The YouTube MBA

In today’s fast-paced digital world, traditional education is no longer the sole pathway to acquiring business acumen. A viral social media image outlines a “YouTube MBA in 10 Days”—a curated list of free online resources designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals acquire crucial business skills without the hefty price tag of an actual MBA. This DIY approach showcases the vast knowledge available online for ambitious self-learners, making business education accessible to everyone.

Let’s explore this innovative curriculum and see how it can jumpstart your entrepreneurial journey in just 10 days.

Day 1: Building Willpower with Andrew Huberman and David Goggins

The journey starts with one of the most essential skills for any entrepreneur: willpower. Dr. Andrew Huberman, a renowned neuroscientist at Stanford University, offers insights into the science behind willpower, habit formation, and mental resilience. His research delves into how our brains handle stress, motivation, and persistence—traits essential for overcoming the ups and downs of business.

Complementing Huberman’s scientific approach is David Goggins, a former Navy SEAL known for his extraordinary mental toughness. Goggins’ life philosophy of pushing beyond limits and building unshakeable mental strength aligns perfectly with the entrepreneurial mindset.

Key Lessons:

The neuroscience of habit-building
Techniques to overcome mental barriers and fatigue
Building resilience for long-term success

Together, these two thought leaders provide the foundation for developing the mental stamina required for any business leader.

Day 2: Startup Success with Sam Altman

Sam Altman, former president of Y Combinator and CEO of OpenAI, shares his invaluable experience on how to create, grow, and scale startups. Y Combinator has helped launch some of the world’s most successful companies, such as Airbnb and Dropbox, making Altman’s insights essential for any entrepreneur.

Key Topics:

Identifying product-market fit
Assembling a strong founding team
Navigating fundraising and pitching to investors
Overcoming scaling challenges
Building a thriving company culture early on

Altman’s advice equips you with the roadmap for transforming innovative ideas into viable, profitable businesses.

Day 3: Pricing Design Work with “The Futur”

For creatives and designers, pricing work effectively can make or break a business. Chris Do and his team at The Futur provide a valuable lesson on shifting from pricing based on hours (represented by an hourglass) to pricing based on value (represented by a diamond). This value-based pricing model allows creatives to charge for the results and impact they deliver, not just the time they spend.

Key Insights:

How to identify and communicate your value to clients
Pricing projects for results, not just time
Building confidence in asking for higher rates
Negotiation strategies that position you as a premium provider

Mastering value-based pricing is crucial for sustainable business growth, especially in creative industries.

Day 4: Scaling to $5M Profit with Matt Gray

Matt Gray emphasizes a methodical approach to scaling a business toward $5 million in annual profit. His three-step process—Survival, Systemize, Scale—provides a clear roadmap for entrepreneurs aiming to grow their businesses systematically.

Steps to Success:

Survival: Establishing a viable business model and achieving early profitability
Systemize: Developing efficient, repeatable processes
Scale: Expanding while maintaining quality and profitability

Gray’s approach offers practical advice on taking your business from survival mode to high profitability, focusing on operations, financial management, and team-building.

Day 5: The Path to $100M with Alex Hormozi

Reaching $100 million in revenue is no small feat, but Alex Hormozi outlines his journey to this milestone in just seven years. Hormozi emphasizes the importance of having an irresistible offer, generating leads, and mastering sales finance.

Core Concepts:

Crafting offers so compelling they’re hard to refuse
Consistent lead generation strategies
Effective sales techniques for closing high-value deals
Scaling finances and operations for sustained growth

This day’s lesson pushes you to think bigger and equips you with strategies for achieving massive business growth.

Day 6: Low-Risk Businesses with Codie Sanchez

If you’re risk-averse but still want to build a thriving business, Codie Sanchez shares six low-risk business models that boast a high likelihood of success. Sanchez’s philosophy revolves around finding “boring businesses” that generate steady income streams and have proven stability.

Popular Low-Risk Models:

Service-based businesses with recurring revenue
Niche e-commerce models
Franchising
Real estate investing
Digital products, like online courses
Passive-income businesses, such as vending machines or laundromats

Understanding low-risk business options is critical for entrepreneurs seeking reliable, long-term growth with minimal volatility.

Day 7: MIT OpenCourseWare

The curriculum takes a more academic turn with MIT OpenCourseWare, a treasure trove of free courses from the prestigious Sloan School of Management. Covering everything from leadership to organizational psychology, these courses provide a deeper theoretical understanding of key business concepts.

Key Courses:

Organizational Leadership and effective team management
Managerial Communication strategies
Understanding psychology in business environments
Strategic planning and long-term goal setting

MIT’s free courses add academic rigor to the more practical content, ensuring a well-rounded business education.

Day 8: Coding Fundamentals with freeCodeCamp.org

In today’s tech-driven business landscape, understanding coding fundamentals can set you apart as an entrepreneur. freeCodeCamp.org offers free coding lessons in essential languages such as Python, JavaScript, and C++.

Why Learn to Code?

Develop your own MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
Improve communication with technical team members
Enhance problem-solving capabilities
Gain insights into industry trends and tech solutions

While you don’t need to become a full-stack developer, having coding skills can give you a significant edge.

Day 9: Disruption Case Study - Airbnb vs. Hotels

Day nine delves into a critical disruption case study: Why has Airbnb, despite its success, not completely displaced the traditional hotel industry? This exploration into disruptive innovation helps entrepreneurs understand the fine line between disrupting an industry and coexisting with established players.

Key Takeaways:

The mechanics of disruptive innovation
Challenges in fully disrupting regulated markets
Understanding diverse customer segments
Lessons for startups aiming to disrupt established industries

This case study offers valuable lessons in navigating complex markets and learning from the successes and limitations of major disruptors like Airbnb.

Day 10: Personal Productivity with Dan Koe

The final day wraps up with personal productivity lessons from Dan Koe, focusing on optimizing your time, energy, and focus for long-term success.

Top Tips:

Time management techniques for maximum efficiency
Setting and achieving high-impact goals
Developing routines that lead to sustained productivity
Tools and apps to streamline your workflow

In business, time is often your most valuable resource. This lesson ensures you have the tools to stay organized and productive, applying everything you’ve learned over the past 10 days.

The Path to Lifelong Learning

The “YouTube MBA” offers an incredible opportunity to dive deep into key business concepts, from mindset and willpower to scaling strategies and productivity hacks. While it’s no substitute for the comprehensive depth of a formal MBA, it serves as a brilliant starting point for anyone looking to level up their business knowledge quickly.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility—all you need is an internet connection and a desire to learn. Remember, though, that true mastery of these concepts requires action. Apply what you’ve learned, seek mentorship, and always remain curious.

For those hungry for more, follow Matt Gray and subscribe to the Founder OS Newsletter for ongoing insights and education. Business is an ever-evolving landscape, and continuous learning will be key to your long-term success.

Cheers,

Sim