Gold City Ventures Review: Scam or Legit?

When I first started exploring ways to make money online, I tried just about every side hustle you could think of—affiliate marketing, blogging, dropshipping, freelance writing—you name it. Some ventures worked out well, while others were complete flops. Fast forward to today, I’ve built a successful 6-figure online business that allows me to work on my own terms. But along the way, I learned one key lesson: the best side hustles are simple, scalable, and don’t require a ton of upfront investment.

That’s why I was intrigued when I came across the Gold City Ventures E-Printables Course. As someone who’s always on the lookout for new income streams, I decided to dive in and see if this course lives up to the hype.

In this review, I’ll share my honest experience with the program and whether it’s worth your time and money. Let’s get into it!

What is Gold City Ventures?

Gold City Ventures is an online platform that helps aspiring entrepreneurs start profitable Etsy shops by selling printables and digital products. Their flagship offering, the E-Printables Course, provides step-by-step guidance on everything from brainstorming product ideas to creating designs, optimizing Etsy listings, and marketing for maximum sales. The course is designed to make the process accessible even for beginners with no prior experience in graphic design or online selling.

What sets Gold City Ventures apart is its focus on passive income. Once you create a printable, it can generate sales repeatedly without requiring additional effort. The course also includes over 30 pre-made Canva templates, seasonal product strategies, and tutorials on tools like Corjl to simplify the design and listing process. Whether you’re looking to earn extra income or build a full-time business, Gold City Ventures teaches you how to turn your creativity into a scalable revenue stream.

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Who Created Gold City Ventures?

Gold City Ventures was co-founded by Cody Berman and Julie Berninger, two experienced entrepreneurs with impressive track records in passive income and online business. Cody Berman is a financial independence advocate who reached financial freedom at just 25 years old through side hustles, real estate investing, and intentional spending. He has been featured in major outlets like Forbes and Business Insider and co-hosts The Financial Independence Show, where he shares tips on earning more and spending less.

Julie Berninger brings her expertise as a seasoned Etsy seller and creator of multiple online income streams. Her Etsy shop, The Swag Elephant, consistently earns over $1,000 per month selling printables like bachelorette party activity lists. Julie also runs the blog Millennial Boss and has been featured in CNBC for her entrepreneurial success. Together, Cody and Julie have built Gold City Ventures into a multimillion-dollar business while helping thousands of students launch their own Etsy shops.

Who is Gold City Ventures For?

Gold City Ventures is ideal for anyone looking to start a side hustle or build a passive income stream through Etsy. It’s particularly suited for:

• Beginners: If you’ve never sold anything online or used graphic design tools before, this course walks you through everything step-by-step.
• Busy Professionals: The self-paced structure makes it easy to fit learning into your schedule without overwhelming commitments.
• Creative Individuals: If you enjoy designing or brainstorming ideas for products like planners, calendars, or labels, this course helps you monetize your creativity.
• Aspiring Entrepreneurs: For those looking to transition from side hustles to full-time online businesses, the course provides advanced strategies for scaling your shop.
• Passive Income Seekers: If you want a business model that doesn’t require constant hands-on involvement after setup, selling printables is a great option.

However, this course may not be suitable for experienced Etsy sellers already making significant income or those unwilling to dedicate time to implementing what they learn. If you’re ready to put in the effort and follow proven strategies, Gold City Ventures could be your next big opportunity!

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How is Gold City Ventures Structured?

