Online one-to-one health coach

Busy professionals, new parents, people managing everyday lifestyle goals, and clients whose doctor has encouraged lifestyle changes.

Paid session packages (for example 6 or 12 weeks) or a monthly coaching fee that includes sessions and messaging support.

• Active listening and motivating people
• Basic nutrition and habit-change knowledge
• Self-discipline to find your own clients

• Titles such as dietitian or psychotherapist are protected in many provinces, so check your provincial regulator before using any professional title
• Stay within coaching: refer clients to a doctor or registered dietitian for medical issues, eating disorders or mental health concerns
• Check whether professional liability insurance suits your coaching work
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check any home-based business rules with your municipality
• Be careful with health claims in your marketing and avoid promising results

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $400 to $2,000, depending on the training you choose, your website and the tools you use for video sessions and check-ins. Treat this as a rough guide and work out your own budget.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many clients you take on and how often you coach them. This is revenue before your costs, and finding your own clients takes steady effort.

Things to check: titles such as dietitian or psychotherapist are protected in many provinces, so ask your provincial regulator. Stay within coaching and refer medical concerns elsewhere. Also check liability insurance, GST/HST registration, home-based business rules and your health claims in marketing.