From hospitality leader to coach: My coaching journey

A firm foundation built in hospitality

I was raised in hospitality! With over 20 years in the hotel and hospitality industry, I mastered the art of service, the power of connection, and the ability to create experiences that leave a lasting impact. Hospitality wasn’t just a profession - it was a way of life. The fast pace, the problem-solving, and the deep satisfaction of making someone’s day better became second nature. Little did I know, these very skills would lead me to a new yet deeply aligned path in coaching.

Hospitality teaches resilience. Long hours, high-pressure situations, and the need to think on your feet become the norm. You learn to read people, anticipate needs, and adapt to diverse personalities. These experiences shaped my leadership style - in empathy, emotional intelligence, and service.

As I progressed into leadership roles, managing the sales, events and marketing departments my focus shifted beyond delivering exceptional service to mentoring teams, developing talent, and unlocking potential. I found joy in empowering others, watching them grow, and witnessing their transformations. This planted a seed - my true calling wasn’t just in running businesses but in helping people thrive within them.

The transition from hospitality leadership to coaching wasn’t immediate. It was a journey of self-discovery and recognising where my true strengths and passions lay. During my furlough in the pandemic, I pursued The Coaching Academy’s Personal Performance Diploma and Coaching in Education Diploma, immersing myself in methodologies and structured frameworks that complemented my intuitive coaching leadership approach.

What struck me most was how seamlessly my hospitality background aligned with coaching. Both professions centre around understanding people, fostering trust, and creating environments where individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. The skills I developed - active listening, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence - became invaluable tools in my coaching practice.

How I use my coaching skills today

I launched my business in 2022 as an entrepreneurial and leadership coach/mentor. I bring the essence of hospitality into every coaching conversation. I create a space where clients feel supported - just as a great host ensures their guests feel welcome. I guide individuals through challenges, much like a leader steers a team through demanding situations.

I also mentor Coaching Academy coaches, drawing on my business expertise to complement my coaching.

My specialisms include Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs, designing, developing, and facilitating group programmes and serving as an associate coach, mentor and trainer for The Coaching Academy.

My work allows me to blend strategic thinking with deep personal development, helping coaches, leaders and entrepreneurs to navigate challenges and create meaningful progress.

Transitioning from hospitality to coaching has been more than a career shift for me - it’s been a transformation in how I serve. My purpose remains the same: to uplift, empower, and help others succeed. My mantra is simple: Guide with purpose. Uplift with wisdom. Embrace each challenge as a stepping stone to growth.

A defining moment with a client came when they realised, through my coaching approach, that they had been heading in the wrong direction for years - pursuing money rather than their true vision and dreams. This relentless chase left them feeling unfulfilled and uninspired. Together, we uncovered their true purpose, shifted the focus toward their passion, and explored creative ways to bring their dream to life while also addressing their financial needs through alternative income sources. In the end, they found an aligned path, achieved their aspirations, and overcame their financial fears, ultimately finding both success and fulfilment.

Here is a recent testimonial I received which really summed up how I want my clients and their businesses to feel: “Your heart and passion for this work is felt, seen and heard. The proof is in the results with your cohort and the results this programme has produced. A year ago, I never knew which way to go and how to start, which task to tackle first, now I feel structured, determined and now my business venture has grown arms, legs and is now breathing... Seeing this vision come together has been so encouraging.”

Embracing the coaching journey

One of my proudest achievements has been guiding start up entrepreneurs, helping them turn their ideas into real businesses - businesses with purpose, impact, and a clear vision for the future. Other milestones include delivering over 200 hours to date mentoring coaches at The Coaching Academy, volunteering as a business coach and mentor for The Kings Trust (former The Prince’s Trust) young entrepreneurs and mastering the art of designing and developing group coaching programmes. I also developed a training programme running in November 2025 for The Coaching Academy called ‘Group Coaching Mastery: Design, Deliver & Inspire Group/Team Coaching’  as part of the Sales & Marketing Workshops.

Looking ahead: My vision for coaching

My vision is to empower entrepreneurs, business leaders, and aspiring coaches to unlock their highest potential, create lasting impact, and lead with confidence and purpose. I am driven by the ripple effect of transformation - where one empowered individual goes on to inspire and uplift others.

Success, to me, is more than just achieving goals; it’s about creating meaningful, sustainable change. I am committed to lifelong learning, expanding my expertise, and pioneering new ways to elevate those I serve. My mission is to not only coach individuals but to shape a new generation of purpose-driven leaders who thrive, innovate, and leave a legacy.

In the coming years, I aim to expand my expertise by building on my recent certifications in DISC and Action Learning Set Facilitation, with a goal to train in coaching supervision.

Coaching has given me the opportunity to create meaningful impact - one conversation at a time. The journey continues, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.

My book recommendation

This was such a fantastic read High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming the Best by Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes. Reading about gold medal athletes, winning team coaches and successful entrepreneurs made this book incredibly inspiring. It offers practical insights into motivation, leadership, and building habits and a culture that support long-term success. For any student coach looking to develop a high-performing mindset and understand what it takes to succeed at the highest level, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Manisha for sharing with us your inspiring coaching journey!