Text that reads "Deep Dive Essays"

Tired of the Online Business Bullshit?

By bullshit, I mean the scammy status quo where celebrity entrepreneurs teach us to consume and exploit our way to so-called "freedom" but that really we're just replicating larger systems of oppression?

This collection of essays (and podcast episodes) dives into the online business status quo with actionable ideas designed to cut the BS.

Start Here

yellow scribble
the dark side of online business

The Dark Side of Online Business: A Call for the Status Quo to Dramatically Change

As the online business world grows so do its unethical practices. Here’s what you need to know about the dark side of the online business industry. This essay dives into the dark side of online business including mindset manipulation, insider secrets, weaponized sales and storytelling and invented authority.

Read More...

Money Making

Schemes & Dreams
blue swipe
text that reads "getting real about a recession"

Getting Real About a Recession

Getting Real about a By Maggie Patterson All opinions in this post are my opinions and mine alone. You can view our full disclaimer here. Table of Contents What’s a Recession? What Should I Really Expect? What Should I Plan for in My Business? Can You Really Recession-Proof Your Business? What CAN You Do Right…

Read More...
image of a one dollar bill with text that reads "trading time for dollars"

The Truth About Trading Time for Dollars

The About Trading Time for Dollars By Maggie Patterson All opinions in this post are my opinions and mine alone. You can view our full disclaimer here. Table of Contents Why Trading Time for Dollars is Villianized Trading Time for Dollars is Capitalism Pricing: You Need a Base Hourly Rate We’re All Trading Time for…

Read More...
image of a disco ball with text that reads "personal success"

Ditching Arbitrary Money Goals: Setting New Metrics for Personal Success

Ditching Arbitrary Money Goals: Setting New Metrics for Personal Success By Maggie Patterson All opinions in this post are my opinions and mine alone. You can view our full disclaimer here. Table of Contents The Myth of the Income Ceiling Why $100k is a Terrible Success Metric The Dirty Secret of Online Business: What People…

Read More...
text that reads "done for you vs. coaching-based business models"

What You Need to Know About Done-For-You vs. Coaching-Based Business Models

Is moving from offering services to coaching profitable? Here’s what you need to know about done-for-you versus coaching-based business models, including an epic breakdown of numbers from my two businesses.

Read More...
image of business analytics and cash with text that reads "income claim marketing"

The Big Problem with Income Claim Marketing

Anyone can say their business makes 7 or eight figures, but how do you know for sure? Here’s what you need to know about income claim marketing including why it’s all about making the sale, and why we need to rethink our goals.

Read More...
text that reads "online business investment survey:"

The 2021 Online Business Investment Survey

As business owners, making sales is necessary to surviving, and ideally thriving. Here are the results of a survey about investing in your business, including how really people feel about the money they’ve spent.

Read More...
sketchy business practices

How Sketchy Business Practices Have Become Online Business as Usual

It’d be an understatement to say that 2020 has changed everything. As our society and lives as we know it are forever altered, that bleeds over into our businesses. In the online business industry, I’m starting to see a shift that’s long overdue. More and more business owners are fed up, and are willing to…

Read More...
is the Agency Model the Next Passive Income Dream?

Is the Agency Model the Next Passive Income Dream?

You know that stage that most kids go through when they’re two or three and keep asking why? Growing up, my dad used to joke with me about how I never left that stage and that I always had so many questions. Call it curious or hungry for knowledge, but that’s who I am, so…

Read More...

MLMs, Cults, and Celebrity

Entrepreneurs
red swipe
image of a woman holding a magnifying glass with text that reads "how to spot a celebrity entrepreneur"

How to Spot a Celebrity Entrepreneur

We’ve all been sucked in by great marketing and bought something we didn’t need. Here’s what you need to know about the 2021 celebrity entrepreneur – what to watch for an how to spot one in the wild.

Read More...
online businesses and MLMs

Are Online Businesses The New MLMs?

The online biz world tends to judge certain business models. Here’s what you need to know about the crossover between online businesses and MLMs, and there’s probably much more than you realize.

Read More...
Six Lessons About Online Business From Seduced and the Vow

Six Lessons About Online Business from the NXIVM Docuseries Seduced and The Vow

Online business and cults have a few things in common. Here are six lessons from cults that are applicable to the problems with online business.

Read More...
Rachel Hollis Book Report

Book Report: Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis

Curated vulnerability and influencer culture is real. In this essay I dig into a book report on Rachel Hollis’ latest with numerous takeaways about who we trust.

Read More...
sketchy business practices

How Sketchy Business Practices Have Become Online Business as Usual

It’d be an understatement to say that 2020 has changed everything. As our society and lives as we know it are forever altered, that bleeds over into our businesses. In the online business industry, I’m starting to see a shift that’s long overdue. More and more business owners are fed up, and are willing to…

Read More...

Trust-Driven

Sales and Marketing
purple scribble
image of a desk with text that reads "creatives coaches and consultants"

Creatives, Coaches and Consultants: Not All Service Businesses Are the Same

2022 is here, and a new year brings with it an opportunity for each of us to look at how we run our businesses and do things a little differently. In this episode, I’m digging into what I’ll be increasingly focusing on in the year to come, and calling on you to do the same.

Read More...
text that reads "the year of the bs-free business"

2022: The Year of the BS-Free Business

2022 is here, and a new year brings with it an opportunity for each of us to look at how we run our businesses and do things a little differently. In this episode, I’m digging into what I’ll be increasingly focusing on in the year to come, and calling on you to do the same.

Read More...
image of people shaking hands with text that reads "trust first pricing principles"

Trust First Pricing Principles

Pricing your services can be a tricky balance of not overvaluing or undervaluing what you do. Here are some pricing principles to help you get started including a few that may surprise you.

Read More...
text that reads "taking a responsible & respectful approach to story telling"

Taking a Responsible & Respectful Approach to Storytelling

People want to hear your stories, but in a respectful, responsible way. Here are some ideas on how to best approach storytelling for business.

Read More...
The Antidote to Fear-Based Marketing-Introducing TrustDNA

The Antidote to Fear-Based Marketing & Sales: Introducing TrustDNA

Too many businesses capitalize on our fears and use high-pressure tactics to get us to buy. Here’s the antidote to fear-based marketing and sales, which is building a business that puts trust first.

Read More...
ethical business

Own It, Don’t Erase It

Knowing a business’ backstory helps you make informed decisions. Here’s my take on what running an ethical business really means, and sharing my backstory.

Read More...