In today’s digital age, the internet has revolutionized the way we do business, particularly in the field of e-commerce.
Whether you’re seeking financial independence, expanding your professional network, or simply looking to supplement your income, launching an online business has emerged as a viable pathway to achieve these goals.
Yet, with the abundance of online courses promising to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills, it can be overwhelming to determine which one offers the most value.
Amidst your research, you might have encountered the widely acclaimed Start and Scale course created by Gretta Van Riel.
This course has garnered significant attention for its comprehensive approach to launching and growing a successful e-commerce venture.
In this overview, we’ll delve into the course’s content and format and provide insights and recommendations to aid you in making an informed decision before enrolling.
What is Start and Scale System?
The Start and Scale System is an online course designed to guide you in creating your own successful online store, even if you’re starting from scratch. This program covers various aspects of building an e-commerce business:
- Finding product ideas
- Setting up your online store to make money
- Handling product manufacturing, including finding suppliers and packaging
- Using influencer marketing to promote your products
- Strategies for growing your business
Overall, Start and Scale provides valuable information to help you launch and manage your first e-commerce store and develop your brand online.
It’s important to remember that while Start and Scale is a helpful starting point, it’s not the only resource you’ll need. Building a successful e-commerce business requires ongoing learning and adaptation.
Who is Gretta Van Riel ?
Gretta Van Riel is an entrepreneur from Australia who started her first online store when she was just 22 years old, with only $24 in her bank account. Her first store, SkinnyME Tea, quickly grew from nothing to earning $600,000 every month within six months.
After this success, Gretta went on to create other successful online stores like The 5th Watches, Drop Bottle, and Hey Influencer, all of which have made millions of dollars.
Because of her achievements, Gretta has been recognized by Forbes in their “30 under 30” list of successful young entrepreneurs.
With her experience and knowledge, Gretta has become known as a successful businesswoman who knows how to build profitable businesses. However, it’s important to understand that her methods might not work for everyone. Your own determination, hard work, and unique skills are also essential for creating a successful business.
The course Gretta offers, called Start and Scale, costs $1,000, and you need to join a waiting list to access it.
For Whom is Start and Scale most suited to?
This course is designed for two types of people:
- Those who want to start their own e-commerce business.
- Those who already have a business but need help to grow it further.
Each lesson in the course includes:
- A short video to explain the topic.
- Action items to help you apply what you’ve learned.
- Tools and resources to support your learning and business development.
So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your existing business, this course can provide valuable guidance and support.
How you can make the most out of the Start and Scale course?
To make the most out of this course and increase your chances of success, follow these steps:
- Schedule Daily Learning Time: Set aside at least 1 hour each day to focus on learning. Consistency is key to achieving success.
- Engage Fully: Watch all the course videos, take thorough notes, complete workbook exercises, and explore the provided tools and resources. This active participation will deepen your understanding and help you apply what you’ve learned.
- Take Action: Building a successful e-commerce business requires effort and action. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect; start implementing what you learn as you go. Action leads to progress, even if it’s not perfect.
By following these steps, you’ll gain a solid understanding of how to start and grow your online store by the end of the course. It’s time to share your brilliant ideas with the world!
What are the Additional Tools you would require in the course?
While many tools mentioned in the course are free or offer trials, you’ll need Shopify to get your online store up and running.
As an official partner of foundr, Shopify offers Foundr students a special deal: 3 months of Shopify for just $1 per month on select plans.
This offer provides you with the essential platform to build and manage your e-commerce business efficiently.
Start and Scale Review
The Start and Scale course is divided into six parts, called modules. It consists of 38 video lessons where Gretta herself teaches you. Additionally, you’ll receive 16 workbooks that summarize the video lessons.
In this course, you’ll also have access to expert coaches, although the information they provide is limited. Plus, you’ll join a Facebook mastermind group where you can interact with others who are taking the course.
Exclusive discount codes are also provided, but they’re basically affiliate links for Gretta.
Course Content
The course platform is hosted on Clickfunnels, which means the videos will look good on any device—whether it’s a phone, tablet, or computer.
