Introduction
People always ask me, “Tanner, how did you make over $150 million online?”
They assume I had some special skill… that I was a genius coder or had some influencer plug. The truth?
I started in a 300-square-foot spare bedroom in my parents’ house.
No audience. No funding. No connections.
I didn’t even have a real product—just a crappy $47 fitness program and a ClickFunnels account.
But over time, I cracked the code. And in this blog, I’m going to show you exactly how I went from $0 to $150M+… and how you can do the same—even if you’re starting from scratch.
How I Built a $150M Business With No Skills, No Money, and No Following (And How You Can Too)
I Was the Big Man on Campus… Until I Wasn’t
I was a D1 athlete. I got straight A’s. I was confident, outgoing, and used to winning. Then I tried to build an online business.
From 22 to 25, I made $2,000 total. People laughed. I lived at home. No car, no dates, no self-worth.
But at 25, everything changed.
I pivoted to selling high-ticket fitness coaching instead of cheap eBooks. $1,500 programs. And boom—I hit my first million-dollar year.
Then trainers started asking me for help. And by the time I turned 27, I’d done $10 million in a single year coaching other fitness pros how to grow online.
Why Coaching Is the Best Business to Start With No Experience
Coaching worked for me because:
- You don’t need money to start
- You don’t need a fancy degree
- You can sell it before you build it
- You’re just teaching what you already know
People think you need to be an expert. You don’t. You just need to be a few steps ahead of the person you’re helping.
Don’t know your “thing” yet? Cool—here’s how to find it.
How to Find a Profitable Skill You Can Sell
Ask yourself:
- What have I done in the last 5 years that others struggle with?
- What comes naturally to me that’s hard for others?
- What do people ask me for help with?
- What problems have I solved in my own life?
If you truly can’t think of anything, go to Udemy.com or Alison.com and learn a skill (copywriting, ads, email, etc.) for under $100.
One of our clients taught people how to knit. Another helped people get green cards. Another coached men on dating without cold DMs.
If someone has the problem—and you can solve it—you can get paid.
Build an Offer People Actually Want
Once you know your skill, you need to turn it into an offer people will buy.
Here’s how I do it (shoutout to my friend Alex Hormozi for breaking this down so clearly):
- Desired Outcome
– What does your client want? (Lose 20 lbs, make $10k, get more dates, etc.) - Perceived Likelihood of Achievement
– How believable is it that you’ll help them get there? - Time Delay
– How fast can you deliver the result? - Effort & Sacrifice
– How hard will it feel for them?
You want to keep the promise believable, the result fast, and the work minimal.
Example:
- “Lose weight in 90 days while eating whatever you want.”
- “Book 70% more sales calls using my DM conversion script.”
- “Get 50% more dates—without cold approaching or DMing.”
It’s all about solving pain with a unique twist. That’s how you stand out.
Sell It Before You Build It
Biggest mistake I made? I spent a year building a $47 course, only to make $2,000.
I should’ve sold it first, then built it based on what people actually wanted.
Here’s what to do:
- Craft a killer offer
- Get on Zoom with buyers
- Coach them live
- Record those calls
- Turn the recordings into your actual product
It’s faster, easier, and way more profitable.
Start With DMs, Not Content
Everyone says, “Just post on social media.”
Here’s the truth: content is a long game. Most of my clients don’t have time to wait.
Instead, start with DM outreach.
Here’s the math that built my business:
- 100 DMs → 10 replies
- 10 replies → 3 sales calls
- 3 sales calls → 1 close at $1,500
That’s $1,500 from ~8 hours of work.
That’s over $200/hour.
And once you dial that in, then you move into ads or organic content.
Don’t Overthink It — Just Start
You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.
✅ Pick a skill
✅ Solve a painful problem
✅ Create an offer
✅ Sell it before you build it
✅ DM like your life depends on it
I’ve helped over 50,000 clients, from dating coaches to dog trainers. You’re not too late. You’re not too old. You’re not too unqualified.
All you need is the right guidance.
Want my exact script, templates, and launch process?
