Want to know more about the Gold City Ventures E-Printables Side Hustle Course? I’ve made nearly $500,000 selling printables on Etsy, and I’ve tested a LOT of courses. Here’s my honest Gold City Ventures review and whether it’s actually worth your money. Check out my review to see if it’s right for you.
This post may contain affiliate links that allow this blog to earn money without a cost to you. Many thanks if you use them. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Gold City Ventures Course Review: The Honest Truth
I signed up for the Gold City Ventures course after being a long-time listener of one of the GCV owners’ podcasts. I was also excited about the idea of having something that I could work on once and then continue to make money passively. This was especially important to me as a new mom.
I didn’t take my purchasing decision lightly.
The investment felt substantial, so I did plenty of research and even emailed Julie (one of the owners) to get my questions about the course answered.
You might be in a similar situation right now.
I hope this review will answer many of your questions.
Getting Started with The Course
After purchasing this course, I watched the modules and created and posted a few products on Etsy. My initial products weren’t researched at all; I just created budgeting templates because I like personal finance and thought they would be helpful for people.
Then, I sat back and waited for the money to roll in while I worked on other projects like this blog and enjoyed being a new mom.
My first month, I made $57.
After a few months, I realized my other side hustle projects (like this blog) weren’t very profitable.
I reviewed all the side hustle projects I had started and noticed that, even though I had ignored my Etsy shop, it consistently brought in small amounts of money every month.
For example, in my second month, I made $149, and in my third month, I made $63, but I had completely ignored my Etsy store.
I was very intrigued by that data and realization.
So, I decided to double down and get serious about my Etsy shop.
Taking The Course Seriously
Once I started taking the course seriously, real money started showing up, but it did take time.
I decided to put my head down and really focus on the course.
I rewatched the content, actively participated in the Facebook group, wasn’t afraid to ask hard questions, and devoured the bonus content (which is a goldmine, TBH).
Within about a month of getting really serious, researching profitable niches, and investing time in creating and posting more products, I finally found a digital product that was in high demand by doing research on erank.com (one of the tips recommended and taught in the GCV course).
I went from making $42 the month before to making $690 during the month I found my first in-demand digital product.
I’d say this is when I “figured Etsy out”.
So, I took everything I had learned up to that point and kept applying it.
The next month, I made over $4,500!
Every month, I kept applying what I learned and making more products.
It was like a snowball effect. The time and energy I put up front were paying off, and so was the time and energy I kept putting in. The sales kept compounding.
In December of that year, I made over $14,000.
Once I gained momentum, I ended up making over six figures in less than 9 months!
At that point, I decided this “cute little side hustle” would allow me to quit my full-time job.
Crazy! Right?
If you had told me what my life would look like now when I first started, I would have laughed in your face.
Would I recommend this course?
Absofuckinglutely!
It changed my life.
Where else can you invest around $300 and get a 323X++ return?
If you’re looking for something you can set up and forget about, I’ve found this to be a great option.
Also, if you want something more active that lets you quit your full-time job, that is possible too.
The more you do with it, the more money you can make.
It’s a versatile side hustle option.
Quick Verdict:
- ⭐ Best for: Beginners who want passive income
- ❌ Not for: People who won’t take action
- 💰 Cost: $197–$247
- 👉 My take: Worth it if you’re serious
If you’re serious about building a real passive income stream, and not just dabbling, this is one of the fastest ways to get started. But only if you actually take action.
BTW: If, after reading this review, you decide to sign up for this course and want a little leg up, keep in mind that I’ll give you my e-book, Getting the Edge: Growth Hacks from a 6-figure Etsy Store, if you use my affiliate link to sign up. In the e-book, you’ll learn from my mistakes, and I’ll share the secret lessons that helped take my shop to the next level.