However, if you buy the course when it first launches, you’ll only get one module per week. This can be frustrating because it means you might have to wait up to six weeks to access the entire course. This delay can be annoying, especially if you’re eager to start your online store right away!
Review of Module 1: Finding Your Idea
Module 1 of the Start and Scale course is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to kickstart their e-commerce journey. In this module, Gretta Van Riel provides insightful guidance on how to generate ideas for your online business and shares her personal approach to researching and developing new product concepts.
This module is divided into 14 modules
This module is all about helping you come up with a solid business idea that has the potential to succeed in the market. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each lesson:
- How To Come Up With An Idea: This lesson teaches you various methods and techniques for brainstorming business ideas. You’ll learn how to tap into your interests, skills, and experiences to generate potential business concepts.
- The P.S.S.P. Framework For Ideation: Here, you’ll be introduced to a structured framework called P.S.S.P. (Passion, Skills, Struggles, and Pain Points) to guide your ideation process. This framework helps you identify areas where you have a passion and skills and where there are significant problems or unmet needs.
- Choosing The Right Idea: Once you have a list of potential ideas, this lesson helps you evaluate and prioritize them based on factors like market demand, feasibility, and alignment with your goals.
- Evergreen Product Ideas: Here you will learn to discover product ideas that have consistent and enduring demand, regardless of market fluctuations or trends.
- Using AI to Generate Product Ideas: In this you will explore how artificial intelligence tools can assist you in generating and refining business ideas by analyzing market data and consumer trends.
- How To Make Your Product Different & Better: Design + Function: Learn strategies to differentiate your product from competitors by focusing on design aesthetics and functionality.
- How To Make Your Product Different & Better: Price & Time: Understand how pricing strategies and efficient delivery times can give your product a competitive edge in the market.
- Using Data to Analyze and Understand Trends: This lesson teaches you how to use data analysis techniques to identify emerging market trends and opportunities for innovation.
- How To Find Your Target Customer: Learn methods for identifying and defining your target audience, including demographics, psychographics, and behavioral characteristics.
- Crafting Your Customer Persona: Develop detailed profiles of your ideal customers, including their goals, challenges, preferences, and purchasing behaviors.
- Crafting Customer Personas Powered by AI: Explore how artificial intelligence can enhance the process of creating accurate and detailed customer personas by analyzing large datasets.
- How To Plan An Idea: Understand the key components of a business plan and how to outline your business idea effectively.
How To Validate Your Idea: Learn techniques for testing and validating your business idea to ensure its viability and potential for success in the market. - The TikTok Creative Center: Here, you will explore the TikTok platform and discover creative ways to leverage it for marketing your business and reaching a wider audience.
One of the standout features of this module is the Problem-First Approach introduced by Gretta. This approach encourages students to think critically about real-world problems they’ve encountered and to brainstorm innovative product solutions.
By focusing on addressing genuine needs, this method ensures that the products we develop have a strong market demand and potential for success.
The action items provided in this module are incredibly practical and actionable. The Idea-Storming exercise in the workbook prompts us to explore our passions and interests, laying the foundation for generating unique and compelling business ideas.
Additionally, the Problem-First Approach guides us through the process of refining these ideas and transforming them into viable product concepts.
Overall, Module 1 sets a strong foundation for the rest of the course by equipping us with the tools and mindset needed to identify and develop profitable e-commerce opportunities.
I’m excited to continue through the course and see how these initial ideas evolve into successful online businesses.
Module 2: Branding & Getting Your Store Set Up
In Module 2 of the Start and Scale course, you’ll begin building your online store using Shopify. While the course focuses on Shopify, you’re not limited to using it forever. Later on, as your business grows, you can explore other platforms.
This module covers the basics of company branding, including naming your business, selecting brand colors, designing logos, and more. Keep in mind that these are just the fundamentals, and further research may be beneficial for a deeper understanding of branding concepts.
Let me breakdown the 8 lessons in this module for your better understanding:
What Is a Brand?: Learn about the importance of branding and how it distinguishes your business from others.
