From Word-of-Mouth to $1M Scalable Speaking Business - Expert Coaching Session with John Bates

On this episode of The 7-Figure Leap Podcast, host Dustin Riechmann coaches John Bates, founder of Executive Speaking Success, on how to turn years of speaking expertise into a predictable, scalable business.

John opens up about his journey—from raising hundreds of millions in Silicon Valley startups and building a reputation as a TEDx communication coach, to a pivotal moment when he was invited to train NASA astronauts. After a serious health setback that forced him to pause his work, John is now rebuilding with a bold goal: grow Executive Speaking Success into a 7 figure business that creates impact without sacrificing his personal life.

During this live coaching call, Dustin helps John redesign his business model, create a clear offer structure, and map out the shift from unpredictable referrals to consistent lead generation. They also dive into the power of podcast guesting, partnerships, and mastermind programs as scalable ways to attract the right clients and build authority.

If you’re an entrepreneur or business leader ready to scale beyond word-of-mouth and step into your own 7-figure leap, this candid session delivers both strategy and inspiration you can apply right away.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 – Welcome to the 7-Figure Leap Podcast
• 00:01:42 – Proving the value of “soft skills” in a “hard skills” world
• 00:02:49 – Pivotal moment: the 2009 TED conference that changed everything
• 00:03:29 – The spark: witnessing a brilliant person struggle on a TEDx stage
• 00:04:47 – Developing the method: grounding communication coaching in the Science of Communication
• 00:06:44 – Business overview: explaining the two brands (johnbates.com and Executive Speaking Success)
• 00:08:24 – Major setback: health crisis in 2023 and its impact on the business
• 00:11:08 – Future focus: podcast guesting and partnerships as growth strategies
• 00:13:21 – Current offerings: one-on-one coaching packages and pricing
• 00:17:52 – Corporate bootcamp: the “Speak Like a Leader” workshop for companies
• 00:20:39 – Ideal client profile: business leaders, entrepreneurs, and stage pursuers
• 00:25:29 – Niching down: why the focus is on high-level business leaders
• 00:29:19 – The 2026 vision: an ideal business with a small team and strong community
• 00:36:31 – Scalable model: blending one-on-one, group coaching, and masterminds
• 00:44:49 – Marketing strategy: using podcast guesting to find ideal clients
• 00:50:09 – Partnership success story: how mastermind speaking generated leads
• 00:52:48 – Key takeaway: feeling hopeful with a simplified marketing plan
• 00:53:49 – Where to connect online with John online

Links and Resources:

• Executive Speaking Success (Coaching & Training)
• John’s Personal Brand & Keynotes
• John on LinkedIn
• John on Instagram

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to 7-Figure Leap? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!