* MY NON-AFFILIATED MARIE FORLEO B-SCHOOL REVIEW *
Updated review 2024
Is B-School your Best Option when you want to learn how to successfully market your business online?
I wrote my Non-Affiliated review of Marie Forleo's B-School 9 years ago in 2015. It has been read by thousands of ambitious people, keep reading till the end so that you can make a fully conscious decision, good luck!
January, 2024
Those thousands of ambitious people - like you - were going back and forth:
B-School Yes or B-School No.
Maybe you have googled:
"Is B-School a scam"
"Is Marie Forleo's hair fake"
"Is Marie Forleo for real"
Am I right?
Well, it's what I did in 2014.
Back then I was partner in a fancy-schmanzy Coaching & Consultancy company with an overpriced ridiculously large office and I hated Every Minute of it, because I couldn't be me. I played a much smaller, boring beige, office version of me.
One day I just walked out and never went back. I lost all my money and clients in the process.
So I definitely needed help. Even though I had been part of Branding and Marketing teams of Fortune 500 companies, doing your own marketing turned out to be challenging.
B-school was my way out of my boring partnership . It changed the tiny "Marketing is Evil' mindset into a 'Bring it On" global mindset of "Everything is Possible".
I joined B-School, because a friend I trusted told me about it.
I actually spent my last $ 2.000 on a course. I just had to do it. I remember going through all the pages. Discussing it with my husband. Shall we do it? Shall I wait another year?
When I clicked YES I almost fainted.
Back in 2014, Marie Forleo and B-School Changed my life!
If you are completely brand new to online marketing and the wonderful world of possibilities, get ready for change.
Let's start with the pro's
B-School will push you through all the lessons and give you a solid marketing foundation. You need this foundation if you want to kick-start your online business.
However let's get real. B-School is NOT the medicine that cures all.
For me B-School was the biggest investment I had ever made in my business.
I thought: This is it! I never need anything else. I got it all.
BIG MISTAKE!
B-School teaches you amazing marketing. It's a solid marketing course. It changed my mindset from Nothing is Possible to Anything is Possible!
But
If you're anything like me (calling all the old souls and deep thinkers) you NEED to consistently grow your entrepreneurial mindset, and get business strategy, marketing and branding support
I'm here for all authentic marketing support!
You also need a smaller community.
Don't get me wrong. The B-School community was the best in 2014. But it's H U G E!
If you want to grow you need a smaller community where you feel seen, where you can be vulnerable, share your successes AND your losses
*Keep reading for tips on a smaller B-School community*
DON'T DO WHAT I DID!
After B-School finished I waited 2,5 years to hire a business coach - that was my B I G mistake, please don't do the same! You need someone. Great entrepreneurs are not born that way. We all need help.
Only after I hired business coaches and started to launch did my business take off and become the multiple 6-figure business it is nowadays. Growing a sustainable and profitable business takes years. Don't be fooled. Only very few people make 100K in their first or second year. Give yourself time! Also be sceptic whenever someone says: If I can do it, you can do it too.
However, with the right support, you can make a success out of your ideas!
I've gone from waiting for one client a day to hundreds of clients at the same time. I am truly fortunate to support amazing brave women entrepreneurs from all over the world who grow their businesses and brand 'The Wonderfully Weird Way'.
That path started the day I clicked that Yes B-School Button.
So please, promise me that you get the best possible support after B-School *by the way you can get in my The Real You program if you're after 10 clients each month.
My advice:
If you feel called, jump on the B-School train. And AFTER B-School find yourself mentors for your next leap.
THE DUTCH B-SCHOOLERS IN 2014
The Dutch B-School community was when I started amazing. We become business friends with meet-ups, shared projects, we show up for each others events. We were each others affiliates, coaches, clients and supporters!
My non-affiliated Marie Forleo B-School Review - update 2024
My Marie Forleo B-School Tips and Tricks for Wonderfully Weird Online Entrepreneurs (to be)
And how to get the most out of your investment.
I will share my do’s and don’ts. Creativity and innovation are your magic powers. But I also know that your magic comes with some heavy-duty pitfalls
#1 How to avoid comparison and/or jealousy
Once the training starts you will become part of a ginormous group of fellow b-schoolers. There will be a tsunami of beautiful images, happy smiling faces, websites, ideas – like that one you had years ago, but never followed through –.
You will feel deflated if you follow everything that goes on.
Here’s what you do:
Find a smaller group.
Find them either by profession, or interest, local or national. The Dutch group was amazing, even though it's not active anymore, many of us are still meeting up, or working together. It was such a supporting community.
This picture was taken when B-Schooler Singer Helen Botman gave a concert in my garden (how cool is that) and fellow B-schoolers drove up north to be there!
Stay off Facebook/Social Media every day for at least 3 hours each day.
(more about that in the procrastination avoidance part.)
Mentally cheer everybody on.
Don’t be stingy with your praises. But if you feel jealous just stop. And ask yourself: “What can I learn from this person? What is she doing differently? Is there a lesson to learn”?
#2. How to deal with perfectionism
Amid all those eager busy bees, you want to stand out. I get that!
So you want to be perfect!
DON’T BE PERFECT! BE VERY MUCH YOUR BEST IMPERFECT YOU AND BE VULNERABLE.
Here’s what you do:
Over and over you will hear: “Start before you’re ready” Listen and just do it. It’s a school, you know. You can fail (you have to fail!) over and over again.
I for once, was convinced my ideal customer was a 25-year professional city girl, who wanted to be happy! Wrong! Next was the busy mother who wanted to excel in her online business.
Wrong again!
But because I once had heard Marie Forleo tell about a student who had it wrong, once, twice, and BAM!, the third ideal customer was spot on!
I kept on going.
Until I realized my ideal client was the client I had worked with for over 12 years: the brave, bright, sensitive, multi-passionate businesswoman. My old souls and deep thinkers need of Iconic Brand and a place where they can ditch the mold and dare to be themselves.
* By the way finding your soul client is one of the most difficult things, give yourself time*
I also switched from Dutch to English, back to Dutch, before I decided on English. And yes, my English is not perfect :-)
If I had listened to my perfectionism, I would still sit in front of my computer.
Paralyzed by fear.
And you would not have known if B-School was for you, or not. And my amazing brave clients would never have found me. And I might still be in that horrible Consultancy Firm!
#3. How to avoid resistance
I promise you, you will be pissed off from time to time. Heavy-duty resistance will overpower you.
Here’s what you do:
Use that feeling of resistance! It means you’re touching something that needs transforming.
Don’t be a grumpy old meanie – “Really does she expect me to call that former client and ask her how she feels about me, I’m just not doing it” –, just try it out.
You even might like it.
#4. How to avoid procrastination and overwhelm
Okay, this is extra special. Here’s what you do:
1. Make time in your schedule. EVERY DAY. Give yourself 1 or 2 days off.
Let it sink in, Do some daydreaming. Draw, visualize, go crazy! (Get my Boost Your Flow Toolkit! for extra fast results!
2. Work in uninterrupted blocks of time, like 9 to 12 a.m. No email, no phone, no social media (no peaking, or you’ll be lost!)
3. Find an accountability partner. Someone you can trust, have a laugh with, and are stern enough to say: “Okay, let’s get back to business! “
If you miss 1 day, don’t give in. Don’t make the mistake of thinking, well I missed this day, nobody will miss me if I’m not there next week.
Because you’re right.
If you don’t reach out and connect. Nobody will miss you.
This ain’t High School! This is not some hobby course. It’s about being a business owner.
Will I know everything there is to know after B-School?
If you are brand new to online marketing you will have to learn a lot. (also depending on the amount of time and effort you’ve put into it).
When you proceed and get the hang of that online business thing, – and give yourself some well-deserved rest – 1:1 guidance or a Mastermind is paramount.
So much will happen to you in those intense 8 weeks. Once the dust has settled you might feel, it’s time to take the Big Next Step and find yourself a coach who will help you.
It's important to understand that entrepreneurship means lifelong learning and development. If you don't love learning you might think long and hard about becoming an entrepreneur.
Is B-school some Get Rich Quick Scam?
I know, these are the ugly questions. But I would like to answer them for you. If you let me.
If you mean ‘Will I get rich, happy, beautiful, thin, and extremely loved in 8 weeks?’ I have to disappoint you. You have to work your butt off in those 8 weeks.
Is Marie Forleo Fake?
If you want to know: “Is Marie Forleo in it, just so she can get hold of your precious money and she won't get anything in return?” I cannot be clear enough.
She’s not.
I truly believe it’s Marie Forleo’s life’s mission to help business owners build the business of their dreams. But since 2014 that group of very enthusiastic and expert marketing coaches has grown.
And yes, she makes a huge amount of money.
Don’t you love it when a woman creates a highly profitable business, is a huge influence on a Big Group of entrepreneurs, Pays it Forward big time, and hangs out with the likes of Richard Branson, and Oprah Winfrey?
By the way, Marie Forleo also employs an impressively dedicated and enthusiastic staff, shares loads of free stuff, and Pays it Forward big time.
Marie Forleo 2020 Black Lives Matter Afterthought
I do advise you to Google Marie Forleo and Black Lives Matter. It's complicated, but 2020 was a very complicated year. But let's say that some things happened and it was problematic.
Will Marie Forleo personally build my business?
No, she will not. You will also not talk to her in person. But she will be everywhere. And the Magic of B-School is that everybody feels like she teaches you in person.
You will be So Inspired!
B-School ADHD & Neurodivergent Afterthought
- If you have ADHD or are on the autistic spectrum and you're great at masking,
- Or you always drop out after the first week,
- Or you're truly very multi-passionate
- And - like me in 2014 - you only have a limited amount of money to spend -
I would highly recommend you to also look for a more personal approach.
Because nobody will hold you accountable. No one will see you. So if this is concern, take this into account.
Are the B-School affiliates just in it for the money?
In 2014 there were some excellent affiliates – no, I’m not an affiliate for the affiliates :-). As far as I know, they were truly proud affiliates who did B-School a couple of years ago and became hugely successful.
Back then some B-School affiliates were truly awesome, some well …. well not so awesome at all…
Check them out carefully. There are a lot of affiliates, and you can learn a lot from them (some of them offer very (very!) amazing gifts.)
I remember being overwhelmed with all the choices (ADHD, right?) and I chose something that felt completely not aligned. But remember the affiliate bonuses are extra.
Check out their websites, how they feel, if you feel seen and represented, and find the one that is of maximum value to you. If you can’t decide ask and Google them.
TO WRAP IT ALL UP
B-School is for you when you:
- Are ready to take a next big step in your business.
- Are capable of studying by yourself.
- Can motivate yourself.
- Don't need any accountability
- Understand your pitfalls, and can avoid them.
- Are open-minded.
- Long for new horizons.
- Want to become part of an international group of business owners.
- Don't need accountability or help after the first weeks.
- Will hire a mentor after B-School is ready.
B-School is NOT for you when you:
- Are 100% sure you don’t need to know what social media, blogging, SEO, online programs, online marketing, and list building can do for your business.
- Need more than only marketing
- Cannot motivate yourself to do the work.
- Don’t feel any connection with Marie Forleo
- Know you will drown in a big group and need 1:1 coaching or a smaller program to move forward.
- You have ADHD and tend to start (hello dopamine) but seldom finish.
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reviews
Great to hear Sal! There actually is a lot of-not-so- shiny – hardworking going on behind the exterior. I truly love my Dutch group of fellow B-schoolers where we help each other when someone fels low (or is really ill) and celebrate each others success. A group like that makes all the difference.
bye X Esther
Thanks, Esther! I know I’m a year late but this is the most helpful review I’ve found of B-school so far. Especially what you said about the European vs. American attitudes to business and ‘showing off’ – everyone I’ve asked at home in the UK about the course has ridiculed the shiny, polished front as typical of American B*S and it’s still the biggest sticking point in my head, despite the fact I’m really drawn to Marie’s style. Many thanks, Sal x
Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to write this article.
k
Hi Esther,
Thank you for your in depth review. It’s great to read about your journey with the program. I am really looking forward to starting b-school next week.
Cheers
Angie
Hi Esther great to hear some comments from a dutch lady with the same cultural barriers I sometimes experience when talking about business. I also subscribed to Bschool2015. Ready to make an international step with Miss Marketing. Thank you for your review especially the part about jealousy makes sense..I already feel intimidated by all the smileys that fly around on Facebook . Thanks for sharing.. I’ll stay in touch
Thank you Rob!!!
that means a lot to me
X Esther
Great Elaine!
Are you ready for the adventure? Let me know how it goes. I’ve created a facebook group for soulful creative women https://www.facebook.com/groups/CreativeSoulChallenge/ and you’re MORE than welcome to participate. Feel free to join us there!
I’m sure there is a Portugese and Spanish b-school group for you in B-School
Bye! Esther X
Hello Esther!
Great article. I’ll be in BSchool 2015 and I’m very excited. I think I’ll learn a lot of this program and all the BSchoolers. I’m a brazilian living in Spain and don’t speak english very well but I’m ready to start! Thanks for the advice!
Hi,
Excellent article.
best, Ashley
Beautiful article from a beautiful artist, person, mother, teacher and inspirator!
Proud to see a sister doing her thang!
Peace + love,
Rob
Thank you Anneke, That’s so sweet!
Dear Esther, as your Bschool sister from our Dutch Bschool community, I admire your journey. You’ve come so far! Thank you for sharing. And I hope your blog will encourage more creative entrepreneurs to join us in Bschool.