Business Coaching at Its Best

Helped Launch My Solo Practice

“Nick helped me launch my solo practice after more than 20 years as an employee of other firms, assisting me in creating a business plan that leveraged my strengths, as well as dealing with the personal challenges of such a large transition in my career.”

Michael Papanek

An Uncanny Ability

“Nick has the uncanny ability to quickly identify the areas I need to work on to improve my business. His tools and recommendations not only help me significantly increase my revenue, the satisfaction I get from the WAY I work now is tremendous. My career is custom tailored to take advantage of my particular strengths. I recommend his process to ALL of my advisor colleagues.”

Kathy Troxell
Financial Advisor

Effective Management Tools

“Nick’s coaching got me on target to achieve my business goals. His time management tools were very effective in ensuring I stayed focused on my goals in order to achieve the best results. He’s great – he can do the same for you!”

Julianna Hynes, PhD
Leadership Development Consultant and Coach
Julianna Hynes & Associates

The Art of Discovery

“Nick has a unique way of approaching the art of discovery. Under this method, you will work together and discover areas in your business that can be improved for positive results. His background and knowledge have been invaluable to me.”

Bruce Johnson
Bruce Johnson Insurance Agency, LLC

The Utmost Integrity

“I have the highest respect and admiration for Nick. He is a person of utmost integrity and honesty, and if you are willing to follow his advice to the letter, you will be rewarded for your efforts.”

Rande Shaffer
Shaffer Insurance & Risk Management

More Time Off!

“I have worked with Nick on two aspects of my business. One, increasing the amount of time off, and two, enhancing the productivity of my business. My time off has now increased so that I take off about eight weeks each year. Income has risen by more than 50%, so I have been able to enjoy both more leisure time and greater income. Having Nick as my coach gave me a fresh perspective and was the key to making this happen. My coach truly made a difference!”

Steven H. Way, CLU ChFC
Walnut Creek, CA

I'm More Productive and Content

“Nick has been instrumental in aligning my personal and business plans. Being one of those type A personalities with too many good goals, Nick helped me nail down my real goals, determine a workable strategy, and prepare an assessment tool. This process allowed me to be more productive and content with my daily life. Thanks Nick!”

Lou Gatto
Gatto McFerson
Santa Monica, California

Nick Taught Me To Define Myself

Nick Ray embodies what the best coaches have to offer: the ability to help others discover more about themselves.

When I found myself having difficulties in my work environment, I would go home and over think every small detail. Luckily, I soon had Nick to coach me in understanding not only the bigger picture, but my role in it.

Each time I spoke with Nick he invited me to reflect on my current situation, why it was the way it was, and what I was learning. Nick closed by inviting me to articulate what else I had learned about myself through our conversation. Each time I struggled to say it out loud I benefited from the act of defining.

Nick persistently urged me to answer hard questions, forcing me to define my ideal job and ultimately, define myself. What an amazing gift, to possess the knowledge of who I am as a working individual, what I have the right to expect from my employer, and what kind of environment is beneficial to me and my skills.

Chimei Fregoso

I Work Less and Make More

“I have been working with Nick Ray since October 5, 2002. Working together has allowed me to achieve my target, which was a better balance between work efforts and leisure time. By implementing changes in my business, I am now working about 20% fewer hours. However, with better results in my work time, my income has risen by more than 20%.

With his help, I have been able to increase the quality of my clientele, and to have more of my efforts focused on high value cases. Those parts of my practice that were frustrating have now been either delegated or removed from my work effort. I would highly recommend Nick as a business and personal coach in achieving your particular objectives.”

Sincerely,
Steven H. Way, CLU, ChFC
Walnut Creek, California

Most Insightful Coach I Have Ever Hired

“Nick Ray is the most focused and insightful business coach and marketing educator that I have ever hired. He has great depth of knowledge and experience and he is also a talented and patient instructor with effective exercises and learning tools. Nick really knows how to explain important concepts like prospecting, management systems, marketing cycles and strategic planning. As an entrepreneur, Nick has helped me to increase my skills and confidence. Now I have a solid business plan as well as specific marketing strategies and concrete tactics to activate. Because of Nick, my business is turning upward and I am gaining more effective visibility.”

Revel Miller, PhD
Revel Miller Consulting
Santa Barbara, California

Keeping On Track

“Nick, I just wanted to thank you for all of your help last year. The coaching was fantastic and very effective. I read the notes that I took from our sessions on a monthly basis to keep me on track. Your guidance and feedback has had a great impact on my practice. I am looking forward to continuing our relationship.”

