What inspired you to become a business coach, and how did you get started in this field?
It started with a love for film, and a lot of bad advice.
For as long as I can remember, I was drawn to all things creative. I wanted to be a filmmaker, but I was told to get a real degree. So I studied Psychology instead. Then came more advice: get a proper job. I climbed the corporate ladder in London where I was successful on paper, but unfulfilled.
The moments I felt most alive were outside of work, hosting big, laughter-filled dinners where creatives and business owners came together to share ideas, vent frustrations and support each other. So, I left the City and built a business around what I loved, opening a restaurant that became a hub for creativity, collaboration and community.
Running that business for 10 years taught me everything about growth—scaling, hiring, pricing, marketing—but more importantly, it taught me about mindset. I saw my friends who were brilliant creatives and entrepreneurs hold themselves back, undercharge, or stay stuck in cycles of overthinking and self-doubt. They had the skills, the talent, but they weren’t stepping into their full potential.
I knew I could help. I combined my business experience, my background in psychology and my passion for helping people think bigger—and Ivy Malik Coaching was born. I sold my premises at the peak of my business and now, I help creative entrepreneurs and business owners shift their mindset, price with confidence and scale their businesses in a way that feels natural and sustainable.
Because success isn’t about working harder. It’s about thinking differently.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting your coaching business, and how did you overcome them?
My first business was bricks and mortar, where I had teams handling the work. When I stepped into my new coaching business, I was entering the digital world, I had to start from scratch. Suddenly, I was back at wearing every hat. Marketer, content creator, salesperson. The learning curve was steep.
Social media was especially tough. I wasn’t just promoting a product; I was promoting myself. Becoming the face of my brand felt unnatural at first. Imposter syndrome consumed me. So did the internal work of self-acceptance, self-worth, self-love so that I could reach the confidence and ease I have today.
Now? I show up with zero hesitation. But it wasn’t an overnight shift, it was a process of unlearning fear and embracing visibility.
What has been the most surprising aspect of running your own small company?
I’ve been in business a long time, so surprises are rare. But what never gets old are the small, beautiful moments of connection.
When I host a live event and people show up. When someone takes the time to write a thoughtful comment on a post. These things don’t cost money—they cost time. And time is the most valuable thing we have.
People want to help. They want to see you succeed. That energy? It’s magic. And I’ll never stop appreciating the little things.
What do you think is the most overlooked aspect of running a successful business?
This may be a controversial response. But I see the customer being overlooked all the time.
So many businesses are built around a passion or a market gap, but they forget the most important voice. The person buying.
Most founders will say, “Of course we think about our customers!” But when was the last time you actually talked to them? Not just theorised about what they might want, but really asked them?
If we start with the customer, everything else…marketing, sales, product, it all falls into place. The businesses that truly get this? They’re the ones thriving.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when you were starting out, what would it be?
Build your personal brand. This is what a lot of my clients want to develop when they work with me.
I was so shy in the beginning. I turned down magazine features, TV spots, and radio interviews because the thought of being seen terrified me. Looking back, I wish I’d said yes and rocked that BBC interview, saved every clipping from Elle, The Guardian, The Times.
The opportunities were there. I just didn’t know how valuable they were.
Now? I’d tell my younger self: Visibility is power. And it’s never too late. The best time to start is today.