Minimum Viable Brand (MVB): Understand the concept of a Minimum Viable Brand and how to establish a basic brand identity quickly.
Choosing a Name: Explore strategies for selecting a memorable and relevant name for your business.
Choosing a Name Powered by AI: Discover how artificial intelligence can assist you in generating business names that resonate with your brand.
Brand Look & Feel: Learn about the visual elements of branding, such as selecting brand colors and designing a logo.
AI Powered Branding: Explore how AI technology can streamline the branding process and help you create cohesive brand assets.
Store Options: Explore different options for setting up your online store and choose the one that best fits your business needs.
Set Up Your Shopify Store: Get hands-on guidance on setting up your Shopify store, including creating product listings, setting up payment gateways, and configuring shipping options.
In this module, you’ll learn not only how to establish your online presence using Shopify but also how to lay the foundation for a strong brand identity. This is crucial for building trust with your customers and standing out in a competitive market.
Module 3: Developing and Planning Your Idea
In Module 3 of Start and Scale, you’ll build upon the foundation of your brand and store by finding suppliers for your products. Unlike some other courses, Gretta covers both local and international suppliers, making it applicable to various geographical locations.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this module:
Start & Scale Manufacturing: Learn about the manufacturing process and how to get started with producing your products.
Validation (MVP): Understand the concept of Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and how to validate your product idea before full-scale production.
Designing Your Prototype: Discover how to create a prototype of your product to test its functionality and appeal.
Packaging Design, Look & Feel: Explore the importance of packaging design in branding and customer experience.
Packaging Design Powered by AI: Learn how artificial intelligence can assist in designing packaging that aligns with your brand identity.
Finding a Manufacturer for Your Packaging: Discover strategies for sourcing manufacturers to produce your packaging materials.
Finding A Global Manufacturer On Alibaba: Explore how to use Alibaba, a popular online marketplace, to find global manufacturers for your products.
Your First Message to a Manufacturer: Learn how to effectively communicate with potential manufacturers and negotiate terms.
Shipping & Tracking: Understand the logistics of shipping products, including choosing shipping methods and tracking orders.
While this module provides essential information for sourcing suppliers and manufacturing your products, some students may find that additional content could enhance their understanding of these topics.
However, the lessons offer a solid foundation for navigating the manufacturing process and establishing relationships with suppliers, setting you on the path toward successfully launching your e-commerce business.
Module 4: Building An Audience Before You Launch
In Module 5 of Start and Scale, you’ll learn the importance of building an audience for your e-commerce business before you even launch. This module emphasizes the significance of connecting with potential customers early on to establish trust, showcase expertise, and create an emotional bond.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll learn in this module:
Market → Product Fit: Understand how to align your product with the needs and desires of your target market.
Market → Product Fit Powered by TikTok: Explore how tiktok can be used to validate your product-market fit.
The 3 C’s Of Community: Learn about the three key elements of building a thriving community around your brand.
The 3 C’s Of Community Additional Tools: Discover additional tools and resources to support community building efforts.
Content Territories: Identify different content themes and topics to engage your audience.
Content Weighting: Learn how to prioritize and balance different types of content in your marketing strategy.
Content Curation: Understand the importance of curating high-quality content to engage and educate your audience.
AI-Powered Content Creation: Explore how artificial intelligence can assist in creating engaging and relevant content.
Brand-Generated Content (BGC) vs. User-Generated Content (UGC) vs. Influencer-Generated Content (IGC): Learn about the different types of content and their roles in building your brand.
Building Your Content Funnel: Develop a content funnel to guide your audience from awareness to conversion.
AI-Powered Content Funnels: Discover how AI technology can optimize your content funnels for maximum effectiveness.
Post-Purchase Stage: Explore strategies for engaging with customers after they make a purchase to encourage loyalty and repeat business.
Giveaways: Learn how to use giveaways as a marketing tool to attract and engage your audience.
Marketing Psychology: Understand the psychological principles that influence consumer behavior and decision-making.
