We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amelia Badua. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amelia below.

Amelia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Most business coaches sell the promise of 10k months and six-figure years in business. They excel at helping businesses scale.

But what’s often missing is guidance for beginners- those feelings of fear around creating content for the first time or the uncertainty around how to land their first client. Instead, they hear a ton of overwhelming noise around complex funnels and client acquisition strategies.

I focus on helping women start their expertise-based side business from scratch, and I teach them all the fundamentals they need to learn how to earn their first set of clients! We have fun in the ideation, market research, and presenting their first service offer phase. My goal is to make the process as simple as possible so that they are not overwhelmed by many funnels and strategies.

My business is about helping women launch their side businesses on part-time hours in a way that aligns with their lifestyle- while keeping the process simple.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Amelia Badua, a side business coach helping women launch service-based side businesses part-time so they can create new income streams. My mission is to move women from fear into action, giving them the confidence and strategy to build a side business that aligns with their skills and lifestyle.

I started my journey as a side hustler in 2019 as a career coach. But at the end of 2023, just a few months before Christmas, I was unexpectedly laid off (thanks, Tech).

I felt the weight of uncertainty and fear—but I was also incredibly grateful to have a side business. It helped keep my family afloat and cover some of our bills. That experience taught me an important lesson: we all need something of our own.

Now, I’m focused on helping my clients launch their own service-based businesses so they can create financial security and new opportunities on their terms. The possibilities are endless once you stop letting fear hold you back and start seeing how your side business can positively impact others!

I offer personalized, high-touch coaching for women who want hands-on support as they launch and strategy sessions for those who need quick clarity and direction. My approach is all about simplicity—I help my clients launch strategically while keeping their full-time jobs and personal lives intact.

Whether you’re choosing your most profitable idea, defining your niche, or creating a new service, I’ll help you attract clients and confidently build a business that aligns with your goals.

Since becoming a side business coach, the most fulfilling part of my work has been watching my clients gain self-confidence. All of them started with fear, but they chose courage instead—and now, they have real businesses! Celebrating their first social media posts, paying clients, and their belief in themselves has been the most rewarding part for me.

My advice for anyone thinking about starting a side business: If you feel a deep desire to start a side business but fear is holding you back, start by addressing the fear. Once you acknowledge it, you can move forward despite it. Fear will keep you from stepping into what you’re meant to do—if you let it.

I challenge you to step out in faith, take bold action, and develop the conviction to start your business.

Do you accept the challenge?

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I started my side business as a career coach in 2019, focusing on everything I wished I had known before getting into HR—like resumes, interview prep, and salary negotiation. I loved helping women advance in their careers and navigate the corporate world.

But everything changed after being laid off towards the end of 2023. I realized that job security was a myth and that having something of my own outside of a traditional job was a saving grace.

I lost all passion for helping women climb the corporate ladder, and when I saw the return to work mandates, my heart shifted. I felt a deep conviction to help women build something of their own, just like I did.

So, I pivoted away from career coaching and began focusing on helping women launch their own service-based side businesses. Now, I coach on everything I wish I had known when I first started my side business and empower other women to create financial security.

Through prayer and following my heart, I’ve aligned my work with my values and help others to do the same.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I paid thousands of dollars to learn how to do a hard launch for a new group program I designed. I spent months prepping—reviewing former client notes, researching, collecting testimonials, creating email sequences, and planning the open house—only for it to fail horribly. Not a single client converted.

After the launch flopped, I thought about quitting my business. I made zero dollars that month and felt like a complete failure—my greatest fear had come true.

I called my support system, expecting some soft encouragement, but instead, I got the challenge I needed. My dad told me, “You’ve never been a quitter; find a way to win.” That flipped a switch in my brain.

I stopped feeling sorry for myself (and my bank account) and looked hard at the data. I asked myself: What didn’t I see before? Why did it fail? What did I learn?

Once I understood the gaps, I hired a consultant to help me strengthen a weak area in my business.

From there, I designed my high-ticket signature 1:1 program—and validated it through sales within the first month.

I learned that finding a way to win isn’t just about strategy—it’s about resilience.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliabadua/

Image Credits

Rebecca Figueroa