Go from business idea to full-time income
We believe entrepreneurship is the best path to personal fulfillment, financial independence, and control over your future. We’re here to help guide you on your journey with community-powered education, feedback, and accountability.
Learn our three-step process
Starting a successful online business doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. With our proven 3-step process, you’ll gain the clarity and direction you need to build an audience and create sustainable income.
Whether you’re pivoting from a corporate career, leveraging creative skills, or turning a lifelong passion into profit, our step-by-step system is designed to meet you where you are and lead you toward lasting success.
Choose your niche and select a target audience
Discover what you’re uniquely qualified to offer and where your skills meet a real market need. Zero in on the people who are most likely to benefit from what you have to share, turning them into a loyal community ready to support your business.
Pick your platforms and attract your followers
Trying to be active on every platform can quickly lead to burnout. We’ll guide you in choosing the right platforms for your brand and teach you how to create engaging, valuable content that draws your audience in, helping you become a trusted voice in your niche.
Build your email list and make your audience an offer
Email marketing is one of the most powerful ways to connect directly with your audience by offering them valuable content, resources, and insights. We’ll assist you in launching your email list and crafting an offer that aligns with your audience’s needs.
Get the skills, feedback, and accountability you are craving
Learn new skills, accomplish your goals, and accelerate your business in less time with trailblazing resources and a supportive, motivating community of peers at the same stage as you.
Build your skills with easy-to-follow online learning
Experience the power of community-based learning. Gain access to all of our highly-praised courses on starting & growing a podcast, affiliate marketing, webinars, online courses, YouTube, email marketing, creating a community, and more. Our full-length courses and more bite-sized workshops are thoughtfully designed to elevate your business skills efficiently, helping you achieve your goals in less time.
See the included courses and mini-courses
See our upcoming community events
Workshops, office hours, and expert Q&As to refine your skills and answer your questions.
Achieve your business goals with accountability
In our learning community of like-minded entrepreneurs, you’ll find the accountability, engagement, and motivation you need to persevere. With the support of fellow members, you’ll navigate challenges, share solutions, and celebrate milestones, keeping you motivated as you work toward your goals.
See the upcoming accelerator schedule
Work through a specific course with a cohort of members over a 5–10 week time frame.
The Email Marketing Magic Accelerator starts on November 14! Join us now to enroll.
Accelerators offered throughout the year
A to Z Webinars | 11 weeks
Amp’d Up Podcasting | 7 weeks
Community Business Blueprint | 8 weeks
Heroic Online Courses | 7 weeks
Email Marketing Magic | 5 weeks
Level Up: Email Marketing Pathway | 5 weeks
Power-Up Podcasting 3.0 | 10 weeks
Smart From Scratch | 5 weeks
YouTube From Scratch | 7 weeks
Learn more about Accelerate Quests
Quests are monthly, week-long challenges conducted asynchronously through community posts, making them accessible to all members, regardless of schedule or location.
Each Quest focuses on a specific topic — such as setting annual business goals, growing a specific social media platform, or launching a product — and includes daily exercises with support from a facilitator. Additionally, participants can attend live office hours with Pat Flynn during the quest for real-time feedback and guidance.
Learn more about Thrive Sprints
Thrive Sprints are action-oriented, four-week challenges held once a quarter. Designed for flexibility, these asynchronous challenges allow you to complete tasks at your own pace, no matter your schedule or location. Each Sprint focuses on specific weekly objectives, with clear tasks tailored to the needs of our members. Plus, participants receive live access to Pat Flynn twice during the Sprint, providing the opportunity to ask questions and receive immediate feedback. Potential Sprint topics include Audience, Monetization, Operations, and Annual Planning.
Find your people and get your questions answered
Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and collaborate in peer-to-peer mastermind groups to tackle challenges and share personal insights. Our team of experts is here to support you by answering questions and providing guidance through Ask-Me-Anything events, Pat Flynn’s dedicated office hours, and live events with the SPI Team.
Learn more about vetted masterminds
Mastermind Groups provide a private, peer-led experience that connects members who share similar goals and interests. Once you join, we help you find a mastermind that fits your needs. See the differences between both the Accelerate & Thrive masterminds below.
