Image by This_is_Engineering from Pixabay
(Thanks to Arlan Hamilton’s “Your First $5K” Community)
Full disclosure: I’m an affiliate, which means I earn a small commission if you join through my link. But honestly? I’d recommend this community whether I was an affiliate or not. It’s changed my life.
Spoiler alert: It wasn’t another “passive income” scam or complicated funnel system
My 2 AM YouTube Rabbit Hole That Changed Everything
Picture this: It’s 2 AM, I’m in my pajamas with a cup of cold coffee, desperately scrolling through YouTube videos titled “Make Money Online Fast!” Sound familiar?
As a woman in my 50s, I felt like I was watching a foreign language. Everyone seemed to be 25, already had massive followings, or was selling courses that cost more than my monthly grocery budget.
Then I stumbled across Arlan Hamilton’s video. No flashy graphics. No Ferrari in the background. Just a woman sitting at her desk, talking sense about making your first $5K online. Something about her energy felt… real.
That night changed everything.
Who is Arlan Hamilton? (And Why Should You Care?)
If you haven’t heard of Arlan Hamilton, let me introduce you to your new favorite entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Backstage Capital, author of “It’s About Damn Time” and “Your First Million,” and honestly? She’s probably the most down-to-earth business mentor you’ll find online.
Arlan doesn’t promise you’ll make six figures in 30 days. Instead, she focuses on something much more valuable: helping you make your first real dollar online. Because here’s the thing – once you make that first $100, everything changes.
What Exactly is “Your First $5K” Skool Community?
Let me be crystal clear about what this isn’t: It’s not another overpriced course promising unrealistic results.
“Your First $5K” is Arlan’s online community (hosted on Skool platform) where real people learn to turn their existing skills into income. We’re talking:
- Stay-at-home moms selling organizational consulting
- Retirees offering life coaching sessions
- Career changers monetizing their decades of experience
- Women over 50 (like me!) finally making money from their expertise
The best part? You don’t need:
- A fancy website
- Thousands of social media followers
- Technical skills
- A business degree
You just need to know how to help one person solve one problem.
My First Week Inside: From Skeptical to Selling
I’ll be honest – I joined with serious skepticism. I’ve been burned by “make money online” promises before. But within my first week, I had:
✅ Day 1: Set up my Google Form and PayPal using Arlan’s exact template
✅ Day 3: Posted my first service offer (creating Pinterest Pins for small businesses)
✅ Day 7: Made my first $100 sale to a small business
That $100 wasn’t just money – it was proof that I had value to offer. It was permission to charge for my expertise. It was the confidence boost I didn’t know I desperately needed.
What You Actually Get Inside the Community
Here’s what your monthly membership includes:
Live Training Sessions
- Weekly calls with Arlan and her team
- Hot seat coaching for real member questions
- Behind-the-scenes of successful member launches
Done-for-You Templates
- Google Form setup for instant payments
- Calendly booking page scripts
- Social media post templates
- Email sequences for client follow-up
Private Community Access
- 2,000+ supportive members sharing wins and challenges
- Daily motivation and accountability
- Feedback on your offers before you launch
Resource Library
- Step-by-step guides for pricing your services
- Testimonial collection strategies
- Upselling and repeat client systems
Why This Works Better Than Other “Make Money Online” Programs
1. It’s Ridiculously Simple
No complicated tech. No overwhelming strategies. Just: Create offer → Set up payment → Get clients → Deliver value → Repeat.
2. It’s Built for Beginners
Arlan assumes you know nothing about online business. She starts from absolute zero and walks you through every single step.
3. It’s Focused on Fast Wins
Instead of building for months before earning, you can make your first sale within days of joining.
4. It’s Affordable
At under $9/month pr $50/annual (at the time of writing), it costs less than most people spend on coffee! It is super value for money! Compare that to $2,000+ courses that teach the same concepts.
What Makes Arlan Different from Other Online Mentors
Arlan Hamilton isn’t your typical “entrepreneur guru.” She’s a Black woman who built her venture capital firm from nothing. She understands what it’s like to feel like an outsider in business.
Her approach is refreshingly honest:
- “You don’t need to be perfect to be profitable”
- “Your first dollar is more important than your first million”
- “Stop planning and start selling”
She doesn’t sugarcoat the work required, but she makes it feel achievable.
The Investment (And Why It’s Worth Every Penny)
Monthly: $9/month
Annual: $50/year
Let me put this in perspective: That’s less than most people spend on streaming services. And unlike Netflix, this investment can actually pay you back – potentially within your first week.
I made my membership fee back 2x over with my first client. Now, six weeks later, I’ve generated so much more using strategies I learned inside the community.
Is “Your First $5K” Right for You?
This community is perfect if you:
- Have life experience or professional skills people would pay for
- Want to start earning online income without complicated tech
- Are tired of “get rich quick” schemes and want something real
- Need step-by-step guidance and community support
- Can commit to taking action (not just consuming content)
This probably isn’t for you if:
- You’re looking for completely passive income
- You want to make thousands without helping anyone
- You’re not willing to put yourself out there
- You expect overnight success without effort
My Honest Review After 6 Weeks
The Good:
- Simple, actionable strategies that actually work
- Supportive community without toxic positivity
- Arlan’s authentic teaching style
- Templates and resources save hours of work
- Real results in the first week
The Not-So-Good:
- You still have to do the work (shocking, I know)
- Success requires stepping out of your comfort zone
- Monthly fee (though incredibly reasonable)
My Rating: 9.5/10
Ready to Make Your First $5K Online?
If you’re tired of wondering “what if” and ready to start earning from your expertise, I can’t recommend “Your First $5K” enough.
Click here to join Arlan Hamilton’s “Your First $5K” community →
Full disclosure: I’m an affiliate, which means I earn a small commission if you join through my link. But honestly? I’d recommend this community whether I was an affiliate or not. It’s changed my life.
Start Today, Thank Yourself Tomorrow
Six weeks ago, I was a woman in her 50s with decades of experience but very little online income. Today, I’m running a profitable social media content service using nothing but Google Forms, Canva, and the strategies I learned from Arlan.
You’re not too late. You’re not too old. You’re not too inexperienced. You’re right on time. Like Arlan says, “It’s about damn time.”
What are you waiting for?
Have questions about “Your First $5K”? Drop me a comment below or send me a DM. I love talking to other women who are ready to monetize their expertise!
