Jenny Shih

Success On Your Terms

Explore the Blog:

Curious About B-School? Here’s My 100% Honest Review of the Program, Plus Answers to Your Most-Asked Questions

I often get asked what I think of Marie Forleo’s B-School, so here’s my 100% honest review.

If you’re interested in joining the B-School through my affiliate link next time it’s open, go here and enter your information.

In this review, I’m going to share with you what B-School is, how it helped my business, who I think it’s best suited for, and who it’s not ideal for. I’m also going to tell you about bonuses you can get if you sign up for B-School using my affiliate link. (The affiliate link works once B-School is under active enrollment. For 2022, enrollment begins February 22, 2022.)

If you’re curious about B-School, keep reading. This is my 100% honest review of Marie’s program.

NOTE: This review contains affiliate links. If you decide to enroll in Marie Forleo’s B-School through my link, I may earn a commission. That said, the reason I actively promote this program as an affiliate is because joining B-School shortly after I launched jennyshih.com was one of the best business decisions I ever made. I am so grateful for the impact this program had on my business, and I like to support business owners who know that B-School is the right investment for them. 

I took B-School in 2011.

“I can honestly say it was one of the best business decisions I ever made for my business. I wouldn’t have grown my business to $700k—working less than 30 hours a week and doing it on my own terms—if I hadn’t started with the business and marketing foundation I learned in B-School.”

What is B-School, anyway?

Marie Forleo’s B-School is a 6-week interactive, video-based training program designed to teach online marketing strategies to business owners who want more sales and more impact from their online presence. It covers all of the high-level concepts you should understand if you want to run an online business.

Whether you want to sell products or services, information or advice, you have a brick and mortar business, or you’d like to be totally virtual, B‑School can help you get started.

Marie’s program walks through what she has defined as the 6 Pillars of business success:

6 pillars of b-school

Marie’s methodically mapped out exactly what you need to do to create a profitable, purpose-centered business. Marie teaches core business and marketing techniques that can help you grow your business in a way that works for you and your business, so you can work toward your own goals.

Although the program was originally designed for online businesses, Marie has expanded and improved the program to include content highly relevant to all businesses, including brick and mortar and product-based businesses. So pretty much, if you’re a small business owner, B-School will teach you the online business and marketing fundamentals that everyone needs to know.

If you’re interested in more program specifics, you can read more details on Marie Forleo’s B-School site right here.

To hear my thoughts and opinions about B-School plus how to get some free coaching with me and additional bonuses—the best ones out there—keep reading.

My 100% Honest Review of B-School

I enrolled in B-School in 2011. At the time, there were far fewer online business training programs than there are now. I researched several and this program was the one that felt right for me.

In case you didn’t know, B-School was originally created and run by Marie Forleo and Laura Roeder (who has since gone on to start the software companies MeetEdgar and Paperbell). When I was in B-School, both women were coaching in the program. I loved the balance of their personalities and expertise.

When I joined in 2011, it was just a few months after launching jennyshih.com. I hadn’t made much money in my new business but was ready to go “all in” and replace my full-time corporate salary doing the work I was excited to do. (If this is the first time we’re meeting, you can learn more about how I got to where I am today over on my about page.)

I desperately needed to learn about marking and copywriting, two skills I knew I needed to master but knew very little about.

Within eighteen months after launching jennyshih.com, with B-School knowledge under my belt and taking a ton of action (and making countless mistakes and having numerous wins, too), my business hit six figures in revenue. Even better, I did it working less than 30 hours/week.

I know that the business and marketing foundation knowledge I gained from B-School back in 2011 was essential to giving me the strong foundation to then grow my business to $700k without working long hours, while also delivering high-impact coaching to my clients and building a business aligned with my strengths.

B-School filled in my major knowledge gaps in the beginning stages. It was exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it, and I’m forever grateful for how the program helped me.

The B-School Program Content

The program content is top-notch. Every concept is clearly and thoroughly explained. There is enough material in this program to help you start your business, hit six figures, or reach toward seven.

Marie covers the basic online lingo, so you fully understand terms like opt-in, permission marketing, guest posting, and more. She dives into the 6 Pillars (listed above) in great detail, so you know all the ins and outs of online marketing.

Basically, after going through the program, you have the core business and marketing information you need to make your online business a success.

The B-School Connections

When I joined B-School in 2011, I also joined the B-School online community. For me, the community was something I didn’t even know I needed, and many of the people I met in B-School way back then are individuals I could still reach out to today for questions, support, ideas, or brainstorming.

