Sometimes, the most remarkable journeys begin with a quiet whisper of possibility. For Raven Petty, that whisper started in her early 20s—a dream of working in book publishing that seemed just out of reach. With a bachelor’s degree in English and nearly two decades of experience in content and digital marketing, she seemed to have her future planned. Yet, there was something calling her for more. 

“In 2018 or 2019, I had been thinking about changing careers and doing something different, so I started researching life coaching” Raven recalls. The turning point came during the challenges of the pandemic when she witnessed the struggles of people around her. It was then that she decided to pursue life coaching, a path that would completely reshape her professional and personal future.

The Turning Point: Discovering Health Coach Institute

After a year of extensive research, Raven found herself drawn to the Health Coach Institute (HCI). “I attended their open house events, listened to their webinars, and read everything I could,” she shares. 

One memorable morning, her intuition took over. “I woke up at 4:00 a.m., and my brain was like, ‘I’m not going to let you sleep until you sign up and do this.'” Without hesitation, she invested in herself, charging the tuition to her credit card with a promise to earn her investment in the program back within a year after graduation.

A Transformation Beyond Career

The HCI program was more than just a certification for Raven—it was a profound personal awakening. “The HCI training is all encompassing,” she explains. “I learned so much about myself and was able to make lifestyle changes while learning the program. I had no idea what I needed to do for myself until I got into the material.”

Balancing her full-time job with her coaching studies, Raven would wake up early each morning, dedicating time from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. to her HCI coursework before heading to her corporate job. Her dedication paid off, and she found joy in the process. “It was fun work,” she remembers, “and I never had trouble finding practice clients.”

Starting with friends and family, Raven quickly established herself through building a solid coaching practice. Through a series of email marketing campaigns, her initial close rate was an impressive 60%, with many clients renewing multiple times. She specialized in stress management, particularly supporting women over 55 who were navigating life transitions like unexpected retirement.

The Leap of Faith: From Corporate to Entrepreneur

In October 2024, Raven took the most significant step of her career. After nearly a decade in her corporate role, she left her high-paying position to become a full-time entrepreneur. But she didn’t stop at coaching. Alongside her business partner Jennifer Grace, she launched Raven and Grace Press, a hybrid book publishing company dedicated to helping writers, including coaches, become published authors.

“It was almost a big middle finger to the publishing industry,” Raven laughs, referencing her childhood dream of working in book publishing that seemed out of reach after many rejections. Now, she’s not only a published author herself but has helped 70 other coaches become published authors through collaborative books.

The Transformative Power of Commitment

Today, Raven reflects on her journey with a sense of awe. “I never thought it would happen for me in the way it did,” she says. Her story is a reminder that investing in yourself can lead to unexpected and extraordinary outcomes.

Raven’s advice for those considering a similar path is powerful: “Get to know the people behind the company and brand before making a purchase decision.” She also emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the coaching community, even during periods when you might not be actively coaching.

For women feeling stuck, uncertain, or yearning for something more, Raven’s path to coaching sparks hope. Through the Health Coach Institute, she didn’t just change her career—she is chasing dreams that once felt lost, which has transformed her life.

Are you ready to write your own success story?

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Health Coach Institute provides aspiring Health and Life Coaches with the tools, training, and support to make a great living transforming lives.