Start and Scale Course Review: Should You Join?

When I first started exploring ways to make money online, I was just like many of you—juggling a full-time job while dabbling in side hustles, hoping to find something that would stick. From selling on marketplaces to freelance gigs, I tried it all. Eventually, after countless late nights and trial-and-error experiments, I built a six-figure online business that gave me the freedom I had always dreamed of.

Now, as someone who has experienced the highs and lows of building an online income stream, I’m always on the lookout for tools and resources that can help entrepreneurs fast-track their success. That’s what led me to Foundr’s Start & Scale Course, taught by Gretta van Riel, a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record in e-commerce.

In this review, I’ll share my honest perspective on the course—what it offers, how it compares to other programs, and whether it’s worth your investment if you’re serious about launching or scaling your e-commerce business. Let’s dive in!

What is Start and Scale Course?

The Start & Scale Course is an in-depth e-commerce training program created by Foundr and taught by Gretta van Riel. It’s designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through every step of building a profitable online store from scratch. Unlike many other e-commerce courses that focus on short-term tactics like dropshipping, Start & Scale emphasizes creating sustainable brands that can generate consistent income over the long term.

The course covers everything from finding a winning product idea to scaling your business into a thriving enterprise. It includes eight structured modules that teach you how to:

• Discover and validate product ideas using proven frameworks like P.S.S.P.
• Build a compelling brand and set up your online store (primarily on Shopify).
• Manufacture high-quality products by working with reliable suppliers.
• Market effectively through strategies like influencer marketing and community-building.
• Streamline operations, manage logistics, and provide excellent customer service.
• Scale your business using advanced tactics such as upselling, email marketing, and leveraging customer reviews.

The course is packed with actionable steps, workbooks, templates, and case studies to ensure you can implement what you learn immediately. Whether you’re a beginner or an entrepreneur looking to refine your e-commerce strategy, the course offers a clear roadmap to turn your ideas into a profitable business.

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Who Created Start and Scale Course?

The course is taught by Gretta van Riel, a highly respected entrepreneur in the e-commerce space. Gretta’s journey is nothing short of inspiring—she started her first business, SkinnyMe Tea, with just $24 in her bank account and grew it into a global brand generating $600,000 per month within six months. Since then, she has launched multiple successful brands, including The 5th Watches and Drop Bottle, which have collectively generated millions of dollars in revenue.

Gretta is widely regarded as an expert in influencer marketing and brand-building. Her innovative strategies, particularly around leveraging social media and niche markets, have helped her create products that resonate deeply with consumers. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, she has become a mentor to thousands of students worldwide through this course.

Her reputation as a four-time millionaire entrepreneur and her hands-on experience in building sustainable e-commerce brands make her an ideal instructor for anyone looking to succeed in this competitive industry.

Who is Start and Scale Course For?

This course is tailored for anyone who wants to start or grow an e-commerce business, regardless of their experience level. It’s particularly well-suited for:

• Complete Beginners: If you’ve never run an online store before but want to learn how to launch one from scratch, this course provides step-by-step guidance.
• Existing E-commerce Entrepreneurs: For those already running online stores but struggling to scale or improve profitability, the course offers advanced strategies for branding, marketing, and operations.
• Side Hustlers: If you’re juggling a 9-to-5 job but dream of starting your own business on the side, this course equips you with the tools to make it happen.
• Ambitious Entrepreneurs: Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home parent, or even someone transitioning from another career path, this program can help you build a business that aligns with your goals.

The course has been used successfully by people from all walks of life—young professionals, retirees, first-time entrepreneurs, and even established brands looking to scale further. If you’re serious about building an online store that stands the test of time, Start & Scale could be the perfect fit for you.

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How is Start and Scale Course Structured?

The Start & Scale Course is divided into eight comprehensive modules, each focusing on a critical aspect of building and scaling an e-commerce business. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll learn:

• Module 1: Discovering Your Product Idea
  Learn how to generate and validate product ideas using frameworks like P.S.S.P. and AI tools. This module helps you pinpoint your niche, understand your target customers, and refine your concept.

• Module 2: Branding & Store Setup
  Build a strong brand identity, choose the perfect name, design logos, and set up your online store using platforms like Shopify. You’ll also leverage AI tools to create a professional look and feel for your brand.

• Module 3: Product Development
  Dive into prototyping, finding manufacturers, packaging design, and managing international orders. This module ensures your product is ready for launch with high-quality standards.