Still not sure, not a problem, you can continue reading for more info on the course. Use the links below to jump around this post, or keep scrolling to learn the good, bad, and ugly:
- A Look Inside the Gold City Ventures Course
- Who is the Gold City Ventures Course For
- Who The Gold City Ventures Course is Not For
- Best Parts of the Gold City Ventures Course
- Areas for Improvement
- How to Complete the Gold City Ventures Course
- Finding Time to Complete the Course
- Most Important Lesson I Learned About Etsy Shops
- How Much Have I Made from the Gold City Ventures Course
- How Much Does the Gold City Ventures Course Cost
- Side Effects of the Gold City Ventures Course
- How to Purchase the Gold City Ventures Course
- Freebie Alert
A Look Inside the Gold City Ventures Course
Organized by Modules
The course is run through a platform called Teachable. All the modules are organized by area. You can follow the course in the order they have laid out, or you can jump around to the things you need or are interested in. Then, when you click on a module, a new screen appears on the right-hand side.
Finding the Time to Do the Modules
Your own time management is very important. If you have a bunch of side hustles and want to make real income with Etsy, I’d recommend picking this side hustle and course and really focusing on it. That’s what I eventually did, and that’s when things started to shift for me.
PRO TIP ALERT
The most important part of being successful with this course is effectively managing and optimizing your time to both watch the content and then implement what you learn (aka create products and post them on Etsy).
Short Video Content
Most of the time, the modules are short videos followed by some text. I appreciate the short videos because you can digest a little content each day and take action without having to spend hours of free time to get through the E-Printables Side Hustle Course.
You can check a module off as complete once you’ve watched it, and you’ll see the progress bar update. You can also choose not to check off a module as complete. I chose to do this for many modules when I wanted to come back to them at a later time.
Lifetime Access
The great news about the entire course is that you have lifetime access. This is great because some things may not be relevant at the moment, but you’ll want to access them later. I also appreciate that Julie and Cody update the content when things change within Etsy. I continue to use the course, all their amazing live events, and the Facebook group to stay up to date with what’s happening with Etsy.
Who is the Gold City Ventures Course For
Even though I consider myself a self-starter and tech-savvy, this course has been so helpful. If you’re not a self-starter or tech-savvy, this course will walk you through everything you need to know and help keep you accountable for completing the assignments. Even if you like to do things yourself, this course will save you a ton of time because rather than researching a million things to figure it out for yourself, you will have everything laid out in front of you so you can spend time making, marketing, and selling products as opposed to wasting time doing research.
This course is for you if:
- You want a low-cost online business
- You like creative/digital work
- You’re willing to learn and take action
Who the Gold City Ventures Course is Not For
If you don’t want to start an Etsy shop, I wouldn’t recommend purchasing this course. Also, if you aren’t willing to take the time to watch the videos or take action on what you learn, you’d be wasting your money. Finally, if you’re looking for a way to make money super fast and you won’t be happy unless you make thousands of dollars within the first week, I’d say keep looking. This isn’t a get-rich-quick course; it takes time, energy, a growth mindset, and perseverance to make this work.
This is NOT for you if:
- You want fast, easy money
- You don’t follow through
- You’re not willing to be consistent
If you’re curious about selling printables on Etsy but don’t know where to start, check out this ebook, which provides a list of best-selling products by month and teaches you how to capitalize on seasonal trends to boost sales.
Best Parts of the Gold City Ventures Course
Here are some of my favorite parts of the course.
The Content is Amazing
There are so many benefits to this course! First of all, the content is amazing! I spent my first month watching the videos and following along to set up my Etsy shop. It’s not overwhelming (like some courses I’ve taken before), and everything is actionable, so it’s easy to make quick progress.
The Facebook Group & Coaching
Next, I love having access to the Facebook group to ask questions and be held accountable. In the Facebook group, there’s a community of new and newish Etsy shop owners. This makes it easy to network with other people like you. The group helps you stay motivated and be held accountable. You can also ask them questions when you get stuck, which is priceless! In the group, everyone is friendly and helpful, and the people in the group share great tips like how to improve your Pinterest account, what’s working for them, and so on.
Honestly, the Facebook group made a big difference for me. I’m very competitive, so seeing people do well motivated me to keep trying. I would remind myself, “If they can do it, so can I!”
I also learned to turn my envy into gratitude. Rather than wanting what other people have and pushing them away, I am grateful when other people have what I want because I realize they are an amazing resource I can tap for help- all I have to do is ask! The Facebook group is full of amazing people who you can ask for help.
