Marco Soares: Taking Success to the Next Level

After nearly a decade as an ActionCOACH franchise partner, Marco Soares had plenty to celebrate. Named UK Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year, and having won the South East Coach of the Year award every year since 2012, Marco had built a thriving coaching business and a reputation for helping others succeed.

But for Marco, recognition wasn’t a reason to stand still. It was an opportunity to reflect on how far he had come and set his sights on what could come next.

“It’s time to take things to the next level. It’s always been my dream to get myself in a position where I could acquire different businesses, and it’s now beginning to take shape. I’ve come a long way in 10 years, and I’m determined to continue even further in the future.”

From corporate career to business ownership

Marco moved to the UK from South Africa at the age of 21. After graduating from the Institute of Marketing Management, he and a friend booked flights, packed their backpacks and set off with just £1,000 each. What began as a planned two-year adventure soon became a new life.

Marco found work at The Independent, where he developed his sales skills before moving into advertising. He was responsible for live events covering concerts and festivals, then progressed to managing the sales team selling advertising space across Q, Mojo and Kerrang magazines.

Music was also a passion outside work. Marco played in a metal band, but seeing how difficult it was to gain traction with their music made him question whether his career was heading in the right direction.

“I said to myself, ‘I don’t think I’m happy with the path I’m on.’ I’d always wanted my own business, and it felt like the perfect time to go for it.”

Having previously worked at Cash Converters in South Africa, Marco understood the franchise model. He saw franchising as a practical way to pursue business ownership with an established foundation behind him.

A visit to a franchise exhibition didn’t reveal the right opportunity, so Marco turned to a franchise-matching service. That search led him to ActionCOACH.

After carrying out his own due diligence, he signed up in November 2009 and attended his training at ActionCOACH University in March 2010.

Building a business from the ground up

Marco launched his ActionCOACH practice in Haywards Heath in April 2010, ready to put his training into action and introduce local businesses to coaching.

“The 10 days of training were very good and comprehensive. I was provided with all the information required to get my business off the ground, but I knew that was just the tip of the iceberg. It was all about putting it into practice when I arrived home.”

Marco initially invested in marketing support, including direct mail and follow-up activity. But building a reliable sales and marketing process took time.

“I’ve got to admit that it was a slow start, as it took a while to understand how to build a consistent and efficient sales and marketing machine. I signed up five clients in year one but, since then, I’ve grown every single year.”

That early experience became part of his development as a business owner. Rather than expecting overnight success, Marco learned how to refine his approach, build relationships and establish the processes needed for sustainable growth.

The value of ongoing support

For Marco, the benefits of joining ActionCOACH extended well beyond the initial training. Continued development, opportunities to learn from fellow franchise partners and access to the wider support network have all played a part in his progress.

“There are plenty of opportunities to keep things fresh and introduce new tools to the toolkit. We’ve got workshops happening throughout the year, an internal development programme for me as a coach and constant assistance from the UK support team.”

He particularly values events such as BizX and the UK conference, where franchise partners can learn from experienced business leaders and share ideas with people who are equally committed to improving their businesses.

“I especially love BizX and the UK conference, as we are all together to learn from world-class industry leaders in the right environment. We’re all hungry for advice and soak it up like sponges.”

The ActionCOACH UK support model continues to evolve, with training and resources designed to help new franchise partners launch their businesses and established coaches continue developing their skills.

For Marco, that culture of ongoing learning has helped him keep moving forward, even after years of experience.

Finding the right formula for growth

As his business matured, Marco began exploring new ways to support clients and develop his own offering. In his second year, he introduced workshops alongside one-to-one coaching, giving business owners practical advice and tools they could put into practice.

Today, his client portfolio spans a range of sectors, reflecting the versatility of the ActionCOACH approach.

“I currently have 30 one-to-one clients in a range of sectors. What’s great is I don’t have to target any specific business to become a client — the tools and processes can be implemented in any company, no matter how big or small.”

The business has also delivered personal rewards. Following a 20% increase in income from 2018, Marco began speaking at ActionCOACH conferences to share best practice and highlight the responsibilities that come with being a coach.

“I’m now earning way more than I would have in my former corporate career and have achieved a better work-life balance.”

His experience demonstrates that building a successful coaching business isn’t just about increasing revenue. It can also mean developing a business around your strengths, creating opportunities to grow and having greater control over how you spend your time.

Turning business success into local impact

Having worked with more than 110 businesses over the course of his first decade, Marco is focused on the difference he can help create in his local community.

His next ambition is to help generate 50 new jobs in the area every year — a goal that reflects his belief that stronger businesses can benefit far more people than their owners alone.

“I’ve worked with 110+ businesses in the last decade, and my next goal is to create 50 new jobs in the area every single year. It gives me great satisfaction not just to help business owners, but to support employees and families too.”

For Marco, coaching is about helping business owners build better businesses while creating positive outcomes for the people who work in them and depend on them.

“I want ActionCOACH to bring to them exactly what it’s brought to me — a rewarding career and great lifestyle.”

Success on your own terms

Outside work, Marco enjoys obstacle course racing. But one of the most important benefits of business ownership is the flexibility it gives him to spend time with his family.

“I have the freedom to have the lifestyle that I want, going on nice holidays, spending quality time with my wife, Jane, and my two young children. It’s also important for me to be able to go back to South Africa to visit the rest of my family. Without the flexibility to create my own work schedule, that wouldn’t be possible.”

That freedom is central to the life Marco has worked to build: a successful business, meaningful work and more choice over how he balances his professional and personal priorities.

What comes next for Marco?

With consecutive UK Coach of the Year awards, years of recognition in the South East and a growing portfolio of achievements behind him, Marco could be forgiven for taking his foot off the accelerator.

Instead, he is looking ahead to the next stage of his entrepreneurial journey, with ambitions to acquire other businesses and continue creating opportunities for the people around him.

His story shows what can happen when you combine the ambition to work for yourself with a willingness to learn, adapt and keep raising your expectations.

Could ActionCOACH UK be your next step?

If you’re ready to explore business ownership, build a rewarding career and make a positive difference to other businesses, discover what becoming an ActionCOACH UK franchise partner could mean for you.

Ready to explore the possibilities?

Watch our overview video to discover more about becoming an ActionCOACH UK franchise partner.