Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alease Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alease, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I always say that the journey from idea to execution is a bit like being handed a compass and sent into the wilderness—exciting, a little scary, and full of unexpected twists.

I’ve always had a passion for teaching and helping others grow, which came from my years as a college professor. I loved seeing my students have those “aha!” moments and realized I wanted to create a similar impact in a different space—coaching. The seed of my business idea was planted when I noticed so many brilliant coaches struggling to get traction in their businesses. I knew I could help, especially using my marketing skills to simplify the process for them.

The first day after the idea hit me, I started scribbling down everything I could think of—business names, services I could offer, problems I knew coaches were facing, and even a few logos that came to mind. It was a total brain dump. Then I asked myself, “What’s the simplest, most impactful way to start?” The answer was creating content to show coaches I understood their struggles.

That first month was all about laying the groundwork. I knew I needed an online presence, so I set up a simple website—nothing fancy, just enough to tell people who I was and what I offered. Then came the research. I spent hours (and I mean hours) figuring out how to stand out in the crowded coaching space. I studied other successful coaches, read marketing books, and even took a couple of online courses.

Next, I focused on my audience—coaches 40 and older who were struggling to grow their businesses. I knew I had to meet them where they were, so I started with social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram, because that’s where I noticed a lot of them hanging out. My first few posts were… let’s just say, “experimental.” But I learned what resonated by paying attention to the comments and messages I received.

In the first year, I also had to figure out the tech side—email lists, landing pages, video editing, you name it. There was a lot of trial and error. I had moments of feeling overwhelmed, like when I’d spend half a day trying to fix a broken website link or trying to make my email sequence actually sequence. But those moments were always followed by little wins, like getting my first coaching client or having someone share one of my posts and say it helped them.

Over time, I built up my offerings from one-on-one coaching to digital products, like done-for-you courses and templates that could help busy coaches hit the ground running. Each step was a learning experience that not only helped me refine my business but also understand the real struggles my audience faced. And that’s been the magic formula—listening to what they need and crafting solutions to meet them where they are.

So, from the spark of an idea to the first website, content, and client, it’s been about taking one step at a time, learning along the way, and adjusting when necessary. It wasn’t a perfectly paved path, but it was a journey of growth, resilience, and a lot of figuring things out as I went.

Alease, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Alease, a retired college professor turned entrepreneur, and I’m obsessed with helping coaches over 40 grow their businesses without getting overwhelmed by all the marketing “stuff” that’s out there. I’ve always had a passion for teaching—back when I was a professor, I loved guiding my students from confusion to clarity. I’d see those lightbulb moments and think, “This is what I was made to do.” When I transitioned out of academia, I realized I wanted to create those moments for coaches and help them turn their passion into a thriving business.

My journey into this industry began with a simple observation: there are so many incredibly talented coaches who are stuck because they’re not sure how to market themselves, or they’re exhausted from trying to keep up with all the latest trends. I wanted to change that. So, I took my background in marketing and education and launched a business that provides practical, done-for-you resources and personalized coaching to help these coaches get unstuck and start seeing real growth.

What I Offer
My business revolves around simplifying the marketing and business-building process for coaches who are usually juggling a lot—whether that’s a full-time job, family, or just the reality of not wanting to spend all day figuring out how to market online. I offer a range of products and services, including:

> Done-for-you courses: These are pre-packaged courses that coaches can customize and use to teach their clients. It’s perfect for those who don’t want to start from scratch but still want to offer quality, professional content.

> Digital products and templates: From lead magnet templates to email marketing sequences, I create tools that help coaches save time and get results faster.

> Workshops and live training: I host sessions like my ‘Launch Lab’ series, where we dive deep into topics such as creating online courses, ebooks, and video content. The goal is to get coaches from idea to execution in the simplest, most effective way possible.

> The Coach Simplify Academy: My membership community is designed to help coaches learn everything they need about digital marketing, creating offers, and scaling their businesses with digital products. It’s a supportive space where they can learn, connect, and grow.

The Problems I Solve
If I had to summarize what I do in a sentence, it would be: I help coaches simplify their marketing so they can grow their business without feeling overwhelmed. Many of my clients come to me because they’re tired of trying to figure it all out on their own. They need clarity on what steps to take, how to package their knowledge into products, and how to market themselves effectively. My focus is on making things easy and actionable because I know my clients don’t have time for fluff.

