Success Story Interview:
Steve Coombes
From Copywriting to Serial Entrepreneurship: Using Persuasion to Build Freedom

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Steve Coombes is a serial solopreneur who has spent the last two decades building businesses across multiple industries — including copywriting, ecommerce, business coaching, and insurance. Today, he works alongside one of his sons building a national insurance team focused on life insurance, health insurance, and zero-risk retirement protection solutions. But according to Steve, everything started when he learned persuasive writing through AWAI.

In this Inside AWAI conversation, Steve joins Executive Director Katie Yeakle to share how copywriting became the foundation for every business opportunity that followed. He explains why the principles of persuasion extend far beyond sales letters — shaping leadership, communication, marketing, decision-making, and nearly every aspect of entrepreneurship. Throughout the interview, Steve emphasizes that business ownership can create a level of freedom and flexibility many people never experience in traditional career paths.

Steve also talks candidly about growth, discomfort, and mindset — including why success almost always takes longer and feels harder than expected. Rather than avoiding discomfort, he believes entrepreneurs need to decide in advance to “embrace the suck” and continue moving forward anyway. His story offers an encouraging and practical look at what it really takes to build something meaningful over time.


What You’ll Learn

  • How copywriting became the foundation for Steve’s entrepreneurial career
  • Why persuasion skills apply to every area of business and life
  • Why it’s never too early — or too late — to start your own business
  • The mindset required to push through uncertainty and discomfort
  • Why growth often feels harder than expected (and why that’s normal)
  • How Steve built businesses across multiple industries over two decades
  • Why business ownership can create greater freedom and flexibility

Recommended Resources:

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Published: May 20, 2026

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