Welcome to another issue of the no-BS newsletter dedicated to demystifying the world of passive income, where we share practical, reliable strategies to build and sustain income streams that work for you.

If you want to help someone else make money while they sleep, forward this email to them.

In today's issue:

• Why I Ignored My Gut—And Paid a $15,000 Price for Fake Guru Advice

• The Unseen Force Behind Every Success Story: Grit Over Glamour

• If Everyone Is Thinking The Same Way, No One Is Thinking With Mike Martin

• Hypnotic Marketing: The Art of Subconscious Selling

FROM MY WORLD

Why I Ignored My Gut—And Paid a $15,000 Price for Fake Guru Advice

A few years ago, I learned a $15,000 lesson the hard way.

At the time, I was running a solid traffic business, pulling in five figures per month, and coaching on the side. But the coaching? Man, it was draining. It sucked the life out of me, left me mentally fried, and—worst of all—it nearly cost me my marriage.

One day, I came home, and my wife wasn’t there. No note. No call. Nothing. I panicked. I started calling everyone—family and friends—but no one knew where she was.

An hour later, her best friend texted me:

“She’s here with Ericka. She wants to see if you even noticed she was gone.”

Oof. Gut punch.

I knew something had to change. So I did what most struggling entrepreneurs do—I hired a guru. A guy from the UK who seemed to have it all: money, freedom, a happy marriage, and a business that didn’t run him into the ground.

I paid him $15,000. And what did he tell me?

“Sell your traffic business and just do coaching full-time.”

I told him, “But if I coach people on building a traffic business while not owning one, wouldn’t that make me a fraud?”

His response?

“Doesn’t matter. I have a client who teaches eBay marketing but doesn’t own an eBay business himself. He makes a killing.”

That was the last time I spoke to him.

And that’s when I realized just how many gurus out there preach what they don’t practice. They get rich selling advice they don’t follow.

Listen, not all gurus are frauds. Some real, ethical ones genuinely help people. But 90%? They’re just really good at marketing themselves.

That’s why you have to do your research before following anyone’s advice. Look for both positive AND negative feedback. If someone only has glowing reviews, something’s off. Real leaders piss people off—it’s part of the game.

Also, trust your gut. Every time I ignored mine, it cost me thousands.

So before you invest in a mentor, ask yourself:

• Are they doing what they teach?

• Do they have real success stories?

• Do they align with your values and goals?

If not, run.

Because the biggest scam in online business isn’t bad products or shady offers. It’s people selling dreams they don’t live themselves.

MY GIFT FOR YOU

1-CLICK LIST MACHINE: BUILD YOUR EMAIL LIST IN MINUTES

Want to generate leads and sales on autopilot even if you’re a complete beginner? The 1-Click List Machine is a done-for-you system that helps you build a money-making email list in 30-60 minutes with zero tech skills.

• No trial and error

• No guesswork

• Just plug, click, and profit.

Limited spots available! 

MINDSET MAKEOVER

The Unseen Force Behind Every Success Story: Grit Over Glamour

Most people quit too soon.

They hit a roadblock, get overwhelmed, and throw in the towel before they ever see success.

But success isn’t about talent. It’s not about luck. It’s about one thing: sticking with it no matter what.

I want to tell you about someone who lived this principle.

Imagine this—your first business fails. You get buried under $60,000 in debt. You’re a single parent raising two kids. Life keeps hitting you from every direction.

Most people would fold. But not this guy.

Instead of making excuses, he kept pushing forward. He tested different business models. He adapted. He stayed disciplined. Even when he couldn’t afford to invest big, he found a way to make it work.

And in 90 days? He hit the top level of his business opportunity—something most people never do.

The difference?

A never-give-up mindset.

See, the world isn’t built for quitters. Everything in life, from relationships to business, rewards persistence.

Here’s the simple truth:

• You will struggle.

• You will doubt yourself.

• You will feel like quitting.

But the people who succeed are the ones who push through anyway.

Want a bulletproof mindset? Do these three things daily:

• Feed your mind with positivity. Read, listen, or watch something inspiring every morning. Motivation wears off, just like a shower—you need it daily.

• Take action, no matter how small. Email your list. Post content. Do something productive. Motion creates momentum.

• Stay consistent. The biggest difference between winners and losers? The winners simply kept going.

The question is—are you willing to push through?

Because if you are, success isn’t a matter of “if.” It’s just a matter of “when.”

FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

If Everyone Is Thinking The Same Way, No One Is Thinking With Mike Martin

If you're thinking about getting into entrepreneurship but, don’t know how or where to start then you’re at the right place! 

In this episode, Mike Martin is going to spill all the beans for you. 

You will get an insight into 

• How he began his entrepreneurial journey

• How you can develop a business mindset 

• How to keep yourself motivated to thrive in the market.

CURATED READS

Negotiation’s Best-Kept Secret: Let Them Pitch You for Once

Most people suck at negotiation.

They think they need to be smooth talkers, master manipulators, or aggressive dealmakers to win. But Jim Camp flips that idea on its head in his book Start with No.

Instead of chasing “yes,” Camp teaches you to embrace the power of “no.”

Sounds crazy, right? But think about it—most people are desperate to hear “yes.” That desperation makes them weak, easy to manipulate, and quick to cave under pressure.

Camp’s method turns the tables. It gives you control. It removes emotion from the equation. It forces the other person to sell you on why the deal makes sense.

This book is a game-changer for anyone who:

•  Negotiates deals (big or small)

• Wants to stop feeling powerless in sales conversations

• Struggles with pricing their offers confidently

• Hates the idea of being pushy but still wants to close deals

The best part? His strategies don’t just work in business. They work in life. Whether it’s negotiating a contract, a raise, or even which restaurant to go to—this book rewires how you handle every interaction.

If you’ve ever felt at the mercy of a negotiation, Start with No will teach you how to flip the script and walk away with the upper hand.

Read it. Master it. Use it.

RIDDLE ME THIS

Can You Crack The Code?

I talk without a mouth, 

and I listen without ears. 

I answer your questions, 

but I am not human. 

What am I?

Think you've cracked the code? Reply to this email with your guess and see if you're right!