The truth about the Six Figure Mentors (SFM) and Digital Experts Academy (DEA)
The Six Figure Mentors (SFM) provided the training program that got me out of my 20 year legal career. But they’re by no means perfect. Learn more.
I’m now into my fourth year as a Member of the Six Figure Mentors (SFM) and the Digital Experts Academy (DEA), and I’ve seen the company go through various changes.
I’ve also seen various reviews about the Six Figure Mentors (SFM) and the Digital Experts Academy (DEA), and many of them are dated, or just written from a place of extreme negativity, and even positivity (by affiliates of other companies, and of SFM respectively), and so I thought I’d share an honest, transparent, view with you.
INTRODUCTION – HOW TRUTHFUL WILL THIS REVIEW BE?
You’re probably thinking, this guy promotes the SFM, so how objective can he be? Let me say this – I want to be able to sleep at night – so ethically, I only promote what I know works. Also, I’ve been a member for over 3 years, and if it wasn’t any good, I certainly would not have been here that long, and so, that’s putting my money where my mouth is!
Another reason for me to tell you the truth, is this – I’m honestly sick of having to deal with people who aren’t prepared to put in the work, have entitled mentalities that expect me or the coaches to pander to them, like we’re desperate to sell something to them.
If that’s you, let me be blunt. There’re enough people who see the value in this, who are willing to appreciate my time and effort in sharing this with you. The commission I earn from a sale to you at this stage, does not make very much of a difference to me.
What drives me, is that I’m tired of people believing they have no options but to stick to a job or a business they are no longer passionate about, and I really want to show them they have options.
Partly for them, but also for them to be able to be with the ones they love, their kids, etc, so that together, we’ll make the world a better, less painful place to live for everyone, and in particular, my kids!
Are the Six Figure Mentors (SFM), Digital Experts Academy (DEA), perfect programs?
Definitely not. Perfect programs don’t exist. But, on balance, the good way outweighs the bad, that’s why I’m still with them after over 3 years, and continue to want to be associated with them.
So what so good about the SFM, and DEA?
Well, philosophically, I’d put it this way.
You’re going to be faced with many challenges on your road to being an online business owner. If this can solve a few of these challenges, what happens is your road to success gets faster, and also gets less risky.
What is that worth to you?
Only you can answer that. If you think that accelerating/ de-risking your success is worth paying the price of membership, then pay it. Otherwise don’t.
This is a piece of the puzzle. And for me was a really big one. It brought me from being a corporate lawyer of 20 years, without any online business experience, to having replaced my lawyer’s income, within 6 months of signing up. Within a year, I sell over 7 figures of online products, when I didn’t even know how to sell a thing online when I first signed up.
What’s that worth to me? A lot.
But that answer is going to be different for everyone, and so you’ve got to ask yourself, if that is worthwhile for you and your business.
COMPLAINTS
3 of the biggest complaints that I hear about are…
- “It’s so expensive, I constantly get upsold”
- I get pushed to be an affiliate, all I do is sell your product…
- It’s so much information…, it’s too hard, I’m too old, I’m not technical enough…
Let me take those one at a time.
“It’s so expensive! I don’t want to get upsold!”
Again, this comes down to what you want. We sell our Application Pack for $29.95. This comes with an introductory module. If you’re accepted, and if after attending the introductory module, you think that we’re a fit for each other, then you might choose to become a member, and purchase our Essential Program. If you’re not accepted, or you don’t think we’re a fit, then the $29.95 is fully refundable.
Purchasing the Essential Program will cost you $297, and a monthly fee of $97. As a part of this, you will get over 7,000 courses, and literally everything you need to start making money online. On top of the training, you will get all the software, infrastructure (hosting, marketing tools, etc), website, landing pages…
Like I said EVERYTHING you need to start making money online.
Honestly, I started making money with this, even before going through all the courses in the Essential Program, so it is absolutely possible to start making money without spending any more.
That said, if you’re expecting to make money from paying $29.95, and feel like someone following up with you because you’ve paid for an introduction, is trying to “upsell you”, then again, this probably isn’t for you, especially since we make it abundantly clear that the $29.95 is an application fee.
