Scale Smart Leaders: How B2B Coaches Can Build a Six-Figure Practice Without Burning Out
The coaching industry has a dirty little secret: most talented B2B coaches are one bad month away from burnout.
You started your coaching journey with a vision—to transform businesses, empower leaders, and create lasting impact. But somewhere along the way, that vision got buried under endless to-do lists, inconsistent revenue, and the exhausting hamster wheel of client acquisition.
Sound familiar?
At Scale Smart Leaders, we've seen this pattern play out hundreds of times. Brilliant coaches with decades of experience, struggling to break through the six-figure barrier not because they lack skill, but because they're playing a game that's rigged against them.
But here's the good news: there's a better way. And it doesn't require you to work 60-hour weeks, become a social media influencer, or sacrifice your personal life on the altar of business growth.
Let me show you exactly how Scale Smart Leaders helps B2B coaches build sustainable six-figure practices while working just 10-15 hours per month.
The Six-Figure Trap Most
The Revenue Roller Coaster
Ask any independent B2B coach about their revenue, and you'll likely hear the same story: some months are incredible, bringing in $15K or $20K. Other months? Crickets.
This feast-or-famine cycle isn't just stressful—it's unsustainable. You can't plan for the future when you don't know if next month will be a feast or a famine. You can't invest in your business, hire support, or even take a vacation without anxiety creeping in.
The root cause? Most coaches are trading time for money in a one-to-one model. When you're coaching, you're earning. When you're marketing, prospecting, or handling admin work, you're not. It's a zero-sum game that caps your income at whatever hours you can physically work.
The Marketing Treadmill
Here's what a typical week looks like for most B2B coaches trying to scale:
Monday: Create and schedule social media content for the week (3 hours)
Tuesday: Attend networking events and follow up with connections (4 hours)
Wednesday: Write a blog post or newsletter (3 hours)
Thursday: Host a webinar or workshop to attract leads (2 hours prep, 1 hour delivery)
Friday: Sales calls with prospects (3-4 hours)
That's 15-17 hours per week just on marketing and sales activities—before you've even coached a single client.
And the worst part? Most of these activities generate inconsistent results. You might get two leads from a webinar one month and zero the next. A LinkedIn post might go viral, or it might get three likes from your mom and two college friends.
Scale Smart Leaders was built specifically to solve this problem. We recognized that the traditional coaching business model is fundamentally broken for solo practitioners and small teams.
The Scale Smart Leaders Difference: Predictable Revenue, Minimal Time Investment
How We Transformed the Coaching Business Model
Breven Thomas founded Scale Smart Leaders after spending eight years watching talented coaches struggle with the same challenges. He asked a simple question: What if coaches could focus 80% of their time on actual coaching and only 20% on business activities?
That question led to the development of our Corporate Advisory Group System—a proven framework that generates predictable revenue without requiring coaches to become marketing experts.
Here's how it works:
The Group Coaching Advantage
Instead of the traditional one-on-one model where you replacing churned clients, Scale Smart Leaders helps you build a private peer advisory group of 10-18 high-level executives.
Let's do the math:
Traditional Model: 10 one-on-one clients at $2,000/month = $20,000/month revenue, requiring approximately 40 hours of coaching time plus 20+ hours of marketing and admin.
Scale Smart Leaders Model: One advisory group of 12 executives at $2,000/month each = $24,000/month revenue, requiring just 10-15 hours total per month.
Same revenue (or more), 75% less time investment.
But here's what makes this truly powerful: these clients stay longer. The average tenure in a peer advisory group is 3-5 years compared to 6-12 months for traditional one-on-one coaching. That means predictable, recurring revenue you can actually count on.
What Makes Our System Different From Other Group Coaching Programs
You might be thinking, "I've tried group coaching before, and it didn't work." Or maybe, "I've looked into peer advisory groups, but I don't know how to fill them
Here's where Scale Smart Leaders stands apart from every other solution in the market:
1. We Fill Your Group For You
Most group coaching programs teach you how to fill a group. They, scripts, and strategies—then send you off to do all the work yourself.
Scale Smart Leaders actually does the work.
We assign you a dedicated Fractional CMO and Sales Advisor who handle:
Identifying and targeting qualified CEOs, VPs, and executives in your niche
Crafting messaging that resonates with your ideal members
Managing outreach campaigns across initial qualification calls
Nurturing prospects until they're ready to join
You don't write a single cold email. You don't spend hours on LinkedIn trying to connect with strangers. You don't host free webinars hoping someone will convert.
