Black Friday = Scammers' Galore
The MLM Pitches of the Digital World & So-Called "self-made gurus"
This post is me channeling my inner b**** because it’s time to bring bullying back.
I’m sick of seeing self-proclaimed “gurus” prey on vulnerable entrepreneurs with overpriced “secrets” and manipulative tactics. Let’s break down why this exploitation needs to stop and remind everyone that the power lies with you—not them.
Enjoy!
Call Me a Hater, but Your Templates Ain’t Template-ing
I don’t know about you, but my inbox looks like it’s been assaulted by a tsunami of desperation.
"50% OFF FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS!"
"THIS LIFE-CHANGING PRODUCT IS 70% OFF!"
"BUY THIS COURSE TO SCALE YOUR BUSINESS AND MAKE $10K IN 30 DAYS!"
I’m sick of it.
Actually, no—I’m fuming.
It’s not just the relentless spam that makes me want to throw my laptop out the window.
It’s the blatant manipulation.
The lies.
The audacity of these so-called “gurus” who prey on our dreams while lining their pockets with our hard-earned cash.
And to those peddling this garbage: seriously, fuck off.
The Gimmicks, the Lies, the Nonsense
Let’s start with the freebies—those “lead magnets” disguised as generosity.
You download a free worksheet or template, and before you know it, you’re drowning in emails about $1,997 self-guided courses promising you’ll “unlock your potential” or “scale to six figures in six weeks.”
Newsflash: we see through you.
Or the overpriced courses filled with ChatGPT-generated templates and regurgitated fluff.
Sure, I’ve bought my fair share—10+ courses, to be exact.
And what did I learn? That 70% of them are the same recycled nonsense.
They’re not designed to help you; they’re designed to trap you in a cycle of consumption, confusion, and dependency.
Here’s the kicker: these courses promise clarity and success, but they leave you feeling stuck, depleted, and like an idiot for falling for it.
And these people have the gall to call themselves “mentors”?
Give me a break.
The Worst Offense: Language That Manipulates
What pisses me off the most is the language they use.
"Modern founders are hungry for connection."
"Entrepreneurs are paying for access."
Hungry? Paying for access? What the actual hell?
Since when did becoming an entrepreneur mean signing up for the 2024 Hunger Games? I’m no Katniss Everdeen, my guy.
We’re not starving dogs begging for scraps. We’re humans navigating one of the hardest paths imaginable—creating something from nothing.
Pursuing our passions.
Building lives that align with our values.
And these vultures see us as nothing more than a market to exploit
Let me be crystal clear:
Community is not a product.
Humans are not commodities.
Our need for connection is not your cash cow.
If you’re slapping a paywall on connection and calling it a “business model,” you’re not innovative.
You’re a grifter.
And you can kindly go to hell :)
Entrepreneurship Is Sacred, Not a Cash Grab
Here’s the thing about entrepreneurship: it’s personal.
It’s a journey that forces you to confront your fears, insecurities, and limiting beliefs. It’s a process of rediscovery, of figuring out who you are and what you want.
It’s not about cashing out ASAP or copying someone else’s system.
These charlatans, with their “guaranteed results” and “easy systems,” are selling a lie. They promise overnight success but ignore the reality: entrepreneurship is messy.
It’s full of trial and error, growth and failure, joy and frustration.
If you’re in this for the long haul, you’re not looking for quick fixes—you’re looking for something real.
A Creator Who Gets It
Not all creators are trash, though…
Dan Koe, for example, is someone who gets it.
His newsletter doesn’t just regurgitate nonsense; it challenges you to think for yourself.
He shares his process, his failures, and his insights. He teaches you how to build systems that work for you, not cookie-cutter templates that strip you of your individuality.
If more creators operated with that level of integrity, this space wouldn’t feel so toxic.
Check out this newsletter he published (on my birthday, no less—tehe) and compare it to the one below. Let me know what you think!
Take Back Your Power
So, the next time some wannabe guru lands in your inbox, do yourself a favor:
Pay attention to how they’re speaking to you—or even worse, how they’re framing what you’re experiencing. Are they empowering you, or just exploiting your fears?
Ask yourself if you really need what they’re selling or if it’s just another distraction. If you’re unsure, take a look at their blogs or posts. Get a sense of how they perceive the problems you’re trying to solve and what they believe their unique value or contribution is. This is where I discern between those who truly get it and those who just did a few Google searches or ChatGPT prompts like “top pain points for X target audience.”
