$100,000 Plus For Limited Customer Base OR $500 For Unlimited Customers
We have all joined Wealthy Affiliate traveling different paths with varied goals. This diversity is one of the benefits of being part of a guild.
I make every effort to keep up on whats happening at WA for many reasons. Over the past couple days, I read blogs posted by Carl and Kisha that made me reflect on 2017.
The vast majority of us are here to learn how to monetize a website which will hopefully result in personal and financial freedom.
Before I arrived at Wealthy Affiliate, I traveled down a path that included opening a brick and mortar small business or investing in a franchise.
- I invested hundreds of hours researching career interests, traveled to numerous meetings with companies throughout the nation, and burnt through savings trying to find the right fit.
My go/no-go triggers were:
- Business was self-sustaining within 3 to 5 years.
- Employee base had to be limited
- The customer base was not residential
- Limited competition in my desired career niche
The least expensive options I could find with the required earning potential required an initial investment of at least $50,000 to get started with an equal amount of capital expenditures within months of opening the doors.
- $100,000 minimum first-year investment with no guaranty resulting in significant debt.
After months of research, meetings, and expenses it became clear that the brick and mortar or franchise option was a no-go.
For nearly a year (Mid-2016 to Mid-2017), I had traveled this path and decided it was time to concentrate on the 9 to 5 job options and build the war chest back up so I could have another crack at it later.
- I was out of the game for the foreseeable future.
In early August, my son told me he was going to invest a few thousand dollars in a website marketing opportunity. I asked if I could look at it with him and quickly realized this was not an opportunity but a racket.
The idea of website marketing interested me, so I started researching alternatives and found Wealthy Affiliate.
Initially, I questioned the business model but after researching and comparing my go/no-go requirements, investing in WA was a no-brainer. Why?
- Timeline of 3 to 5 years self-sufficiency is an achievable goal.
- I can work on it with the 9 to 5 job.
- Employee base is limited
- Me, myself, and I
- Customer base did not involve working in residential service
- Do I need to explain why?
- Career niche did not have geography or population limitations.
- Most franchises had territories that were limited in size.
- The investment was not $100,000 plus during the first year
- WA fees are $500 per year and can be less with specials
- Training and mentoring is continuously updated
- Most franchises provide training for at the most one week.
- Monthly franchise fee range was 5% to 10% of total revenue
- No franchise fees at WA
- WA operates as a guild community
- The WA community is awesom
- The list goes on
- Sure does
In my opinion, WA is an excellent choice compared to the alternatives I looked at.
Yes, it is not for everyone and may or may not result in immediate income, but based on my experience it is a proven option that can result in personal and financial freedom.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Please chime in on these questions.
- Which path did you take when choosing WA?
- What is the most significant benefit of WA?
Wishing you health, safety, and success in 2018. It is kinda cool to be fifty plus going on fifteen. BTW, Happy New Year.
Jay Patterson
Recent Comments
73
Great post Jay. You certainly did your homework! The only thing that upsets me is that I did not discover this years ago. Even one year ago. Just have to work harder and smater.
The WA community is awesome. No doubt about it and I really believe that there is so much opportunity that we can all succeed. And succeed even faster by sharing and paying it forward.
For me, the community has been so willing to provide help and guidance that I am very grateful.
Wishing everyone a in the WA community a happy, healthy, and successful 2018.
Steven, I agree with you 100% on if I would have known. Oh well, sometimes you need to drive around the block a few times before you where you want to stop.
The community is awesome and in many ways, it feels like the tightness of a submarine or small town.
Best of success to you in 2018. Jay
yes I am 57 going on 35 ! :) I too have paid for and then asked for a refund on more expensive options before landing in WA, I am working hard and learning a great deal, and I still have a lot to learn in the future, but that's that exciting part. It would be nice to start making a few thousand a month sooner than later, but everyone's niche is different and everyones day comes at different times, I've only been doing this for 2 months and feel like at times I'll give up, but then a voice tells me nope not a chance. I am building a brand and a future for myself and my young family, so giving up isn't an option. Thank you for your post. Trying, failing and getting back up and moving forward is the only thing all of us can and should do. We all get stuck in the the mud once in awhile but boot on or not when you pull yourself out or someone else helps you out, you can buy a another pair of boots and keep on walking forward a little bit at a time. Happy New Year and Keep on walking forward. :)
Leigh, Thanks for the response and it is very accurate to how we need to meet the challenge.
Forward progress by going around, over, under, and sometimes through but always forward even if by only an inch.
Success to you in 2018 and Happy New Year. Jay
Hi Jay this is an awesome post!
I started with WA because, I jumped into the business with no knowledge, All I knew what that I wanted to eventually be truly financially free. So, I decided well with my kids and my husband a job won't work.
I purchased this program that said they were like an online franchise as I went through the training my total cost was going to be like $60k. I don't have that kind of money to risk so, I almost gave up and said business is just not for me.
Well, I went through my little doubts, I kept thinking this could work. I just need to find a way to make it work. And, I searched and searched. I saw WA on YouTube. I was skeptical at first but, when they said I could join for free. I said okay lets take one more risk.