Your job is simple: show up for final conversations with pre-qualified, interested executives who already understand the value of peer advisory groups.
2. We Provide The Proven Framework
Starting a peer advisory group from scratch is intimidating. What should the meetings look like? How do you facilitate productive discussions? What structure keeps members engaged month after month?
Scale Smart Leaders hands you a plug-and-play Corporate Advisory Group framework that's been tested and refined across hundreds of successful groups:
Monthly meeting formats that balance education, peer problem-solving, and accountability
Onboarding sequences that integrate new members seamlessly
Confidentiality agreements and group norms that create psychological safety
Topic planning templates that ensure every meeting delivers massive value
Best practices from top-performing groups in our network
You're not reinventing the wheel. You're implementing a system that already works.
3. We Handle The Operations
One of the biggest time-drains in running a group coaching program is the administrative work:
Scheduling meetings and sending reminders
Managing member communications
Distributing resources and materials
Tracking attendance and engagement
Following up on action items
At Scale Smart Leaders, we assign you a Client Service Advisor who automates and manages these mun advisory group runs like a well-oiled machine without you having to think about the operational details.
This is how we help coaches work just 10-15 hours per month while generating $20K+ in revenue.
Real Success Stories: Coaches Who Escaped the Grind
Todd's Story: From Inconsistent Revenue to $9K in 60 Days
Todd Nuckols had been coaching CEOs and business owners for three years when he partnered with Scale Smart Leaders. He was talented, experienced, and had great testimonials—but his revenue was all over the place.
Some months he'd land two or three high-ticket clients. Other months, he'd spend 30 hours on marketing activities and get zero new business.
Within 60 days of implementing the Scale Smart Leaders system, Todd added three new clients to a monthly retainer program, generating an additional $9,000 in predictable monthly revenue.
But here's what Todd values even more than the money: "I actually have my weekends back. I'm not constantly thinking about where my next client is coming from. I can focus on being an exceptional coach instead of a mediocre marketer."
The CEO Elevation Experience: Doubling Growth Without Referrals or Agencies
One of our partner coaches was running a successful but plateaued coaching consultancy. They were getting decent results from referrals but had hit a ceiling. They'd tried working with a marketing agency, but the leads were low-quality and the cost per acquisition was unsustainable.
After implementing the Scale Smart Leaders Corporate Advisory Group System, they doubled their growth without relying on referrals or paying agency fees.
The secret? A filled advisory group of engaged, committed executives who stay for years, refer other qualified members, and create a stable revenue foundation.
Dr. Liz: $10K Client in 28 Days
Dr. Liz had the credentials, the expertise, and the coaching skills—but she was spending more time on marketing than coaching. She was active on social media, publishing regular content, and networking constantly.
28 days after partnering with Scale Smart Leaders, she landed a $10,000 client without writing a single LinkedIn post or attending a single networking event.
"The Scale Smart Leaders team did all the heavy lifting," Dr. Liz explains. "They found qualified prospects, had the initial conversations, and only brought me in when someone was genuinely interested and ready. It completely changed my business."
The Scale Smart Leaders Method: Your Blueprint to Six Figures
Step 1: Strategic Positioning (Week 1)
Before we start filling your advisory group, we work with you to clarify your positioning:
Who is your ideal member? (Industry, company size, revenue, role)
What unique value do you bring? (Your background, expertise, approach)
What outcomes can members expect? (Specific, measurable results)
This isn't generic "business coaching." We help you develop a sharp, compelling positioning that makes the right executives say, "This is exactly what I need."
Step 2: Infrastructure Setup (Weeks 2-3)
While you're refining your positioning, our team is building the infrastructure:
Setting up your advisory group framework and meeting structure
Creating your onboarding sequence and member materials
Developing your confidentiality agreements and group norms
Implementing automation for scheduling, reminders, and communications
Preparing your Client Service Advisor to support your group
By the time your first member joins, everything is ready to run smoothly.
Step 3: Member Acquisition (Weeks 4-12)
This is where most coaches struggle—and where Scale Smart Leaders truly shines.