Live Events
Now, they have a ton of amazing live events with some of their amazing Etsy coaches. Not only is this an amazing place to get your questions answered, but if you ever feel lonely from working on your computer all day, it is a great place to hang out with like-minded people.
Guest Experts
In addition to the live sessions, on occasion, they’ll substitute the session with a guest expert, and those are always enlightening. What’s even better is that all of the past recordings are saved, so if you join now, there’s a whole treasure trove of additional content for you to access.
A Great Community
There are also experienced Etsy shop owners like Julie and Cody, and some people they pay to be in the Facebook group to answer questions and offer advice. They are super helpful as well and drop a ton of knowledge bombs! It’s a really supportive and friendly community.
Areas for Improvement
The Facebook group is amazing! However, it’d be even better if 100% of the people actively participated in it. Unfortunately, this is out of Julie and Cody’s control. There are, however, a lot of people who are very active, ask questions, and post tips, and they make the group worth it. If you join the course and the group, please be one of those people.
I will say, a pro tip is to be active in the group and make friends. I’ve become close to many people in the group, and we share best practices with each other offline. I’ve even landed other gigs and side-hustle work because of the relationships I’ve formed in this community. It’s full of some really amazing, supportive, positive, uplifting people.
What Most Reviews WON’T Tell You
Let’s be real for a second…
Most reviews you read about Gold City Ventures (and honestly, most online courses) are written by people who:
- Haven’t actually built a successful Etsy shop
- Haven’t made real money from printables
- Or are just repeating what other reviews say
And yes, I’m an affiliate too. But here’s the difference:
I’ve actually built this type of business and made nearly $500,000 selling printables on Etsy.
So I’m not just reviewing a course… I’m evaluating whether what it teaches actually works in the real world.
Here’s the Truth Most People Skip Over
1. This is NOT passive income at the beginning
A lot of courses throw around the phrase “passive income,” and while that’s the end goal…
In the beginning, it’s very active.
You’ll need to:
- Create products
- Learn keyword research
- Test what sells
- Stay consistent
If you’re expecting to upload one product and make money overnight… this isn’t that.
2. The course won’t make you money—your actions will
No course, this one included, is a magic button.
You can buy the best course in the world and still make $0 if you don’t:
- Follow through
- Stay consistent
- Learn from your results
The people who succeed aren’t the smartest…
They’re the ones who don’t quit after 2 weeks.
3. Etsy is competitive, but that doesn’t mean it’s “too saturated”
You’ll hear people say: “Etsy is too saturated.”
But here’s what they’re not telling you: There are millions of buyers on Etsy every single day.
The issue isn’t saturation, it’s strategy.
If you:
- Pick the right niche
- Use the right keywords
- Create what people are already searching for
There is still a LOT of opportunity.
(I know this because I’ve done it.)
4. You don’t need to be “creative” to succeed
This surprises a lot of people.
You don’t need to be:
- An artist
- A graphic designer
- “Naturally creative”
What you do need is:
- The ability to follow patterns
- Basic design tools (like Canva)
- A willingness to learn what sells
Some of the best-selling products are actually simple, not fancy.
5. Results take longer than you think—but they’re worth it
This is the part most reviews avoid because it’s not sexy:
- You might not make money in your first month.
- It might take a few months to gain traction.
But once things start working, they can snowball.
That’s how you go from:
- A few sales
→ to a consistent income
→ to something that actually feels like real money
My Honest Take
Gold City Ventures teaches a real, proven business model.
But success with it comes down to:
- consistency
- execution
- patience
If you’re willing to stick with it, this can absolutely work.
If you’re looking for something fast and effortless… this probably isn’t it.
How to Complete the Gold City Ventures Course
The biggest question I asked myself before signing up was, “Do I have the time to complete this course and start an Etsy shop?” I thought about how little time I had when I first started the course, since I worked full-time, was in school, and had a kiddo (now two) and a husband. But honestly, that made me realize how much I needed this course. I decided I didn’t have the time to do this without paying someone to help me get it done quickly. I decided the only way to be successful would be to pay for and get the help I needed.
