5 (Non-Business) Courses to Grow Your Business

If you want to grow your business, you have to get comfortable investing in yourself and your skillset. So I put together a list of courses I’ve personally taken (and one I created) that have legitimately changed my business trajectory that I know will help you, too.

None of these are social media growth courses, sleazy get-rich-quick schemes, or repeat the same generic advice you’ve heard a thousand times. And each has a live component—either live sessions and/or a community attached to it to maximize the support you’ll get.

They’re all by real entrepreneurs who’ve helped hundreds and thousands of people all over the world improve their lives and businesses using powerful, proven methods (no snake oil or fake guru bullshit).

From overcoming fear, crafting and communicating your ideas, to coding your way to freedom—each of these courses will help you grow your business by scaling your impact and income.

Let’s get started…

Side note: Some are affiliate links, but I fully believe in the value of each of these.

•••

The Alchemy of Fear

Category:

Mindset/Psychology

What it is:

The Alchemy of Fear is a transformative coaching experience that helps you identify and overcome the fears holding you back in life and business. Through a blend of psychology, self-reflection, and actionable strategies, this program teaches you how to embrace fear as a guide rather than an obstacle—empowering you to unlock your full potential and pursue a life of meaning, purpose, and success.

Why you should join:

You know you’re capable of more, but fear keeps getting in the way. Whether it’s fear of failure, uncertainty, ridicule, or even success, these feelings leave you stuck, second-guessing yourself, and holding back from taking bold action. This program is designed for ambitious entrepreneurs and leaders who want to understand their fears at a deeper level and transform them into a source of clarity, authenticity, and impact. If you’re ready to stop letting fear hold you back, this is the program for you.

How it will help your business growth:

Fear often stands between you and the bold moves your business needs to thrive—whether it’s launching a new project, making a difficult decision, or showing up authentically. The Alchemy of Fear Program equips you with tools to reframe fear, break free from self-doubt, and take aligned action that propels your business forward. By embracing fear and using it as a catalyst for growth, you’ll make clearer decisions, build deeper resilience, and create a business that reflects your vision and values.

Where to learn more:

Why I built it:

I’ve worked with 6-, 7-, and 8-figure entrepreneurs to help them transform their businesses, and every single one of them struggled with fear.

The most common fears are what I call the Four Horsemen of Fear—fear of failure, fear of ridicule, fear of uncertainty, and fear of success.

These fears manifest in self-sabotaging behaviors like perfectionism, procrastination, Imposter Syndrome, analysis paralysis, and many others.

Until you learn how to understand and transform your relationship with fear, it will continue to hold you back from scaling your income and impact.

So if you’ve taken all the productivity courses, bought all the self-help books, and even hired “mindset coaches,” yet you still feel like you’re not living up to your potential because fear is still holding you back from fully stepping into your power, this course is what you’ve been looking for.

•••

Ultraspeaking

Category:

Effective public speaking

What it is:

Ultraspeaking is a game-changing approach to improving your communication skills—especially under pressure. Unlike traditional public speaking courses, it focuses on helping you think and respond clearly in real time, no matter the situation. Through interactive exercises and dynamic coaching, you’ll gain the confidence to articulate your ideas effortlessly, whether you’re speaking to one person or a thousand.

Why you should join:

You’re tired of feeling like you freeze, ramble, or lose your train of thought when the stakes are high. Whether it’s pitching your ideas, leading a team, or recording content, you need a way to stay composed and confident. Ultraspeaking is built for ambitious entrepreneurs like you who want to communicate powerfully—not perfectly—by embracing spontaneity and thinking on their feet. This course will help you unlock the clarity and confidence ease you’ve been searching for.

How it will help your business growth:

Your ability to convey your ideas clearly is key to succeeding in business. Ultraspeaking equips you with the tools to do this, even in high-pressure scenarios like investor meetings, client calls, or public speaking engagements. When you master the ability to connect with people and deliver your message with impact, you’ll attract new opportunities, build stronger relationships, and grow your business through authentic connection.

Where to learn more:

Why I took it:

I joined it thinking I was good at public speaking—I’ve done tons of workshops, podcast interviews, and other video content. But Ultraspeaking helped me quickly realize how much more of my own authenticity and voice I could inject into my speaking.

My main goal with speaking is to make it feel like a conversation, not a presentation. Ultraspeaking helped me do this.