What Sets Me Apart
What makes me different is that I don’t just hand my clients a bunch of theory. I provide practical, easy-to-follow steps and done-for-you resources that save them time and get them results. I understand what it’s like to juggle multiple roles and feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day—many of the coaches I work with are balancing a full-time job or family responsibilities alongside building their business.

I also believe that marketing doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. I focus on teaching strategies that are simple to implement, but still powerful enough to bring in clients and grow revenue. My background in education has shaped my approach—I’m not just here to tell you what to do; I’m here to walk you through it and make sure you understand why it works. Plus, I always keep my content relatable and practical, so my clients feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the community I’ve built through the Coach Simplify Academy. Seeing coaches go from feeling stuck and uncertain to having a clear plan and getting real results is what fuels me. I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve built a business that allows me to share my passion while still having the freedom to live life on my own terms. I’m all about empowering others to do the same, whether that means creating more income, more freedom, or just feeling more confident in their business.

What I Want You to Know
If you’re a coach who’s tired of struggling to figure out how to grow your business, I want you to know that it doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to do everything perfectly, and you definitely don’t need to do it all alone. My brand is built on the idea that with the right tools, guidance, and mindset, you can simplify your path to success and achieve more than you ever thought possible.

So, whether you’re looking to launch your first course, get better at email marketing, or just figure out where to start, I’m here to help you make it happen—without the overwhelm.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media has been quite the journey—more like a marathon than a sprint. It all started with me showing up consistently, even when I wasn’t quite sure if anyone was really listening. I remember when I posted my first piece of content on Facebook; it was a simple tip about marketing for coaches. I didn’t have much of an audience back then, but I figured that if it helped just one person, it was worth it. So, I kept going.

At first, my strategy was to share valuable, practical advice. I knew my audience—coaches over 40 who were trying to grow their business while juggling life—didn’t have time for fluff. So, I kept my content short, actionable, and relatable. I shared marketing tips, strategies, and personal stories about my own journey. This helped me connect with my audience on a deeper level, showing them that I wasn’t just some expert preaching from a pedestal, but someone who understood their struggles.

As I posted regularly, I also started experimenting. I paid attention to what types of posts got more engagement and used that information to refine my content strategy. I noticed that motivational posts with practical takeaways did really well. So, I created daily action lists and shared content that not only inspired my audience but also gave them something concrete to do. I wanted them to feel like they were moving forward, even if it was just one small step at a time.

One of the turning points for me was when I started going live. I had some jitters the first few times, but I knew that video was a powerful way to connect with people. When I went live, I wasn’t just talking at my audience; I was having a conversation with them. I shared tips, answered questions, and even talked about things that didn’t go perfectly in my own business. Being transparent helped build trust, and before I knew it, people started reaching out to me directly, asking for advice or to work together.

Another big factor was consistency. I made a commitment to show up, whether it was a quick tip, a motivational quote, or a longer piece of advice. It’s like showing up to the gym—results come with consistency over time. And it wasn’t just about posting frequently; it was about engaging with my audience too. I replied to comments, asked questions, and shared my followers’ successes. This wasn’t just about building numbers; it was about building relationships.

Advice for Those Just Starting to Build Their Social Media Presence
Start Small, But Start Now – Don’t wait until you feel “ready” or until everything is perfect. You don’t need fancy equipment or thousands of followers to begin. Just start sharing what you know and speaking directly to the people you want to help.

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that social media growth isn’t about chasing numbers; it’s about building a community of people who trust you and value what you bring to the table. Focus on that, and the growth will come naturally.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One big lesson I had to unlearn was that “busy equals productive.” Early on, I was constantly hustling—creating content, tweaking my website, running webinars—but despite all that effort, my business wasn’t growing like I expected. I was doing a lot, but not the right things.

The wake-up call came at a marketing conference when a speaker said, “You can be busy doing a whole lot of nothing.” That hit me hard. I realized I was caught up in “fake productivity,” focusing on tasks that didn’t move the needle. I had to shift my mindset to prioritize activities that had a clear impact, like creating offers my audience needed and simplifying my strategies.

It wasn’t easy, but once I stopped trying to fill every minute, I started seeing real growth.

The biggest takeaway? Focus on doing fewer things that matter, rather than just staying busy. Quality over quantity, every time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aleasemichelle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleasemichelle
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AleaseMichelle
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleasemichelle
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AleaseMichelle

Image Credits

all images I own – and have been taken by me