Podcast Episode: Digital Business….WTF does that even mean?

If you’ve been seeing people online talking about their “digital businesses” and wondering what that even means, you’re not alone. The term gets thrown around a lot, but most people explaining it make it sound way more complicated than it actually is.

The Rise of the “Accidental Entrepreneur”

Ten years ago, I started in network marketing as what we called an “accidental entrepreneur.” I wasn’t some business-minded person with an entrepreneurial itch that needed scratching. I was the best employee in the world at my corporate jobs – seriously, I would have won employee of the month every month if they had that kind of thing.

But I saw the potential for income with this network marketing company, and I absolutely loved their products. That was it. No grand business plan, no entrepreneurial dreams. Just a mom who saw an opportunity.

Sound familiar? Most people don’t wake up one day saying, “Yes, I was meant to be an entrepreneur!” They step into it because they see potential for themselves and their families. And here’s the thing – that’s exactly what’s happening in the digital space right now.

The rise of digital entrepreneurship has completely taken over not only the internet, but it’s given average human beings the opportunity to create lives for themselves and their families that would have been unfathomable just 10 years ago.

Why “Business” Feels So Heavy (And Why It Shouldn’t)

Here’s where most people get stuck. The word “business” feels heavy, especially if you’re not currently an entrepreneur. You start thinking about P&L statements, business plans, investors, Excel spreadsheets, physical inventory – all that serious corporate stuff that makes your head spin.

In network marketing, we learned never to lead with “Do you want to build a business?” because that term has such a heavy connotation, especially for the average person who doesn’t have this undying desire to be an entrepreneur.

But what if I told you that “business” is just a fancy word for something much simpler?

Let’s Get Real About What “Business” Actually Means

But let me give you my definition of what a business actually is:

A business is simply a problem-solving entity. That’s it.

Every single business, from the billion-dollar companies to that random person on Instagram selling courses, exists to solve problems for their consumers. When you strip away all the corporate jargon and fancy terminology, that’s all any business is doing.

Let me break this down with some examples that’ll make it crystal clear:

Deodorant companies – What problem do they solve? People don’t want to smell bad or sweat through their clothes. Simple as that. But then what makes one deodorant company different from another? Maybe Company A uses all-natural ingredients. Company B offers better scents. Company C prevents more intense sweating. Each has their own approach, but they’re all solving the same core problem.

Facebook – Back in the BlackBerry and flip phone days (yes, I’m aging myself here), you couldn’t find and connect with friends online anywhere. Facebook stepped up and said, “We’re going to create a platform that connects everybody in an effortless way online.” Game over. Problem solved.

Stripe – If you’ve ever bought anything online, you’ve probably used Stripe without even knowing it. They’re the payment processor that handles the money between you and the company you’re buying from. The problem they solved? Accepting payments online used to be stupidly complicated to set up for businesses. Stripe made it simple. Their valuation? Over $95 billion. Not bad for solving one problem really well.

Instacart – Founded in 2012 when they realized grocery shopping was time-consuming and inefficient for busy people. Their solution? Get groceries delivered directly to your door. Boom. Problem solved.

The point is, whether we’re talking about billion-dollar companies or that person you see on Instagram selling a course, they’re all in the business of solving problems. The only difference is the scale and the method of delivery.

So What Makes a Business “Digital”?

Now that we’ve established that all businesses are just problem-solving entities, let’s talk about what makes one “digital.”

A digital business is exactly that – an entity that helps people solve problems, but the solutions are delivered online versus physically.

Instead of picking up deodorant at a store, you might download a course to your email. Instead of getting a physical product shipped to you, you access your solution through your computer or phone screen.

Digital businesses combine two key elements:

1. Digital product delivery – Solutions housed and delivered digitally (courses, templates, memberships, etc.)
2. Digital marketing – Getting the word out through email marketing, social media, affiliate marketing, SEO – anything done through your computer or phone screen

Digital Products vs. Physical Products

Let me paint you a picture of how this works:

Physical Product Business: A deodorant company creates their product in a factory, ships it to stores, you drive to the store, buy it, bring it home, and use it to solve your problem.

Digital Product Business: Someone creates an online course about, let’s say, time management. They record videos, create worksheets, put it all in a digital platform. When you buy it, you get instant access through your email, you watch the videos on your phone or computer, download the worksheets, and implement what you learned to solve your time management problem.

