How I changed my career and became a professional coach

Pauliina Hallama
Jun 3
4 min read

Updated: Aug 16

Many aspiring coaches embark on the International Coaching Certification course with a dream—to become a professional coach in business, life, or agile coaching.

In 2014, I was one of them. At the time, I was deeply entrenched in the corporate IT sector, but something inside me longed for change. That longing set me on a path of personal transformation, mentorship and seeking the freedom that entrepreneurship could offer, ultimately leading me to build a successful coaching business that empowers others to create clarity, confidence, and fulfillment in their lives.

If you’re considering a career change or building your coaching business, my journey can serve as proof that it’s possible. Many have walked this path before and created thriving businesses, and you can too.

The moment I knew coaching was my calling

My journey into coaching began with a single realisation. I attended an introductory workshop, not knowing what to expect, and was struck by the power of coaching in facilitating self-discovery and transformation. I left the session inspired,excited, and most importantly, with absolute clarity—coaching was the work I wanted to do.

The certification course itself was intense, practical, and eye-opening. I appreciated the supportive atmosphere, the deep learning, and the realization that coaching is both an art and a skill. By the end, I wasn’t just excited; I was determined to make this my career.

From certification to real-world coaching

Right after the course, I took on two practice clients. Interestingly, both ended up making significant career transitions in 6 weeks! A sign that I was on the right path. However, while I was confident in coaching, I quickly realized I lacked the knowledge of how to create clients and run a business.

My first real breakthrough came when I followed my intuition and pitched me and my business partner to a nationwide coaching project in Finland. We developed the coaching concept them and worked with their clients. This experience gave me hands-on practice and helped me develop my coaching approach and also see how much I enjoy group coaching.

Moving to New York & starting a coaching business

In 2015, I moved to New York. That year was a whirlwind—I got married, attended a writing course in Bali, and took the leap into full-time coaching. New York and the USA had a different coaching culture than Finland, and I had to learn new ways to build a business and get the courage to put myself out there!

One of my first clients came from an unexpected place—my tennis practice! I quickly realised that opportunities to coach were everywhere; I just needed to put myself out there and be ready to connect and invite them in. I invested in business courses, joined networking events, and continuously educated myself. My coaching has always been deep and transformational naturally, and the passion to help my clients thoroughly and faster led me to hypnotherapy, and I brought it to my coaching practice as a tool, to deepen my transformational work with clients.

Investing in growth & overcoming challenges

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Invest in your own growth. Surround yourself with people who support you.

When I started my business I also realised I need help, and started working with mentors, teachers, healers and coaches. I strongly believe that you can only guide clients as far as you’ve gone yourself- but that’s enough. I realised I’m the worst enemy of my success and growth and therefore committed to doing the inner work—overcoming fears, shifting limiting beliefs, blocks and strengthening my own mindset and self-belief.

If you’re just starting out, clarity is key. Ask yourself:

Why do you want to coach?
Who do you want to help?
What unique experiences and strengths do you bring?

For me, stress management, mindfulness, and self-connection were pivotal in my own growth, so I used those as a foundation to help others, then later it was obvious that my career in the corporate business world was my foundation to understanding my clientele. I work with entrepreneurs and creative visionary leaders, as well as start-up founders.

Building a business & finding clients

A common mistake new coaches make is focusing too much on marketing before honing their craft. I tell my clients: before worrying about social media, focus on coaching real people. Serve those who need your help, coach and practice relentlessly, and build confidence in your abilities.

Of course, comparison is another hurdle. It’s easy to look at other coaches and feel behind, but remember: everyone starts somewhere. Instead of getting caught up in what others are doing, take one step at a time toward your goals. Your journey is unique.

Evolution as a coach & starting anew in different countries

One of the most profound aspects of my journey has been the continual evolution—not just as a coach but as a person. Moving to different countries, from Finland to New York, to Germany and later to Mallorca, Spain required me to reinvent myself repeatedly. Each move, and parenthood brought joy but also challenges: adapting to new cultures, rebuilding my business, and learning new ways of connecting and creating clients. But it also reinforced a key truth—coaching is about growth, transformation, and resilience.

Just as we guide our clients through change, we, as coaches, also evolve. We shift, expand, and redefine our paths based on what we learn along the way. My coaching practice today looks different from when I started. It has deepened, refined, and aligned even more with my values and strengths.

If you are a coach or aspiring to be one, know that your journey will be dynamic. The skills you develop, the experiences you gather, and the lessons you learn will shape you—not just as a professional, but as a person. Be open to reinvention, trust in your ability to adapt, and embrace the evolving nature of your work.

Final words of encouragement

If you feel a calling to coaching, trust that tiny light within you that says, this is possible. The path isn’t always linear, but with persistence, passion, and the right support and community, you can build a business and a life that aligns with who you truly are.

Thank you for letting me share my story. If you’re looking for support in building your coaching business or navigating your own transformation, you can connect with me at jenni@jenniglad.com and feel free to connect with me on socials at Linkedin or Instagram.