Compare the masterminds
Accelerate
Thrive
Learn more about Pat Flynn’s office hours
Each week, Pat Flynn goes live from his office to answer your business questions.
- In the Accelerate tier, he hosts beginner focused sessions twice each month.
- In the Thrive tier, he holds office hours on the other two weeks, catering to more advanced entrepreneurs with more complex questions and discussions.
Learn more about the Experts in Residence program
The Thrive tier has access to our exclusive network of seasoned business professionals, featuring accomplished entrepreneurs, best-selling authors, and innovative leaders. These experts have navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship and are ready to share their insights. They’re dedicated to helping Thrive members make informed decisions quickly and easily, minimizing headaches along the way.
Whether you’re looking for guidance in leadership, sales and marketing, operations, or product and service development, our Experts in Residence are here to support your journey to success. Meet the experts behind the program.
Workshops
“The SPI Community with all the creators and interaction has been a game changer for me. I was just overwhelmed with all the information on courses, podcasts, Youtube, etc. The workshops really helped me quickly improve my focus and connecting with a fellow community member was a bonus I was not expecting.“
— Keith Woolgar, The Chamber Guy
Accelerators
“Taking the course accelerator brought about a significant shift from distress to relief. Pat Flynn’s courses felt relatable, which helped me manage my debilitating perfectionism. I was able to apply his concepts in practical ways, learning from my mistakes and moving forward with self-compassion.”
— Anita Sandoval, Positive Awakenings Counseling Center
Masterminds
“The riches are in the niches of the SPI Community. My most powerful interactions are definitely within masterminds!
My mastermind gives me accountability and perspective when I’m feeling anxious or questioning my next steps in business growth.”
— Jette Stubbs, JetteStubbs.com
Join a supportive community of early-stage entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely road — that’s why we built this community with you in mind. Whether you are just starting out, ready to accelerate your progress, or preparing to go all-in, we have a place for you here.
Save 16% with annual billing
Start
Do It Yourself
$49
/ month
Billed quarterly for $147
$41
/ month
Billed annually for $490
As a Start member, you’ll have access to:
- A network of like-minded entrepreneurs through direct messaging and active community discussion channels
- SPI’s entire library of pre-recorded courses
- Live and recorded workshops
- Mini-courses
- Guided pathways
Accelerate
Do It Together
$99
/ month
Billed quarterly for $297
$83
/ month
Billed annually for $990
Everything in Start, plus:
- Exclusive office hours with Pat Flynn twice a month
- Live cohort-based course accelerators
- Monthly post-based quests
- Early access to new courses
- Peer-led mastermind groups
Thrive
Vetted Entrepreneurs
$149
/ month
Billed quarterly for $447
$125
/ month
Billed annually for $1490
Everything in Accelerate, plus:
- Full-Time Entrepreneur Playbook — filled with essential tools and templates for running a successful business
- Quarterly Sprints
- Vetted mastermind groups led by trained peer facilitators
- Expert feedback during live Ask-Me-Anything events hosted by our Experts in Residence
- Advanced live office hours with Pat Flynn twice a month
The Thrive tier is an application-based membership with open enrollment each quarter.
Thrive applications close in
Benefits of joining the SPI Community
Proven pathway to success
Follow a clear, step-by-step process that simplifies starting an online business, from idea to income, empowering you to make progress confidently and avoid common pitfalls.
Experienced guidance from experts
Access knowledge from industry leaders and seasoned entrepreneurs, including direct support from Pat Flynn, ensuring you receive practical, results-driven advice.
Community-powered accountability
Stay motivated with the support of a vibrant, like-minded community who hold you accountable, provide feedback, and celebrate wins together, making the journey feel less lonely.
Engaging, hands-on learning
Participate in action-oriented challenges, monthly Quests, and quarterly Thrive Sprints that are designed to help you make real progress, from growing an audience to scaling your business.
Comprehensive resources at your fingertips
Get access to SPI’s full library of courses, workshops, and community events that cover essential skills like affiliate marketing, email marketing, podcasting, and more.
Tailored experiences for every stage
With three membership levels (Start, Accelerate, Thrive), you can choose the tier that fits your journey—whether you’re just getting started, accelerating growth, or aiming for transformation.