“… but what about those multiple thousand dollar packages I keep hearing about?”
It’s absolutely true that the SFM have expensive courses.
Are they necessary? Absolutely not. As I said, the Essential Membership is enough to help you start making money online.
But, with any business, you can always invest to make your business to increase efficiency, to lower risk, to increase scale, etc. Those more expensive packages are different pieces of the pie for entrepreneurs with different needs and aspirations.
Without going into the details, let me say that there’s no “one size fits all” business. That’s why we provide the “general education” at the Essential Program. So, if you don’t have an idea of what you would like to specialize in, you will gain sufficient skills to start a business, and start making something from it, while you start to look for what you’re passionate about.
We will also assign a Personal Consultant to you, to walk you through the various options you might have, so that you can choose the business that best suits you.
Learn to sell physical products
An example of a “more expensive product” is Import Xperts, a course that teaches you to sell physical products online. They’ll teach you everything from identifying your first products to listing them, and even marketing them.
Let me give you a real life example so it’s easier to understand. You know you want to sell physical products on Amazon. You’ve heard everyone talking about it. If you blindly listed something you’re passionate about, it’s hard to say how successful you’re likely to be.
What we’ll teach you is to identify something that people are currently buying, for which there isn’t too much competition. That way, you drastically increase your chances of succeeding.
But what about your “passion product”? Once you’ve learnt to market a product successfully, you’ve learnt the process, and it will be so much easier for you to work your passion product into your business plans, if that’s what you still want to do. (You’ll be surprised how many of students become passionate about a profitable product!)
Learn to sell digital or any other products
Another example of our more expensive products (the Elite Influencer Program) teaches you how to sell software and information products online. Now, I know how awful that sounds, but selling online isn’t like traditional selling at all. It’s just about putting the right product, in front of the right person, at the right time.
An example here might help. With traditional sales, you have a limited “sphere of influence”. So, in sales based home business, network marketing, or direct sales business, you’re likely trying to persuade people within that “sphere of influence” (read family and friends) that they need your product.
I honestly can’t think of a worse thing to do for a living!
In this case, you’re learning to market to the whole world. Someone will be looking for what you are promoting. So, imagine learning to put your favourite accounting software, in front to someone who is looking for accounting software. You’re actually helping the person by offering them options they might not know about, just by sharing your perspective about what makes the one you’re recommending so great! And you do this in a way that’s fully automated, so you don’t even get rejected! But someone who’s going to get value from what you just shared is likely to write to you to thank you for the review!
Isn’t that so much better?
Building a personal brand
Another example of one of our higher end products is the Brand Incubator. As its name suggests, it incubates brands. However, it’s approach to branding is completely different. The program will help you develop a personal brand, so that you can build multiple brands that are congruent with your personal values. That way, you only do business with people who resonate with your values, people would love to do business with you, and vice versa, so that your business will always feel effortless.
Beyond that (as if that isn’t enough), why do you need a personal brand?
Well, guess what? You already have one. The way you dress, talk, walk is observed. Think about a youth with multiple piercings and tattoos and a well groomed person in a suit. Who would you rather to business with? It really depends doesn’t it? If you’re a person who’s looking to marketing a tattoo studio, you might want to work with the former, but if you’re looking for business advice, the latter.
This is of course an extremely simplistic example, but by doing a deep dive into your values, the specialist coaches in this patented process are able to clearly identify your personal brand values and to help you build your brand around that.
Will you be forced to sell SFM products? Is this a MLM?
Now that I’ve said all of that, do you really still think you’ll be “forced” to sell SFM products.
The short answer is “no”, you absolutely do not need to.
That said, there are many people who want to sell digital products and don’t want to go through the hassle of identifying something new. At the same time, they do not know what to sell, and so, we provide them with the option of selling education products and software the SFM has.
The additional benefit of this is that the coaches are familiar with these so they can help you trouble shoot challenges you might face and help to get you making money as soon as possible.
But, let me reiterate that you do not need to do this.
I sell SFM products, but I also sell numerous other products, which I learnt to do because of my SFM education.