The Gold City Ventures E-Printables Course is thoughtfully organized into 14 modules, each designed to guide you step-by-step through the process of creating and selling printables on Etsy. As someone who values structure in online learning, I found the layout incredibly helpful for staying focused and progressing efficiently. Here’s a breakdown of the key modules:

• Module 1: Getting Started – An introduction to the course, VIP Membership, and free templates to kickstart your journey.
• Module 2: What Should You Sell? – Over 50 printable ideas, seasonal trends, and strategies for bundling products for higher sales.
• Module 3: Creating Printables – Tutorials on finding fonts and graphics, using Canva, and understanding commercial use licenses.
• Module 7: Editable Printables with Corjl – Learn how to create editable designs and personalize products for customers.
• Module 9: Listing Images – Tips for creating high-quality listing images and videos that attract buyers.
• Module 11: Keyword Research – Advanced strategies using tools like eRank Pro to optimize your product visibility.
• Module 12: Marketing and Advertising – How to promote products using Pinterest, Etsy ads, and coupons.
• Module 13: Optimizing Your Shop – Techniques for improving sales, analyzing data, and finding a niche.

The course also includes over-the-shoulder video tutorials, making it easy to follow along even if you’re new to Etsy or graphic design. Plus, the bonus VIP Membership Vault provides additional templates and advanced lessons for scaling your shop.

Are Gold City Ventures Students Getting Results?

One of the most inspiring aspects of this course is seeing how well other students are doing. The success stories shared by Gold City Ventures are proof that their methods work when applied consistently. For example:

• Sasha H., an accounting professional, has made over 18,000 sales with her budgeting printables shop, Your Frugal Friend. She even joined the Gold City staff after her success!
• Jen G. runs Edenwood Paperie, a wedding-themed shop that has generated over 41,000 sales with elegant printables like invitations.
• Kevin, who started his shop as part of the first course cohort, now earns $400–$500 per month in passive income and hit $1,500 in January.

These testimonials show that students from various backgrounds—whether they’re beginners or experienced sellers—are achieving impressive results. Many credit the course’s actionable lessons and supportive community for their success.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Much Does Gold City Ventures Cost?

The Gold City Ventures E-Printables Course is priced at $247, which includes lifetime access to all modules and resources. Occasionally, you might find discounts during launch periods that bring the cost down to $197. Additionally, every purchase comes with a complimentary 30-day trial of their VIP Membership Vault. If you choose to continue with VIP Membership after the trial, it costs $29 per month until you hit 100 sales.

The refund policy is straightforward: you can request a full refund within seven days of purchase as long as you haven’t progressed beyond Module 1. This gives you a chance to explore the course risk-free before committing fully.

For me, the price felt reasonable given the depth of content and proven results from other students. If you’re serious about starting an Etsy printable business, this investment could pay off significantly!

Praises for Gold City Ventures

Gold City Ventures has several standout features that make it an excellent resource for aspiring Etsy sellers. Here’s what I appreciated most:

• Comprehensive and Beginner-Friendly Content
  The course covers everything you need to know, from brainstorming printable ideas to mastering Etsy SEO and marketing strategies. As someone who has taken other online courses, I found the structure here particularly easy to follow, even for beginners. The inclusion of over 30 Canva templates also makes it simple to get started without needing advanced design skills.

• Focus on Passive Income
  One of the biggest draws for me was the emphasis on creating a business model that generates passive income. Once your printables are listed, they can sell repeatedly with minimal ongoing effort. This aligns perfectly with my goal of building scalable income streams.

• Supportive Community
  The private Facebook group is a game-changer. It’s filled with like-minded entrepreneurs who share tips, answer questions, and celebrate wins together. The weekly live sessions hosted by Cody and Julie are another bonus—they’re motivating, interactive, and packed with actionable advice.

• Lifetime Access and Updates
  I love that the course offers lifetime access, meaning I can revisit the material whenever I need a refresher or when new updates are added. This is especially valuable as Etsy continues to evolve.

• Proven Success Stories
  Seeing real student success stories, like Sasha’s 18,000+ sales or Jen’s thriving wedding-themed shop with over 41,000 sales, gave me confidence in the program’s effectiveness. It’s inspiring to know that others have achieved tangible results by implementing the course strategies.

