Breaking the Cycle: How I Transformed My Financial Chaos into a Coaching Empire
My bank account had $4.17. My rent was due in three days.
I remember staring at the screen, numb, wondering if I should just pack up and move back in with my parents.
I had a decent job, a college degree, and a spreadsheet for everything. But no matter how hard I worked, I couldn’t seem to get ahead.
What I didn’t realize then was that my crisis would become the catalyst for something extraordinary.
Financial Confusion Was My Normal
Growing up, we didn’t talk about money. Bills were paid late. Payday loans came before groceries. My parents did their best, but I inherited fear and confusion instead of financial literacy.
In college, I got my first credit card and maxed it out in a month. By the time I graduated, I had $63,000 in student loans, four credit cards, and a sinking sense of shame.
Even when I earned a good salary, it felt like my money disappeared. I didn’t understand compound interest, tax brackets, or budgeting methods. I just paid bills as they came and crossed my fingers that I’d make it to the next paycheck.
But I also had a fire in me. I knew there had to be a better way.
The Turning Point: Rock Bottom with a Spreadsheet
The day I had only $4.17 left, I made a decision. I wasn’t going to be another cautionary tale.
I spent the night crying and journaling, then opened Excel and started building a simple budget. I tracked every expense for the past 60 days. I canceled subscriptions, stopped eating out, and sold items online.
I started reading. Budgeting. Tracking every penny. I set up savings goals, called my loan servicers, and started side hustling—freelance writing, tutoring, even pet-sitting.
I read books like Your Money or Your Life and I Will Teach You to Be Rich. I followed financial educators on social media and attended free webinars.
I paid off my first credit card. Then another. Then I refinanced my student loans.
And as my confidence grew, something unexpected happened: people started asking me for help.
Building a Financial Coaching Brand
At first, I coached friends for free. I helped them set budgets, reduce debt, and start investing. The joy I felt watching them transform was unlike anything I’d felt before.
So I took a risk—I started my own financial coaching business.
I called it ClearView Finance, because that’s what I wanted to give people: clarity, confidence, and control over their money.
I created:
- One-on-one coaching packages
- A signature “Debt-Free Roadmap” course
- Weekly budgeting workshops via Zoom
- A YouTube channel that grew to 20K subscribers in a year
- An email newsletter that now has over 15,000 subscribers
- Free budgeting templates that were downloaded over 10,000 times in the first six months
- A podcast called Money Made Simple where I shared real stories and practical strategies
The Business Side of Finance Coaching
Running a business meant learning a whole new skill set. Marketing, taxes, content creation—but most importantly, legal structure.
When I registered my LLC, I quickly realized how critical it was to stay compliant. I didn’t want to miss a renewal or be unprotected in a lawsuit.
That’s when I found a reliable registered agent service. They handled the legal notices and filings while I focused on growing my client base. Knowing my business was legally sound gave me the freedom to dream bigger.
I also worked with an accountant to set up bookkeeping software and quarterly tax payments. I studied content strategy, built a website, and learned how to launch products online.
In my second year, I launched my flagship course, “From Panic to Prosperity,” which became a game changer.
I also created a community: The ClearView Collective. It’s a membership group where people support each other, attend live Q&As, and share financial wins. Building this community was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done.
A Day in the Life: What Running ClearView Finance Looks Like
Running a business solo is intense. A typical day for me now includes:
- Morning mindset journaling and financial review
- Coaching calls with clients across different time zones
- Creating content for YouTube and Instagram
- Responding to emails and managing customer inquiries
- Planning new offers and collaborations
- Hosting a weekly team meeting with my virtual assistant and graphic designer
- Updating my website and backend systems
- Checking in with my registered agent service portal for compliance tasks
It’s a blend of strategy, heart, and a lot of coffee.
Key Milestones and Growth
Here’s a snapshot of ClearView Finance’s evolution:
| Year | Revenue | Clients Served | Signature Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $29,500 | 47 | 4-week Budget Bootcamp |
| 2 | $92,000 | 138 | One-on-One Coaching Program |
| 3 | $168,000 | 215 | Group Coaching and Online Courses |
I also began offering:
- Monthly group coaching calls
- Guest expert interviews
- In-person budgeting workshops in local libraries
- A “Finance for Freelancers” workbook that sold over 3,000 copies
- An affiliate program to help spread the word
What I’ve Learned on the Journey
- You don’t have to be perfect to help others. You just need to be honest and a few steps ahead.
- Financial shame thrives in silence. Talking about money is how we take back power.
- Structure creates safety. A solid legal and financial foundation is what allows businesses to scale.
- Support systems matter. From mentors to tools like a registered agent service, don’t try to go it alone.
- Your story is your superpower. The more I shared my journey, the more people trusted me.
- Time is more valuable than money. I now prioritize systems that save me hours each week.
Serving Clients with Integrity
My mission isn’t just to help people build budgets. It’s to help them heal their relationship with money.
I’ve worked with newly divorced women, recent graduates, single moms, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The common thread? They all felt stuck—and left with a plan.
My proudest moments are the messages from clients who say:
- “I paid off $14,000 of debt thanks to you.”
- “For the first time in my life, I feel in control.”
- “I just opened my first investment account—something I never thought I’d do.”
I’ve also been invited to speak at community centers, high schools, and small business summits. It feels surreal to now be seen as an expert in the space where I once felt completely lost.
The Mission Continues
Today, my life looks completely different. I help clients all over the country escape debt, build wealth, and rewrite their money stories.
And it all started with $4.17 in the bank and a promise to myself: This ends with me.
If you’re building something from scratch, don’t overlook the backbone. Protect your business and dreams with a reliable registered agent service. Your future self will thank you.
You can break the cycle. I did.
And now, I get to help others do it too.