Biggest Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Avoid Them)
One of the biggest reasons people don’t see results with printables, and then blame the course, isn’t the strategy; it’s the execution.
I’ve seen this over and over again.
Beginners often jump in excitedly but make a few key mistakes that slow them down or cause them to quit too early. The first mistake is skipping proper keyword research and creating products based on what they like instead of what people are actually searching for. The fix is simple but critical: start with demand. Use keyword tools, study Etsy search results, and build products around proven searches, not guesses.
Another common mistake is overcomplicating designs. People think their products need to be fancy or super creative, when in reality, simple and functional often sell better. Focus on clean, useful designs that solve a problem.
Consistency is another major issue.
A lot of beginners upload a few listings, don’t see instant results, and assume it doesn’t work.
In reality, this is a volume-and-data game.
You need enough listings to learn what’s working and what’s not. Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for momentum, get products out, then refine as you go.
I also see people treat this like a hobby instead of a business. They work on it when they “feel like it,” rather than committing to a consistent schedule. Even a few focused hours a week can make a huge difference if you stay disciplined.
Lastly, many people quit right before things start to click. There’s a learning curve, and early results are often slow, but that doesn’t mean it’s not working. The people who succeed are the ones who stay in the game long enough to figure it out.
If you can avoid these mistakes and stay consistent, you put yourself in a completely different category than most beginners—and that’s where real results start to happen.
What I’d Do Differently (After Making Nearly $500k)
Looking back on my journey to making nearly $500,000 selling printables on Etsy, there are a few things I would absolutely do differently if I were starting from scratch today, and honestly, these are the things that would have helped me make money faster with way less frustration.
First, I would prioritize keyword research from day one. Early on, I underestimated how important this was and spent too much time creating products without fully validating demand. Now I know that keywords drive everything: traffic, visibility, and ultimately sales. If I were starting today, I would spend more time up front understanding what people are actively searching for and building products around that, instead of guessing and hoping they sell.
Another big shift I’d make is focusing on speed over perfection. I used to overthink designs, tweak endlessly, and delay publishing. But the truth is, you learn more from putting out 20 solid listings than you do from perfecting one. Getting products live gives you real data, and that’s what helps you improve. Progress beats perfection every time in this business.
I’d also be more consistent from the beginning. Not in a hustle-all-day way, but in a focused, intentional way. Even a few hours a week, done consistently, compounds fast. When you treat this like a real business instead of something you “get to when you can,” your results start to reflect that.
And finally, I would have trusted the process sooner. There were moments early on when I questioned if it would actually work, especially when sales were slow. But once things click, they really do build on each other. Listings start gaining traction, sales become more consistent, and momentum takes over. If I had stayed more confident and patient in the beginning, I would have saved myself a lot of doubt.
If you take anything from this, let it be this: you don’t need to do everything perfectly, you just need to start smart, stay consistent, and give it enough time to work.
Finding Time to Complete the Course
If you’re like me and you’re concerned about finding the time to do this course, let me share my hacks with you:
- Watch the videos while you’re getting ready in the morning. I take my laptop or phone into the bathroom and watch/listen to videos while I do my hair and makeup.
- Focus on taking at least one small action in your shop daily. Many of the things you need to do with the course can get done in about 15 minutes. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and think you need an 8-hour chunk of time. However, if you just do one thing a day, you’ll make a ton of progress as the months go by.
- Consider substituting time spent on social media or watching TV with time spent working on your Etsy shop.
Most Important Lesson I Learned About Etsy Shops
I found that if you want to drive traffic to your Etsy shop, you have to market it. The great thing is that this course gives you all the tools you need to figure out multiple ways to market your Etsy shop so you can make real sales and keep them coming in long after you’ve set up your shop and created your products.
How Much Have I Made from the Gold City Ventures Course
I’m all for being transparent. Today is March 22, 2026. I started this course in July 2019. So far, I’ve made over $479,000. It took me quite a while to get to my first 100 sales (now I see people do it in their first few weeks, it’s amazing). For me, when I started paying more attention to my shop and being active in the group, something finally clicked. The past 7 years have been amazing, and I have seen tremendous growth- so much, in fact, that I quit my job to run my Etsy shop full-time in June 2021.