Same concept – problem solving – just different delivery methods.

My Journey from Network Marketing to Digital Business

For 10 years, I was crushing it in network marketing. I became a seven-figure earner and built an organization of several thousand people. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that network marketing was teaching me fundamental online business skills that would carry me through to any business model.

Inside network marketing, I learned how to build relationships online, Instagram and Facebook strategies, how to close sales in DMs, leadership and vision-based conversations, and how to stand out in a crowded digital space. But here’s the kicker – I built that entire business mostly online without even realizing I was learning “digital marketing.”

Then in 2023, the network marketing industry hit a plateau. I discovered people on Instagram talking about digital products and course creation. My skeptical brain had to investigate. I messaged every single person I saw talking about selling courses, asking them the hard questions.

In June 2023, I finally invested $497 in my first digital product course. By July, I had started my new Instagram page and finished the course, learning about sales funnels, business automation, email marketing – all the tech stuff I never knew I needed.

Over 140,000 followers later, I created a level of success in the digital product space that took me eight years to achieve as a network marketer. What I built in one year in digital products matched eight years of network marketing success.

Is this normal? Probably not. But remember, my story includes 20 years of sales experience and 10 years of network marketing behind it.

Why Digital Business Matters for the Average Person

Here’s what makes digital business so accessible compared to traditional business models:

What You DON’T Need:

• Deep knowledge of traditional business concepts
• Huge upfront investments
• Physical inventory or warehouses
• Complex logistics and shipping
• A business degree or MBA
• Investors or business loans

What You DO Need:

• A crystal clear understanding of what problems you can help people solve
• Willingness to learn digital skills
• Consistency in showing up online
• A “no matter what” attitude

The 2024 Reality Check (And Why I Hate the “Quick Money” BS)

We’re living in a time where it’s become completely normal for people to create some kind of side income stream, passion project, or full-blown business online. But here’s what drives me absolutely crazy – all the “make quick money now” messaging that makes me nauseous.

Let me be crystal clear about something: This is not about quick money.

If you need money NOW, become an Uber driver while you build your business. Sell something on Poshmark. There’s a big difference between building a real business and looking for quick cash, and I refuse to contribute to that misleading messaging.

When people enter this space saying “I need money now,” I tell them straight up – this isn’t the thing for quick money. Building a real digital business takes time, effort, and consistency.

The “No Matter What” Attitude (And Who This Is Really For)

This podcast – and this entire approach to digital business – speaks to people with a “no matter what” attitude. Let me explain what I mean by that.

Maybe you don’t have an entrepreneurial itch right now that you’re desperately trying to scratch. Maybe you’re not lying awake at night dreaming of being a business owner. But you have a business mind that’s thinking, “You know what? It does make sense to create something online. It does make sense to step into online business and figure out how I can make an income and impact online.”

This is for you if:

• You don’t even know what skills you have that could be monetized yet
• All of this might sound like complete nonsense right now, but something in your gut is saying “She’s right”
• You recognize that stepping into the digital space makes sense in 2024
• You’re willing to learn and implement, even when it feels uncomfortable
• You’re not looking for get-rich-quick schemes, but real business building

I’m obsessed with talking to people like this – the ones who aren’t quitters, the ones who are looking to have a “no matter what” attitude towards making a change in their life.

The Bottom Line

Digital business isn’t as complicated or intimidating as it sounds. When you strip away all the fancy terminology and corporate jargon, it’s really just about identifying problems you can solve for people and delivering those solutions online.

It’s about leveraging digital tools to reach your audience and serve them in a way that creates real value. It’s about building relationships, providing solutions, and yes – making money while helping people.

The opportunity exists. The tools are available. People are doing this successfully every single day.

The question isn’t whether it’s possible – it absolutely is.

The question is: are you ready to stop overthinking and start figuring out what problems you can solve and for whom?

Because here’s the truth – while you’re sitting there analyzing and wondering “what if,” someone else is out there building the exact business you’re dreaming about.

The only difference between them and you? They started.

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Ready to dive deeper into building your digital empire? Subscribe to Beyond the BS on Apple and Spotify, and follow me on Instagram @the_no_bs_newyorker. Head to vickipollock.com to learn more.