How does a first meeting work?

In our initial consultation , we'll see if we're a good fit and if my services are a good match for you . I'll ask a few questions to fully understand your needs. Of course, you're welcome to ask any questions you have as well. The consultation lasts approximately 25 minutes , is non-binding , and free of charge .

How long does the coaching last and in what formats is it offered?

The duration and format of the coaching depend on your request and your current situation. I typically support self-employed individuals, founders and executives for several months – often 3 to 6 months – so that real clarity can emerge and changes are not only conceived but also implemented. The coaching takes place in a one-on-one format . Depending on the topic and needs , targeted deep dives or shorter formats are also possible if it involves a specific decision or an urgent problem. It's important to me that the collaboration is effective and meaningful . During our initial call, we'll discuss together which format and timeframe work best for you.

How much does the coaching cost?

The cost of the coaching depends on the scope, duration, and your specific request. I work with different formats – from one-off deep-dive sessions to support lasting several months . The investment is therefore also tailored to each individual case. For freelancers and entrepreneurs , I offer a starter package with two deep-dive sessions . The investment is €899 and is suitable for anyone who wants to clarify a specific business issue and get to know my working methods. During our initial call, we'll openly discuss which format would be best for you. It's important to me that the collaboration works for you – professionally, personally, and financially. In many cases, coaching for managers is paid for by the employer .

I don't belong to any of the mentioned professional groups. Can I still use your coaching services?

Basically, I work with self-employed people, founders and managers , because this is where most of the topics of my work come together: responsibility, pressure to make decisions and the desire to remain able to act. If you recognize yourself in the situations described – regardless of your specific job title – we can discuss in an introductory call whether a collaboration makes sense. It's important to me that we 're a good fit, both professionally and personally . If I realize that your request falls outside my area of expertise, I'll tell you openly and honestly, and suggest an alternative approach if necessary.

Where can I see more of you?

On my website you will find excerpts from my work , insights into my attitude and examples from different contexts. In addition, I am a regular guest on podcasts and speak at lectures, workshops and events . I also share current dates, performances and selected recordings on my website. I'm very active on LinkedIn and regularly share thoughts, inspiration, and observations from my professional life. Feel free to follow me there or connect with me directly.

Business Coaching | Neslihan Kahyaoglu

Business coaching for entrepreneurs and founders

2 of 5 places still available

You imagined freedom. Now you’re still sitting at your laptop at 11 p.m.

You wanted to work with clients on equal footing today, but you bend yourself to fit every assignment.
You wanted to lead on your own terms; now you’re constantly reacting.
You wanted to build your business by your own rules now you’re living by someone else’s.

And the strange thing is: from the outside, everything looks fine.
But you know there’s more possible. Much more.

Get started

Last week, I had a conversation with a founder.

He’s been self-employed for three years and is generating solid revenue. From the outside, it looks like things are going well.

But within the first five minutes of our conversation, it all came pouring out:

“I’ve made myself dependent on my biggest client. One client, 70% of my revenue. I can’t say no. I can’t take on new projects. I’m stuck.”

I listened first. Then we started to dig. We looked at what was really going on.
No superficial marketing tricks. No quick strategies. We went deeper.

And what came up was this:
He had never allowed himself to set boundaries.

He knew how to do it. He knew what he should do.
But he doubted himself.

That has nothing to do with business strategy.
That runs much deeper.

Six weeks later, he had the conversation with his biggest client, started acquiring new clients, and now works with four clients, earning more overall. When we last spoke, he sounded genuinely relaxed for the first time in months.

I’m telling you this because I know what that feels like.
That sense of “I actually know what I should do, but something is holding me back.”

If you’re reading this and nodding, you’re in the right place.

You see them everywhere.

The other founders.
The ones who seem relaxed.
Who run their business instead of being run by it.
Who log off at 5 p.m. and can say no.
Who don’t have to take every project.
Who state their prices with confidence.

You see them and think:
“Why does it work for them...but not for me?”