Also, one of my favorite concepts I learned was the “Accordion Method” for quickly ideating and refining speech topics.

•••

Part-Time YouTuber Academy

Category:

Video and content marketing

What it is:

The Part-Time YouTuber Academy (PTYA) is an intensive online course designed to help you build and grow a successful YouTube channel while balancing a busy life. Taught by Ali Abdaal, a YouTube creator with millions of subscribers (and revenue), this course goes beyond filming and editing—it’s a complete roadmap for creating engaging content, growing your audience, and monetizing your channel sustainably.

Why you should join:

You’ve thought about starting a YouTube channel—or you’ve already started—but you feel stuck. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by the technical side, unsure how to grow your audience, or struggling to stay consistent with your content. PTYA is for ambitious creators like you who want to cut through the noise and learn actionable strategies that actually work. With clear guidance, a supportive community, and insider knowledge, this course will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take your channel to the next level.

How it will help your business growth:

YouTube is one of the most powerful platforms for building your personal brand, generating leads, and creating multiple income streams. PTYA teaches you how to craft content that resonates, reach the right audience, and turn your channel into a revenue-generating asset. By mastering YouTube as a side hustle, you’ll grow your authority, expand your opportunities, and create a scalable foundation for long-term business success.

Where to learn more:

Why I took it:

You can watch all the free YouTube video tutorials you want, but you’ll spend a ton of time Frankensteining together a half-assed fragmented curriculum. Or you could save a ton of time and have everything organized for you by a team of people who’ve done it themselves and helped thousands of people succeed.

Plus, you get access to a community of others on a similar journey to learn from and get/give support.

I tried the free route, and all it amounted to was a ton of wasted time and feeling overwhelmed. Then I took PTYA and everything made way more sense. I’m still learning and iterating my own YouTube journey, but I love the freedom to go back to the PTYA curriculum for a refresher or new guest workshop (I’ve also led a few of my own for the community).

•••

Thinking in Stories

Category:

Storytelling and brand building

What it is:

Thinking in Stories is a transformative course designed to teach you how to craft compelling narratives that captivate audiences, build connections, and communicate ideas with impact. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or leader, this course will equip you with storytelling techniques that drive engagement, build trust, and inspire action. Through practical frameworks, real-world examples, and creative exercises, you’ll learn to think like a storyteller and apply these skills to any context—business, marketing, personal branding, or leadership.

Why you should join:

You’re constantly competing for attention in a crowded marketplace, but your ideas aren’t resonating the way they should. Maybe your messaging feels scattered, or your audience isn’t connecting emotionally with your brand. As an entrepreneur, you know your vision is powerful, but you struggle to articulate it in a way that captivates and inspires. You need actionable insights on how to craft stories that stick, build trust, and make your ideas unforgettable. Thinking in Stories offers you the clarity and frameworks to bridge this gap.

How it will help your business growth:

This course teaches you how to transform your ideas into compelling narratives that connect deeply with your audience. By learning proven storytelling and world-building techniques, you’ll create a consistent and powerful message that differentiates your brand, inspires action, and builds your own IP. Whether it’s marketing campaigns, investor pitches, or team leadership, storytelling will become your competitive advantage—helping you attract loyal customers, secure buy-in, and scale your business.

Where to learn more:

Why I took it:

Statistics don’t move people—stories do. I’m constantly trying to become a better storyteller because I want to effect change. But I’m blunt (a double-edged sword) and frequently jump to the chase before getting buy-in from people. People don’t want to be spoon-fed answers (even if they think they do).

One huge insight I picked up from this course was what Lawrence calls “Problem Framing.” Basically, it’s the idea that you need to spend more time focusing on the problem. Then, once your audience understand why the problem is worth solving, they’ll care about your insight or solution. This insight changed how I approach writing since I learned it a few years ago when I took the course, and there are tons of other incredible lessons and concepts from the course that will help you become a more effective storyteller, thought leader, and creator.

Also, Lawrence is legitimately one of my favorite modern writers—so the opportunity to learn how someone with his level of craft approaches writing was a no-brainer for me.

•••

Write Useful Books Academy

Category:

Nonfiction book writing

What it is:

The Useful Books Academy is a step-by-step program designed to help you write, publish, and market a nonfiction book that readers truly love. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or expert in your field, this course provides the tools, guidance, and community you need to turn your ideas into a high-quality, impactful book that stands out in the marketplace.

