Private executive coaching for founders who want sustainable success — not success that costs their health, relationships, or sense of self.
You've built something significant. You've made decisions that shaped your industry, led teams through impossible challenges, and sacrificed more than anyone knows. And yet — the pressure never stops.
30-minute video call · Confidential · No preparation required
If several of these resonate, you're not alone. And you're not broken. You're facing the predictable challenges of building something at scale — challenges that most founders navigate without support.
There's a better way.
Performing at your best without the hidden costs. Energy that lasts. Clarity that doesn't require crisis to emerge.
The ability to think strategically when stakes are highest. Making decisions from clarity, not exhaustion.
Staying grounded when others are reactive. Leading calmly through uncertainty without losing your edge.
Intentionally designing what comes after — or alongside — the company. Exit planning that includes you, not just the business.
Knowing who you are when you're not the founder. Building a sense of self that survives whatever happens to the company.
A partnership built around your reality, not a programme.
Everything discussed stays between us. No reports to boards, investors, or anyone else. Complete discretion.
No generic frameworks or one-size-fits-all programmes. Every conversation is designed around your specific situation, challenges, and goals.
Sessions fit your schedule — in-person, video, or phone. Between-session support when you need a thinking partner before a critical moment.
This isn't therapy and it isn't friendship. It's a strategic investment in your performance and wellbeing, with tangible outcomes you can measure.
This coaching is for founders who:
This is for founders who understand that their own development — how they think, lead, and sustain themselves — is the highest-leverage investment they can make.
Therapy addresses mental health concerns and past experiences affecting present functioning. Coaching is forward-focused and assumes you're already functioning well. It's about optimisation and performance, not healing. That said, the two can complement each other beautifully.
Your board, investors, and advisors have agendas — often good ones, but agendas nonetheless. Coaching provides a space with no agenda except your growth and wellbeing. Complete confidentiality. Complete focus on you.
Coaching isn't an addition to your schedule — it's a multiplier on everything else. Founders consistently report that the clarity and reduced stress from coaching saves far more time than the sessions take. And sessions are designed to fit your schedule, not the other way around.
Not all coaching is the same. If previous experiences were too soft, too generic, or didn't understand the founder context, this is different. The only way to know is a conversation.
Coaching at this level is a significant investment — typically £15,000–£50,000+ annually, depending on intensity and structure. For founders at this stage, it's often the highest-ROI investment available. A discovery call is the best way to discuss specifics.
Maria Perlman works with elite founders, senior leaders, and technical experts at pivotal moments in their careers.
Her clients include founders navigating exits, executives in career-defining transitions, and high-performers who want success that doesn't cost their health or happiness. She understands the unique pressures of building at scale — the isolation, the weight of decisions, the gap between external success and internal experience.
She brings a rare combination: deep understanding of the pressures founders face, rigorous training in coaching methodology, and a direct style that respects your intelligence and time. No fluff. No generic frameworks. A strategic partnership designed around you.
I am working with Maria for a few months now and she totally has changed my perception of coaching. She has been a fantastic help for me and enhanced my skills to a new level. She was a great support in a one of the most stressful times of my life. I always would recommend her as a coach!
Olliver Heins
Co-Founder Aonic, Award winning Game Executive
Maria was one of my top gun. I've had the pleasure of teaming up with her and I've got to say, her skills are seriously impressive. From cracking the code on the UK market to steering us through ups and downs, Maria has shown an awesome blend of strategic thinking and down-to-earth leadership. Maria created a work vibe that's all about teamwork, growth, performance and a good laugh. And let's talk about hustle - She's got enough energy to power a small city, seriously inspiring! I recommend her at 100% on this kind of job
Marie Taquet
Founder and CEO @ iconoClass - Forbes 30 UNDER 30
I had the pleasure of working with Maria as an advisor, and her insights were invaluable. Her strategic thinking, coupled with a deep understanding of complex issues, made a real difference. Maria's professionalism and clear communication helped us navigate challenges smoothly. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking thoughtful and effective guidance.
Selim Adyel
Founder at Alphubel, Systematic Quant Trading Strategies
We discuss what brought you here — no script, no intake form. Just an honest conversation about what you're facing.
I'll share initial observations about what I'm hearing and where coaching might make a difference.
We'll assess whether there's a genuine fit — coaching works best when both sides choose it.
You'll leave with at least one useful insight, whether or not we work together.
A discovery call is a confidential conversation about what you're facing and whether coaching might help. There's no obligation. No pressure. A chance to explore whether this could be valuable for you.
Maria works with a limited number of clients at any given time.
30-minute video call · Confidential · No obligation
“The founders who transform their impact — and their lives — are the ones who recognise that even at the top, you don't have to navigate alone.”
Ready to lead without burning out?
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