With over ten years of experience as a business coach and former leader, I can tell you this:
They don’t have better offers than you. They don’t have superior marketing skills. And they don’t know any secrets you don’t.

They’ve simply allowed themselves to do it.

That’s the entire difference between a business you lead and a business that leads you.

And that’s exactly where I come in.

Maybe some of this sounds familiar:

You’ve become dependent on one client or one agency. You wanted freedom — now you’re stuck in a golden hamster wheel. You can’t leave because too much revenue is tied to it, but you don’t want to stay either.

You’re constantly in firefighting mode. Your day consists of reacting, fixing, ticking things off. Time for strategy? For growth? For yourself? None. You’re no longer working on your business, only in it.

You’re investing huge amounts of energy, but the results aren’t following. You work hard — really hard — but more revenue, more clients, more time? Nothing changes. Or it gets worse. And you start wondering: “What am I doing wrong?”

The next step is right there, but you’re blocking yourself. Building a team. Going after bigger clients. Finally scaling. You know it’s time, but something is holding you back.

You constantly compare yourself to others. You scroll through LinkedIn, see how others seem to make it work, and ask yourself: “What are they doing differently?” And then you start doubting yourself, your value, whether you’re even good enough.

You’re stuck in your head. Self-doubt. Overwhelm. Too many ideas. You go in circles — thinking, doubting, planning. And while you’re thinking, time keeps passing.

If one or more of these points hit home, I understand.
And you’re not alone in this.

What’s really underneath all of this

Most people think:
“I need a better strategy. More marketing. Better positioning. Maybe a funnel.”

And yes that can be part of the solution.
But it’s not the core issue.

And I’ll say this very directly, with full respect for everything you’ve already achieved:

You haven’t yet allowed yourself to truly run your business the way you want to.

There’s still an employee mindset at play.
That inner voice saying:

“That’s just how it’s done.”
“That’s part of being self-employed.”
“Others manage too.”

In short:
You orient yourself outward. You look at how others do it. What’s expected of you. What’s considered appropriate. You listen too little to what actually feels right for you.

And I get that. Truly.
Because it means making yourself vulnerable. Saying: “This is how I want to do it.” And taking the risk that it might not work, that others might find it strange, that you could be wrong.

And behind that are usually these questions:

“Am I actually good enough?”
“Am I allowed to trust myself?”
“Who am I to say no?”
“Who am I to charge these prices?”

That’s the gap.

You have the knowledge.
You have the skills.
What’s missing is the inner permission to do what you already know, deep down.

That’s where I work.

I work with you without pressure, without judgement. We look at things together — honestly, directly, and with real understanding for what’s going on inside you right now.

Earning well — without sacrificing your life

Let’s be honest:
I won’t help you scale to seven figures in six months.
I won’t help you build a team of 50 this year.
I won’t help you become the next unicorn.

I help you earn well and have a life.

A business that works without draining you.
That gives you freedom instead of taking it away.
That fits you — instead of forcing you to bend.

If you believe “more is always better” and “hustle until you drop”, we’re not a match.

But if you’re thinking:
“I want a profitable business and time for myself,”
then you’re in the right place.

Why business coaching?

That’s a fair question.

The money you’d invest here could go elsewhere:
nice dinners, a holiday, new tech, another course, Netflix for the next 15 years.

And honestly? Yes — all of that is true.

If you genuinely believe one of those options will move you forward sustainably right now, do that.

But here’s the difference, and I want to be transparent about it:
All of those things give you a moment of relief. Maybe distraction.

Coaching gives you perspective.

When you’ve worked through the inner layer — when you allow yourself to run your business in a way that fits you — doors open that were previously invisible.

You suddenly approach bigger clients (because you dare to).
You charge higher prices (because you know your value).
You say no (because you know you don’t need every project).
You build a team (because you stop doing everything yourself).
You test new business models (because you’re no longer stuck in survival mode).

This isn’t an either/or decision.
It’s an investment that makes other investments possible.

You invest in clarity.
You invest in freedom.