Criticisms for Gold City Ventures

While I’m a fan of the course overall, there are a few areas where I think it could improve:

• Additional Costs Can Add Up
  The course itself costs $247, but there are additional expenses to consider. For example, tools like Canva Pro ($12.99/month) and eRank ($9.99/month) are highly recommended for creating and optimizing your listings. While these tools are useful, they can add up quickly for someone on a tight budget.

• Not Ideal for Experienced Sellers
  If you’re already running a successful Etsy shop or have extensive experience selling digital products, this course might feel too basic. It’s primarily designed for beginners or those looking to refine their strategies.

• Time Investment Required
  While the course simplifies the process of starting an Etsy shop, it still requires significant time and effort to see results. You’ll need to dedicate time to learning the material, creating products, and optimizing your shop—this isn’t a “get-rich-quick” solution.

• Limited Refund Policy
  The refund policy only allows you to request a refund within seven days as long as you haven’t progressed beyond Module 1. While this is fair in some ways, it doesn’t give you much time to fully evaluate whether the course is right for you.

Despite these drawbacks, I believe Gold City Ventures provides excellent value for those willing to put in the work. However, it’s important to go in with realistic expectations—you’ll need patience and persistence to build a successful Etsy printables business!

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Should You Join Gold City Ventures?

If you’re looking for a straightforward and beginner-friendly way to start making money online, Gold City Ventures is definitely worth considering. From my experience, the course provides everything you need to launch a successful Etsy shop selling printables, even if you have zero prior experience. The step-by-step modules, pre-made templates, and actionable strategies make it easy to follow along and start seeing results. Plus, the supportive community and proven success stories from other students are incredibly motivating.

That said, whether or not you should join depends on your goals and circumstances. If you’re someone who enjoys creative work, has time to dedicate to learning, and is willing to invest in tools like Canva Pro and Etsy ads, this course could be a great fit for you. However, if you’re already an experienced Etsy seller or prefer a business model that doesn’t involve designing products, this might not be the best option.

Ultimately, I think Gold City Ventures is ideal for beginners who want a low-risk way to dip their toes into the world of online business. It’s not a “get-rich-quick” scheme—it requires effort and consistency—but the potential for passive income makes it a rewarding long-term investment.

Gold City Ventures Alternative

While Gold City Ventures is an excellent course for learning how to sell printables on Etsy, it’s not the only option out there for building an online business. If you’re looking for a broader platform that teaches multiple ways to make money online, I highly recommend Wealthy Affiliate as an alternative.

Wealthy Affiliate is one of the most comprehensive training platforms I’ve used in my journey to building a 6-figure online business. Unlike Gold City Ventures, which focuses solely on Etsy printables, Wealthy Affiliate covers a wide range of topics, including affiliate marketing, blogging, SEO, email marketing, and more. Here’s why it stands out:

• All-in-One Platform
  Wealthy Affiliate provides everything you need to start an online business in one place—training courses, website hosting, keyword research tools (Jaaxy), and a supportive community of entrepreneurs.

• Beginner-Friendly
  Just like Gold City Ventures, Wealthy Affiliate is perfect for beginners. Its step-by-step training walks you through the process of building a profitable website from scratch and monetizing it through affiliate marketing.

• Scalable Income Potential
  While Etsy printables focus on passive income from digital products, Wealthy Affiliate teaches you how to create scalable income streams through affiliate commissions. This can grow into a significant revenue source over time.

• Free Starter Membership
  Unlike Gold City Ventures’ upfront cost of $247, Wealthy Affiliate offers a free starter membership so you can test out the platform before committing to the premium plan ($49/month). This makes it more accessible if you’re hesitant about investing right away.

If your goal is to explore multiple ways to make money online or build a full-time business beyond Etsy printables, Wealthy Affiliate might be the better fit for you. Personally, I’ve benefited greatly from both platforms—Gold City Ventures helped me understand Etsy printables while Wealthy Affiliate gave me the tools to scale my overall online income strategy. Depending on your interests and goals, either option could be the right choice!

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative