February, 2023

I wrote my Non-Affiliated review of Marie Forleo's B-School 8 years ago in 2015. It has been read by thousands of ambitious people who 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 Firm 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.

B-school was my way out. 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. 

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 your branding support!

You also need a smaller community.

Don't get me wrong. The B-School community is the best. But it's H U G E!

In order 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 year 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 my business really took off and became the multiple 6-figures 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!

But with the right support you can totally do this!

I've gone from waiting for one client a day to hundreds of clients at the same time. I am truly fortunate supporting amazing brave women entrepreneurs from all the world who grow their business and brand 'The Brave 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 Brave Leap program, where you become a Happy Wealthy Selflovepreneur

My advice: 

Definitely Jump on the B-School train. And AFTER B-School find yourself mentors for your next leap.

My Marie Forleo B-School Tips and Tricks for Brave 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 gi-normous 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 small group. 

Find them either by profession, or interest, local or national. I’m in the Dutch group, The Going for Gold B-School group and that is the most amazingly supporting community of people.

This picture is taken when B-Schooler Singer Helen Botman gave a concert in my garden (how cool is that) and fellow B-schoolers drove all the way up north to be there!

Stay off Facebook/Social Media every day for at least 3 hours each day.

(more about that at the procrastination avoidance part.)

Mentally cheer everybody on.

Don’t be stingy with your praises. BUT if you feel jealousy 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

In the midst of 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 realised my ideal client was the client I had worked with for over 12 years: the brave, bright, sensitive, multi-passionate business woman. My old souls and deep thinkers in need of of Iconic Brand.

* 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.

Paralysed 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 of 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 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 day dreaming. Draw, visualize, go crazy! (Get my Boost your Flow Toolkit! for extra fast result!

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 is 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?

You will have 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 given yourself some well deserved rest – 1:1 guidance, or a Mastermind is paramount. 

So much will happen to you in those intens 8 weeks. Once the dust has settled you might feel, it’s time to take the Really 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 the 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?” I cannot be clear enough.

She’s not.

I truly believe it’s Marie Forleo’s life’s mision to help business-owners built the business of their dreams.

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 to a Big Group of entrepreneurs, Pays it Forward big time and hangs out with the likes of Tony Robbins, 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.

Will Marie Forleo personally build my business?

No she will not. You will also - most likely - 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!

Are the B-School affiliates just in it for the money?

There some excellent affiliates – no, I’m not an affiliate for the affiliates :-). As far as I know, they are truly proud affiliates, who did B-School a couple of years ago, and became hugely successful.

Some B-School affiliates are truly awesome, some are …. 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 and I chose something that felt completely not aligned. But remember that their stuff is extra.

Check out their websites, how do they feel, what is their value to you? If you can’t decided ask around.