What actually happens

Let me be transparent about how I work and what you get.

During the coaching sessions

We meet twice a month for 60–90 minutes. We look at your concrete situation and work on what’s really going on right now — without standard coaching questions or generic exercises.

If you tell me that client acquisition is a challenge for you, I won’t hand you a one-size-fits-all sales strategy. Instead, we look at the real question: Why is this difficult right now? What’s actually holding you back? Where are you getting in your own way? That’s the issue behind the issue — and that’s where we work.

Practical business support

This is not pure mindset coaching. We also work on the tangible business topics:

Analysing your business structure
What’s working well? Where are things getting stuck? We look at your offer model, positioning and communication.

Sharpening your sales funnel
How do clients find you? Where do you lose them? How can the path from first contact to decision become clearer and more effective?

Feedback on all relevant materials
You receive concrete feedback on pitch decks, sales pages, workshop materials, offers — everything you need to position your business professionally.

Templates and tools
You get access to proven templates and resources that make implementation easier.

Between sessions

Messenger support
You’re stuck with a decision between two calls? You need quick feedback? I’m just a short message away — no waiting weeks until the next session.

Individual roadmap
After each session, you receive a short summary with key insights and concrete next steps. You always know what comes next.

Regular priority checks
We review whether you’re still on track or whether adjustments are needed.

The mindset foundation

And yes — we go deep.
We work on self-doubt, inner permission, the blocks that hold you back, and the mental strength you need to follow through.

Without this foundation, even the best strategy falls flat.

This is mindset and strategy.
Psychology and practice.
Head and heart.

I deliberately work with a maximum of five clients at a time — so I can truly be present, see you clearly and sense what’s really going on for you.

How I work

I’m direct. I don’t circle around issues for long. If I hear something, I name it. I’ll put my finger on the sore spot if needed.

I do this because I’m on your side.

Because I see what’s in you — even when you can’t see it yourself.
Because I want things to move. And change only happens when we’re willing to look honestly.

I work holistically. Business and personality are inseparable. The topics you struggle with privately — setting boundaries, saying no, standing up for yourself — show up in your business too. We look at both. Not just the surface, but the deeper layer. Otherwise, nothing really changes.

I work intensively with you for three to six months — and then I let you go. I don’t want you to stay with me for a year just so I can generate revenue. I want you to grow for real during this time. To stand on your own feet afterwards. To swim without a life jacket.

My goal is your freedom.

What you gain

Inner calm
Self-doubt doesn’t disappear completely — but it no longer pulls you under. You gain distance. You can think clearly, even under pressure. You sleep better.

Clarity about your business
You know where you’re going. You know what actually matters. You stop getting lost in a thousand ideas.

Confidence from the inside out
You meet clients on equal footing. You name your prices without hesitation. You say no when it doesn’t fit. You act with clarity and inner security.

A clear sales funnel
You understand how clients find you and what convinces them. Your communication is aligned, authentic and effective.

Professional materials
Offers, pitch decks, sales pages — everything is clear, coherent and well thought through. No more improvised or patchy documents.

Structure and focus
You know what’s important. You work on your business, not just in it. You have a plan — and you follow through.

A business that fits you
Your personality. Your life. Your values. You no longer have to bend yourself to make it work.

Lightness
Business feels manageable again. Enjoyable. You regain energy instead of just functioning.

Space for everything
There’s room in this coaching for doubt, fear and frustration — but also for joy, success and those moments where you realise: “I actually did this really well.”

Many of my clients tell me: “It felt like business therapy.”
That’s no coincidence.

Because we go deep.
Because you get to speak freely.
And because someone is really listening.

What my clients experience

One client became independent from his biggest customer after three years.
Seventy per cent of his revenue came from a single client. He knew he needed to leave — but he didn’t dare to.
Six weeks later: the conversation was done, new clients had come in. Today he works with four clients, earns more, and recently told me:
“For the first time in years, I’m sleeping through the night again.”