Your dedicated Fractional CMO and Sales Advisor launch a targeted acquisition campaign:
Week 4-6: Identify and build a list of 200-300 qualified prospects
Week 7-9: Launch multi-channel outreach (email, LinkedIn, phone)
Week 10-12: Conduct qualification calls and schedule your final conversations
During this phase, you're not doing the marketing. You're simply having conversations with pre-qualified executives who are already interested.
Most coaches add their first 3-5 members within 8-12 weeks. That's $6,000-$10,000 in new monthly recurring revenue in your first quarter.
Step 4: Group Launch and Growth (Month 4+)
Once you have 5-6 committed members, you launch your advisory group. Your first meeting sets the tone:
Establish group norms and expectations
Build trust and psychological safety
Create initial connections between members
Deliver immediate value that justifies the investment
From there, you continue meeting monthly while our team continues filling your group to the optimal size of 10-18 members.
Within 6-9 months, most Scale Smart Leaders coaches have a fully-filled advisory group generating $20,000-$36,000 in monthly recurring revenue.
And remember: you're only month on this program.
Why Group Advisory Coaching Creates Better Outcomes Than One-on-One
The Peer Learning Multiplier
When a CEO joins a peer advisory group, they're not just getting access to you as their coach—they're getting access to 10-15 other brilliant executives facing similar challenges.
The collective wisdom in the room is exponentially more valuable than any single coach could provide.
In our groups, a manufacturing CEO might solve a supply chain problem by hearing how a healthcare CEO tackled a similar issue. A tech founder might get marketing insights from a retail executive who's been there before.
This peer learning creates breakthrough moments that simply don't happen in one-on-one coaching.
Built-In Accountability
One-on-one clients can ghost you, cancel sessions, or simply not implement what you recommend. There's no social pressure to follow through.
In an advisory group, there's healthy peer accountability. When a member commits to an action in front of 12 respected peers, they're far more likely to actually do it.
This means better client outcomes, which leads to longer retention, more referrals, and a stronger reputation in your market.
Higher Perceived Value
Here's a counterintuitive truth: executives will often pay more for group advisory memberships than for one-on-one coaching.
Why? Because they recognize the value of the peer network, the diverse perspectives, and the accountability structure.
A CEO paying $2,000/month for one-on-one coaching might feel like they're overpaying if they only meet with you twice a month.
That same CEO paying $2,000/month for a peer advisory group gets:
Monthly group meetings with 10-15 peers
Access to you as the facilitator and coach
A network of executives they can call for advice
Accountability and support between meetings
The perceived value is dramatically higher, which means better retention and easier sales conversations.
Breaking Down the Economics: How to Hit Six Figures with Scale Smart Leaders
Let's get specific about the numbers because this is where the Scale Smart Leaders model becomes truly compelling.
Traditional One-on-One Coaching Model
10 clients at $2,000/month = $20,000/month
Time investment: 40 hours coaching + 20 hours marketing/admin = 60 hours/month
Hourly rate: $333/hour
Annual revenue: $240,000
Sustainability: Low (constant client churn requires constant marketing)
Scale Smart Leaders Advisory Group Model
1 group of 12 members at $2,000/month = $24,000/month
Time investment: 10-15 hours total per month
Hourly rate: $1,600-$2,400/hour
Annual revenue: $288,000
Sustainability: High (members stay 3-5 years on average)
Same revenue, 75% less time, 5x higher hourly rate, dramatically better sustainability.
But here's where it gets even better: you can run multiple groups.
Many Scale Smart Leaders coaches operate 2-3 advisory groups simultaneously:
Group 1: 12 CEOs from manufacturing/industrial companies
Group 2: 15 executives from healthcare organizations
Group 3: 10 founders of tech startups
Total time investment: 30-45 hours per month
Total monthly revenue: $72,000+
Annual revenue: $850,000+
This isn't theoretical. We have coaches in our network doing exactly this.
Overcoming the Mental Barriers to Group Coaching
"But I've built my business on one-on-one coaching..."
This is the most common objection we hear, and it's completely understandable. If you've spent years building a successful one-on-one practice, the idea of pivoting to groups can feel risky.
Here's what we recommend: don't abandon your one-on-one clients.
Start your advisory group as an additional revenue stream. Keep your existing clients while Scale Smart Leaders fills your first group. Once you experience the leveraged sustainability of the group model, you can decide whether to transition fully or maintain both.
Most coaches find that after 6-12 months with a thriving advisory group, they naturally phase out one-on-one work because the economics and lifestyle benefits are so compelling.
