Banana Splits and Business Models: What Childhood Taught Me About Great Coaching Programs
My First Group Coaching Experience (Yes, in First Grade)
In 1994, I joined my first group coaching program.
It was called Banana Splits—a lunchtime support group for young kids with divorced parents. I was in first grade.
We met in the school guidance counselor’s tiny office. The walls were powder blue. The chairs squeaked. The juice boxes were Juicy Juice. And even though I didn’t have the language for it at the time, I remember the feeling of being in a room where the adult actually got it.
Where I didn’t have to explain everything.
Where I could just be seen.
It didn’t fix everything.
But it helped.
And it stuck with me.
At the end of the year, we had a party with—you guessed it—banana splits.
Yes, my first group coaching program came with ice cream sundaes and broken hearts. 😅
A Full-Circle Moment in NYC
Fast forward to last week.
I’m at the Museum of Ice Cream in NYC with my kids, my mom, and my boyfriend—walking through a giant banana split art installation, half pink, half yellow. My kids are running ahead of me, chasing their eighth sample of ice cream.
And out of nowhere, I thought:
Maybe this is why I care so much about creating group coaching containers that don’t suck.
Group Programs That Don’t Suck
The kind that scale without sacrificing the experience.
Where people feel held, seen, and respected.
Where expectations are met—or exceeded—and the whole thing feels like a full-body yes.
Where the sales process doesn’t rely on pressure or persuasion, but on mutual clarity and consent.
Not because I’m chasing some gold star in “client experience.”
But because I know what it feels like to be in a space that actually helps.
And what it feels like when it doesn’t.
(That’s a story for another blog post—think: required hugging, shady leaders, and really bad advice. 🫠)
To me, it’s not about being perfect.
It’s about being intentional.
That’s what I want more of.
For myself.
For my clients.
For the world, honestly.
The spaces we create matter.
They ripple.
And whether you’re leading a coaching program, running a team, or raising kids—the way your people feel in your presence?
That’s the real legacy.
Reflection Prompts for Your Own Business
Want to check the vibe in your own group offer or client experience?
Ask yourself:
👉 Where in your business do people feel held?
👉 Where might they feel like just another number?
👉 What kind of experience do you want to scale?
Because it’s not just about what we build.
It’s about how it feels—on both sides.
And if we can infuse even a little more care, clarity, and resonance into our work?
That’s the cherry on top. 🍒
Final Scoop (A Sweet PS)
My kids are unofficial members of the Banana Split Club now—not the official program, but the part of the population of young kids living between houses with divorced parents.
And I can’t help but wonder what tiny ripple from my experience in that little lunchtime group has made its way into how I support them now.
That, to me, is what makes a good group container powerful:
You remember the party.
But it’s the being seen that stays with you.
Cheers to more of that.
How to Make High Ticket Sales Without Feeling Pushy
Discover how to sell high ticket offers ($2K+) with confidence and integrity—no sleazy tactics, no overwhelm. A must-read for coaches and service providers.
Introduction: Why High Ticket Sales Matter in Your Business
If you’re striving to grow your coaching or education business, understanding high ticket sales is crucial. High ticket sales typically refer to selling products or services priced over $2,000. These sales can simplify your revenue goals and help you avoid burnout from chasing volume.
Unlike low ticket offers that require selling in high numbers to reach income targets, high ticket sales allow you to generate meaningful revenue with fewer clients. This approach not only makes your business more sustainable but also aligns better with offering high levels of value and service.
The Benefits of High Ticket Sales for Coaches and Educators
Selling high ticket offers presents advantages that many entrepreneurs overlook. When you price your services or courses at $2,000 or more, you simplify your sales goals because fewer sales are needed to meet income targets.
For example, instead of needing 100 sales at $27, you might only need one sale at $2,700. This is especially helpful when you’re starting with a smaller network or limited audience.
Real Client Success: From Low Ticket to Mastermind Sales
A practical example illustrates this well—a client first launched a $297 course and made some sales, but the revenue didn’t feel substantial relative to her goal of making $100,000 annually.
After engaging her community, she introduced a mastermind priced between $2,500 and $3,500. The mastermind filled quickly within four days, generating roughly $30,000 with no major launch or complex sales funnel.
This approach required less effort but yielded ten times the revenue, demonstrating the power of high ticket sales done authentically.
Selling High Ticket Offers with Authenticity and Ease
Many people hesitate to sell high ticket because they associate it with being pushy or sleazy. But selling with authenticity changes the narrative entirely.
Think of it like offering a helpful service—you’re simply presenting a genuine solution to someone who needs it while respecting their choice to say yes or no.
For example, if you own a garage and someone needs car repairs, your offer to help is natural and generous, not manipulative.
Building Confidence and Respect in the Sales Process
Authenticity in sales means confidently offering your expertise while maintaining integrity. You don’t oversell or pressure; instead, you provide clear information, let prospects know their options, and honor their decisions.
