How a Nurse Turned Her Passion into a Cancer Coaching Business

When Abby Keller launched her holistic cancer coaching practice with ZenBusiness, it wasn’t just a career shift. It was a calling. With over a decade of experience in oncology nursing and a deep understanding of the gaps in traditional cancer care, Abby set out to offer support that honors the whole person.

Name: Abby Keller

Business: Holistic health and life coach

Services: Virtual coaching for individuals impacted by cancer

Year Founded: 2023

Website: https://abbykellercoaching.com/

Location: Virtual

Why I started my business

Nurses have so much knowledge and talent that we don’t get to use in the hospital setting. We’re stretched too thin, and there’s not enough time to offer holistic support. But people need help processing complex emotions and navigating difficult times. I knew there was more I could do to help people feel empowered, and even after treatment is done. I wanted to help them process the experience and let them know they’re not alone. Whether or not you have cancer, you can still live a life you love.

Getting my first client

I still work at the hospital, so I can’t find my clients there. I did a podcast talking about what I do, and a woman heard me and reached out to me. She’d had cancer five years prior, and realized she never processed it. Then she became my first paying client, and we did some amazing work together. 

Trusting the process

For me, the learning curve has been very steep. All my training is in nursing; I knew nothing about business. I didn’t know about business taxes. I didn’t know my city required me to have a license just to work out of my house. So many things! I put a lot of stock in how I show up for my clients and how I show up for me. The rest of it will work itself out. Maybe I don’t need to scale super quickly. My job, my greatest service, is to show up in a heart-centered way for my clients. That’s what fulfills me. I’ll continue to learn as I go on.

The importance of self-care as a business owner

My friends and family were supportive when I started the business. But they were also concerned about how I could spend my time at the hospital and then come home and talk to more people who have cancer. They wanted to make sure I was taking care of myself, and I appreciate that. Self-care is a big part of being a business owner. I work with some pretty heavy stuff, so I have to make sure that I take time to nourish my own spirit. I can take a break and enjoy life with my friends and my family. 

The role of gratitude

I approach my work from a “get-to” perspective rather than I should or I have to. What do I get to do today? I get to help people. I get to share somebody’s story with them and witness their strength and the beauty of the human spirit. Along with that comes some extra work and tedium, but it’s completely worth it.

Advice for small business owners

Don’t get bogged down in all the shoulds. I should be posting more. I should be doing better bookkeeping. Respect how much you can handle in a day.  I love what I do. When things get hard, I know that I can take a step back, and my business will still be there. 

What she loves about having her own business

I like to being able to set my own role and schedule. I get to make it up! I decide how I want to support people, and I fulfill their needs in a very flexible way. My sessions with clients are 90 minutes long. When do I get to spend 90 minutes with a patient in the hospital? Never! Because I get to make the rules, I can sleep in if it’s been a long week. I can take care of my parents as they get older. I get to have my beloved dog with me while I’m on calls. 

Why she loves ZenBusiness

I was able to set up my LLC very quickly when I finally got the courage to do it. ZenBusiness gives me so many resources to help when I’m in a sticky spot with my business. I  applied for a ZenBusiness small business grant, and I got it!  That extra money helped me recuperate some of my startup costs and invest in my own education so I could be a better coach.

Final thoughts: the power of mission

In the book The Five Regrets of the Dying, one of the regrets is: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life that others expected of me.” My mission is to help people learn to love themselves and love their lives, no matter what.

Note: This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.

Inspired by Abby’s story? Learn how ZenBusiness can help you turn your passion into a company of your own by helping you form an LLC or a corporation.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.