At the time, I found the community to be loving, kind, giving, generous, non-competitive, supportive, thoughtful, caring, sharing, wise. I hadn’t previously experienced a group of business owners who were both ambitious and simultaneously non-competitive. I could bring business or personal questions to this group and feel supported no matter what. This connections alone were worth my B-School investment.

During my time in B-School, I was an active member of the community, offering assistance and requesting it as needed. I continued to participate for a little more than a year after I graduated.

Since this is a 100% honest review, I have to add that when I was diagnosed with Lyme disease back  in 2013, I had to cut back on a lot of my business activities, and participating in Facebook groups was one of the cuts I made.

This means I stopped engaging in the B-School group, so I can’t speak to how the community is today, only that I had a positive experience in 2011 and 2012.

Who B-School Is For

B-School is perfect for anyone who knows what they want to do for their business but hasn’t had much success with the business aspect of it (like making money!). B-School is also perfect for anyone who has had a successful off-line business who wants to leverage the power of the internet but doesn’t know how.

If you’re clear or even mostly clear on what you want to do in your business, you are primed to take advantage of what Marie teaches in this program.

If you’re ready to put yourself out on the internet to make money doing what you love, and if you believe in yourself–even just a tiny bit–B-School will rock your world.

If you’re a locally-based or brick and mortar business looking to up your game and online presence, this program will teach you exactly what you need to know.

Who B-School Is NOT For

If you are swimming in fear and have doubts about being in business, I suggest you wait until things settle down for you.

From what I’ve seen, business owners who try to learn about business and marketing before they feel confident, simply flounder and feel worse about their situation. I don’t want anyone to put unnecessary pressure on themselves when it comes to making their purpose-driven business work. Take care of your inner work, then dive into the business stuff when you’re ready.

If you’re looking at B-School and thinking “everyone seems to have joined this program at one time or another, so I guess I should,” don’t listen to that voice. There are many business and marketing programs available now from so many coaches with so many different backgrounds, that you definitely don’t want to join from a place of FOMO or fear.

What B-School Is and What B-School Isn’t

For all my love of B-School, you may be wondering if I look at this program through rose-colored glasses. I assure you, I don’t.

B-School did a huge thing for my business, as you’ve read here. However, there are many skills you need to create a successful business that you don’t get from B-School.

In addition to being good at your craft (whether that’s coaching, nutrition, yoga, design, writing, teaching, making or crafting or anything else), you have to understand…

  • fundamental marketing principles (B-School does teach you this)
  • financial planning
  • bookkeeping and taxes
  • strategic planning
  • how to work through your own fears and mindset issues
  • the sales process and how to implement it for your unique business (Bonus alert!)

And, of course, you have to be very determined to make your business work.

There is not one program that’s a silver bullet. However, this program is one of the essential keys to making your online business work. The main reason that B-School was my silver bullet was that I had the other things listed above already nailed (or at least pretty good).

I love B-School and I love what it can do for businesses. I just want to be clear that there are many factors required to make your business work.

How to Make the Most of Your B-School Experience

I believe one of the reasons I had great success with B-School was because I set aside time each week to learn the material and implement the concepts I learned. Since I was working full-time in my business, I was able to block out three hours on Mondays to work through the program content. I made learning one of my priorities, put the time in my calendar to work through the material, and made that time non-negotiable. Additionally, I set aside an additional two to four hours each week to take action on what I learned. This meant that if I learned about websites on Monday, I was implementing what I learned on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

Having an action-based mindset was a big part of why B-School made such a huge shift for me and my business. Now, not everything you learn will be immediately implementable. Some concepts will take time to digest, think about, and act on, and that’s okay. In fact, there are still concepts I’ve yet to implement (because she covers that much!). You don’t have to do everything she teaches in order to see results in your business, and my business success is evidence of that.

If you don’t have as many hours each week to learn and implement as I did, you can certainly learn and take action more slowly over time. There’s no pressure to go any faster than you’re able. I know plenty of people who took a full year (or more!) to implement what they learned, did it at their own pace, and still created great results for themselves. Working at your own pace will get you where you need to go on a schedule that’s perfect for you.

how I made the most of B-School

Why I’m Promoting Someone Else’s Program

If you’ve been hanging around here for awhile or even if you just found me via Google, you’ll notice that I don’t actively promote many paid programs on my site, on my blog, or in my newsletter. So why am I actively promoting Marie Forleo’s B-School?

I’m promoting this program for several reasons. First, this program had such a HUGE impact on my business, and I’ve found my audience appreciates when I share what I’ve learned and from whom.

