In 2008, I paid my own money for a membership to the Internet Business Mastery Academy. At the time, there was no affiliate program, so I had nothing to gain from writing a review except sharing something I genuinely found valuable. That honesty is worth preserving, even though the Academy itself has evolved significantly since then.
Internet Business Mastery, hosted by Jay and Sterling, was one of the most influential internet marketing podcasts of its era. At its peak, the IBM podcast had around 15,000 subscribers and held the number one spot for internet marketing podcasts on iTunes for years. These guys were the real deal. Both had left traditional jobs to build internet businesses, and they taught from genuine experience.
What Made Internet Business Mastery Different
What set Jay and Sterling apart from most internet marketing voices was their focus on lifestyle design rather than just making money. Their tagline was “Escape the 9 to 5,” and their teaching centered on using internet business as a tool to build the life you actually want.
This was a revolutionary idea in 2008. Most internet marketing content focused on tactics: how to build niche sites, how to do SEO, how to run AdSense. Internet Business Mastery started with a different question: what kind of life do you want to live, and how can an internet business help you get there?
The Academy membership included three core elements:
- Structured courses that walked members through lifestyle design, market research, and building an internet business from scratch. The courses started with your vision and goals before getting into tactics.
- A community forum with a diverse mix of people: brick-and-mortar business owners, people with day jobs, experienced marketers, and complete beginners. Jay and Sterling set a supportive, collaborative tone.
- Direct access to the hosts who were active in the forums and responsive to member questions.
The Lasting Impact
Internet Business Mastery had a profound influence on my own approach to building an online business. Their emphasis on lifestyle design over pure income goals shaped how I thought about the Late Night Internet Marketing podcast, which I launched a year later in 2009.
The idea that a part-time internet business could be designed to support the life you actually want, rather than becoming another demanding job, became a core part of my own teaching. I did not want to escape my day job. I loved my career. But I wanted a side business that generated meaningful income on my own terms. Internet Business Mastery validated that approach.
What This Means for You in 2026
The internet business landscape has changed dramatically since 2008. The specific tactics taught in the Academy are outdated. But the foundational principles remain rock solid:
Start with your desired lifestyle, not a business model. Before you choose a niche, build a website, or record a podcast, get clear on what you actually want your life to look like. Your business should serve your life, not consume it.
Learn from people who have done what you want to do. Jay and Sterling taught from experience, not theory. In 2026, there are more voices than ever in the online business space. Look for teachers who have real results and who share both their successes and their failures.
Community accelerates progress. The IBM forum was valuable because members learned from each other, not just from the hosts. Find a mastermind group, a membership community, or even a few like-minded peers who will hold you accountable and share what they are learning.
Take action before you feel ready. The Academy emphasized implementation over endless learning. That principle has only become more important as the amount of available information has exploded. Consuming content feels productive, but only action creates results.
Whether you are just starting your online business journey or looking to refocus an existing business, these principles will serve you well. Start with your vision. Learn from experienced practitioners. Build your community. And most importantly, take action.
Hey Mark,
Thanks so much for putting up a review of the Academy! We are having so much fun teaching people how to REAL design and run an online business as well as taking part in the Mastermind Community. You are a HUGE part of the Mastermind forums, thanks for that too, BTW, and just know that we will have an affiliate program set up by the fall when we do our BIG launch!
I have also been using Internet Business Mastery Academy since its start. So far, I think its a great service – they have a lot of great course content that you can use to get started on an internet business very quickly. Simply from listening to the podcasts I have motivated myself to the point where I have just started to earn money on my first company. Three months ago I had never even thought of owning my own business.
Here are some things you will get from the the IBM Academy:
-Your mindset about work, money and lifestyle will be challenged. This is a good thing.
-All the information you need to actually get started in business will be right there in front of you. You just need to read or listen to it and then act on it.
-The forums (mastermind group) have people at all levels who can help you out.
Another member popping in to say IBMA is great. I’ve already learned so much and even found another local entrepreneur to connect with. The forums alone would be worth what I’m paying.
I am also a member and totally agree with Mark’s review of the new IBM membership site. If you have ever listen to the IBM podcast you think how can they offer this great information for free. The Internet Business Mastery Acadmey offers even more great information. It is well worth the investment. I joined the first day and learned something new everyday.
Thanks Mark for writing this review about Internet Business Mastery Academy it was a great tribute to a outstanding website. I have also been a member since day 1 and have been devouring the content with great joy. I would encourage anyone new to Internet Business Mastery to listen to the Sterling and Jay’s podcast to get a “feel” for yourself. I have been listening to them for over a year and they definitely gained my trust during that time.
Thanks for this one Mark, I hadn’t even heard of this place before now…I will be looking into it.
This must be good because this is a bold statement:
… I remember back a few months ago when someone else made a statement like this. 🙂
Just joking… we spoke already about this… looks pretty cool to me.
Courses like the stuff in the academy can cost thousands. (Understatement!)
Best wishes,
Jay and Sterling are good guys with great information. I know them both personally and they take great pains to produce course materials that are chock full of the most useful, helpful information about creating an Internet business.
Andrew
Wow, Andrew. Thanks for dropping by. Sterling talks about you all the time, so it is cool to have you drop a comment.
You really hit the nail in the head. They are “good guys” in an age where everyone seems to be all about themselves. S&J get excited about helping other people. Go figure!
Love your videos, BTW.
Thanks again,
Mark
You want to make certain that you develop a meaningful and realistic budget for your quick Internet and online business. In the end, the success of an online business.
Hi Mark,
I’m not sure which email I am supposed to be using to get support? I emailed you twice last week but maybe that is the wrong email address.
I just bought your verson 1 themes thank you, but I see from Caroline Middlebrooks blog that you have a version 2 which changers header images. Can you please give me any info on this. I have paid for the themes but I cannot find any support or help menu on how to change anything. Please I hope you can help as I am about to give up .
Regards
Sofia
WOW Mark – Great review ! And as you promised….. a great sales letter too. I can easily tell that it’s truly one of those things I can’t afford NOT to do – but recently unemployed with over $1500 /mo. in financial obligations (also just signed up with Josh) and $0.00 income at the moment – I just don’t see a way to ethically make that monthly commitment. So I guess I will have to wait.
Jeff in Oregon
PS – Anyone wanna buy my Harley, my 07 Mazda3, or my Yamaha 600 Grizzly ?
Bummer on the job. I am really sorry to hear that. Best of luck — you can definitely make money online without buying expensive tools. I think you are making solid decisions.
Mark, I have to say I was really thrilled today as I was listening to some older episodes of IBM and heard a fantastic interview with you!! IBM episode 70. I was great to hear more about how you got started.
I recently found this podcast and surprised to hear you on it! Really its no surprise but it was great to hear. Congrats! And thanks for the recommendation. I love the IBM podcasts!!!
Mark, I had never heard of the Internet Business Mastery Academy membership site but I am going to check it out. There are to many positive comments here for it not to be a good place to learn. Your review was very good. thanks for the review
Hi Mark! Thanks for writing this review from mastering academic work the Internet business was a great tribute to a web site on hold. I have also been a member since day and would devour the contents with great joy. I would encourage anyone new to Internet Business Mastery to listen to the pound sterling and Jay podcast to get the “feel” for yourself. I’ve been listening to them for more than a year and it certainly has gained my confidence during that period.