B-School is an 8-week online learning program for big-hearted creatives who want to build a meaningful, profitable business online.

It was founded by Marie Forleo (in 2011, I believe), who is an entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, and was named by Oprah as a thought leader for the next generation.

She is also the host of the award-winning show, MarieTV on YouTube.

When I first came across this extraordinary woman back in 2015, I immediately knew I could learn a lot from her, and I did!

In fact, I learned more than I could bargain for. The lessons I took from the course are still propelling my business forward to this day.

Since it has just launched again for 2019, I thought I’d share my top learnings in case you’ve been wondering if you should sign up next time.

5 KEY THINGS I LEARNED FROM MARIE FORLEO'S B-SCHOOL

1. HOW TO START THE RIGHT BUSINESS

Perhaps this was the most surprising lesson of them all, but the most important thing I learned right off the bat was how to start the right business.

Initially, when I signed up for B-School, I was in a totally different business from now. It was a natural, handmade soap company that I had founded on my own in 2012. I signed up for the course hoping to improve that business, but what I didn’t expect was to find out I was in the wrong business.

I mean, it was fun for a little while, but not for the long haul. The thing I learned really quickly was that I really wanted a location-independent business, where I didn’t ever need to worry about having a storefront or anything that tied me down to one place.

By working through the “Start the Right Business” workbook, I was able to get really clear on that and realize I had other options.

I’m still thankful for that lesson because now I have a business that I can run remotely from anywhere, just using my laptop, which I love.

That’s why B-School is good for anyone interested in having a business. Whether you’ve already started one or not, it will help you figure out what’s right for YOU.

2. HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF ONLINE COURSES

Another thing I learned was that online courses were not ‘get-rich-quick-scams’. I’ll be honest, in the past, I kind of expected to get rich right after taking a course, which now I know is really silly. B-School helped me realize that just like going to an actual school, it’s an education program. Not anything else.

Meaning, you can’t expect to take an online course and suddenly have money pouring in from the sky. After all, that doesn’t happen once you finish college, does it?

You still have to put in the work after you absorb all the learnings to create a successful life for yourself.

3. MARKETING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SLEAZY

In the past, I always really hated marketing. And that’s because I came across a lot of sleazy marketers. But in B-School, I realized that marketing doesn’t need to be like that at all. It can be honest and ethical and meaningful.

Plus, without marketing, you can’t have a business. So we all need to get on board and become better marketers.

4. EVERYONE NEEDS TO LEARN COPYWRITING

If you’re in any kind of business, copywriting can make or break it. That’s why no matter what you sell, you need to have at least some knowledge about good copywriting for your website.

I realize that this skill does not come naturally to everyone. It didn’t to me either at first! But thanks to Marie, I made it my goal to learn as much as I could about it. I studied it vigilantly and I dare say, I’ve become a much better copywriter than when I first started out.

By the way, there’s nothing wrong with hiring a copywriter if you’re really bad at it or simply don’t have time for it. However, I think you should at least understand the basics to know if the copywriter you hired is doing a good job.

To get professional tips, start here: 5 TOP TIPS TO WRITE HOT WEBSITE COPY

5. CREATING COMMUNITY MATTERS

A big reason I loved being a part of B-School so much was the community it offered in the private Facebook group. It taught me how to be a part of a community of other entrepreneurs, and people who had similar dreams to mine.

I never knew how much I could gain by being involved in such a community. Suddenly, doing it all alone wasn’t as appealing as it had been previously. The truth is, when you’re creating something big to support your dream, you can’t do it all alone. You will thrive way more when you’re part of a supportive environment. Because let’s face it, not all of your family members or loved ones will understand what you’re doing. So get the support anywhere you can. Whether it’s Facebook groups or dedicated meetups, it’s always better together.

For that reason, I was really glad to have signed up for B-School through Amy Porterfield’s bonus experience. It meant I got to meet some students in person in her live workshop in San Diego, and it just added to the richness of the experience. :)