Introduction
In the past few years, I’ve invested over $452,000 into courses, coaches, and mentors. Yeah, I know, that sounds crazy. But when you’re chasing greatness, you have to be willing to go all in. What I’ve learned through this wild journey is that some investments paid off big time, and others… well, let’s just say they taught me what not to do.
I’m going to walk you through my experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly—so you can make more informed decisions when it comes to investing in yourself and your business. Trust me, there’s a lot to learn from my expensive lessons.
“What I Learned After Spending $452,000 on Gurus: The Hard Truth About Success”
The Start of the Journey: Free Mentorship with David Fry
My journey didn’t begin with money—it began with a mentor who took me under his wing for free. David Fry, my first-ever mentor, didn’t charge me a dime. He taught me the basics of building an online business—low-ticket sales, VSLs (video sales letters), funnels, and email automations. This laid the groundwork for my future success. The cost? $0. The value? Priceless.
While David was more focused on getting me back to church than building a business (sorry, David!), he ignited a fire in me that would eventually lead to me building an eight-figure empire. This experience showed me that money isn’t always the first step in mentorship, but the lessons learned are invaluable.
Lesson 1: Know What You’re Paying For
My first paid mentorship was with Sterling, who charged me $5,000 for his program on high-ticket sales in the fitness industry. He taught me the value of selling premium products and how to close deals over the phone. I went from selling $47 fitness programs to charging thousands.
But here’s the thing—it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Sterling’s program was packed with a lot of hype and not enough strategy. While it gave me the framework to scale, the delivery left me wanting more.
The takeaway? Sometimes even a solid program can feel underwhelming if the delivery doesn’t match your learning style. But without this, I wouldn’t have made millions, so was it worth the investment? Absolutely.
Lesson 2: Simple Scales, Fancy Fails
After Sterling, I invested $15,000 with Vita, who promised to help me scale past $100,000 per month. His strategy? Multiply my offers. I ended up juggling way too many things at once, and instead of scaling, my business hit a wall.
The lesson here was simple but profound: “Simple scales, fancy fails.” I was trying to do too much, and it diluted my focus. If you’re trying to build a business, focus on one offer and scale that before adding more complexity.
Lesson 3: Outsourcing Isn’t Always the Answer
I’ve spent tens of thousands outsourcing different parts of my business, and let me tell you, this can be a double-edged sword. I paid $10,000 to revamp my marketing funnels, only to find that I knew more about my own business than the so-called “expert” did. I ended up correcting his work instead of moving forward.
Outsourcing can save time, but only if the person you hire cares as much about your business as you do. Lesson learned: No one will ever care about your business the way you do.
Lesson 4: The Importance of Aggressive Follow-Up
One of the biggest turning points came after a $10,000 investment in Taylor’s B2B consulting program. Taylor didn’t just give me business advice; he gave me a reality check. He challenged me to stop whining and double down on outreach. I was resistant at first, but that call changed everything. I got aggressive with my follow-up processes and made $18,000 in just one month using ManyChat.
From that point forward, my business skyrocketed, bringing in millions. The key takeaway here? Follow-up is everything. You don’t have to be the best marketer in the world, but if you’re relentless in your follow-up, you’ll win.
Lesson 5: Stick to Your Strengths
I invested over $100,000 into learning how to buy and flip e-commerce stores. While I thought this would be a quick win, it turned out to be a massive distraction. Instead of doubling down on what I was already good at, I ventured into a completely different business model that took time and focus away from my core strengths.
This was a painful but important lesson: Stick to what you’re good at. Shiny object syndrome is real, and it can derail your success faster than you think.
Lesson 6: Personal Development Is Key
Out of all my investments, the most valuable ones were those focused on personal development. I spent $100,000 working with Steve Hardison, and it was the best money I ever spent. Steve helped me understand that all the problems in my life were self-created and that I had the power to shape my own reality.
This wasn’t a business lesson—it was a life lesson. Personal growth is just as important as business growth, and without it, you’ll always hit a ceiling.
The Bottom Line: Investing in Yourself Always Pays Off
After spending $452,000 on gurus, coaches, and mentors, here’s what I can tell you: Some investments will be amazing, and others will be a bust. But every single one of them will teach you something valuable. If you’re serious about taking your life and business to the next level, you have to be willing to invest in yourself, even when it feels risky.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every dollar spent helped shape the person I am today—a millionaire who built his empire from scratch. If you’re ready to take your own leap, my advice is simple: Don’t hesitate. You’re worth the investment.
Tanner Chidester
CEO, Elite CEOs
