A Comprehensive Look at BBD from Kate Northrup & Mike Watts

If you’re ready to grow your business without sacrificing your well-being, listen up. After scaling from zero to multiple seven figures, Mike and I have learned that the secret isn’t working harder—it’s working smarter (and more aligned). James Wedmore’s Business By Design gave us the exact framework we needed to streamline everything while actually enjoying the process. And now we’re sharing why this program has been such a game-changer for us.

In this post, we’ll pull back the curtain on how we’ve implemented BBD strategies in our own multi seven-figure business – including real insights from our behind-the-scenes implementation. If you’re wondering whether BBD is worth the investment, or how it might apply to your specific business, this honest review is for you.

What is Business by Design (BBD)? 

James Wedmore’s Business By Design is a comprehensive business training program designed for course creators, online experts, and other digital entrepreneurs who want to scale their online businesses efficiently and effectively. BBD provides a clear framework covering everything from team management and systems to marketing and sales strategies.

What sets BBD apart from other business programs is its holistic approach. Rather than focusing on just one aspect of business growth (like marketing or sales), BBD addresses every component needed for sustainable success:

• Business strategy and planning
• Team building and management
• Marketing and lead generation
• Sales optimization
• Systems and operations
• Product development and launches
• Mindset and productivityWhether you’re a solopreneur just starting out or an established entrepreneur looking to scale, BBD offers actionable strategies that work across different business models and niches.

Building a High-Performance Team

Before BBD, our team structure was somewhat haphazard. We relied heavily on agencies and contractors without a clear system for hiring or managing team members. Using BBD’s “Team By Design” module, we:

• Created clear job descriptions and role definitions for every position
• Developed a standardized hiring process that attracts top talent
• Implemented regular team check-ins and performance reviews
• Transitioned from an agency-dependent model to a skilled in-house team

The result? Our team communication improved dramatically, projects got completed faster, and we reduced our management stress significantly. Plus, it’s saved us a lot of money on our previously contractor-heavy, bloated overhead. Team members now understand exactly what’s expected of them and have clear paths for growth within our company.

Messaging That Actually Converts

BBD’s “Marketing By Design” module transformed how we communicate with our audience. We learned to:

• Address customer objections proactively in our content
• Align our messaging with customer desires rather than just features
• Create compelling hooks that capture attention immediately
• Develop content sequences that naturally lead to sales

After implementing these strategies, our email open rates increased by 43%, and our sales page conversion improved by 27% during our last launch.

Launch Optimization That Drives Results

Our two most recent launch of Relaxed Money broke all previous records, and we credit BBD’s launch framework for much of that success. We implemented:

• BBD’s live workshop structure, which improved show-up and stay rates
• The sales page framework that clearly communicated value
• Email sequences that built anticipation and addressed objections
• Strategic bonus structures that incentivized immediate action
• The result? Over 800 new enrollments in our program—our largest cohort ever—with a higher average customer value than previous launches.

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Marketing

One area where we’ve expanded on BBD’s framework is in the integration of AI tools. Using the messaging principles from BBD, we’ve:

• Created AI prompts based on BBD’s customer avatar framework
• Developed content outlines using BBD’s content strategy
• Generated first drafts of emails and social posts that follow BBD principles
• Enhanced our copywriting with AI tools guided by BBD’s messaging structure

This approach has saved us countless hours while maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of BBD strategies.

Metrics-Driven Performance

Perhaps one of the most important shifts BBD helped us make was toward becoming a more data-driven organization. We now:

• Track key performance indicators for each department
• Use BBD’s scorecard approach to measure progress
• Make strategic decisions based on metrics rather than feelings
• Hold regular data review sessions with our team

This focus on metrics has allowed us to identify opportunities for improvement quickly and celebrate wins more objectively.

 

Why BBD is Perfect for Online Business Owners

Having worked with numerous business coaches and programs over the years, here’s why we believe BBD stands out:

1. A Proven Framework That Actually Works
BBD isn’t based on theory—it’s built on James Wedmore’s own journey from struggling entrepreneur to eight-figure business owner. The strategies aren’t just concepts; they’re time-tested approaches that have worked for thousands of entrepreneurs across diverse industries.

