Courage & Clarity: Episode 133 – From Client Drought to Sold Out: Caitlin's Group Program Breakthrough

Release Date: May 29, 2025

Hosts:

• Steph Crowder – Host of Courage & Clarity, a podcast dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs with grounded inspiration and tangible tactics.
• Caitlin Denning – Guest, certified life and executive coach specializing in supporting working moms.

1. Introduction

In Episode 133 of Courage & Clarity, Steph Crowder welcomes Caitlin Denning, a dedicated life and executive coach for working mothers. Caitlin shares her transformative journey from experiencing a significant client drought to successfully launching and selling out her group coaching program.

2. Caitlin’s Background and Initial Success

Caitlin Denning provides an overview of her professional journey:

• Certified Life and Executive Coach: Specializes in supporting working moms.
• Business Beginnings: Started coaching in 2019 while maintaining a full-time corporate job.
• Full-Time Transition: In 2022, feeling financially stable and courageous, Caitlin left her corporate role to focus entirely on her coaching business.

[01:54] Caitlin Denning: "I am my ideal client. I am a working mom. I have three young kids... I gave my notice and I've been full time in my business since then."

3. The Client Drought

By late 2023 and early 2024, Caitlin faced a significant downturn:

• Decline in Consult Calls: Reduction in both the number of consult calls and conversions.
• Emotional Impact: Felt terrified about the sustainability of her business and contemplated returning to a corporate job.
• Lack of Support: At the time, Caitlin was without a dedicated business coach, having previously engaged with various courses and masterminds.

[05:48] Caitlin Denning: "I was in what you and I now call my client drought. I was not getting consult calls. I was not converting the consult calls that I had. And there just felt like there was no interest."

4. Joining the Mastermind Program

Seeking solutions, Caitlin enrolled in Steph Crowder’s Mastermind program:

• Initial Commitment: Upon joining, Caitlin experienced an immediate shift in mindset.
• Early Success: Within weeks of committing, she secured a new one-on-one client without even consuming the program's curriculum.

[09:27] Caitlin Denning: "There is a shift when you decide to invest the way that we invest in this group... I believe in my business enough to sign on for this group for six months to learn how to solve this problem that I have."

5. Implementing Strategies: MMAs and Application Model

a. 90-Day Plan and Money-Making Activities (MMAs):

• Detailed Planning: Caitlin developed a comprehensive 90-day plan focusing on revenue and audience growth.

• Daily MMAs: Committed to dedicating an hour each day to activities directly generating income.

  [09:10] Caitlin Denning: "...I submitted a 90 day plan... to do an hour of money making activities every day before I got into the thick of my work and client delivery."

b. Shifting to an Application-Based Consult Model:

• Change in CTA: Transitioned from asking prospects to book consult calls to having them submit applications.

• Increased Accessibility: Found that applications felt less daunting for potential clients, leading to more inquiries.

  [12:01] Caitlin Denning: "...I decided to shift and experiment with an application model... it felt like a no brainer."

6. Results: Booking Out Clients and Launching a Podcast

a. Boost in Client Bookings:

• Rebound: By the end of the initial six months in the program, Caitlin was fully booked with one-on-one clients again.

• Renewed Confidence: Rediscovered her confidence and belief in her coaching efficacy.

  [19:13] Caitlin Denning: "...by the end of that initial six months, I was booked out again. It was like best case scenario, everything that I hoped for when I joined."

b. Podcast Launch:

• Enhanced Visibility: Encouraged by Steph, Caitlin launched her podcast, "The Life Coach for Working Moms," which significantly increased her reach and client conversions.

  [19:13] Caitlin Denning: "...people are finding me and converting because of the podcast."

7. Transitioning to Group Coaching

Encouraged by her regained success, Caitlin aimed to expand her offerings:

• Previous Attempt: In January 2024, Caitlin’s initial group launch fell flat, leading to hesitation in trying again.
• New Approach: With Steph’s support and the Buzz Blitz framework, Caitlin relaunched her group program successfully.

[25:01] Caitlin Denning: "...I had this hesitation of like, oh, can I do this again?... with your support to go for it."

8. Overcoming Past Failures and Achieving a Sold-Out Group

Caitlin's persistence paid off:

• Successful Relaunch: Initially aimed for three participants, Caitlin surpassed expectations by enrolling seven women.
• Refined Processes: Utilized detailed feedback from Steph to enhance her launch strategy, making the Buzz Blitz process more efficient and less exhausting.

[27:58] Caitlin Denning: "I ended up with seven... I answered that question of could I actually do this? Yeah, I did."

Impact on Self-Concept:

• Identity Shift: Moving from one-on-one coaching to a sold-out group program transformed Caitlin’s self-perception as a coach.

  [28:32] Caitlin Denning: "...I'm set up to have another great launch."

9. Future Plans and Scaling

Looking ahead, Caitlin envisions further growth:

• Continuous Improvement: Plans to enhance the group program's curriculum and streamline the Buzz Blitz process.

• Scaling: Aspires to scale the program, with Steph’s ongoing coaching and support guiding her evolution.

  [30:34] Caitlin Denning: "...I'm not worried about what it looks like because I'm going to figure that out with you."

10. Key Insights and Conclusions

Caitlin’s story offers several valuable lessons for entrepreneurs facing similar challenges:

• Mindset Shift is Crucial: Committing to a supportive program can instigate immediate positive changes.
• Consistency Over Quantity: Even dedicating 15-30 minutes daily to MMAs can lead to substantial results over time.
• Adaptability in Sales Strategies: Transitioning from consult calls to application-based methods can enhance client acquisition.
• Importance of Support Systems: Being part of a collaborative community provides accountability, feedback, and encouragement.
• Belief in Your Offer: Understanding and communicating the true ROI of non-financial coaching services can attract and retain clients.

[34:57] Caitlin Denning: "...I’ve never been in a space where I can do it all and I can learn. And there is a framework, but there's so much room for me to take it and make it my own and get support and accountability and coaching and camaraderie along with it."

Steph Crowder emphasizes that belief in one’s own offers and understanding the true value provided to clients are pivotal in overcoming sales challenges, especially for services that don’t offer direct financial ROI.

Closing Thoughts

Caitlin Denning’s journey from a client drought to a thriving, sold-out group coaching program is a testament to the power of the right strategies, consistent effort, and a supportive community. Her experience underscores the importance of adaptability, persistence, and maintaining belief in one’s mission. For female entrepreneurs navigating similar struggles, Caitlin’s story offers both inspiration and actionable insights to achieve sustained success.

Connect with Caitlin Denning:

• Website: mothernurture.com
• Instagram: @LoveMotherNurture
• Podcast: The Life Coach for Working Moms

Join Steph Crowder’s Upcoming Training:

• Event: Fill Your Group Program in Five Weeks
• Date: June 24th at 12 PM Eastern Time
• Sign Up: stephcrowder.com/workshop

Thank you for tuning into Courage & Clarity. Stay inspired and continue striving for success with actionable insights from empowered female entrepreneurs.