Kevin Riley: From Business Setback to Business Growth

How a devastating business experience inspired Kevin Riley to build a coaching business that helps other business owners succeed.

In 2017, Kevin Riley faced the devastating task of telling his loyal employees they no longer had jobs after uncovering large-scale fraud at the travel company where he had spent 19 years as Sales Director. Determined to help other business owners avoid similar experiences, Kevin found a new purpose with ActionCOACH UK. Today, he helps businesses grow, supports his local community and is building a future driven by profitability, freedom and family.

Turning a Setback into a New Beginning

In 2017, Kevin Riley faced one of the most difficult moments of his professional life. After 19 years as Sales Director of a travel company, he discovered large-scale fraud that meant the business had to cease operations immediately. He was left with the heartbreaking responsibility of telling his loyal employees that they no longer had jobs.

The experience profoundly affected Kevin, but it also gave him a new perspective on business ownership and the importance of having the right support.

With time to reflect, Kevin began to see those final, shocking days as a learning experience rather than allowing them to overshadow the 19 incredible years that had come before.

One thing was certain: he never wanted to experience business failure like that again, and he was determined to help other business owners avoid going through something similar.

Initially, Kevin admits he had lost some of his drive. However, by October 2018, he was ready for a new challenge. Then, almost by chance, he came across an advertisement for ActionCOACH on LinkedIn.

“It felt like it was written for me.”

The opportunity offered Kevin a way to put his experience to good use, helping other business owners build stronger, more successful businesses.

Finding the Right Franchise Opportunity

ActionCOACH pioneered the business coaching profession and has grown into a global franchise network, supporting business owners through coaching, proven systems and practical strategies.

For Kevin, the opportunity was compelling. He wanted to be part of a franchise that genuinely cared about the success of its clients and offered the support needed to build a sustainable business.

After an interview with Ian Christelow, ActionCOACH UK's co-founder, Kevin decided to investigate further. He contacted more than 15 existing franchise partners because he wanted to make sure the opportunity was as good as it sounded.

Within a week, the conversations had given him the confidence he needed.

“I wanted in.”

Kevin was ready to begin his training at ActionCOACH University and start building his own coaching business.

Training, Support and Early Success

The initial training gave Kevin a comprehensive introduction to the ActionCOACH franchise system, preparing him to launch and run his business. It covered the coaching model alongside essential business disciplines, including sales, marketing and finance.

Just as important was the opportunity to experience the network's culture of support and collaboration first-hand.

“One of the main selling points for me was the promise of a strong sense of community and support from ActionCOACH. To experience that for myself reassured me again that I'd made the right decision.”

Kevin returned home equipped with the knowledge and confidence to get started. His early progress was encouraging. Within seven weeks of launching in May 2019, he had signed four coaching clients and recruited a Business Development Manager and a Creative Executive PA.

Within seven months, the business was generating £30,000 a month in client income, and Kevin was already planning his next stage of growth.

The support did not stop after the initial training. Kevin continued to develop his skills through regular masterclasses and coaching of his own, helping him strengthen both his coaching capabilities and his business expertise.

“The ongoing support has been fantastic. I have masterclasses every two months and am coached myself to continually develop my coaching and business skillsets.”

Supporting Businesses Through the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for businesses across the UK. For Kevin and his team at ActionCOACH Warwick, it also reinforced the importance of helping business owners navigate uncertainty, protect their businesses and plan for the future.

During the pandemic, ActionCOACH Warwick gifted more than 750 hours of coaching to local businesses. This commitment to the community earned the firm local and national recognition.

Kevin's approach was built around helping business owners access support when they needed it most. As clients worked towards their own goals and navigated a difficult trading environment, their progress also helped the coaching business grow.

The client portfolio increased from 49 in 2020 to 93 in 2021. With growing demand and a clear ambition to help more businesses, Kevin invested in the neighbouring Coventry territory.

This expansion enabled the firm to extend its reach and take another step towards its mission of creating profitability and freedom for business owners throughout the region.

For Kevin, growth is not simply about increasing the size of his own business. It is about giving more business owners access to the guidance and support that can help them build stronger companies and better futures.

A New Passion for Business

Becoming an ActionCOACH franchise partner has given Kevin a renewed sense of purpose. Following the closure of his travel company, he was unsure whether he would find another opportunity that could reignite his passion for business.

ActionCOACH helped him discover that next chapter.

“I never thought I would find something again that would reignite my passion for business. After my travel company closed, I lost sight of what I was looking for. ActionCOACH revealed itself to me when I needed it most.

“The incredible support and expertise that is prevalent in the network is world class. As an ActionCOACH business growth specialist, I'm privileged to be able to offer proven strategies and advice that have a business-changing and life-changing impact on others.”

Kevin now draws on his own business experience to help clients identify opportunities, overcome challenges and work towards their ambitions. His experience has given him a strong appreciation of how much a business can affect the people behind it, from employees and suppliers to the families who depend on its success.

Making Time for Family

For Kevin, professional success must go hand in hand with family life. His wife, Sam, and their two children, Harry and Phoebe, are at the heart of why he works so hard.

The family enjoys travelling, exploring new places and staying active. Their holidays often involve long walks of more than 10 miles a day, with their cockapoo, Barney, joining the adventures.

Business sometimes comes along for the journey, but Kevin values the flexibility that coaching provides.

“We all appreciate that sometimes business comes away with us on holiday, but the flexibility of coaching means I can do it from anywhere. I've coached my clients from the Cayman Islands and New York. I'm determined to deliver for my clients without missing out on family time.”

For Kevin, building a successful business is about creating the freedom to enjoy life with his family while continuing to make a positive difference to his clients.

Giving Back to the Local Community

Supporting business owners is central to Kevin's work, but he also wants to make a broader contribution to the communities around Warwick and Coventry.

He has committed to working with one lower-fee-paying client and one charity each year, choosing organisations whose work genuinely resonates with him.

One business he selected was a company producing swimming costumes from recycled plastic bottles. Kevin was immediately drawn to its brand, values and team.

“To be able to provide support to small businesses, as well as mid-sized and large businesses, is something that matters to me. I know there's a family at home feeling the impact of every up and down the business experiences.”

Kevin also wants to work with local secondary schools to help students understand business, develop their confidence and become the next generation of leaders.

He believes young people should feel enthusiastic about their futures and have opportunities to learn about the world of business. Just as he is developing his ActionCOACH business with his own children in mind, he wants to help create a brighter future for the wider community.

Building a Future That Makes a Difference

Kevin Riley's journey shows how a difficult professional experience can become the starting point for a new purpose. After facing the closure of a business he had helped build over 19 years, he found a new direction with ActionCOACH UK.

Today, he uses his experience to help other business owners grow, has expanded his reach across Warwick and Coventry, and continues to invest in his team, his family and his community.

His ambition goes beyond building a successful franchise. It is about helping business owners create profitable, sustainable businesses that give them greater freedom and security, while inspiring the next generation to pursue their own ambitions.

Could ActionCOACH UK Be Your Next Chapter?

If you're looking for a new challenge that puts your business experience to work helping others succeed, discover how an ActionCOACH UK franchise could help you build a business with purpose, flexibility and room to grow.

Explore the ActionCOACH UK franchise opportunity:

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