This makes the sales process feel natural, reduces anxiety, and builds trust.
Overcoming Sales Anxiety and Mindset Barriers in High Ticket Sales
It’s common to feel anxious or uneasy about selling high ticket offers. Notice where you feel this discomfort physically or emotionally. Ask yourself:
Are you associating asking for money with negative beliefs?
Do you have cultural or familial stories that make money talk uncomfortable?
Awareness is the first step toward shifting these barriers.
Reflecting and Reframing Limiting Beliefs About Money
Sometimes, deep-seated messages about money from childhood or culture prevent us from embracing sales confidently.
Reflect on what you’ve learned about money and selling—and decide if those beliefs still serve you. It’s perfectly okay if changing these feels gradual; personal growth often accompanies success in high ticket sales.
The Personal Development Journey Embedded in High Ticket Sales
Selling high ticket is more than just a business tactic—it’s a personal growth experience.
Defining and offering high ticket services helps you clarify who you are, deepen your expertise, and build confidence.
Many entrepreneurs find themselves reclaiming parts of their identity and stepping into their authentic power as they master this sales method.
Next Steps for Aligned, Authentic High Ticket Selling
To start selling high ticket offers in a way that feels aligned and manageable, focus on creating real value for your clients and building genuine connections.
You don’t necessarily need elaborate sales pages or launches. Instead, focus on conversations and trust-building.
For support, consider resources like The Aligned Sales Checklists and Journal Prompts that help you connect your values with your sales approach.
Key Takeaway: High Ticket Sales Without Feeling Pushy or Overwhelmed
High ticket sales allow you to simplify your revenue goals by offering high-value programs or services priced above $2,000.
Selling high ticket authentically means providing genuine solutions, respecting clients’ choices, and transforming your mindset around money and sales anxiety.
This process is not only effective for business growth but also a journey of personal development that builds confidence and clarity in your expertise.
Ready to approach your sales with more ease and connection?
Start by identifying your high ticket offer, reflecting on your money mindset, and engaging authentically with your community.
This approach offers a clear path to meeting your business goals without burnout or stress—helping you sell with integrity and confidence.
13 journal prompts to build entrepreneurial trust
Make a list of 20+ things you’re great at or have done well
List 20+ times you’ve been helpful
Give yourself 3 “Thank You’s” or awards that someone forgot to give you.
List 5-10 times you messed up
Return to the list from number 4 and write what you learned from each mess up
Answer the question, “how am I different now?”
Name 3-5 people/characters/animals/plants you admire and then list 3-5 of the characteristics you appreciate of each
What if life is unfair?
What if you luck is real and you are lucky?
Write a letter to yourself
What did you learn about money as a kid?
How do you feel about money now? What are your regular thoughts and beliefs around money?
How do you want to feel about money? What would you like your regular thoughts and beliefs around money to be?
Grab my free sales resource, The Aligned Sales Journal Prompts + Checklist here.
Rethinking “Playing Small”
“Playing small” can be strategic.
Faster, bigger, more- aren’t always best OR doable. (But “stop playing small” is the messaging most coaches and consultants are selling and advising based off of.)
“Playing small” can be strategic.
Faster, bigger, more- aren’t always best OR doable. (But “stop playing small” is the messaging most coaches and consultants are selling and advising based off of.)
It’s easy to look at a growth strategy, to know what you’re capable of, and to look at where you are and to feel behind or to know that you can do more. But those feelings don’t necessarily mean you’re making a mistake like all the messaging and marketing you see will tell you.
Then we slap the label on of “playing small” on (which for some reason is inherently wrong) it can become a shame point and up pops the story of “I’m messing up” which just makes taking action and growth feel harder.
What many coaches/consultants and entrepreneurs don’t realize is that “playing small” can be a strategic move. But it’s easy to assume it’s the thing that’s wrong and needs changing.
What if “playing small” is good and bad? What if it has positive and negatives? What if it’s right for right now and as time passes it changes?
What if this version of ‘small’ is past you’s version of HUGE?
What if this is is just a phase of the journey and every step you take will feel small looking back when in reality you’ve been climbing a whole damn mountain and the speed at which you climb doesn’t actually matter?
Most of us have more going on than business building.
We have people and relationships we love and that we want to show up for.
We have experiences we want to share now rather than waiting til a time that we’re not promised.
We have dreams that we’re committed to but that we’re not willing to sacrifice our daily lives for on the way.
Maybe we can stop telling ourselves (and our clients and audience) that they’re bad and wrong for not going faster and just commend them for the pace they’re going. Then, when they’re ready to go faster we can share some options about shorter paths and better hiking boots.
Small can be aligned.
Small can be of service.
Small can be life changing.
Small can be a judgement, a projection, or a measurement.
Small can be smart.
And, if you feel the urge to play bigger - maybe it’s not just about business- maybe that will naturally happen when you start taking up more space and expressing your truth in every day life. Play big at home - love big, nurture big, connect big — and then see how the business side feels.