Best Small Business to Start: Career Counselor or Coach

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Hi, I'm an out-of-work teacher who is tried of hitting every wall there is in trying to get hired as anything other than a part-time Substitute Teacher. It's growing on six years sinse I've been left out in the cold, and I'm getting frost-bite. I've tried everything from door-to-door copier sales to over-the-road trucking. I've used up more resume paper than you can fit in a football stadium. It's as if everyone thinks that a "subtitute" teacher is the dumbest person on the planet with no marketable talents/skills worth living for. Bull, I guess they never thought that skills such as: management (personnel and time), instruction (assessment, evaluation, and motivation of individuals/groups), communication (oral interpersonal conversation or counseling, oral group presentation, and written computerized/handwritten correspondence), office operations (phone, computer, filing, fax, copier, confidential reporting, etc.), and many others even came into play with teachers. If it weren't for all the "dumb" teachers, nobody telling me how I don't rate would have brains enough to hold down the jobs they now have.
Well, after much personal introspection, I've come to the conclusion that I've been put on this Earth to help others. Every time I pray, the idea that comes to me is to help people find fulfillment in their lives. Helping others find a career, not just a job, that makes life more meaningful seems pretty rewarding to me.
Now for the $1,000,000 questions: How can I start?; Where do I start?; and Who will give me the chance? Come'on people, any ideas?

James Potts of CA 6:03PM October 30, 2009

Hi. I am a certified school counselor with several years experience, transitioning out of the profession. I would like to work in a business with another career coach.
Is there a popular site or newsletter where I could find about opportunities and or leave my resume?

Keith of MA 10:44PM February 20, 2009

I am a former CA community college counselor, I moved to a state where these colleges are rare. I've not worked in the colleges here in OH, as I've been raising a child and working part time in the k-12 schools.
I'd love to work for someone who has an established business, as I'm not interested in starting my own business.

Margie Hanson of OH 4:44PM December 28, 2008

Great article and as one in the entreprenurial field of career counseling/coaching, I can attest to how satisfying it can be to help others - as per our trademark in our www.careerwired.com - to help people know themselves, know the market and make the match.
Business is great right now, and in fact we have to almost start turning away referrals, as we have over 120 new referrals the last quarter of 2008 alone. Most can be funded by some 3rd parties or self-pay, and/or via employers. However, it is hard work and long-hours and takes a while to get establihed in any area.
As folks will see via your links, there are Global Certifications as career development facilitators (gCDF), and firms like ours also help NCDA and NBCC's CCE deliver that training, as noted at www.wdpn.net, as well....So kudos on a great article and I can attest to it being the best career of all, helping others also find their calling. I'm happy to help anyone thinking about launching such a a career and we have a national network to help new entreprenurs do that as well at www.wdpn.net (Workforce Development Professionals Network)

Bill Freed, Master Level CDFI and HPCD CoE, CWDP, and WIA Certified Peer Counselor of PA 12:31PM December 26, 2008