• Module 4: Financial Foundations
  Master pricing strategies, profit margin calculations, stock ordering, and securing trademarks/patents to protect your business while maximizing profitability.

• Module 5: Building an Audience Using AI
  Learn how to build a community around your brand using AI-powered content creation and marketing strategies. This module focuses on creating engagement that drives sales.

• Module 6: Influencer Marketing Blueprint
  Discover how to identify influencers, craft outreach strategies, negotiate deals, and measure ROI to amplify your brand’s visibility.

• Module 7: Launch & Operations Optimization
  Implement Gretta’s proven launch checklist while mastering logistics management, customer support techniques, and marketing workflows for a smooth start.

• Module 8: Scaling Strategies
  Explore advanced tactics like upselling, cross-selling, email marketing campaigns, leveraging customer reviews for social proof, and optimizing logistics as you grow.

Each module is packed with video lessons, templates, workbooks, and case studies to ensure you can apply the knowledge immediately. By the end of the course, you’ll have all the tools needed to run a successful e-commerce business.

Are Start and Scale Course Students Getting Results?

One of the most compelling aspects of the Start & Scale Course is the success stories from its students. Many entrepreneurs have transformed their ideas into thriving businesses by following Gretta’s frameworks:

• Tania Eves (Me And The Brave): Tania launched her business after completing the course and generated $30,000 in revenue within seven months.
• Adam Hendle (Ballwash): Adam scaled his men’s body wash company into a seven-figure business within seven months.
• Josh Fogarty (Bondi Bar): Despite launching during the pandemic, Josh sold over AU$3,000 worth of products in just one week.
• Kelsey Goodwin (Kavala Collective): Kelsey saw her activewear sales increase by 500–600% after implementing strategies from the course.

These testimonials showcase how actionable and effective the course content is. Students have successfully launched brands across various niches—from skincare to activewear—proving that Gretta’s methods work for different industries.

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How Much Does Start and Scale Course Cost?

The Start & Scale Course is available as part of Foundr+ membership or as a standalone purchase. Here are the pricing options:

1. Standalone Purchase:

   • The course costs $997 (50% off its original price of $1997).

2. Foundr+ Membership:

   • For $999/year (33% off its normal price), Foundr+ gives you access to Start & Scale along with over 30 other courses, live Q&A sessions with experts, and a community of entrepreneurs.

Refund Policy

Foundr offers two refund options:

1. 14-Day Cooling-Off Period: If you purchase Foundr+ or the standalone course but decide it’s not right for you within the first two weeks, you can request a full refund.

2. 90-Day Success Guarantee: For Foundr+ members actively engaging with the platform but not seeing measurable improvements in their e-commerce business despite applying learned strategies, Foundr provides a refund within 90 days of subscription.

Refunds are processed within 3–5 business days once approved but may take up to 7–10 days in some cases.

With these flexible refund policies in place, enrolling in Start & Scale comes with minimal financial risk—making it an attractive option for aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs!

Praises for Start and Scale Course

The Start & Scale Course has received plenty of positive feedback, and as someone who has taken the course myself, I can attest to several standout features that make it worth considering:

• Practical and Actionable Content
  One of the best things about this course is its focus on actionable steps rather than theoretical concepts. Each module ends with clear tasks that you can implement immediately, whether it’s validating your product idea or reaching out to influencers. This hands-on approach ensures you’re not just learning but actually building your business as you go.

• Gretta van Riel’s Expertise
  Gretta’s proven track record in e-commerce lends credibility to the course. Her success with multiple seven-figure brands and her inclusion in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 demonstrate that she knows what it takes to build profitable businesses. Learning directly from someone who has “walked the walk” is invaluable.

• Comprehensive Curriculum
  The course covers every aspect of e-commerce, from product research and branding to marketing and scaling. It’s a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs who want a complete roadmap to launching an online store. The inclusion of templates, workbooks, and case studies makes the content even more actionable.

• Success Stories
  The course boasts numerous inspiring testimonials from students who have achieved incredible results. From generating thousands in revenue within months to scaling businesses into six-figure operations, these success stories prove that the strategies taught in the course are effective when applied correctly.

• Community Support
  The private Facebook group provides a supportive community where students can share ideas, seek feedback, and learn from each other’s experiences. Having access to like-minded individuals can be a huge motivator during the entrepreneurial journey.

