Matt Raad, alongside his wife Liz, is a pioneer in turning digital assets—especially websites—into high-cash-flow, low-risk, location-independent businesses. With 30 years of buy-and-renovate experience in both bricks-and-mortar and online businesses, Matt now teaches beginners and pros how to build income and freedom by acquiring and improving profitable websites, even without tech expertise. At the eBusiness Institute, they’ve helped thousands transition from 9-to-5 or career burnout into “digital real estate” investing.
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Matt walks through his unconventional path: from university zoology to owning a manufacturing business, then pivoting to online businesses after enduring years of low cash flow and inventory headaches.
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He explains why pure online businesses (vs. brick and mortar or physical inventory) offer better margins, less risk, and true freedom—recounting how buying underperforming websites allowed instant access to global markets from a laptop in rural Australia.
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The “buy and renovate” strategy: how to spot, assess, and grow small cash-flowing websites into greater income using real estate-inspired due diligence and systems honed from physical business deals.
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Why new investors should skip e-commerce/physical products; instead, start with small, content/affiliate/ad-based sites bought for under $1,000, and practice due diligence on cash flow, traffic, and simple site renovation.
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The key skills for beginners: building a basic website (WordPress), understanding monetization (ads, affiliates, lead gen), and learning how to investigate financial claims and traffic data before buying—a process Matt’s team teaches in free masterclasses.
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Real-world case studies: from a $400 niche gardening blog turned into $4,000/month, to a portfolio approach that delivers $5K–$10K semi-passive income with less risk and capital than almost any offline business.
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The lowest-risk, most scalable entry point for career changers, families, or side hustlers who want cash flow without the “big bet” on inventory, rent, or employees.
1. Buying and renovating digital real estate (websites) is a proven shortcut to flexible, location-free income—and is accessible to complete beginners who learn the right skills and start small.
2. The number one mistake to avoid: underestimating the complexity, risk, and cash drain of inventory-heavy or brick-and-mortar businesses; digital offers higher margins and exponential leverage for less initial investment.
3. Success in online business is replicable—just focus on practical skills (website building, due diligence, simple renovations) and leverage mentors or proven processes, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.
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“Websites are the ultimate low-risk side hustle: low startup costs, instant global reach, and no stock or shipping nightmares.”
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“If you want out of the 9-to-5, start with a small content site (ads/affiliate/lead gen), practice due diligence, and learn by doing—there’s no better ROI for beginners.”
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“Think of websites as digital property—buy below value, renovate for cash flow, and watch the compounding effects add up.”
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