Another client started finishing work at 5 p.m.
For years, she had said yes to everything. Extra tasks. Overtime. And no one ever thanked her for it. When she told me this, I could see how exhausted she was.
Today, 5 p.m. really is the end of her working day — and her business is doing better than ever.
“I finally have time for myself again,” she said.

One founder stopped constantly comparing himself to others.
Always on LinkedIn. Always the feeling that “everyone else is further ahead.”
In one session, he cried. Properly cried. Because he realised how hard he had been on himself for years.
Today, he runs his business by his own rules.
“I finally enjoy my business again,” he told me.

One founder built her first team.
She had put it off for months. “Am I ready? Can I really do this?”
We worked through it together.
Today, she works with three freelancers. Her business is growing. And she’s no longer alone.
“I never thought this would feel so good,” she wrote to me.

Another client doubled his prices — and gained more clients.
He was convinced higher prices would scare people away. The opposite happened.
Because he finally showed up with confidence and recognised his own value.
“That changed everything,” he said.

These aren’t guarantees.
They’re real people with real results.
People who were willing to engage — including with the uncomfortable parts.

Why me

I have over ten years of experience in leadership roles at international companies (including HelloFresh, BearingPoint and ING). I know what it’s like to lead teams, build a business and handle pressure.

I hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration, trained as a bank clerk, and completed certified training as a systemic life and business coach (ECA and QSA), as well as a train-the-trainer qualification.

But more important than any qualification:
I’ve walked the path you’re on right now.

I know what it’s like to doubt yourself, to struggle, to lie awake at night asking:
“Am I doing this right?”

I’ve learned how to run a business in a way that fits me — my personality, my values, and the life I want to live.

I live what I teach.

I don’t scale at all costs. I work with people who are a good fit — and after three to six months, I let them go again, because by then they’re ready to stand on their own feet.

I’m direct — and I’m warm.

I’ll tell you what I see (even when it’s uncomfortable). I do that because I’m on your side. Because I see what’s in you. Because I listen. Because I understand that strength also means being vulnerable.

I meet you on equal footing.

And I don’t sell you anything I haven’t done myself.
What you see with me is what you get.

Your investment

I work with different formats, depending on where you are and what you need:

Starter package (2 deep-dive sessions)
From €899 — for those who want to get a feel for the work and clarify a concrete issue.

Retainer (3–6 months of intensive support)
Individual pricing depending on scope — for those who want real transformation and are ready to commit.

In the introductory call, we look honestly at what fits you.
I won’t automatically pitch you the most expensive option — I’ll tell you what actually makes sense for your situation.

This is for you if you…

✓ have been self-employed for at least 2–3 years
✓ are ambitious and genuinely want to create change
✓ are willing to open up and talk about personal topics
✓ want to act, not just think
✓ can handle directness and appreciate warmth
✓ are ready to look at yourself honestly
✓ implement what we work on together

This is not for you if you…

✗ want to scale to seven figures as fast as possible
✗ believe business problems can be solved on a purely tactical level
✗ expect a 100% success guarantee
✗ want to be entertained instead of actively engaging
✗ aren’t willing or able to open up

What happens next

If you’ve read this far and are thinking, “Yes — this could be a good fit,” then book an introductory call.

We’ll talk about your situation. I’ll listen to where you are right now and what you need. You’ll get a sense of how I work — and what it feels like to talk to me.

Then we’ll look together at whether working together makes sense.

I don’t work with everyone. And that’s a good thing.
It needs to be the right fit — for you and for me.

If it feels right, we’ll talk about the next steps: formats, pricing and how we’d work together. Everything transparent. Everything clear.

If it doesn’t feel right, that’s completely fine. I’ll point you towards other paths that might suit you better — or we simply stay in touch.

The question is: are you ready?

Ready to allow yourself to run your business the way you truly want to.
Ready to look honestly — even when it feels uncomfortable.
Ready to open up.
Ready to grow.

If the answer is yes, click the button.
I’m looking forward to getting to know you.

Get started