As I said, you can sell anything you wish, and we even have methodologies to help you choose products you’re most likely to succeed with.
Want to build your own product?
With the educational products I’ve already told you about, you could build a brand around your very own physical products, and even around yourself. But what if you’re ready to start your own information product or software company.
We’ll we’ve got you covered to. And imagine this, if you develop a product that’s synergistic with SFM/DEA, they might incorporate your product into their suite of products, so that you can earn royalties from ALL sales, from a global sales team that you don’t even need to cover the cost for.
Summing up the Educational Suite…
So, as you can see, there are many products for people with a myriad of ambitions – from someone who wants to make several hundred dollars a month, and is prepared to invest several hundred dollars, to options for someone to who wants their own product or brand.
LET’S COMPARE THIS TO THE COST OF A TRADITIONAL EDUCATION
When I first started my online education with the SFM, I was seriously considering a couple of Executive MBAs that would have cost me 2 to 3 times what I paid SFM.
I purchased the whole product suite, because after all, I saw the value in, and wanted everything they had to offer. This cost me several tens of thousands. Unlike the EMBA, I made what I paid to SFM in 6 months using the earn as you learn program. And in a year following, I made back way more than 10 times what I paid them.
I challenge you to think of any traditional education program that enables you to recover your cost of education as quickly as that.
COMPARING MY EARNINGS TO MY LEGAL SALARY
Another way of looking at this is to compare my journey as a new online business owner with that of my journey as a corporate lawyer. In short, it took me 20 years of slogging, after graduating, and after being called to the bar in London, and then in Singapore, to get to the top of my game, and make the money commensurate with that. Comparatively, with some hard work and diligent study, it took me 6 months from the day I signed up with SFM/DEA to replace that salary that took me 20 years to build to.
I’ve also since learnt to run other businesses, online and offline – because I’ve learnt the most important skill any business owner needs to know – how to put something that people want to buy in front of them – so that I get an endless stream of customers.
HOW MUCH TIME MUST YOU PUT IN?
Towards the end of my legal career, I had a fairly large team, and one of the things I always used to tell my staff was I would never tell them the effort they needed to put in when working for me – the amount of effort that is needed, is the amount of effort they need to get the results they want.
You’re going to be a business owner. If I would not tell my staff how much effort they need to put in, I certainly will not be so presumptuous as to tell you how much effort you need to put in.
What I will tell you is that the effort that you put in will determine the results that you will get.
It’s a simple principle really – if you sow a couple of seeds, don’t expect a huge harvest, and if you sow a lot of seed, then do expect a huge harvest – that’s just the law of nature.
But if I were to use my own example – when I first started my online business, I was still in a job. I worked over 12 hours a day, getting to the office around 8am, and typically not getting home until after 9pm. I worked on my business about 3 hours a day, and replaced my income in 6 months.
It was tough, but it was entirely worth it.
I can’t speak for you, but to me, it was entirely worth it.
IS IT “TOO” DIFFICULT?
As I’ve said time and again in this review, it takes work.
Having said that, it is not difficult because there is a system to follow.
So, let’s put it this way – it’s simple, but it’s certainly not easy.
One of the things that I’ve heard Stuart constantly say is that “people fail, systems don’t”, and you will be asked to follow a Blueprint, a repeatable business system, designed to get repeatable results.
How do I know it works? Because Stuart, who designed this blueprint replaced his income in 6 months, and went on to earn multiple six figures in the next 12 months. I did exactly the same thing, and I’ve seen others do that too.
Can we guarantee that you will do that too?
Absolutely not. We are teaching you to run an actual business. You need to put in the effort. If I may use an analogy – we’ll provide you with a gym, and trainers, but if you’re not working out, or you’re eating wrong, (ie, not doing the work, and not following instructions,) you will not get your dream body (ie, get the results you want) from purchasing that gym membership.
In fact, since we’re on the subject, if someone offers you a guarantee, or tells you that you can just make money by clicking a couple of buttons, they’re probably lying to you.
And on that note, if you are looking for a guarantee, this business (or any legitimate business) probably isn’t for you.
WHAT IF YOU’RE NOT TECHNICAL?
