We recently connected with Danielle Abbott and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

When I first started sharing my financial coaching business, I often got puzzled looks and questions such as, “How can you make money helping people who are struggling with money?” or “Why would someone pay for advice when there’s so much free content online about managing money?”

I can understand where the confusion comes from, and I empathize with the initial doubts about financial coaching. It’s a new concept for many, and it can take time to see how impactful and transformative it can be. However, these initial impressions often change once people see the real impact coaching can have on creating financial clarity and progress. Many assume that if someone needs help with money, they can’t afford coaching. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For many clients, coaching becomes a strategic investment, even if it means using a credit card to pay for the coaching initially, as it helps them stop the cycle of credit card reliance and create long-term progress.

I work with clients across the income spectrum, including multiple six-figure earners. For many high-income earners, knowing their bills are covered often removes the immediate pressure to monitor finances closely. However, this can lead to being out of touch with day-to-day money management, making it easy for money to evaporate into unnecessary expenses. I help clients identify their values and align their spending to fund the life they truly want, focusing on things, experiences, and actions they value most. Through financial coaching I’m able to work with clients to make their money more tangible and decisions clearer. For example, a self-employed client with irregular income used this method to build savings for paid time off so she could finally feel excited and guilt-free about taking vacation. Another client was able to pay for a family vacation in cash for the first time, which gave them a sense of financial freedom and accomplishment, all while feeling less restricted and overwhelmed.

While free personal finance content is abundant online, implementing it often requires accountability and support. Traditional budgeting can feel like a crash diet, restrictive and unsustainable. I use a flexible method that works even during busy or challenging times, allowing clients to stay on track without tracking their purchases to the dollar. That’s not fun or sustainable as a regular part of life.

Early on, family and friends questioned whether this work could succeed as a business. These days, they are incredibly supportive after seeing how my coaching transforms lives through client testimonials and results.

Interestingly, one might expect that friends and family wouldn’t want to work with me due to the personal nature of money. Yet, my first test clients were people I knew personally. They trusted me to wear different hats. As their coach in a professional setting and as their friend in personal contexts. They understood that, as a coach, I am focused on strategy and planning within a professional setting. And when we spend time socially, I’m just a friend, not thinking about their money at all. I tell them, “don’t worry, I’m not looking to see what card you use to pay at a restaurant, I couldn’t care less”.

As my business grew, I realized that some people in my personal network hesitated to reach out because they knew me. Discussing money is deeply personal, and for some, it feels safer with a stranger. To address this, I shared a post explaining how I separate my coaching and personal roles (I posted a GIF of me putting on and taking off a cowboy hat to show how I wear different hats—like switching between being a coach and a friend). That simple clarification led to more inquiries from friends and acquaintances who had been curious but hesitant.

I do not approach friends and family to work with me, as I completely understand why that might feel uncomfortable. However, they see my content and I warmly welcome them if they reach out. My judgment-free promise applies equally to everyone I work with. Setting clear boundaries and maintaining professionalism ensures I can support loved ones effectively while respecting our personal relationships. This balance allows them to feel both empowered and respected throughout the coaching process.

Danielle, 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 a financial coach who specializes in helping self-employed women, particularly women practitioners like therapists, massage therapists, and physiotherapists—simplify, organize, and take control of their finances. This frees them to concentrate on the work they love, knowing their finances are under control. My passion is helping women eliminate financial stress and gain confidence in managing their personal and business finances, so they can focus on the work they love without worrying about money.

I got into this field after years of working in finance, accounting, and nonprofit management. However, my own experiences with money were not always smooth. I carried a lot of shame and stress around finances in my personal life, which pushed me to dive deeply into learning about personal finance strategies. In the process, I discovered that financial coaching was a profession and realized it was the perfect way to combine my professional expertise with my passion for helping people. I wanted to be the casually dressed, non-judgmental person people could comfortably talk to about money—the kind of support I wish I’d had when I was struggling with shame and stress around my own finances. While I enjoyed working with spreadsheets and solving financial puzzles, I often felt isolated from people in my accounting roles. Financial coaching gave me the opportunity to make a direct impact on people’s lives and support them in overcoming their own financial challenges.

Damsel Financial Coaching, my business, provides financial coaching services tailored to women who didn’t necessarily set out to be business owners but found themselves running their own practices. Many of my clients struggle with managing taxes, cash flow, credit card debt, or the emotional burden of financial planning. They often feel overwhelmed and embarrassed about their finances, even though they’re highly skilled professionals who are great at what they do. My job is to meet them where they are, without judgment, and help them craft a clear, actionable plan to reach their financial goals.

My approach is deeply empathetic and results-driven, focusing on meeting clients where they are and crafting strategies that truly work for them. I don’t just tell clients how to budget or where to cut back; I work with them to build a financial plan that aligns with their values and goals. My process doesn’t involve heavy tracking, which can feel like a crash diet for many people, and instead I use the Plan Ahead Method™ created by Kelsa Dickey at Fiscal Fitness Phoenix, a system that makes money tangible and clear while being flexible enough to work, even during busy or challenging times. This approach is empowering because it allows clients to take control of their finances in a way that feels sustainable and aligned with their priorities.

The main thing I want potential clients to know is that financial coaching is not about judgment or telling you how to live your life. It’s about meeting you where you are and working together to build a plan that helps you move toward the life you want. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or stuck. That’s exactly why I’m here. I’ve been there myself, and I know how empowering it feels to take back control of your money. My mission is to help you feel confident, capable, and in control, so you can focus on living the life you want to live.

As I’ve grown my business, I’ve learned how essential it is to balance compassion with structure when working with clients. My approach is tailored to each individual’s unique situation. For instance, some clients thrive with step-by-step accountability, such as breaking financial goals into manageable actions, while others prefer broader strategies that focus on setting priorities and building long-term habits. I help my clients make progress without feeling overwhelmed or judged, and that flexibility has made all the difference in their success.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients has been speaking at workshops and events organized by employers, associations, and other groups. These opportunities allow me to connect directly with potential clients, showcase my expertise, and provide valuable insights in a personal, engaging way. It’s an excellent way to build trust and offer a taste of what I can do for individuals who may need my financial coaching services. Through these speaking engagements, I’ve been able to reach a wider audience and establish deeper connections that often lead to one-on-one coaching relationships

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation within the market has been built on a foundation of trust, authenticity, and a deep understanding of my clients’ unique challenges. My approach to financial coaching is centered around empathy and being judgement-free, which allows me to connect with self-employed women practitioners who often feel overwhelmed or embarrassed about their financial situations. By tailoring my coaching to address their specific needs, and by sharing my own experiences with financial struggles, I’ve been able to build strong, relatable connections. Additionally, word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients and the speaking opportunities I’ve had have contributed significantly to my reputation, allowing me to reach a broader audience and showcase the impact of my coaching in real, actionable terms

Contact Info:

• Website: https://damseloutofdebt.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/damseloutofdebt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/damseloutofdebt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/damsel-financial-coaching/

Image Credits

Natasha Joy Photography (on some but not all photos)