How Much Does the Gold City Ventures Course Cost
Last time I checked, it was $197 for the course plus $29 per month for the coaching (you get the first month free). The coaching is really worth it. Also, if you can make it to the 100-sales club in 6 months, you can stay in the Facebook group for free and continue getting coaching for free! That was very generous of Julie and Cody. Seriously, they are really good people who aren’t just in it for the money. They really care about the people they’re helping, and it shows.
Is Gold City Ventures a Scam?
Short answer: No, Gold City Ventures is not a scam.
But let’s talk about what people really mean when they ask this.
Most of the time, they’re wondering:
- “Am I going to waste my money?”
- “Is this just another overhyped course?”
- “Do people actually make money from this?”
And those are valid questions, because the online course space is FULL of fluff.
Here’s the honest truth: Gold City Ventures teaches a real business model, selling digital products (like printables) on platforms like Etsy. This is something thousands of people (including me) are already doing successfully.
As mentioned above, I’ve personally made nearly $500,000 selling printables on Etsy, and I started my Etsy journey with this exact course, so I can confidently say: This business model is legit.
But here’s where people get it twisted… The course itself isn’t the magic. You have to take action and implement what you learn!
If you:
- Buy the course
- Watch a few videos
- Never take action
Then yes… it will feel like a scam.
But if you:
- Follow the steps
- Stay consistent
- Actually list products and learn what works
Then this can absolutely become a real income stream.
So no, it’s not a scam. But it’s also not a shortcut to easy money. You have to do the work.
Is Gold City Ventures Legit?
Yes, Gold City Ventures is a legitimate course created by real entrepreneurs teaching a proven strategy.
The course focuses on:
- Creating digital products (printables, planners, templates)
- Selling on Etsy
- Using keyword research to get traffic
- Scaling with multiple listings
These are all foundational skills for building passive income online.
What I like about this course is that it’s:
- Beginner-friendly
- Structured step-by-step
- Focused on low startup costs (huge win)
You don’t need:
- Inventory
- Shipping
- A big upfront investment
Which makes it especially appealing for moms, side hustlers, and anyone starting from scratch.
That said, let’s be real… There are mixed opinions online about courses like this. Some people feel they’re unnecessary or overpriced.
And honestly? That depends on the person.
If you’re someone who:
- Needs structure
- Wants a clear roadmap
- Doesn’t want to figure everything out alone
Then a course like this can save you months (or years) of trial and error.
But if you:
- Are highly self-motivated
- Love piecing things together on your own
You could learn this for free… it’ll just take longer.
Bottom line: It’s legit, but its value depends on how you use it.
How Much Can You Actually Make?
This is the question everyone cares about. And I’m not going to give you some fluffy “unlimited income potential” answer.
Here’s the real breakdown:
Beginner Stage (0–3 months)
- $0 – $500/month
You’re learning, testing, and figuring out what sells.
Growth Stage (3–12 months)
- $500 – $3,000+/month
You start gaining traction, your listings improve, and sales become more consistent.
Scaling Stage (1+ years)
- $3,000 – $10,000+/month
At this point, you have multiple products working for you and real momentum.
Now let me give you some perspective…
- Before I figured this out, I struggled to make consistent sales.
- After dialing in my strategy, I’ve made nearly $500,000 on Etsy selling printables.
So yes, this is absolutely a business that can scale.
BUT (and this matters): This is not passive on day one.
You will need to:
- Create products
- Learn keywords
- Stay consistent
Most people quit too early; that’s the real reason they don’t make money.
The Honest Reality
If you treat this like a hobby → you’ll make hobby money. If you treat it like a business → you can make real income.
That’s the difference.
My Take
Gold City Ventures gives you the roadmap…
But your results will come down to:
- consistency
- execution
- patience
If you’re willing to stick with it, this can absolutely become a real, scalable income stream.