Why you should join:

You have valuable knowledge and insights to share, but the process of writing a book feels overwhelming. Maybe you’re unsure how to structure your ideas, make the content engaging, or market your book effectively. The Useful Books Academy is for people like you who want a proven framework to simplify the writing process and create a book that not only gets published but also makes a lasting impact. You’ll gain clarity, confidence, and the support of a community that shares your goals.

How it will help your business growth:

A well-written book can establish you as a thought leader, build your credibility, and open doors to new opportunities. The Useful Books Academy teaches you how to create a book that readers find genuinely useful and valuable, ensuring it enhances your reputation and aligns with your brand. By turning your expertise into a book that people rave about, you’ll attract new clients, grow your audience, and position yourself as a trusted authority in your industry.

Where to learn more:

Use code CW10 to save 10%

Why I took it:

After about a dozen people recommended I read Write Useful Books, I picked it up and immediate loved how value-packed it was with zero fluff. Every chapter, every word, is relevant. So when I learned Rob Fitzpatrick (the author) created a full course and community that expands on the core concepts from the book, I signed up on the spot.

Not only do you get in-depth step-by-step processes to write a book that quickly becomes a perennial seller and positions you as a thought-leader in your space, you also get access to a community of fellow writers and an innovate piece of software that makes getting feedback and edits ten times easier and effective. I just renewed my membership in the course because it’s so good.

•••

Bonus: Build Your Own Apps

Category:

Build software and apps with AI

What it is:

Build Your Own Apps is a self-paced course that teaches you how to use AI to create software tailored to your needs, even if you’re starting from scratch. From simple web tools to fully functional web and mobile apps, you’ll learn by building projects that replace software you’re already using—all with the help of AI doing the heavy lifting and teaching you coding concepts along the way.

Why you should join:

You’ve got big ideas for software but feel stuck because you don’t know how to code or think development is out of reach. Maybe you’re paying for tools that don’t quite fit your needs or wasting time on inefficient workflows. This course is perfect for ambitious entrepreneurs and creators who want to unlock the power of AI to build customized solutions, even if you’ve never written a line of code. You’ll learn practical skills while creating tools you’ll actually use.

How it will help your business growth:

Being able to build your own software gives you a competitive edge. This course equips you with the knowledge and confidence to create apps that streamline your business operations, enhance your productivity, and save costs on third-party tools. With AI as your co-creator, you’ll gain a framework to turn any software idea into reality, scale your processes, and design solutions that fit your unique needs—empowering you to innovate and grow your business faster.

Where to learn more:

Why I took it:

Growing up, I had zero interest in coding or software development because I didn’t understand it. Then I spent 16+ years studying psychology to help people reach their potential—not learning how to build apps or software. But a few years ago, I realized how much impact I was leaving on the table by not knowing how to leverage apps and software.

  • When I wanted a cover image made for an article a few years ago, a company quoted me over a thousand dollars for it. With AI, I can do it for free.
  • When I wanted a simple life expectancy calculator for an article, I couldn’t find one. With AI, I can spin up my own exactly how I want it.
  • When I wanted to repurpose my long-form content for social media, it took hours of editing and formatting. With AI, I can set up a workflow that does it in seconds.

Learning how to code with AI is about reducing the friction of creating—not so I can find shortcuts to the creative process, but so I can spend more time actually creating and not all the little things involved in the creative process that aren’t actually creating.

Plus, not everything I want to create can come in the form of an article, video, or course. Sometimes, the things I want to create—that can legitimately change lives—is an app or piece of software. And the longer I go without knowing how to code (or hiring a full team), the longer I go without being able to serve my audience.

Through learning how to code with AI, I can finally get these ideas out of my head and into the world.

•••

Final Thoughts

Each of these courses has legitimately changed the trajectory of my business, and I can’t speak highly enough about them.

So if you check them out, let me know what you think and how they help you on your journey.

And one more thing…

What courses would you add to this list?

I’m always on the lookout for valuable courses to take and recommend, so let me know about ones you’ve loved that aren’t on this list.


Unlock the Free Masterclass

The Psychology of Success Masterclass

Access proven strategies that have helped entrepreneurs all over the world succeed in life and business.

As a bonus, you'll also get the Creator Alchemy newsletter, where you'll get deep dives into the psychology of success delivered straight to your inbox each week.