Stephen Akintayo’s $18K Mentorship: Business Lessons Learned

Recently, a story trended online about a motivational mentor, Stephen Akintayo, who faced backlash after charging $18,000 for a mentorship programme. Many critics argued that the price was outrageous and questioned the value offered for such a high fee. While the debate continues, this article by ICC will not criticise or commend what has happened. Instead, we will identify important lessons every business owner can learn from this situation.

Summary of the Story

Stephen Akintayo, a well-known entrepreneur, found himself at the centre of controversy when details of his $18,000 mentorship programme went viral. While some people criticised the high price, arguing that the value attached to the offer did not match the cost. Others felt the pricing was strategic, suggesting that such a move could either position his brand strongly in the market or alienate certain audience. Regardless of public opinion, He still stood his grand, maintaining that the mentorship programme was priced according to the value he believed it offered.

Key Lessons to Learn as a Business Owner

1. Brand Is Perception

Your brand is not just about your product or service, it is more about how you see yourself and how you present your business to the world. Stephen Akintayo’s handling of the situation shows that confidence in your brand identity matters.

Regardless of what people are saying, he defined what his brand stood for without being swayed by public opinion.

This tells you that as a business owner, how you perceive and position your brand will determine how resilient you are against external criticism. Therefore, you have to build a brand based on a clear internal vision, not just external validation.

2. Strategic Marketing Is Essential

Effective business owners understand the importance of strategic marketing. Whether he did that intentional or not, the controversy generated massive attention around Akintayo’s brand. At this point, you need to understand that in business, there are no fixed rules. Sometimes disruption is necessary to achieve a certain result. Bold moves, even controversial ones, can create lasting impressions for your brand. Essentially, the key is to ensure that the attention leads back to solid value delivery.

Business owners must be willing to think creatively and strategically when positioning their brands in the market.

3. Value Is Not Always Measured by Money

Not all forms of value are tied directly to money. While Mr. Akintayo put a high price tag on his mentorship, it’s worth noting that similar knowledge might be available elsewhere for free or at a lower cost. However, pricing can also reflect the perceived worth, exclusivity, or the personal branding attached to the service.

If you want to leave a lasting impression on the mind of your audience, you as a business owner must understand that money is just one of the ways customers measure value. Emotional connection, convenience, and experience are other important factors.

4. Everybody Is Not Your Target Audience

One of the biggest business lessons here is understanding that not everyone is meant to be your customer. Trying to appeal to everyone signals a weakness to your brand and forces you to lower your standards or prices unnecessarily.

It’s likely that Stephen Akintayo priced his mentorship programme with a specific target audience in mind, those who value premium mentorship and are willing to pay for it. Moreover, most of his target audience are US based.

This suggest that proper audience research, including demographics and psychographics, is crucial. When you know your audience deeply, you can confidently set the right price without fear of backlash.

What Business Owners Should Do

1. Be Realistic About Pricing and Value

Set prices that reflect the true value you offer while considering the expectations and purchasing power of your ideal customers. Make sure the value you provide justifies the cost.

2. Conduct Thorough Audience Research

Know exactly who your business is targeting. Understand their needs, desires, spending habits, and preferences. A strong audience insight will help you communicate your offers clearly and price them appropriately.

3. Define Your Brand Clearly

Stand firm in how you perceive and project your brand in the marketplace. It’s not about what people call your brand; it is more about what you call it. Confidence in your brand identity helps you weather criticism and stay focused on your mission.

In business, perception is key. How you see yourself, your brand, and your offer will directly influence how others see you. You must be bold enough to define your value, target the right audience, and market strategically without being distracted by public opinion. After all, business growth favours the bold and the strategic.