Side Effects of the Gold City Ventures Course
Here are some honest side effects of this course, for better or for worse…
Quit Your Job and Do Etsy Full Time
As I said, a few years ago I would not have thought this was possible, but now I know it is because I’ve done it. If you’re like me and want more flexibility to do what you want when you want, this course can truly help you get there.
Become a more interesting person
My husband and I have been together for over 10 years. Sometimes, I feel like our conversations are about the same things. However, when I started this shop, I suddenly had a ton of new and interesting things to talk about. I also have a better answer to “What’s new?” when I talk to my friends and family. Since starting my store, I’ve even been on the TODAY show, been a podcast guest, been featured on Business Insider, and on CNBC multiple times.
Get more engaged in your life
Ever feel like you have the same old routine every single day? Starting a new project like an Etsy shop helps mix things up and creates something new and fun for you to work on and get excited about.
Experience moments of flow
According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow is the secret to happiness. Guess what!? Having an Etsy shop gives you ample opportunities to get into a flow state.
Develop a deeper sense of meaning
Ever feel like your life isn’t as meaningful as it could be? When someone leaves a positive review about how much what you created helped them or changed their life, you can’t help but feel like your life has meaning!
Make new friends
Let’s face it, as adults, it’s a lot harder to make new friends. Starting a new project with a bunch of other people doing the same thing is a great way to make new friends!
Grow your skills
Unless you’re an Etsy shop expert (in which case you probably shouldn’t purchase the course), you will absolutely gain new skills from watching the videos and taking action in this course.
Get outside your comfort zone
You’re going to have to do things you’ve never done before if you take action on the tips in this course. The great thing is that this helps you get outside of your comfort zone, grow as a human, and build your confidence.
Build your grit
For better or for worse, you’re also going to experience rejection and failure when you’re trying something new. The good news is that this will help you build a growth mindset and increase your grit.
Insomnia
This one isn’t a great side effect. After starting this course, I was so excited to work on my shop that sometimes I had trouble sleeping. Sometimes, I would wake up in the middle of the night and have to create a new digital product I was thinking about. That being said, I also read, “The happier you are, the less sleep you require to function in everyday life.” So, maybe I’m just so engaged in my life and doing what I’m passionate about that I can’t sleep.
Do better at your full-time job
Another side effect of this course, developing your skills, and potentially being a more passionate and excited person, is that you may do better at your full-time job. How? Well, the skills you’re learning could help you come up with creative new solutions at work. If you’re happier and more energetic, your boss may see that and appreciate your positivity.
Get a promotion and raise at work
There’s no guarantee for this one, but 3 months after starting this course, I got a raise and promotion at work. Maybe I was more passionate and creative. Maybe it was good karma since I shared helpful tools in my shop. There’s no way to tell, but I can say I’m happy with the results so far!
How to Purchase the Gold City Ventures Course
If you’re serious about building a real passive income stream, and not just dabbling, this is one of the fastest ways to get started. But only if you actually take action. You can sign-up for the wait-list here.
Freebie Alert
If, after reading this review, you decide to sign up for this course, I’ll give you my e-book, Getting the Edge: Growth Hacks from a 6-figure Etsy Store, if you use my affiliate link to sign up. In the e-book, you’ll learn from the mistakes I made, and I’ll share the secret lessons that helped take my shop to the next level.
Additional Questions about the Gold City Ventures Course?
Do you have a pressing question about the Etsy Printable Side Hustle Course that I didn’t answer? Feel free to email me at mama at moneyhackingmama.com.
Still here? Check out this Blueprint for Passive Income
There are a ton of ways to quit your 9-5 job and make money from home, but if you’re interested in learning more about how to do it with Etsy check out The Shockingly Simple Guide to Selling Passive Income Products on Etsy. This free, in-depth guide is a deeper blueprint for passive income that will help you learn exactly how to create digital products on Etsy!
Learn More:
How to Start Etsy Business: Insane Tips from a 6-Figure Etsy Seller
3 Vital Steps to Starting a Side Hustle While Working Full Time That No One Else Will Tell You
How Do You Make Money on Etsy: Etsy Seller Secrets Exposed From a Top .1% Seller
