Business By Design Review 2025 (James Wedmore) – Still Worth It?

Thinking about investing in James Wedmore’s Business By Design (BBD)? You’re smart to do your homework — because while BBD can completely transform your business, it’s also a serious investment of time, money, and energy.

In this brutally honest 2025 review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: what you get inside BBD, who it’s really for (and not for), and why it might be the last business course you ever need — or why you might want to skip it.

Some product links in this post are affiliate links, and I will be compensated when you purchase by clicking our links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Quick 2025 Update: Pros and Cons of Business By Design

👍 BBD Pros	👎 BBD Cons
Lifetime access with free updates	Not for “side hustlers” looking for quick cash
Detailed step-by-step systems for launching your course or program	Higher price point compared to typical courses (probably because it doesn’t just reach you one thing)
Covers business and mindset	Can feel overwhelming at first
Active community and live support	Live BBD Event is on the West Coast
New for 2025: James created a suite of AI Tools!	The new ideas in BBD can feel like a distraction

Keep reading for the full breakdown and why these matter!

What is Business By Design?

Business By Design is James Wedmore’s flagship online course, designed to take you from “idea in your head” to “profitable online business owner” — with a real strategy, real systems, and real sales.

And in 2025, when everyone is chasing the next viral trend (hello, AI burnout?), BBD stands out by giving you an actual plan to build a business that lasts.

✅ Pro Tip: The best way to know if BBD is right for you is to attend James Wedmore’s once-a-year (free) training, Rise of the Digital CEO. It’s happening in May 2025! Get on the notification list here so you don’t miss James’ free training, Rise of the Digital CEO. It gets better every year! Join for free at vidpromom.com/rise.

Inside Business By Design, you’ll learn how to:

Develop a profitable digital business strategy from scratch
Create and sell online offers (courses, memberships, coaching, digital products)
Set up simple systems so you’re not glued to your phone 24/7
Understand your audience (and sell to them without feeling like a sleazy internet bro)
Launch your offers using plug-and-play templates for:
- Webinars
- Challenges
- Video series
- Email-only launches
- And more

The Best part: BBD is 100% self-paced, fully online, and packed with “fill in the blank” processes, templates, and real-world examples you can start using immediately.

Honestly? The launch templates alone are worth the price of alone (says the girl who joined BBD not knowing how to “sell” ANYTHING and now has a 6-figure online business).

At its core, Business By Design isn’t about building someone else’s dream — it’s about building your business, your way.

(That’s why it’s literally called Business By Design.)

👉 Did you join the BBD Waitlist yet? That’s the best way to know everything that you’ll get in this year’s BBD launch as soon as the doors are open! Join here: https://videobrand.link/bbd

Business By Design Course Overview: What’s Inside James Wedmore’s Signature Program

The Business By Design course is massive… but in the best way possible.
James doesn’t just teach you what to do; he hands you the tools, templates, scripts, and step-by-step plans so you can actually build and scale your business without getting stuck chatGPT’ing your course launch the night before.

Even after 8+ years as a BBD student, I still find new resources and insights every time I log in (plus James updates it often, and recently added BBD-Trained AI to help you along the way – super cool addition!!).

Here’s a breakdown of what’s waiting for you inside Business By Design:

6 Core BBD Modules

Module 0 – BBD Foundations
- Lay the foundation for how you’ll work smarter (not just harder) as you build your business.
Module 1 – YOU By Design
- Clarify the business you actually want — one that fuels your creativity and generates real revenue.
Module 2 – WORKING By Design
- Master the habits, systems, and productivity hacks that help you get more done without working yourself into the ground.
Module 3 – OFFER By Design
- Learn how to craft a home-run offer that your audience actually wants to buy (without needing a marketing degree).
Module 4 – Your Sales System
- Build a repeatable, scalable sales system that doesn’t rely on sleazy tactics or living in your DMs 24/7.
Module 5 – TEAM By Design
- Discover how to hire, delegate, and grow your team (even if you’re starting with $0 and a dream).
Module 6 – SCALE By Design
- Learn how to scale your revenue by 2x, 5x, even 10x — without working 10x harder.

And all of these modules include video, transcripts, step-by-step guides, and now AI Tools to work with you as you build your own business by design. I tested these out, and they are fast and effective!