Your Waitlist Landing Page: Create an effective landing page to capture leads and build anticipation for your product launch.
AI-Powered Waitlist Landing Pages: Utilize AI technology to optimize your waitlist landing pages for conversion.
By implementing the strategies and techniques taught in this module, you’ll be able to build a loyal audience that is primed to become customers when you launch your e-commerce business.
This module provides valuable insights and practical tools to help you effectively engage with your target audience and drive business growth.
Module 5: Million Dollar Influencer Marketing Blueprint
In Module 6 of the Start and Scale course, you’ll explore the world of influencer marketing, a crucial strategy for e-commerce businesses. Influencer marketing involves collaborating with individuals who have a large and engaged following on social media platforms to promote your products or brand.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this module:
Getting Started With Influencer Marketing: Understand the basics of influencer marketing and its importance for e-commerce businesses.
Identifying The Right Influencers: Learn how to find influencers who align with your brand values and target audience.
Audience Analysis: Gain insights into understanding the audience demographics and interests of potential influencers.
Macro Vs. Micro Influencers: Explore the differences between macro and micro influencers and their respective advantages for your marketing strategy.
How To Find Influencers: Discover strategies for identifying and reaching out to influencers in your niche.
Outreach to Influencers: Learn effective methods for initiating contact and building relationships with influencers.
Negotiating With Influencers: Understand the process of negotiating terms and agreements with influencers for collaborations.
Leveraging Assets To Maximize Results: Explore how to leverage the content and influence of influencers to maximize the impact of your marketing campaigns.
Measuring ROI of Your Campaign: Learn how to track and measure the return on investment (ROI) of your influencer marketing campaigns.
Hey Influencers: This lesson provides additional insights or resources related to influencer marketing.
By mastering the strategies and techniques taught in this module, you’ll be equipped to leverage influencer marketing effectively to build a loyal customer base and drive sales for your e-commerce business.
Influencer marketing has proven to be a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with target audiences, making it a valuable asset for any online retailer looking to scale their business.
Module 6: Launch & Operations
In Module 7 of the Start and Scale course, you’ll learn about launching your e-commerce business successfully and managing its day-to-day operations.
Here’s what you’ll cover in this module:
The 3 Launch Phases: Understand the three phases of a successful product launch: Planning, Pre-Launch, and Launch.
Planning for Your Launch: Learn how to prepare effectively for your product launch, including setting goals, creating timelines, and allocating resources.
Pre-Launch: Explore strategies for generating excitement and anticipation for your product before its official launch.
Launch: Dive into the actual launch day and learn how to execute it smoothly to maximize sales and customer engagement.
Launch Checklist: Get a comprehensive checklist to ensure that you’ve covered all the essential tasks and details for a successful launch.
Free Shipping: Understand the importance of offering free shipping as a marketing strategy to attract customers.
Afterpay Or Zip Pay: Explore alternative payment options like Afterpay or Zip Pay to make purchasing more convenient for your customers.
Logistics – Holding Stock: Learn about managing inventory and logistics, including holding stock and fulfilling orders efficiently.
Customer Support: Understand the importance of providing excellent customer support to maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty.
AI-Powered Customer Service: Explore how artificial intelligence can enhance your customer service processes and improve efficiency.
Gretta’s E-Commerce Stack: Gain insights into the tools and resources that Gretta recommends for managing and scaling your e-commerce business.
Reiterate/Optimize Your Product: Learn how to gather feedback from customers and optimize your product or service based on their insights.
By mastering the strategies and techniques taught in this module, you’ll be well-equipped to launch your e-commerce business successfully and manage its operations efficiently. A well-executed launch can set the stage for long-term success by generating momentum and attracting loyal customers from the outset.
Module 7 of the Start and Scale course –
This module focuses on Scaling Your Store, providing essential information to boost the revenue of your online business.
In this module, you’ll delve into various strategies such as dealing with abandoned carts, implementing upselling and cross-selling techniques, mastering email marketing, and launching new products effectively.