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Criticisms for Start and Scale Course

While the course has many strengths, it’s not without its flaws. Here are some criticisms based on my experience and feedback from other students:

• High Cost
  At nearly $997 for standalone access, or $999/year for Foundr+ membership, the course is expensive compared to other e-commerce programs. While the content is valuable, the price tag may be prohibitive for beginners or those on a tight budget.

• Limited Paid Ads Training
  Although the course touches on marketing strategies like influencer outreach and community-building, it doesn’t dive deeply into paid advertising methods like Facebook or Google Ads. For entrepreneurs looking to scale aggressively through paid ads, this lack of detail could be a drawback.

• Refund Process Challenges
  Some students have reported difficulties with Foundr’s refund process. The conditions for refunds are strict, requiring students to complete certain steps before qualifying for reimbursement. This has led to frustration among those who feel dissatisfied with the program.

• Waitlist System
  Accessing the course often requires joining a waitlist, which can delay your ability to start building your business. This exclusivity might work as a marketing tactic but can be frustrating for eager learners ready to dive in immediately.

• Overemphasis on Branding Early On
  Some critics argue that the course focuses too heavily on branding before validating product-market fit. While branding is important, many entrepreneurs believe that testing product demand should come first before investing heavily in brand development.

Despite these drawbacks, I still believe the Start & Scale Course offers immense value for those committed to building a sustainable e-commerce business. However, it’s essential to weigh these pros and cons carefully before making an investment!

Should You Join Start and Scale Course?

If you’re serious about starting or scaling an e-commerce business, the Start & Scale Course is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive programs available. Having gone through the course myself, I can confidently say that it provides a solid roadmap for building a profitable online store. However, whether you should join depends on your goals, budget, and level of commitment.

You should consider joining if:

• You want to create a long-term, sustainable e-commerce brand rather than relying on short-term tactics like dropshipping.

• You’re willing to invest both time and money into learning and implementing proven strategies.

• You value mentorship from an experienced entrepreneur like Gretta van Riel and access to a supportive community.

That said, this course might not be the best fit if you’re on a tight budget or are looking for training in other online business models (e.g., affiliate marketing or blogging). The price point is steep, and while the content is valuable, it’s important to ensure it aligns with your business aspirations before committing.

Ultimately, if your dream is to launch an e-commerce brand that stands out in the market and generates consistent income, Start & Scale can be a game-changer. But if you’re still exploring different ways to make money online or aren’t ready to invest heavily, you may want to look at alternatives first.

Join Start and Scale Course Here

Start and Scale Course Alternative

While the Start & Scale Course focuses heavily on e-commerce, I understand that not everyone wants to go down this path. If you’re looking for a more versatile platform to learn how to make money online across various business models, I highly recommend checking out Wealthy Affiliate—an excellent alternative.

Here’s why Wealthy Affiliate stands out:

• Diverse Training Options
  Unlike Start & Scale, which is solely focused on e-commerce, Wealthy Affiliate offers training in multiple online business models such as affiliate marketing, blogging, SEO, and content creation. This makes it ideal for beginners who are still exploring different ways to earn income online.

• Affordable Pricing
  Wealthy Affiliate’s pricing is much more accessible compared to Start & Scale. Their Premium membership starts at $49/month (or $497/year), which includes access to all training modules, tools, and community features.

• Built-In Tools
  Wealthy Affiliate provides everything you need to build an online business in one place—website hosting, keyword research tools, content creation platforms, and more. This eliminates the need for additional expenses on third-party tools.

• Community Support
  Similar to Start & Scale’s private Facebook group, Wealthy Affiliate has an active community of entrepreneurs who are always ready to offer advice and guidance. The platform also includes live chat support and weekly webinars hosted by experts.

• Proven Success Stories
  Wealthy Affiliate has helped thousands of people create successful online businesses. Many members have gone from zero experience to earning consistent income through affiliate marketing and other strategies taught on the platform.

If your goal is to explore different ways of making money online without committing exclusively to e-commerce—and at a lower cost—Wealthy Affiliate is hands-down the best alternative. It’s where I personally started my journey before transitioning into e-commerce and other ventures. Whether you want to build a blog, monetize your passions through affiliate marketing, or simply learn how to generate passive income online, Wealthy Affiliate provides all the tools and training you need!

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.