Hit unsubscribe, and if you’re feeling spicy, tell them to fuck off on your way out :)
But the real message I want to drive home—aside from calling out these crooks—is this:
You Are the Solution
Your success doesn’t come from a course, a template, or a membership fee.
It comes from you—your ideas, your creativity, and your willingness to put in the work.
You don’t need their frameworks; you need your own. You don’t need their validation; you need belief in yourself.
Entrepreneurship is about creation. It’s about crafting a life on your own terms, not copying someone else’s. And if anyone tells you otherwise, they can keep their “Black Friday deals” where the sun doesn’t shine.
You’re not just another consumer—you’re a creator. That’s where your power lies.
At the end of the day, entrepreneurship isn’t about chasing $10K months; it’s about creating a life that feels like you.
Now go build something incredible—and leave the grifters in your rearview.
‘til next time
2mannythoughts
Exposing the Receipts
The email in reference—
Mind you, these all came from one email….talk about someone being “on one”…
EXHIBIT A:
I’m not sure who these “modern founders” are that you’re talking about, but let me be clear: I am not "hungry for connection"—it’s an innate, basic human need. And yet, you’ve somehow decided to commodify it? Newsflash: not all of us have mommy or daddy footing the bill for us to buy friends or community like you do.
EXHIBIT B:
"Paying for access…" Listen up, Brad—or whatever your name is—money doesn’t have to be the answer to everything, nor should it be a barrier to fulfilling basic human needs like connection and belonging. Preying on people who can’t afford your $1k+ membership just to get “access” to the tools they need to sustain their well-being and businesses? That’s not innovative; it’s disgusting. Gatekeeping access like this is manipulative and isolating. It forces people to scrape together cash or compromise their values just to afford the scheme you’re peddling. Congrats on finding a way to profit off people’s desire for love and connection. I hope that sits well with you. Actually, no—I don’t.
Free communities are a dime a dozen? Okay…and??? We’re humans with varied interests. I hope there are “a dime a dozen.” What exactly is your point?
"Real opportunities are happening behind closed doors…" Ah, yes. Tell me you grew up privileged and entitled without actually saying it. You’re out here with your skewed worldview, seeing people as pawns in your little success game to cushion your fragile ego. Good for you, I guess.
"...Values returned makes the cost a no-brainer…" Oh, so now I’m dumb for hesitating at the absurd price tag you slapped on this? Nice manipulation tactic. Make me feel like I’m missing out and insult my intelligence at the same time. Gold star for you.
"This isn’t just a business trend…" Immediately lists other businesses that are “trendy” to reel you in. Oh, because other things I like are doing it, I should totally hop on this train too? Solid manipulation tactic. I’ll give you that one.
"The most valuable connections are going premium…" Did you just replicate the exact oppressive systems that keep people out? The haves vs. the have-nots—amazing work. Nothing like turning a community into a hierarchy. The oppressed becoming the oppressors. What a full-circle moment.
What the fuck is an internet entrepreneur? We all use the internet for our work. Did you just make up a new phrase to make your readers feel special? Lord. Pack it up and stop trying so hard.
This nonsense needs to stop ASAP. Let’s leave gatekeeping, manipulative sales tactics, and commodifying human connection in the dumpster where it belongs.
EXHIBIT C:
This is so backwards and messed up. And to think he thought he “cracked the code”… This just screams, "I copied a fitness gym business model and slapped some obnoxious green dollar signs on it." Seriously? Did you even pause to consider how blatantly money-driven and profit-hungry this looks before putting it out there?
Capitalizing on loneliness? Really? Profiting off people’s basic need for connection and belonging is not just slimy—it’s cruel. Human experiences and emotions are not commodities to be packaged into some vague, overpriced business model. It’s manipulative and preys on people who are vulnerable, desperate for change, and willing to jump at hollow promises just to feel seen or supported.
This is exactly what’s wrong with the world—and has been for so long. People fight their way to the top, only to forget the struggles they endured to get there. Instead of paving a better path for others, they replicate the same exploitative systems that held them back, creating an even bigger divide.
If you’re reading this, take a long, hard look in the mirror. Reflect on why your business model hinges on exploiting loneliness and desperation instead of fostering genuine connection. Do some soul-searching—or at least try to be less obvious about your manipulation tactics. This blatant commodification of human connection is not just embarrassing, it’s harmful. Do better.