Mike Dreher was fortunate enough to start his early childhood with the incredible adventure of moving from Canada to Venezuela. This instilled a passion for travel and experiencing other cultures that Mike has carried with him ever since. It also gave him a clear understanding that not everyone in life was as fortunate as others.
After moving back to Canada, Mike’s family maintained a farm for all of the 1980s, at a time when mortgage rates threatened the livelihood and homes of everyone around them. During this time, Mike remembers his parents both holding down full-time jobs while at the same time also managing crops, livestock, and massive gardens. Mike attributes his strong sense of determination, hard work, and perseverance to this period of his life and his parents.
Eventually, Mike’s family moved to the city, and Mike would go on to university – however, after taking 2 years of formal education while working full time, he decided that something was missing. In order to figure out what it was, he left Canada to embark on what would become a 3-year adventure of backpacking all over the world. As Mike puts it, “adventure is what feeds the soul and shows you what you are truly made of.”
Upon returning to Canada, Mike returned to university and completed his degree in International Relations and Political Science. As Mike says, “It was never so much about getting a job in these areas, so much as it was about completing something I’d left unfinished.”
After University, Mike’s professional career included working in public communications, corporate sales & marketing, small business ownership, and business coaching. All of this, as well as a lifetime of travel and degrees focused on history, culture, and politics, have served him in his online career.
Since 2014 Mike has worked with his now husband, Darren Ewert, online – and today, they support a community of tens of thousands of online business owners – from all across the world. “It’s become a movement of sorts,” says Mike – who is so very proud of the fact that he’s helped thousands now to not only wake up to their potential but also to create their own successful online businesses.
How did you get started in this business?
My husband, Darren was already doing online marketing – and at that time I was a business coach. We decided to combine our talents and create an online community for people (anywhere in the world) that wanted to start their own online business but didn’t know where to start. This community would be where we would all share knowledge and support.
How do you make money?
By offering a product mix of high ticket and low ticket items – some being one-off sales and others being subscription-based. This allows us to have a diverse portfolio and stabilize our income stream.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
We were profitable in our first year – despite investing heavily into our business.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Actually, no – we were a healthy mix of delusional, optimistic, and confident!
How did you get your first customer?
Facebook advertising
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
We’ve built our entire business by marketing on social media.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
To launch two new products back to back, within a matter of 2 months. It was a LOT of work – and to top it off, we got sick in the middle of it! One of the hardest couple of months I can remember ever going through.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
Stoicism. Fortunately, we are both the type of people that if you tell us it can’t be done, then we’ll work our tails off to prove you wrong!
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Watching our new leaders come online and take the reigns in the community. So many incredible people from all over the world have stepped up to fill key roles – and in so doing, have added a fantastic diversity and richness to our community.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
GROWTH. Each year our rate of growth increases – as people wake up to the fact that they need to have multiple streams of income to provide security for themselves and their families. During the months of quarantine, people especially realized just how critical this is.
What business books have inspired you?
The Answer, 4 Hour Work Week, Tools of Titans,
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
Yes, I hope that people will say that I helped them change their lives for the better – and inspired them to do the same for others. We can be contacted on our website. https://www.digitalbizmentor.com/