Books and Resources to Start Strong
Building a holistic wellness coaching business requires both practical business skills and deep knowledge of wellness principles. These foundational books will help you understand client psychology, develop your coaching methodology, and run a sustainable business from day one.
The Life Coach Handbook by Mindy Gibbins-Klein
This book covers the essential mechanics of launching and growing a coaching practice, from defining your niche to structuring sessions and pricing your services. It’s written specifically for life and wellness coaches, so the advice applies directly to your business model. You’ll learn how to establish credibility and attract your first clients without relying on aggressive marketing.
Shop The Life Coach Handbook on Amazon →
Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski
Understanding the mind-body connection is central to holistic wellness coaching. This book explains stress, nervous system regulation, and how lifestyle factors affect overall well-being. Your clients will benefit from your grasp of these concepts, and you’ll be able to provide evidence-based guidance on breathing, movement, and self-care practices that actually work.
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The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Many clients come to wellness coaching with unprocessed stress or trauma patterns held in their bodies. This book explains how trauma affects the nervous system and what interventions actually help. You don’t need to be a trauma specialist, but understanding these dynamics will help you recognize when clients need professional mental health support and how to approach sensitive topics responsibly.
Shop The Body Keeps the Score on Amazon →
The Prosperous Coach by Rich Litvin and Kate Northrup
This book directly addresses the financial side of coaching—how to price confidently, attract ideal clients, and build a business that supports your lifestyle. It covers the mindset blocks coaches often have around money and provides practical systems for running a profitable practice without feeling salesy.
Shop The Prosperous Coach on Amazon →
Equipment You Need
Starting a holistic wellness coaching business requires far less physical equipment than many other ventures. Most of your investment goes into tools that support client communication, comfort during sessions, and your own wellness credibility. Here’s what you actually need to get started.
Technology and Communication
- Laptop or desktop computer: Your primary tool for scheduling, client notes, email, and video sessions. A reliable machine from the last 3-4 years will serve you well.
- Video conferencing software subscription: Zoom, Google Meet, or similar. Most wellness coaches work with clients remotely, especially starting out.
- Scheduling software: Calendly, Acuity Scheduling, or similar. This automates booking and reduces back-and-forth emails.
- Client management system (CRM): Keeps track of client notes, goals, and session history. HubSpot and Pipedrive have free tiers.
- Microphone and headphones: A quality USB microphone ensures clients hear you clearly during remote sessions.
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Wellness and Assessment Tools
- Assessment worksheets and journals: Printed or digital forms to help clients track sleep, nutrition, stress, movement, and emotional patterns.
- Yoga mat: If you’ll be demonstrating breathing exercises or light stretching with clients. A basic mat works fine.
- Resistance bands: Lightweight props for movement coaching without requiring a full home gym.
- Meditation timer or app: For guided sessions or to time breathing exercises.
- Weight scale and measuring tape: Only if your coaching includes fitness or body composition goals. Optional for pure wellness coaching.
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Office and Session Space
- Desk and comfortable chair: You’ll spend hours on calls. Your back and posture matter.
- Lighting: A ring light or soft overhead lighting improves your appearance on video calls and signals professionalism.
- Notepad and pen: For jotting down client notes during or after sessions.
- Backdrop or wall decor: If you’re on video, a clean, calm background matters. You don’t need much—a plant or neutral wall works.
Marketing and Client Materials
- Business cards: Still useful for referrals and networking, though not essential to start.
- Website hosting: A simple website on Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress costs $10-20/month and establishes credibility.
- Email marketing tool: Mailchimp or ConvertKit to stay in touch with interested prospects and past clients.
What to Buy First vs Later
You don’t need everything at once. Prioritize what directly enables you to deliver sessions and serve clients, then add tools as your business grows and your needs become clearer.
- First: Reliable computer, video conferencing setup, scheduling software, client management system, and a quiet space to conduct sessions. These are non-negotiable for day-to-day operations.
- First: A comfortable desk chair and basic lighting. You’re on camera; comfort and professionalism matter.
- Second: Physical wellness props like yoga mats and resistance bands. Many clients have these at home, or you can guide them without props initially.
- Second: Business cards, a website, and email marketing. These help after you’ve landed your first few clients and want to systematize referrals.
- Later: Advanced assessment tools, specialized equipment, or upgraded software. Start simple and add only what your clients ask for.
New vs Used Equipment
For a wellness coaching business, the line between new and used is straightforward: buy new technology, buy used (or skip) everything else. Your computer, microphone, and video setup should be current and reliable because they’re essential to your service. Used or refurbished equipment in these areas risks connectivity issues or audio problems that damage your credibility with clients.
Everything else—furniture, props, decorations—can be used. A yoga mat from a thrift store works as well as a new one. Office furniture from Facebook Marketplace or local businesses closing down costs a fraction of retail. Assessment worksheets and journals are digital or printable, so no purchase needed. The only exception is items that contact your skin or require hygiene—buy those new or skip them entirely. Your goal is to look professional on video and deliver quality sessions, not to have pristine equipment everywhere.
Where to Buy
- Amazon: Fast shipping, wide selection, and consistent pricing for technology and wellness props. Use the links throughout this page.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: Furniture, yoga mats, and decorative items at 50-70% off retail. Inspect in person before buying.
- Thrift stores and estate sales: Office furniture and home goods. Budget time for shopping, but savings are significant.
- Software marketplaces: Capterra, G2, and Zapier help you compare scheduling and CRM tools. Many offer free trials so you can test before committing.
- Local office supply stores: For notebooks, pens, and small items. Supporting local is nice if prices are comparable to online.
- Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.com: Directly for website hosting. These platforms bundle templates and basic tools together affordably.