"What if I'm not good at facilitating groups?"
Facilitation is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned. The good news is that Scale Smart Leaders provides:
Facilitation training based on proven frameworks
Meeting templates that structure productive discussions
Ongoing support from coaches who've successfully run hundreds of advisory group meetings
A community of other facilitators you can learn from
Plus, if you're already a successful one-on-one coach, you already have 80% of the skills you need. You know how to ask powerful questions, create psychological safety, and help executives think through complex challenges.
Group facilitation just applies those same skills in a different format.
"What if members don't get along or the group chemistry is bad?"
This is a valid concern, and it's why member selection is so critical.
The Scale Smart Leaders team doesn't just find anyone willing to pay. We carefully screen prospects to ensure:
Similar business sophistication levels (no one feels like they don't belong)
Non-competing businesses (so members can be fully transparent)
Aligned values (so the group culture is healthy)
Commitment to growth (no one is just there to network)
We've refined this screening process over hundreds of groups. Bad group chemistry is rare when you're intentional about who joins.
Your Next Steps: How to Get Started with Scale Smart Leaders
Determine If You're a Good Fit
Scale Smart Leaders isn't for brand-new coaches. Our system works best for B2B coaches who:
Have at least 2-3 years of coaching experience
Currently work with (or want to work with) CEOs, executives, or business owners
Are tired of the marketing grind and ready for a more sustainable model
Want to scale their impact and income without sacrificing their lifestyle
If that describes you, the next step is simple.
Book a Qualification Call
Visit ScaleSmartLeaders.com and complete the short application form. This helps us understand your background, your goals, and whether the Scale Smart Leaders system is right for you.
If it looks like a good fit, we'll schedule a qualification call where we'll:
Deep-dive into your current business model and challenges
Show you exactly how the Corporate Advisory Group System would work for your specific niche
Answer all your questions about implementation, pricing, and support
Determine together whether this is the right move for your business
There's no pressure, no hard sell. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about whether Scale Smart Leaders is the solution you've been looking for.
Join the Scale Smart Leaders Community
When you partner with us, you're not just getting a system—you're joining a powerful community of high-caliber coaches who:
Challenge each other to deliver exceptional value
Share best practices and lessons learned
Support each other through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship
Celebrate wins together
Many of our coaches say the community alone is worth the investment.
The Time to Scale Smart Is Now
The coaching industry is at an inflection point.
AI is democratizing information. Generic coaching advice is becoming commoditized. Clients are getting more sophisticated and demanding higher ROI.
But there's also never been a better time to build a thriving coaching practice—if you have the right model.
The coaches who will thrive in the next decade aren't the ones with the biggest social media followings or the flashiest marketing campaigns.
They're the coaches who create genuine transformations, build deep relationships, and structure their businesses for sustainability.
That's exactly what Scale Smart Leaders helps you do.
If you're ready to:
✅ Work 10-15 hours per month instead of 60
✅ Generate predictable $20K+ monthly revenue
✅ Build a practice that doesn't depend on constant marketing
✅ Create deeper impact with high-level executives
✅ Actually enjoy your business again
Then it's time to explore the Scale Smart Leaders difference.
Take the First Step Today
Ready to coach more and handle less?
Visit ScaleSmartLeaders.com to complete your application and see if you qualify for our Corporate Advisory Group System.
Spaces are limited because we're committed to providing exceptional support to every coach in our network. Don't wait until you're completely burned out to make a change.
The six-figure practice you've been working toward is closer than you think.
Welcome to Scale Smart Leaders—where B2B coaches build sustainable businesses without sacrificing their lives.
About Breven Thomas and Scale Smart Leaders
Breven Thomas founded Scale Smart Leaders after spending eight years in the coaching industry and recognizing a critical gap: talented coaches were struggling not because they lacked skill, but because they were forced into roles they weren't optimized for.
Today, Scale Smart Leaders helps B2B coaches across North America build thriving peer advisory practices using our proven Corporate Advisory Group System. Our coaches work flexible hours, generate predictable six-figure incomes, and create lasting impact with high-level executives—all without the marketing chaos that plagues most coaching businesses.
Scale Smart Leaders Worldwide Headquarters
9200 W 191st St, Mokena, IL
Stop trading time for money. Stop chasing leads. Stop burning out. Start building the coaching practice you actually want with Scale Smart Leaders.