Save 16% with Annual billing
Compare the memberships
Start
$147/ quarter
$490/ year
Accelerate
$297/ quarter
$990/ year
Thrive
$447/ quarter
$1,490/ year
When we say community, what do we mean?
The SPI Community launched in 2020 to be a welcoming place where new entrepreneurs can connect with like-minded individuals, access a variety of training courses, and receive the feedback, support, and accountability needed to grow their businesses to full-time income.
Built on the Circle platform, the SPI Community offers a seamless, user-friendly space to connect, share insights, and access exclusive resources & events in one place.
Think of it as THE place online to help you stay motivated and supported on your entrepreneurial journey.
Take a tour and see for yourself
Hear why our members love being in the SPI Community
Meet the people behind the scenes
The SPI Team is dedicated to helping you become a stronger entrepreneur through educational programming, supportive guidance, and meaningful community experiences.
Hello, my name is Pat Flynn
I started Smart Passive Income in 2008 to share my journey of building a popular blog for an architecture industry exam. Ethical advice on monetizing a blog was hard to come by, and I wanted to share the lessons I learned.
I became “the crash-test dummy of online business,” running experiments and sharing the results, whether they were positive or negative. I started publishing monthly income reports detailing revenue and expenses, promoting a mission of radical transparency in an industry overrun with get-rich-quick schemes. These reports helped aspiring entrepreneurs understand the realistic effort, time, and investment required to get started.
After over 15 years of supporting creators and entrepreneurs, it’s clear that this journey is best traveled together. My team and I, along with the SPI Community, are here to help you get to where you’re going. I can’t wait to hear your success story and celebrate the day you say, “Pat, it was the SPI Community that changed everything for me.” Here’s to you and the road ahead, together.
18+
Companies advised
(including Kit, Circle, Maven, and Karat)
80MM
Podcast downloads
from four podcasts
1.45MM
YouTube subscribers
from two channels
$5.5MM
Course sales
Companies advised include
But it’s not just me…meet the full SPI team
Common questions you might be having
“I’m just getting started; isn’t this too advanced for me?”
Not at all. The SPI Community offers resources for every stage, including the Start membership tier, which gives you access to beginner courses and supportive discussions designed specifically for those taking their first steps in entrepreneurship.
“What if I don’t have time to participate fully?”
Our community is designed with flexibility in mind. You can engage at your own pace, with asynchronous challenges, peer-to-peer discussions, and recorded resources that fit into any schedule, so you can make progress on your own time.
“Can I really achieve financial freedom through an online business?”
Yes! Our members have built successful businesses across a wide range of niches. With our proven three-step process, accountability from the community, and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, you’ll have the tools and support to work toward real, sustainable income.
“I’m not sure about the investment; is it worth it?”
Think of this as an investment in your future. You’re not only gaining access to valuable courses and resources but joining a community that supports and challenges you. Many members find the networking, accountability, and expert advice alone are worth the cost.
“I don’t know if I’ll be comfortable in a community setting.”
The SPI Community is welcoming, inclusive, and built around mutual support. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, you’ll find a space that respects your pace and provides a network of like-minded peers to cheer you on.
Ready to join us?
Join 1,000+
Active Members
Frequently asked questions
Which membership is right for me?
Start is best for you if your goal is to learn new skills and are committed to working through material at your own pace or you are on a budget.
Accelerate is best for you if you are interested in building new skills and you want the ongoing support of other community members who are working on coursework at the same time as you.
Thrive is best for you if you’ve already seen some success with your business or are a seasoned entrepreneur who is working on a new venture. You know all the basics and are looking to connect with others who have found some success, too.
What can I expect after joining?
The best time ever! An exciting onboarding email will be lovingly delivered to your inbox, and you will be able to log in to the community and will be guided through the next steps. We will recommend some activities and actions to help you learn your way around and find the programming you are most interested in. Check out the calendar of events and join an upcoming live session so we can say hello!
But here’s the most important expectation: you have to put in the time to get the most out of a community experience. This is not a magic bullet but rather an opportunity to learn and grow with your peers.
Can I talk to Pat Flynn once I join?