However, while this module offers valuable insights, it can feel overwhelming due to the complexity of some topics. It’s important to approach it as a foundational resource, taking notes on any areas where you may have questions or require further research.
Let me explain the 12 lessons included in Module 8:
Email Marketing: Learn how to leverage email marketing to engage customers and drive sales.
Cart Abandonment: Understand how to address abandoned carts and recover potentially lost sales.
Thank You Cards In Order: Explore the importance of expressing gratitude to customers and how it can impact your business.
Raising Your AOV (Average Order Value): Discover strategies to increase the average value of orders placed by customers.
Upsells/Cross Sells: Learn techniques for upselling and cross-selling complementary products to customers.
Growing Your Email Database With Pop-Ups: Understand how to use pop-ups effectively to grow your email subscriber list.
Offers & Coupon Codes: Explore the use of offers and coupon codes to incentivize purchases and drive conversions.
Customer Reviews Social Proof: Learn how to leverage customer reviews and social proof to build trust and credibility.
3PL – Third Party Logistics: Understand the role of third-party logistics in streamlining your business operations.
Freight Forwarding: Gain insights into freight forwarding and its importance in managing your supply chain.
When To Create Your Next SKU: Learn about the factors to consider when expanding your product line and creating new SKUs.
Next Steps for Scaling: Joining Foundr+: Discover how joining Foundr+ can further support your business growth journey.
While this module may cover complex topics, it serves as a solid foundation for scaling your online store. Remember to take notes, seek clarification on any doubts, and consider joining Foundr+ for additional support and resources in scaling your business.
Start and Scale Bonuses
The bonus section of Start and Scale are very impressive and wil help you a lot in your whole journey. Here are 10 bonus lessons included in the Start and Scale course:
Q&A with Gretta: Get your questions answered directly by Gretta.
How To Optimize Conversions For Your Online Store: Learn strategies to improve conversion rates.
Gretta’s Insider Advice for E-Commerce: Gain valuable insights from Gretta’s experience in e-commerce.
Finding an E-Commerce Co-Founder: Discover tips for finding the right co-founder for your e-commerce venture.
Influencer & Instagram SOPs: Explore standard operating procedures for influencer and Instagram marketing.
Influencer Marketing Secrets with Nik Mirkovic and Alex Tomic: Learn insider secrets from successful influencers.
Dropshipping and White-Labeling with Nathan Hirsch: Understand the concepts of dropshipping and white-labeling.
How To Build A MASSIVE Swimwear / Fashion Label with Simone Wilkins: Gain insights into building a successful fashion brand.
Making a Skin Care Product with Andy Hnilo: Learn about the process of creating skincare products.
How Gretta Made $1 Million Revenue In: Discover the strategies Gretta used to achieve $1 million in revenue.
These bonus lessons provide additional valuable insights and expertise to enhance your understanding of e-commerce and business success
Pros and Cons of Start and Scale Course
Pros:
- High-quality videos provide a rich learning experience.
- Information-packed content offers valuable insights.
- Real-life examples from Gretta’s own business enhance understanding.
- Access to customer support and a Facebook community for assistance.
- Generous refund policy allows for a full refund within 60 days if the system doesn’t work for you.
Cons:
- Expensive course fees may deter some potential students.
- Basic training on paid ads may not be sufficient for e-commerce success.
- Time-consuming structure with module unlocks may frustrate some learners.
Quicklinks
Conclusion
After going through the whole Start and Scale course, I’m blown away by its detail and depth. There is no stone left unturned in this comprehensive resource that guides entrepreneurs through the launch and scaling of their companies.
There are step-by-step tutorials on everything from writing a solid business plan to building an effective website and marketing strategies. Each module is carefully crafted to provide practical insights and actionable steps, making the process of starting and growing a business feel attainable and exciting.
But it’s a bit expensive, especially for newbies. And you don’t get all the lessons at once, which might be frustrating if you want to learn quickly.
Before jumping in, think about if it’s right for your budget and goals. But if you’re serious about starting a business, it’s definitely worth checking out! Just make sure to look at all your options first.