I joined and I am so glad that I did because, I know and feel like eventually, I can see financial freedom. I believe anyone in the WA community can, if we just stick to it and keep going. All we have to do is believe and never look back.
Happy New Year!
Thank you, so much for this post. It was a wonderful read!
Kisha
Kisha, thanks for your comments and I get it.
WA is an awesome platform that gives everyone the ability to accomplish whatever dreams they have.
There are no guarantees of making the big payoff but the big payoff may not be monetary. Some may want to leave a legacy in print and what a way to do that.
Best of success to you and your family in 2018. Jay
I am one who can appreciate the timeline of the learning curve taking place after the 9-5 and also the value given with the help of the community here. It sure is an uplifting experience when after investing a little time we learn much that adds to our own insights about WA. Here's to the success stories!
Lee,
To the point and so true. When I get tied up with the 9 to 5 and cannot work with WA, I feel as though I am cheating myself. Best of success to you in 2018. Jay
Great Post Jay,
For me, it was learning how to create a niche website that revolved around curated content. I never knew this was possible until I found WA. I already had a background in Web Development as well as Business Administration, so it wasn't too far over my head.
I earned as I learned and realized that if other people knew about this it would literally surprise them. WA is a gold mine and it keeps getting better and better.
Eventually, I took a break from WA as I had all the training and know how to create nice niche website under any topic, so I started freelancing helping people to build websites (Niche) that helped there business or passions.
After a few years of this, I decided to switch paths into a mentor/Sponsor role. As I always wanted to become a teacher and help others, Im no expert and far away from being a genius but I know more than most and there are a lot of people out there that don't know where to start or what to do.
This is why I decided to brand myself as a training, mentor, and sponsor of WA with my website and youtube channel robertdgee.com. I don't know how far it will go but its a passion I have and I will stick to it for the foreseeable future.
So I started niche blogging and website creation first, then went to more of an Home-based Business Affiliate path.
The best and most significant benefit in WA to me is the people. Im not going to lie I wouldn't have made it without the help of my fellow WA members.
This community is just amazing and I hope it continues to follow suit and help the people who WANT to change there lives.
For the next 13 Years WA.
Robert D. Gee
https://www.robertdgee.com
Robert,
Appreciate your stopping by and a great story. Being a mentor/trainer in a skill that is marketable is critical in these days since you can pay for training is not marketable.
I agree that WA is a unique community and at a minimum, I learn something every day.
Thanks for attaching your link so I could save as a favorite. I love to see what everyone has done and there is some magic involved.
Best of success to you in 2018. Jay
Hi Jay,
I smiled all the way through your blog! (I too am 50+, but was introduced to someone by my English language student as 15 years old :-) !)
Great coverage of your journey and rationale for WA. I think we all owe it to ourselves to do a feasibility study before investing what amounts to 'our life' in a venture like this, but probably most don't do it as seriously or thoroughly as you obviously did. Well done! I have dabbled in IM since 2004, but with very limited time, and even more limited funds, I just have not reached success yet. But I keep coming back. Why? Because I'm convinced that success is possible, so I refuse to give up. And I have been and seen enough in my time to be able to recognise that WA is the real deal, so I'm here to stay.
Thanks for sharing, Jay!
Sue, thanks for stopping by and I love your attitude. Think about the number of people that continued to pan for gold in CA 100 plus years ago because there could be gold in those hills. Perhaps we make it here and perhaps not but it is better to have a dream than not. Success to you in 2018. Jay
This was a good one chief. I have yet to see monetary gain as of yet. I always saw the scams and didn't think I could do anything else that could provide a good life for my wife and kids besides drive a semi. I think this can work out for me in a few years and if not I am having tons of fun writing again.
Malachi, We appear to be on similar paths. Many options but most did not pass the gut check. I have also been busy keeping others businesses afloat receiving a steady income but paying a price for it. This is a long-term plan for me and if anything it is fun. Success to you in 2018 no matter what that success looks like. Thanks for commenting. Jay
I almost spent thousands of dollars on another online marketing training platform, stumbled onto WA and realized WA is the best, then took advantage of black friday special to make it even better.
With the WA community and support and the step by step training courses I don't think WA can be beat.
I love to read and buy a lot of books. I might be able to learn all of this reading; only much slower. So the most significant benefits for me are rapid learning and growth, and definitely the guild; the community. I am honored that you mentioned my recent posts here in your post. Thank you.
Carl,
I am the same breed when it comes to learning. I love to read and learn but doing it locks it in. I thought your recent post about an available open lot was excellent. Thanks again Carl. Happy New Year. Jay
See more comments
Right now I going to focus on WA .The most awesome part of WA is the training I feel like it is possible to pursue my dream of working on line. And getting paid o!!
And the community is great willing to help whenever they can.
Someday I hope to write a as nice as yours.
Happy New Year And Best Wishes
Ed
Ed, Great plan on where you plan to focus and I agree that this is a great direction. Thanks for the kind comments on my writing style and as an aid, I would download Grammarly which is free unless you want all the bells and whistles. I use it since I have grammar challenges (along with other issues). Best of success to you in 2018 and thanks for stopping by. Jay