✨ And That’s Just the Core Content…

When you enroll in Business By Design, you also get access to:

The Attraction Module:
Trainings to help you attract a bigger audience (instead of chasing them down).
Your Next 90 Days Planner:
A step-by-step action plan to actually implement what you learn (no overwhelm).
11 Launch Processes:
Complete guides and checklists for webinars, video series, challenges, and more.
Step-by-Step Business Process Templates:
Done-for-you workflows for everything from onboarding clients to automating your marketing.
Members-Only Facebook Community:
Seriously one of the best — active support, accountability, and direct access to fellow entrepreneurs.
Live Training & Office Hours:
Get real-time coaching with James Wedmore and certified BBD coaches to troubleshoot, refine, and win.
Resource Library:
Templates, tools, automation guides, and resource kits to streamline your launches and operations.
Bonus Trainings:
Including:
Program Design Intensive
Absolute Automation Masterclass
Facebook Ads Training
Course in a Weekend Workshop
2-Day Live Launch Masterclass

The Bottom Line You’re not just getting a course — you’re getting a business blueprint, a launch kit, and a growth system all in one.

If you’re serious about turning your content and passion into real revenue, Business By Design is the roadmap that actually works.

✅ Join the BBD Waitlist Now so you Don’t Miss some of the BEST bonuses ever! (just put in your email)

My Personal Business By Design Review

Let’s do something different here:
An actual honest review of Business by Design — the digital program I invested in that changed my online business forever.

Yup, I said it. (And spoiler: I’m not here to pretend it’s magic fairy dust either.)

I’ll walk you through:

What BBD actually is
How it works
What you get
Who it’s for
How it helped me (and what mistakes it fixed!)

Full Transparency: I’m a BBD Affiliate. Here’s Why That Matters:

I am an affiliate for Business By Design — but if you know me, you know I don’t sugarcoat anything.

You’re getting the full truth here: pros and cons, no BS. There are certain things I do and DON’T like about James’ course.

(And honestly? I doubt you’ll find many other BBD affiliates brave enough to list the cons… but more on that in a sec.)

✅ Check out the next Rise of the Digital CEO Series (just put in your email)

Before BBD: My Top 3 Online Business Mistakes

If you’ve ever dreamed about launching a course or growing an online brand — you’re probably making at least one of these mistakes.
I sure did. 🙋‍♀️

Here’s where I face-planted:

1. The “Copy Everyone Else” Mistake

When I launched my first course, I had no real strategy.
I cobbled together what I thought worked from reading Product Launch Formula and reverse-engineering other people’s launches.
(Oh — and I switched email providers THREE DAYS before launch. #Genius [not!])

Surprisingly, I made 3 sales.
But it was chaos, anxiety, and late-night hair-pulling.
I thought that’s just what launching was.

→ BBD taught me: Launching can (and should) be organized, replicable, and WAY less stressful when you have real systems.

2. The “Launch and Run” Mistake

I used to launch a course, feel like a boss… and then abandon it immediately to chase a new idea.

😬 Not realizing that if I just improved my traffic, optimized my messaging, and launched again, I could’ve massively multiplied my revenue with less work.

→ BBD taught me: Launching isn’t one-and-done.
It’s about refining, relaunching, and compounding your results like an actual business owner (not a content hamster).

3. The “Hamster Wheel Content” Mistake

At first, I thought success meant more YouTube videos = more audience = more money.

Spoiler: That’s a one-way ticket to burnout.

→ BBD taught me:
Create strategic content that attracts buyers, not just views. Traffic is nice. Sales are nicer!

How BBD Helped Me (For Real)

✅ I joined Business by Design in April 2017.
✅ I’m still using it in 2025.
✅ I still uncover new things every single year.

Here’s what changed for me after enrolling:

I finally understood how to make real revenue.
- Not just earn ad revenue or affiliate commissions — but create and sell my own digital products (like my 30 Days to a Thriving YouTube Channel course, Video Brand Academy membership, and YouTube Funnel program).
I built repeatable launch systems.
- No more starting from scratch every time. I created rinse-and-repeat launch frameworks (thanks to James’ launch templates) that scale without extra stress.
I got crystal clear on my purpose.
- I know who I serve, why my business matters, and how to grow it intentionally — not just accidentally.
I scaled by building a small team.
- BBD taught me how to hire strategically so I can stay in my zone of genius (and not get trapped editing every YouTube video forever).
I massively shifted my mindset.
- Around sales.
- Around money.
- Around what’s actually possible for a solo business owner.

