If you’ve read much on this blog, you’ll have figured out that I tend to dive into things head first. Case in point: I’m actually doing Chris Guillebeau and Pam Slim’s $100 Business Forum and Chris Guillebeau’s Empire Building Kit at the same time.
Insane? Maybe. Not only do both of the courses require time and attention, but many of the same lessons and business principles are covered in both.
However, I actually really like the duplication of info. I was in the first group of emperors to buy into the EBK, and we’re now on day 50. The May $100 Business Forum started on May 10, several weeks into the EBK for me, and I’m benefiting a ton from having the concepts I learned in the EBK reinforced by the $100 Business Forum and presented from new perspectives.
Pam talks about things differently than Chris does, and let’s face it, business concepts are obviously not my natural strength, or I’d be rich by now. I can use all the help I can get! Plus there have been some fantastic interviews and coaching calls that are totally different from what I’m getting from the EBK.
If you’re considering these courses, what’s the main difference?
The EBK is daily emails from Chris, PLUS a bunch of video interviews with, and PDF case studies of, a wide variety of unconventional entrepreneurs, PLUS video tips from Chris. It’s a full year of lessons, but there’s no real community component. You get an email from Chris every day, but other than that, you’re on your own.
The $100 Business Forum, on the other hand, is much shorter, at only 28 days, but more structured and intense. There’s a lesson each day, with homework (examples: a personal SWOT review: list your personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats [day 4]; how to develop business ideas; and much more), PLUS occasional coaching calls with Pam and/or Chris, which offer an opportunity for direct feedback if you can be on the call (plus you can listen to the recording if you can’t). Because of its group forum format, you also get to interact with other attendees, which is extremely valuable (even though it’s an imperfect system for doing so — see yesterday’s post for more detail).
Upshot? Two great courses = exponential growth.
(And probably not enough sleep.)
Anyone else out there doing both? What are your thoughts?
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*Disclosure: If you buy a product or course through any of the links in this post, I’ll get some affiliate income, and will be forever grateful. If you don’t buy at all, or you buy through another link, I’ll never know, so don’t lose sleep over it.
I’m in EBK, but know Pam from going to her workshops when she is in the DC area and both are fantastic! Chris’ EBK program rocks because of those bite size pieces, which is so helpful for me.
As an aside – I love your art just to the right here… 🙂
Thanks for your comment and compliment, Amber! I’m enjoying following your progress on your blog! Glad to hear you’re getting good stuff from EBK too. That’s awesome that you’ve been to workshops with Pam! Lucky duck. 🙂