Another question I get fairly frequently, is this – What if I’m not technical? Can I still do this?
Well, I was a corporate lawyer for 20 years. I certainly wasn’t technical. As the top lawyer in some of Singapore’s most prestigious organizations, I had the benefit of assistance, and I had my secretaries print my emails for me to dictate or handwrite replies to. So, chances are you are a little more advanced than I was.
The fact is that systems have matured to a point where you do not need to be technical. What you need is common sense, to understand the logic behind how things work.
Also, the global nature of this business, means that we can easily outsource work we do not know, or do not have the inclination to do, to countries where labor is considerably cheaper.
But I sold over 7 figures of products online before I needed to do any of this.
The training in SFM is click by click, and many of the systems are templates, and pre built, so that all you’re doing is customizing it for your own use.
And as Stuart said to me in the beginning, “don’t worry, you won’t break the internet”…
ARE YOU TOO OLD FOR THIS?
Another popular question – and the truth is – you are if you think you are. This answer will apply to most other questions as well, but is particularly true of this question.
Age is a very common excuse. I used that too. Along with I’m Asian, and chubby, and this probably only works for buff people of European descent.
It’s exactly these excuses that have caused people like me (as I then was) to have not succeeded at any business in the first place.
Within 2 months of the time I overcame that mindset, I made 30k in commissions in a single month, and went on to sell over 7 figures of product in the next 12 months.
And I see people in their 80s and even 90s changing their lives with the education provided. What they have in common is this – none of them believe that they’re too old!
COMPANY WITH A HEART
One of the things that truly jumped out at me when I first started with SFM/DEA is that it’s a company with a heart.
The founders, Stuart & Jay, have put in place a system of showing people that they can make money be not being attached to it. Greed is the attachment to money, and the attachment to money usually means that a person never gets to true wealth.
With that in mind, an integral part of the education is to be involved in the online community of entrepreneurs, where the principle of “learn, do, teach” is reinforced and practiced on a regular basis.
SO, IS THIS FOR YOU?
Whether or not SFM is for you is something only you can decide.
I honestly used to believe this was for everyone, since it got me out of a job I was tired of, and afforded me the time and financial freedom to do the things that are truly important to me.
But you need to ask yourself this…
Are you prepared to grow?
If you’re prepared to grow as a person, this could be for you. But don’t answer so quickly. Growth is always uncomfortable. Growth means coming out of your comfort zone. Growth means falling but always standing back up.
We’ll never teach you to chase money. We teach you that you will get money as a by product of the value that you are giving, and there’s no better way to give value than to become a person of value.
The first by products of that growth are that you become better at whatever you are. I remembered how I gave my daughter some advice which “wow-ed” my wife, because she had not realised the immense transformation that I had been undergoing with SFM. I’ve personally received numerous testimonies of how lives and families and friendships have been transformed as a result of people undergoing this journey.
And if you ask me, for me, it’s true that the money is “secondary” – not that it’s not important, but that it comes naturally because of the person that I’ve become and that you will become.
The awesome thing about growing with the SFM is that you’re not growing alone. You’re growing with a community of people, wanting to achieve the same goals as you.
And you need to be a part of that community. To contribute to it. You will always get back more than you put in. That’s just the way things work. Are you willing to be a part of that community?
IN CONCLUSION…
And so I used to advocate this as if it was the best thing since sliced bread – and honestly, I still think it is – I just leave it to you whether or not you choose to purchase this.
You’ll be surprised how many people expect this to be an easy journey without a need to invest in themselves, their education, or their businesses – even though I say constantly that this is not a “get rich quick” scheme.
You know the saying, “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”?
If you’re considering signing up for SFM, remember that the motivation has to come from you. Don’t expect to not have to do the work, and certainly, don’t expect someone else to do the work for you. Don’t expect to have a “free ride” because everything online is free, and don’t expect to not be overwhelmed by what we’re going to teach you, because you will be learning something completely new.
Now that I’ve said all that, if you’re prepared to put in the hard work, invest in yourself and in your education, and be consistent with your effort, stay motivated, and most of all, help others with your success, then I’d love to work with you.
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