Alan Smith: From Corporate Career to Business Ownership

Breaking free from the corporate routine

After nearly two decades working in the corporate world, Alan Smith began looking for something different. Despite building a successful career with some of the world's biggest food and drink brands, he wanted greater control over his time, the opportunity to build a business of his own and, most importantly, more time with his family.

His search for a new direction eventually led him to ActionCOACH UK. He launched his franchise in April 2014 and has since built a successful coaching business, earning more than he could have imagined in his previous career while making a difference to businesses across his local community.

Alan studied economics and management before beginning a career that took him through a number of senior roles at PepsiCo, Cadbury and Mondelez International. He gained valuable experience working in large organisations, but the idea of becoming his own boss continued to appeal.

Initially, he explored opportunities in food retail, thinking his industry knowledge would give him an advantage. Nothing felt quite right until he came across ActionCOACH UK at an event focused on starting a business.

Business coaching was not entirely new to Alan. During his corporate career, he had worked with executive coaches himself, so he understood the value of having someone to challenge his thinking and help him develop.

The more he researched the ActionCOACH UK franchise, the more he could see how it brought together the things he was looking for.

“As I looked into ActionCOACH further, its attractiveness grew. I could see the potential rewards, both financially and personally. Franchising bridged the gap as I was unsure about starting a business from scratch. I’d have my own business but with all the necessary support at my fingertips,” said Alan.

The ActionCOACH 14 Points of Culture were another important factor in his decision.

“ActionCOACH’s 14 Points of Culture really sealed my decision. These core values aren’t just words; they were echoed by all the team throughout my due diligence process, and you could see how important they were to their franchise partners.”

For Alan, seeing those values reflected in the way the business operated gave him confidence that he was joining a network with a genuine commitment to its people.

Developing a new career through coaching

Alan describes his ten days at ActionCOACH University as life-changing. Despite his extensive corporate experience, the training introduced him to new ways of thinking about business, leadership and personal development.

“The training was demanding, yet very thorough. I can’t recall any aspect of the business world that was left untouched.

“The training wasn’t just about learning how to do business or become a coach, it helped me become a better person. It directed me to see things from fresh angles, revealing a world beyond the corporate sphere, just waiting for me to explore.”

Returning home marked the beginning of a new learning curve. Alan dedicated much of his time to developing his knowledge and putting what he had learned into practice.

The resources available through ActionCOACH UK helped him build confidence as he started working with his first clients. He also made a point of continuing to learn through webinars, events and conversations with other franchise partners.

“The support through the transition between training and practice was crucial, it was such a great learning curve. It really has helped not only my business to go from strength-to-strength but me as a person too.

“I still love to interact with and learn from ActionCOACH’s daily webinars. Plus, meeting colleagues at our signature events, like BizX, is another great benefit of being a franchise partner. You can never stop learning to better you and your business. ActionCOACH really gives you the infrastructure to do so.”

Growing a successful coaching business

Alan's business has developed steadily since launching in 2014, offering a combination of one-to-one and group coaching.

By February 2021, his client base had grown from 23 to 31, with monthly client income reaching £27,000. This represented 43% growth in his business.

A significant part of that progress came from continuing to support local business owners throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when many were facing uncertainty and difficult decisions.

“COVID showed how much people needed a business coach. It felt great to be a beacon of hope for my clients. Together we worked on solutions which showed there was light at the end of the tunnel for their businesses.”

Alan also believes the pandemic helped more people understand what business coaching can offer.

“Having been an ActionCOACH for nearly a decade, I’ve noticed a transformation in people’s perspectives on business coaching. From launching in 2014 to now, one of the biggest changes for me is a better general understanding and appreciation of business coaching.

“I think people have become more aware of the benefits of coaching. In my view, it’s because of a combination of the public becoming more familiar with the concepts of business coaching through exposure in the media and a shift into emphasising personal and professional growth.

“But, I’d say we’re at the beginning of the curve with business coaching, so it is important we keep up the good work and capitalise on what we have to offer.”

For Alan, helping business owners work through challenges and make progress towards their goals has become one of the most rewarding parts of his career.

Recognition for making a difference

The growth of Alan's coaching business has been accompanied by recognition for the results he has helped his clients achieve.

He has won Best Client Ratings for Scotland for six consecutive years and was named Scottish Coach of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.

These awards have been particularly meaningful because they reflect the experiences of the people he works with.

“ActionCOACH really excels at recognising and rewarding its members. It’s validation for the hard work you put in but also shows that you’re helping your local community. Winning these awards makes you feel very proud, but I’m prouder still to be giving back.”

For Alan, professional recognition is welcome, but the relationships he has developed and the contribution he has made to local businesses are just as important.

Building long-term opportunities and more family time

One of Alan's original reasons for leaving corporate life was to gain greater freedom over how he spent his time. Building his ActionCOACH UK business has helped him achieve that ambition while also creating opportunities beyond coaching.

Through the relationships he has developed with clients, Alan has identified potential investment opportunities that could provide long-term benefits for his family.

“Over time I’ve become good friends with many clients. One of whom is an expert in the Edinburgh property market. This relationship has developed and has led to opportunities to co-invest with him.”

It is an example of how the connections made through his coaching business have extended beyond the work itself.

As he approached his tenth anniversary as an ActionCOACH UK franchise partner, Alan had achieved many of the objectives that originally prompted him to leave his corporate career.

He had built a successful business, developed lasting relationships with clients and fellow franchise partners, and created greater financial freedom and flexibility for his family.

Why Alan chose an ActionCOACH UK franchise

Alan's journey shows how skills and experience gained in the corporate world can provide a strong foundation for a career in business coaching.

His background with major international businesses gave him valuable commercial knowledge, while his experience of executive coaching helped him understand the impact that the right support can have on individuals and organisations.

Joining ActionCOACH UK gave him the opportunity to combine those experiences with business ownership, supported by an established model, structured training and an ongoing network of fellow coaches.

For anyone considering a similar move, Alan's experience demonstrates that you do not need to start with a background in professional coaching. Existing business knowledge, a willingness to learn and a genuine interest in helping others can provide a strong starting point.

Could a business coaching franchise be your next move?

If you have spent years building a career in business, management or leadership, you may already have the experience needed to help other business owners succeed.

An ActionCOACH UK franchise gives you the opportunity to build a business of your own, work with business owners in your local community and develop a career with greater control over your time and future.

Interested in becoming an ActionCOACH UK franchise partner?

Find out more about the opportunity and take the first step towards building your own business coaching practice.

Discover how an ActionCOACH UK franchise could help you build a business with purpose, flexibility and the support of an established coaching community.