I turned down millions to not sell courses

We’ve all felt it — that moment when we stand before an opportunity so tempting it almost feels stupid to turn away.

Late one night after leaving my CEO position at Alpha Inbound last year, I sat down at my desk…

The numbers running through my mind like an endless ticker tape.

Launch a course. Cash in. Live the dream.

The headlines wrote themselves:

“Seven-Figure Agency Owner Unveils Ultimate Course to Teach You the Secrets to Success”

I could even picture the new life: 

• luxury cars

• endless vacations

• a perfectly curated Instagram feed.

But there’s one thing that haunted me like a shadow…

The faces.  

The ones staring back at me through screens.

Believing. Hoping. Praying this time the promises would stick.

Because I’ve been that face.

Staring at my empty accounts and maxed-out credit cards, begging for a lifeline.

Only to then be back at square one when the ‘system’ didn’t work.

Now, let’s break the cycle of hope and letdown

Selling courses isn’t inherently evil.

The systems, strategies, and frameworks I’ve built — they do work.

I’ve proven it not once but twice, building seven-figure agencies from scratch.

I could bundle it up, slap on some scarcity tactics, and fire it to the masses with Meta ads. 

And I could convince a mass audience of vulnerable young men to buy it. 

But isn’t that the problem?

There’s an entire industry built on this – a culture that preys on ambition and desperation.

And in this endless cycle of hype and letdown, people who genuinely need help are left to pick up the pieces while the guru sails off into the sunset. 

When I was sitting alone in my tiny apartment, working a dead-end corporate job, juggling bills, and wondering if I’d ever break free, I didn’t need a glossy course then.

I needed guidance. I needed context. But most importantly, I needed someone to believe in me.

So when the moment finally came to pass on my knowledge and experience,  I chose a different path.

The unscalable one (for now).

I chose one-one mentorship.

No filters. No scripts. No dopamine-drenched shortcuts. 

It started small. A few calls with agency owners who reminded me of my younger self — hungry, scrappy, unsure what move to take next. 

But something amazing happened over the following months. 

Those calls became personal connections.

Those connections became stories I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.

And throughout the journey, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing these entrepreneurs transform — not just their businesses, but themselves.

Shattering milestones they once thought were out of reach.

Every time I work one-on-one with someone like Tobi Chapman - a 22-year-old who almost gave up on his dreams - it reminds me why this matters.

Six months ago, Tobi was on the verge of throwing in the towel, heading back to university, and letting the world win.

But he reached out. We mapped a plan. We got to work. 

And in under a year, he’s 10X’d his business. 

But what’s even more powerful is seeing him rediscover his confidence, his joy, and his belief in what’s possible.

Mentorship isn’t a handful of lectures of a feel-good platitude. 

It’s standing shoulder-to-shoulder with someone and watching them rewire their belief system.

And when they do, it’s like a slingshot landing a stone square in the forehead of Goliath.

It’s a victory for both of us.

Here’s what Tobi had to say.

Don’t throw your hard-earned money at empty promises

If you’re lost right now and you need someone to guide you to the next step, here’s what you should do. 

1. Get clear on what you need. Define exactly what you’re looking for—strategy, confidence, next steps. Know it, name it, own it.

2. Find someone in your network who’s walked that path - forget the flashy influencers. 

3. Reach out thoughtfully – Start small. Ask one insightful question, grab a coffee, and see if their advice resonates.

4. Seek tailored guidance – Mentorship isn’t one-size-fits-all. Avoid generic advice and look for someone who offers feedback that’s specific to you.

5. Avoid the quick-fix trap – If someone promises overnight results, run the other way. Real growth takes time and effort, not shortcuts.

6. Focus on character – Look for someone whose values align with yours and who genuinely wants to see you succeed.

Remember: Promises of "overnight success" or "six-figure secrets" are bait for the desperate.

This is the David in me speaking to the David in you.

So pick up the stone. 

Take action now. 

Make it count.

Yours Truly,

Nigel Thomas

P.S. If like Tobi you’re an Ecom agency owner with big goals for 2025 but lacking direction respond ‘mentor’ to this email and let’s have a chat