital courses - like Take Your Power Back, a self-healing and empowerment program, and Business Basics Bootcamp, which is what it sounds like. Three, one-off digital programs or sessions like Human Design readings, chakra programs, flash sale sessions, etc. Four, my [un] becoming mastermind and retreat. And last but not least, some affiliate income came in throughout the year.
Do you see how 2019’s offerings feel clearer, more solid, more intentional and less reactive? Something to make note of.
We’re projected to close 2019 between $150,000 - $160,000 cash in - and I plan to keep updating this post.
Here’s what I hope you’ll take away from this:
Things can change so quickly. I went from less than $30,000 to more than $130,000 in one year. and , the $130,000 year I actually worked less, and business felt easier. Stop giving up on yourself before you’ve even started.
The only way to fail is to give up. No matter what happens in year one, you can grow from there.
Life will always be happening. There will always be a reason not to start, a reason why the time isn’t right. So… start. Now. Today.
Now, I’d love to hear from you - what’s your biggest takeaway? Is there more you want to know? Was this helpful?
Reach out to me and let me know.