I can’t overstate it:
The internal growth was just as big as the revenue growth.

How Much Does Business By Design Cost?

Wondering about the Business By Design price?

Here’s the deal:
Pricing is only shared publicly when BBD opens each year — and it can change.

The last public price was $2997.

Yes, it’s an investment.
No, it’s not “just another online course.”

When I joined and implemented James’ strategies, I made back my investment within 9 months.
(Even selling a relatively low-ticket course at $300!)

If you simply do the math, if you launch a $300 digital course (like my “30 Days to a Thriving YouTube Channel” course), you’d only need to make 10 sales to make your money back!

💰 The best price for Business By Design is usually the day it launches next (to make sure you get the bonuses) so get your buns on the waitlist NOW so you don’t forget and miss out! The waitlist is here (just put in your email): https://videobrand.link/bbd

Final thought… if you want a shortcut to feeling like an overwhelmed, stressed-out content hamster — don’t get BBD.

If you want a proven path to becoming a Digital CEO with actual freedom, sanity, and sales… Business By Design delivers.

Is James Wedmore’s “Business By Design” Right For You?

One of the smartest things you can do before joining Business By Design is ask yourself:

“Is this actually for me? Could I see myself thriving here?”

Because honestly? The right people get insane results.
And the wrong people… well, they stay stuck watching free YouTube videos forever. 😬

BBD is PERFECT for you if…

✅ You’re a Content Creator (YouTuber, blogger, podcaster): If you want to turn your content into a real business — not just chase views, likes, or random brand deals.

✅ You’re a Course Creator: If you have (or want to create) digital courses, workshops, memberships, or coaching programs — and you’re ready to scale without losing your sanity.

✅ You’re a Service-Based Entrepreneur: If you offer services like graphic design, social media management, consulting, or coaching — and you want to package and sell your expertise at scale (instead of trading all your time for dollars).

✅ You’re a Teacher, Coach, or Trainer: If you’re passionate about helping others and want to build a thriving business around your unique knowledge.

✅ You’re Done “Figuring It Out Alone”: If you’re tired of piecing strategies together from random free webinars and blog posts.
You’re ready for an actual system that works.

BBD Might NOT Be Right for You if…

❌ You’re only interested in getting more followers or going viral (this isn’t that kind of party).

❌ You want overnight success without doing the work (BBD gives you the system — you still have to show up and execute).

❌ You hate the idea of building systems, delegating, or thinking like a business owner.
(If you want to stay a one-person show forever, this might feel like overkill.)

My Personal Experience

When I joined BBD, I was a YouTube creator and blogger looking to turn my content into consistent, scalable income streams.

I needed real sales strategies, not just more “content marketing tips.”
I needed launch templates I could actually follow (instead of duct-taping a strategy together at 2am).
I needed a clear path to grow my business on my terms.

Business By Design delivered all of that — and more.

And it’s not just for people like me.
In my BBD cohort alone, there were:

Graphic designers who productized their services into courses
Teachers building online schools
Coaches scaling their memberships
Consultants creating digital products

If you’re serious about building a real business (one that frees your time, energy, and creativity) — not just another job you made up for yourself — Business By Design is absolutely worth it.

Who Created Business By Design?

Business By Design was created by James Wedmore — an entrepreneur who grew from YouTube creator to running a $9+ million per year online education business.

James isn’t just a marketing bro spitting out theory — he’s an actual digital CEO who built his success through scalable offers, systems, and launches.
Now, he teaches other creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs how to do the same.

Plus, inside Business By Design, you also get access to his trained team of certified coaches, who are active inside the private members-only Facebook group — answering questions, giving feedback, and helping you implement faster.

When Does Business By Design Open for Enrollment?

Bbd Devices V2 — When is Business by Design open?

Business By Design only opens once per year (usually in May or June)

To get early access (and the best bonuses), your best move is to join the free Rise of the Digital CEO video series. You’ll automatically be notified when enrollment for BBD officially opens.

