The Foundational Builder – Your First $100k Free Course
We highly recommend downloading and reading the two complimentary e-books to maximize your learning experience in the class.
Module 1
I'm Alberto Chan, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to Tier 1: The Foundation Builder – Your First $100k as a Strategic Owner! If you're here, it means you're serious about not just starting a business, but building one that truly serves you, your financial goals, and your vision for the future. That first $100,000 in revenue is a major milestone, and this course is designed to give you the roadmap, the tools, and the mindset to get there – not by burning yourself out, but by building strategically from day one.
Many small business owners (SBOs) dive in with passion and a great idea, but they often get caught in the "Operator Trap," working tirelessly in their business, essentially creating a high-stress job for themselves. This module is all about shifting that perspective from the very beginning. We're going to lay the groundwork for you to become a Strategic Owner, someone who works on their business to build an asset that can grow, scale, and ultimately give you more freedom.
Let's get started!
Lesson 1: Defining Your $100k – What Real Success Looks Like (Beyond the Money)
Achieving $100,000 in sales—sounds promising, doesn't it? It's a common aspiration, a concrete milestone. Yet, have you considered what that figure truly signifies for you?
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Why SMBs Often Stumble Here:
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Many new business owners fixate on a revenue number like $100k without a crystal-clear vision of what that number is supposed to do for them, their business, or their life. They chase the figure, often by just trying to work harder and longer, and if they hit it, they might find themselves exhausted and no closer to the freedom or fulfillment they initially dreamed of
What People Often Don't Tell You:
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Hitting $100,000 in revenue doesn't automatically equate to a successful business or a happy founder. So many businesses close their doors precisely because the founders were only in it for the money. When the going gets tough – and it always does – money alone is rarely enough to sustain you through the long hours and the constant problem-solving. It's your passion for what you do and your commitment to your mission that will be your bedrock. I've seen businesses making $100k where the owner is taking home very little profit, working 80-hour weeks, and feeling more stressed than ever because that deeper "why" was missing. The quality of that revenue, how it's earned, what it allows you to do, and how it aligns with your passion and mission, is far more important than the number itself. That first $100k is often less about riches and more about proving your concept – proving that you have something the market values and that you have the grit to build it.
Your Task: The $100k Vision Exercise
Before we dive into the "how-to," let's get clear on your "why." I want you to think deeply about these questions:
Lifestyle
If your business is generating $100k in revenue (and let's assume a healthy profit from that), what does your ideal day, week, or month look like? How much time are you working? What are you doing with your free time?
Impact
What kind of impact do you want your business to have at this stage? On your customers? On your community?
Freedom
What kind of freedom does this $100k enable? Financial freedom? Time freedom? Creative freedom?
The "Non-Negotiables"
What are you not willing to sacrifice to hit that $100k? (e.g., family time, health, ethical standards).
Reminder
The "Non-Negotiables"
This isn't just a fluffy exercise. Your answers here will become the compass that guides your strategic decisions. It ensures you're building a business that serves your definition of success and is fueled by something more profound than just a financial target.
Passion & Mission Check-in:
How does achieving this $100k in a sustainable way connect with your deeper passion for this work and the core mission of your business?
Contact
achan@eightfoldcoach.com