2. Comprehensive Training Without Overwhelm
Unlike programs that only address one aspect of business growth, BBD covers everything you need to know in a structured, step-by-step format. The modules build on each other logically, preventing the overwhelm that comes from piecing together strategies from multiple sources.

3. Implementation Focus
BBD emphasizes implementation over information. Each module includes specific action steps, templates, and worksheets that help you apply what you’re learning immediately. This implementation focus is what allows BBD students to see results quickly.

4. Mindset Integration
What truly sets BBD apart is how James integrates mindset work with practical strategy. He understands that the biggest barriers to business success are often internal, and BBD addresses these mindset blocks alongside tactical advice.

5. Community Support
The BBD community has been invaluable to our growth. Being able to connect with other entrepreneurs, share challenges, and celebrate wins creates accountability and inspiration that accelerates progress.

6. Ongoing Updates and Support
Unlike programs that become outdated quickly, BBD is regularly updated to reflect changes in the digital marketing landscape. James and his team continue to refine and improve the program based on what’s working now.

Our Favorite BBD Tools and Templates

Some of the most valuable resources we’ve gained from BBD are the plug-and-play templates and frameworks. Here are a few standouts:

The Content Clarity Formula: This has transformed how we plan and create content, ensuring everything we publish serves a strategic purpose.
The Offer Blueprint: This template helped us structure our offers for maximum conversion and customer satisfaction.
The Launch Framework: This comprehensive checklist ensures we never miss a critical step in our launch process.
Team Communication Systems: These templates have streamlined our internal communications and improved team productivity.

Each of these tools saved us countless hours of trial and error and provided immediate structure to areas of our business that needed improvement.

Is BBD Right for You?

While we’ve had tremendous success with BBD, it’s important to consider whether it’s the right fit for your specific situation. BBD is likely a good fit if:

• You have an established online business but feel stuck at your current level
• You’re overwhelmed by wearing too many hats and need systems to scale
• You want to build a team but aren’t sure how to structure or manage one effectively
• Your marketing feels scattered or isn’t generating consistent results
• You’ve hit a revenue plateau and need strategies to break through
• You’re launching products or services but not seeing the results you want

However, BBD might not be ideal if:

• You’re looking for quick fixes rather than building sustainable systems
• You’re not ready to implement what you learn (the program requires action)
• You’re not willing to be coachable and try a new method

Our Results: Before and After BBD

To give you a concrete idea of the impact BBD has had on our business, here are some key metrics comparing our business before and after implementing BBD:

Before BBD:
Average launch revenue: $275,000
Email list growth: 1,000 new subscribers per month
Team size: 5 team members with unclear roles
Content creation: Inconsistent and reactive
Customer retention: 65% year-over-year

After BBD (2 years of implementation):
Average launch revenue: $600,000+ (118% increase)
Email list growth: 3,500+ new subscribers per month
Team size: 8 team members with clear roles and responsibilities
Content creation: Strategic and consistent
Customer retention: 87% year-over-year

These numbers reflect the cumulative impact of implementing BBD strategies across all areas of our business. While individual results will vary, the framework provides clear pathways to improvement regardless of your starting point.\

Ready to Transform Your Business with BBD?

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level with a proven framework that addresses every aspect of online business success, we highly recommend joining James Wedmore’s Business By Design.

You can access the program through our link: katenorthrup.com/bbd

If you join through our link, you’ll not only get access to the comprehensive BBD program but also receive our exclusive bonus: a live, in-person Mastermind event, our playbook for creating what our partners call “The Best Affiliate Program in the Industry”, a Visibility Workshop where I’ll share my best strategies for growing my platform over the past 15 years, and my tried and true strategies for getting featured in the media and creating a bestselling book.

Conclusion: Why We Continue to Recommend BBD

After two years of implementing BBD strategies, we continue to refer to the program regularly and recommend it to fellow entrepreneurs. The framework has become the foundation of how we operate our business, and we regularly revisit modules as we face new challenges or opportunities.

What makes BBD particularly valuable is its adaptability. As our business has evolved, we’ve been able to apply the same principles in new ways, ensuring we never outgrow the program’s usefulness.

Have you tried Business By Design, or do you have questions about how it might apply to your specific business? Drop a comment below, and we’d be happy to share more insights from our experience.