🎯 When you join Business By Design, you’ll get access to:

6 Core BBD Training Modules
Plug-and-Play Launch Maps (for webinars, challenges, video series, email-only launches, and more)
Marketing Templates and Swipe Files
Live Coaching Calls with James and his team
New Bonuses (vary each year — but trust me, they’re worth it)

⚡ Heads up: The exact bonuses and price tiers for BBD can vary every year. (In the past, the price has been around $2997 for the full program, with options for upgrades.)

That’s why it’s smart to get on the waitlist now — so you don’t miss cart open day deals!

Best BBD Bonuses

Every year, a handful of BBD alum help get the word out about James Wedmore and Business By Design. I am one of these special affiliates who also put together a no-brainer BBD Bonus that any new BBD Student can have (completely complementary for you as long as you enroll in BBD through my Business By Design Bonus Page).

Why is my BBD Bonus better than the others? Well the truth is, it may not be right for everyone, but if you already know YouTube is the most powerful way to build your audience online, and you love the idea of selling your course or program on autopilot… WITHOUT live webinars or paid ads, then you’re looking for the “YouTubify Your Business By Design” Bonus, my friend!

📈 Business By Design is what helped me STOP treating my content creation business like a side hustle, and start building a REAL online business. Get on the waitlist here: https://www.meredithmarsh.co/bbdbonus

Pros and Cons of Business by Design

Now, I want to get to the pros and cons and be really, really honest with you here. First of all, the pros, Business by Design is a very in-depth resource. I like to think I sort of have a Ph.D. in online business after going through Business by Design.

Pros of Business By Design

Lifetime Access: Once you enroll, you own it forever. No renewals, no extra fees — and every time James updates or expands the content, you get it free.
Massive Depth and Resources: You get what feels like a full-on Ph.D. in online business — covering everything from offers to launches to scaling.
BBD Live Event Ticket: Enrollment includes a free ticket to BBD Live — a one-of-a-kind, in-person event (think business strategy meets inspiration and epic networking).
Templates, Launch Maps, and Systems: No guesswork. You get plug-and-play frameworks for webinars, challenges, evergreen funnels, and more.
Active Coaching and Community Support: Between James Wedmore, certified coaches, and thousands of members — you’ll never stay stuck for long.

Cons of Business By Design

Travel Costs for BBD Live: The event is usually on the West Coast (I’m on the East Coast!), so flights, hotels, and logistics can add up. That said, it’s worth it. I’ve been multiple times and will likely be back again this year!!
Heavy Emphasis on Facebook Ads: A lot of BBD case studies involve paid ads to fuel launches.
If you prefer organic traffic strategies (like YouTube SEO, like me), you might need to adapt.
More Focused on Launching vs. Evergreen: While you can create evergreen funnels later, BBD’s initial focus is launching live first — which can feel intimidating if you were hoping to skip straight to autopilot.
Large Community = Some Overwhelm: With a huge Facebook group and Zoom coaching calls, you might feel lost in the crowd at first.
→ Pro Tip: Tag the coaches when you ask questions. They always respond.

One More Thing: Manage Your Expectations

This isn’t a BBD problem — it’s an online business reality.

You might see “six-figure launch” stories inside the community. You might feel like, “Why not me?”

🚨 Important truth: Everyone’s audience size, niche, offer, and timing are different. Focus on your progress — not someone else’s highlight reel.

Final Verdict: Is Business By Design Worth It?

👉 If you’re serious about building a scalable, freedom-based business — YES.
👉 If you want a shortcut to building a real business (not just more followers) — YES.
👉 If you’re allergic to taking action — maybe not.

If you’re even curious, the smartest move you can make is to watch James Wedmore’s free Rise of the Digital CEO training.

It costs nothing, and it’ll give you a crystal clear feeling of whether Business By Design is your next step.

✅ Click here to get on the waitlist and join the free workshop!

Here’s the truth:

Business By Design isn’t for everyone.
It’s for creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs who are ready to stop duct-taping random strategies together and start running a real, scalable business.

If you want overnight success, this isn’t it.
If you want a clear path, proven systems, coaching support, and a community of action-takers — this is it.

Joining Business By Design was one of the best business decisions I ever made.
Not because it was easy.
But because it finally gave me the tools, mindset, and community to build a business on my terms.

Don’t just take my word for it… get on the BBD Waitlist NOW so you get the info about this year’s Business By Design as soon as it’s available! Waitlist is here (just enter your email): https://videobrand.link/bbd