Greg Hughes
Sales Professional Marsh Risk & Insurance Services
Los Angeles, California

An Excellent Resource Just For You

“Nick Ray is an excellent coach in my opinion because he is compassionate, tough-minded, wise, knowledgeable and forthright. Combining these qualities with his sensitivity and strong listening skills, Nick is a great resource for me in making business and career decisions.”

Larry J. Pitman
Bakersfield, California

Speaking Engagements

A Real Pro

“Nick Ray has spoken to my groups on many occasions and I have always found his talks to be useful, interesting and full of valuable information. He's a real pro in the financial services business, and has a lot to offer to individuals and groups who want to improve their productivity and become more professional and effective. If you're looking for a speaker who knows his stuff, Nick Ray is your man.”

Barry J. Fisher, CSA, LTCP
Canoga Park, California

There’s More to Selling Than Making the Sale

A Blueprint for Stunning Success

“How can you build the successful sales practice you have dreamed of having? Nick Ray in his marvelous new book, There’s More to Selling Than Making the Sale, leads us through not only the sales process, but all the steps needed to build a well-designed and prosperous sales business. During his incredibly successful career in the financial services industry, he has chronicled all the systems and processes he has used and now shares those secrets as a blueprint for easy management and stunning success.”

Ginger Cockerham
Master Certified Coach and
author of Magnificent Masters in Financial Services

Build a Prosperous Business

“Sales plateaued? Frustrated? Have a high desire to double or triple your sales volume in the next 12-24 months? Nick Ray, a top industry producer, gives you over 30 years of his wisdom, practical tools and techniques on how to build a prosperous financial services business. This book is filled with straight talk – no fluff or filler. Nick will make you a winner!”

Jim Horan
President
The One Page Business Plan Company

Make a Lot More Money

“Nick Ray’s book on selling really hits the mark. Follow his road map and you won’t get lost on your way to making more money – a lot more money.”

Katherine Vessenes, JD, CFP(R), RFC
and author of Building Your
Multimillion Dollar Practice

Build a Practice You Can Sell

“A successful salesperson is not necessarily a successful business person. This book will help you become both. You’ll learn how to avoid the sales rollercoaster and build a practice you’ll be able to sell when it comes time to retire.”

Charles Legalos, PhD
President, Critical Contacts, Inc.

Package Solution #2: Business Planning

I Was Stuck

“When I started thinking about my business plan I was stuck. Working with Nick Ray and the One Page Business Plan has been phenomenal. I'm now totally clear about what I want and even better, I have a workable plan that will keep me on track. Having the entire plan on one page makes it easy to use.”

Gene Rowe, CLU ChFC
Encino, CA

Take Your Business to the Next Level

“The One Page Business Plan helped me gain focus and clarity on who I am, what I have to offer and how to get there. It forced me to make choices about what to do (which is something I don't like to do). Within three months of completing the plan (that wasn't easy), I had approximately a 40% increase in revenue. Anyone who wants to take their business to the next level should work with Nick Ray.”

Patrick Reilly, M.A., MBC
Executive Coach and Consultant
Berkeley, CA

A Concise Business Plan

“Nick helped me get clarity with my business. He helped me to write a concise business plan that was to the point and then encouraged me to execute the plan. Thanks for all your help!”

Jerry Brunson
Exclusive Agent

Package Solution #3: Marketing and Prospecting

A Steady Stream of Clients

“Nick’s coaching has supported me with a more focused, consistent marketing plan that has resulted in a steady stream of new clients and new prospects.”

Susan Danzig
Business Development Coach

Package Solution #4: Sales Assessment

Assessment Tests Really Work

“When Nick Ray first recommended that I take the assessment tests, I was skeptical, because I thought I has a pretty good idea of who I was. To tell the truth, I kind of gave Nick a little bit of a hard time. But he was patient and persistent, so I took the tests. Even then, I was convinced that the results weren't really accurate. But as we dug deeper, I discovered that the results were right on. The new-found information was useful in helping me improve my job performance; I even got a better job as the result of my newly discovered insights. Take the tests – they really work.”

Valerie Lewis
Los Angeles,California

Get the Full Value

“My initial meetings with Nick Ray convinced me that he had a good feeling for my situation, so I took his suggestion that I take his package of assessment tests. Even when I got the results, I still had to dig a bit to get the full value, and I'm glad I did. I was able to uncover some deep connections between my motivation and my behavior. I was then able to take corrective action, which resulted in much more effective job performance. Nick Ray helped me and he can help you too.”

Stephen Bue
Oakland, California

More about Nick

• Biography