Second, my audience needs this information, and I don’t teach it. Yes, I teach a lot in my programs, but the breadth of material B-School covers is far greater than I teach (or want to teach). Sending you to a program that will give it all to you is a far better use of your time and financial resources.

Third, if you’re building your online business alone, it can feel lonely. Joining a program like B-School connects you with a a community of people who could be life-long supporters of you and your work. And that is priceless!

Finally, I am an affiliate for Marie’s program. This means I get a commission if you sign up through my affiliate link. This is why, in return for you purchasing through my link, I’m offering the exclusive bonuses you’ll find listed below.

How to Get Free Coaching with Me + MORE (aka My BIG B-School Bonus Bundle)

Make the most of your B-School investment by adding coaching with me.

Imagine…

6 weeks from now, you’ve done it. You have your website up, you understand the ins and outs of online marketing, and you’re ready to start making money from your online business.

6 months from now, you’ve done it again. Your website looks so pro! You’re taking massive action, your business is growing leaps and bounds, and your confidence about this whole “online world” has skyrocketed tenfold.

The question is, how did you get there?

You dove into B-School head first. You took action. And you got coaching to make sure everything clicked into place.

Why I LOVE B-School and Supporting B-Schoolers (in a nutshell)

I was pretty stoked when I came out of the other side of B-School in 2011. It was a ton of work and required serious concentration and focus, but I was thrilled with how it catapulted my business.

When I graduated, I had dozens of ideas to implement, but I had no idea where to start. My work was far from finished. I sat down and planned out the exact steps I needed to take next. And next. And next.

Step by step, I took action, learned a ton, made mistakes, had huge wins, and made it to where I am today (and I’m still doing all of that to keep growing my business).

But for most business owners I meet, seeing the next steps, knowing precisely what to do next, and following through can be a HUGE challenge. And it makes sense! The internet is only getting more and more complicated, there are more and more things to learn, and the pace is quickening by the minute.

As you take action, it’s normal for questions to come up, confusion to hit, doubts to linger, and frustration to arise. After all, this business thing can be hard sometimes!

That’s why I want to help you take action and create the success you want for yourself.

So if B-School sounds like the right move for you and your business, I want to support you in reaching the next level of success in your business. If you sign up for B-School using my B-School affiliate link, you’ll receive the following bonuses.

I’m offering one of the most popular and impactful B-School bonuses out there: coaching with me.

You see, I’m an uncompromising business coach who believes—and lives—that it’s possible to make money doing work you love while also living a life you love. I’m an in intuitive and strategic planner with a passion for efficiency and systems and a background in life coaching and personal development.

You’re an action-taker who wants strategic guidance and laser-sharp insights (from someone who’s been where you are and creating a thriving online business) so you can follow through and have the success you know is possible.

Get Business Coaching to Help You Implement Everything You Learn In B-School

When you sign up for B-School through my affiliate link, you get:

Total retail value: $1900+!

How to Get Your BIG B-School Bonus Bundle

Here’s what you need to do to supercharge your B-School results with this BIG bonus bundle:

Step 1: Watch for B-School enrollment. Marie’s free training opens on February 16, 2022, and enrollment begins February 22.You can get on my personal notification list here.

To be eligible for my bonus bundle, when enrollment opens, you must register through my affiliate link. (Note, the affiliate link only works during active B-School enrollment when I’m an affiliate.)

If you know you want to join B-School and get my bonuses, sign up here.

Step 2: Join B-School and go through the lessons. Get everything you can from the community and the coaching calls. Do your best to learn and take action during the 6 weeks. (And know you have lifetime access to the program materials, too.)

Step 3: Watch your email—twice.

First, a week or so after B-School begins, you will receive an email from me letting you know you’re on the list for the Big Bonus Bundle. If you don’t hear from me by March 15, 2022, please use the contact form on my site to check in.

Second, after you graduate from B-School, I’ll be in touch with all of the details on accessing your bonuses. If you don’t hear from me by April 22, reach out using the contact form on my site.

Make Sure You Invest Wisely

In addition to giving you a lot of information in this review, I want to help you ensure you’re investing wisely.

That’s why I’ve put together a free download called 7 Things You Need to Know Before You Invest in B-School.

As a successful B-School graduate and past affiliate, I’ve fielded hundreds of questions about B-School, helping business owners make the right decision for them and their businesses. In this guide, you’ll find insights based on the most popular questions potential B-Schoolers ask me year after year.

So… Is B-School right for you?

Garb the guide here and keep reading to be sure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marie Forleo’s B-School

As a past affiliate, I’ve received dozens of emails about B-School since 2012 The common theme is: “This is my situation. Is B-School right for me?” I’m posting the most common questions I’ve received, along with my answers, hoping this extra info will help you make the best decision for you and your business.

