Today we’d like to introduce you to Art Locke.
Hi Art, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The boring part is that after almost 30 years in the telecom industry (ATT, etc.) I decided to go into business for myself and bought into a business coaching franchise. That was in 2013. The interesting part is that prior to my corporate career, I spent 7 years in the Congo teaching people how to raise fish in ponds. I’ve always been driven to serve others, and becoming a business coach allowed me once again to work with people in a way that running big organizations did not. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done with my time and energy. After having built a successful coaching practice in Texas, my wife and I moved to Towson 5 years ago, coincidentally coinciding with the completion of my franchise obligations. Xcel Coaching was born in 2021.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building a coaching practice is challenging. Getting clients is very difficult, even more so in my case because I started my business in a new city where I had zero connections. When people hire a business coach, they’re buying into a long-term relationship with someone they know and trust. Developing that takes time. You have to be prepared to lose money for the first few years – I was finally able to start paying myself in my 3rd year.
Luck, of course, plays a part, too. Early in my journey I began to work with a local consultant in the residential cleaning industry, and she’s been my biggest and best client for many years now. Right time, right place.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m an award-winning master business coach; My ideal clients are small business owners in the service sector who want to scale to 7 figures without making mistakes that rob them of time and profitability. I help my clients build the systems, services and skilled teams they need to deliver outstanding experiences for their customers. In the past 7 years I’ve helped more than 75 clients throughout the US establish million-dollar businesses.
How do you define success?
In the context of business, it’s by working myself out of my job. My goal is to have my clients be just as good at business as they are at their “thing”, whatever their thing is. As a coach, it’s all about building competence and confidence in my clients so that they outgrow the need for me.
From a personal standpoint, it’s having the freedom and time to stay healthy, curious and connected the people in my life I care about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xcelcoaching.biz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachartlocke
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awlocke/