Joining our community will not grant you unlimited access to Pat Fynn. Our Thrive members have the most access to Pat through his weekly office hours and our Experts in Residence program. The Accelerate tier features office hours twice per month with Pat. Our full-time Community team will be your primary connection with your membership.
I live outside the United States. Can I join?
Yes! We welcome members from all over the globe into our community. Our company and staff are U.S.-based. All live events fall between 8 AM PT/11 AM ET and 2 PM PT/5 PM ET. All events (outside of networking-based events) will be recorded for replay and available for viewing throughout your membership.
Can I switch the membership I am in?
Yes—you may switch between the Start and Accelerate tiers at any time. Thrive opens once per quarter; active Start and Accelerate members are encouraged to apply for Thrive during the open cycles and do not need to pay the application fee. More details on the open Thrive application timeline will be posted in the “Announcements” space within the SPI Community. Active Start and Accelerate members can also join the waitlist and be emailed once applications are open.
Thrive members may downgrade their membeship at any time.
Is there an age requirement?
Members must be at least 18 years old to join any of our communities. Participants under 18 years old must have guardian consent to join and will not have access to Direct Messaging as a general safety precaution. If we discover that an enrolled member is a minor and does not have guardian consent, we reserve the right to close their accounts without notice. If you are under 18 and would like to purchase a membership, please email us before purchasing at [email protected] so that SPI can obtain consent from your guardian.
Do you offer discounts?
We do not offer discounts. We’ve priced our memberships to ensure we are providing outstanding value.
Do you offer team rates?
Please email [email protected] and let us know more about your team size and your goals.
Do you have a refund policy?
We offer a full refund within the first 30 days of your membership, if you decide that membership is not right for you. It’s your responsibility to make use of your membership; extensions to the membership refund period will not be granted.
Are there any types of businesses that you do not allow?
All business topics must adhere to our community guidelines. Businesses that read as predatory, ableist, racist, misogynist, homophobic, conspiratorial, overly sexualized, or harmful in any way will not be accepted into our community. We do not permit multi-level marketing (MLM) representatives or any business model that involves recruiting downlines.
Does your community offer business coaching?
We do not offer business coaching. We provide strategic programming to help you and bring experts in for high-level guidance, ultimately our communities are designed for peer connections.
Can I offer coaching in your community?
No. We do not allow any selling or pitching of services or affiliate programs in our community. You absolutely should not join if this is your motivation. You will be removed without a refund.
I have a product or service I want to share with your community. Can I do that?
We have a strict no-selling policy in our community and will remove anyone found soliciting customers per our Community Guidelines.
What are your community guidelines?
Go here to read our complete Community Guidelines and Moderation Policies.
Is your community inclusive of marginalized people?
We strive to keep our community welcoming and inclusive of marginalized people as a part of our company and CX (community experience) team values. This will always be a work in progress, and we rely on member feedback to ensure we are maintaining a safe space and providing a positive experience.
I want to create a community like yours. Can you help?
We recommend enrolling in our Community Business Blueprint course. This course will teach you how to curate a new online community or modify an existing one that aligns with your business strategy.
Which tier is right for you?
Start membership
The DIY option | $49/month
Pay $147 or $490 annually (saves 16%)
As a Start member, you’ll have access to:
- Guided pathways
- A network of like-minded entrepreneurs through direct messaging and active community discussion channels
- SPI’s entire library of pre-recorded courses
- Live and recorded workshops
- Mini-courses
Accelerate membership
Learn with others | $99/month
Pay $297 quarterly or $990 annually (saves 16%)
Everything in Start, plus:
- Peer-led mastermind groups
- Exclusive office hours with Pat Flynn twice a month
- Live cohort-based course accelerators
- Monthly post-based quests
- Early access to new courses
Thrive enrollment closes in
Thrive membership
Go all in | $149/month
Pay $447 quarterly or $1490 annually (saves 16%)
Everything in Accelerate, plus:
- Full-Time Entrepreneur Playbook — filled with essential tools and templates for running a successful business
- Quarterly Sprints
- Vetted mastermind groups led by trained peer facilitators
- Expert feedback during live Ask-Me-Anything events hosted by our Experts in Residence
- Advanced live office hours with Pat Flynn twice a month
Thrive is an application-based membership with open enrollment in February, May, August, and November. Applications are open now!