If you don’t see your question here, email me. There’s information below on how to do that.

Q: I’m a _______. Is B-School right for me and my business?

A: The information covered in the program is at a high enough level that it can be applied to many different business types. If you feel confident in your ability to take solid information and translate it for your specific needs, B-School will definitely help you.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a program that will teach you exactly how to make your ______ business work, then this will not be the right program for you. You’ll need to take the high-level online business concepts and apply them to your unique business. Though not always easy, but it’s essential for success.

Q: I’m a coach who has been through coach training, but I don’t yet know what type of coaching business I want to have. I’m not totally clear on my niche. Should I take B-School now or wait until I’m more clear?

A: It will be challenging to go through B-School if you don’t know what you want to do in your business. You can’t create an opt-in offer for your list, blog, create packages, and market yourself if you don’t know exactly what you’re marketing or who you’re marketing to.  Keep Reading…

Q: I know what I want my business to be, but I haven’t created anything yet. No website, no clients, nothing. Should I take B-School?

A: If you don’t know what you want to do at all, B-School won’t help you get clear. If you were trying to decide if you should start a bakery, an online business as a coach, or a practice as a massage therapist, B-School won’t help you sort that out.  Keep Reading…

Q: I’ve been a coach for awhile and recently found my new niche. My website doesn’t reflect this niche. I can make changes to the content, but will I be behind the curve because I haven’t already been marketing to this niche?

A: Absolutely not! In fact, having the basics of a website up and a foundational understanding of online marketing will make you ahead of the curve. You’ll be able to implement what you learn very fast because your site is up already.  Keep Reading…

Q: I want to create a premium coaching program where I work with clients one-on-one. I also see myself creating related products to offer a low barrier for entry so I can serve even more people while generating passive income. Is this something that B-School can guide me in doing?

A: The information covered in the program is at a high enough level that it can be applied to many different businesses. You will definitely get some great ideas for what to offer, but it won’t teach you exactly how to do this for your specific business. That said, my bonus group coaching can help address that gap for you.  Keep Reading…

Q: I’ve hired a ton of people to help me start my business: a website designer, a copywriter, and even a business coach. I’ve spent a ton of money but haven’t seen any results. I’m reluctant to join B-School, but part of me also thinks it would help. Do you have any words of advice?

A: First off, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve invested a ton in your business and not seen the return. I know that can be terribly disheartening and frustrating.  Keep Reading…

Q: I have an online business, but I’m just doing it on the side while I have a full-time day job to support me. Because of that, my business is still pretty small. I’m also a mom with little free time. Should I take B-School?

A: If you’re ready to take the steps necessary to grow your online business, B-School will absolutely help you make that happen. If your time is limited because of your job, your kids, or anything else, it’s okay!  Keep Reading…

Q: I have a successful off-line business and would like to build an online presence, but I know nothing about the internet or websites. Is B-School right for me?

A: If you have a solid, successful business that runs well and if you know what your business is all about and who your target customers are, B-School can help you.  Keep Reading…

Q: I have a brick and mortar business. How specifically does B-School help someone like me?

A: This is such a great question! Since I don’t own a brick and mortar business, I reached out to my friend and fellow B-Schooler, Sonia Ruyts (also a super cool human being and the owner of Stash, a brick and mortar yarn shop) to answer this question for you.

Here’s what Sonia shared with me… Keep Reading…

Q: I currently have a ton of debt and money is tight. But I know I need to learn some of these concepts in $ to make my business work. Is it worth it for me to invest and go further into debt to create this business?

A: I can’t offer advice on whether or not you should spend more money when you’re already in debt. Each of us needs to make the right financial decisions for ourselves. I know some people are comfortable taking on more debt when they know it will benefit them in the long run; others shy away from debt and would prefer to wait until they can pay cash. This is a personal decision you will need to make for yourself.  Keep Reading…

Q: There are quite a few affiliates selling B-School. Who should I choose?

A: Obviously I recommend myself, but the best affiliate for you is the one you want to learn from.

Often, the bigger name affiliates aren’t the best to go through because they have SO MANY people joining through them. But when you buy from smaller affiliates who offer small group coaching or a more intimate experience, you can learn so much more (like with me!).

Trust your gut, not flashy big names, and you won’t go wrong.

Have more questions?

Ask me anything. I’ll give you my 100% honest answer.


CLICK TO DOWNLOAD: 7 Things You Need to Know Before You Invest in B-School

This post was originally published in May 2012. It was last updated in January 2022.

.