By: Ryan Rydell
There’s a line that separates true entrepreneurship from the endless sea of “get rich quick” schemes littering the internet. The problem is that most people can’t see it. They get lured by the promise of quick cash through dropshipping, building a TikTok empire, or selling questionable products on Amazon. It’s like some twisted lottery system, where the prize isn’t financial freedom but the harsh reality that success doesn’t come in a neat, easy-to-follow, 30-day blueprint.
Real entrepreneurs know the game is far deeper than that. They don’t chase shortcuts; they understand that true opportunity takes work. It’s built on a foundation of actual value creation, not trickery or smoke and mirrors. Let’s face it—if making money was as easy as uploading a couple of videos or reselling products you’ve never touched, everyone would be sipping piña coladas on a beach by now.
Ryan Rydell, founder of RyCOM Creative, didn’t build his businesses on viral YouTube tutorials or paid followers. He built them on grit, skill, and strategy. His marketing agency, RyCOM, is proof that building something substantial requires more than just a flashy ad campaign or a trendy hashtag. It requires knowledge, experience, and an unrelenting dedication to the grind. When you’ve helped grow a business to a multi-million value in under two years, it’s clear you know what you’re doing. You don’t just stumble into that kind of success; you architect it.
The noise online can be overwhelming. A quick Google search brings up thousands of blogs promising passive income streams and overnight riches. “Start dropshipping today with no inventory and rake in six figures!” Yeah, okay. Here’s the reality: If you’re following a business model where the only winner is the person selling you the course, you’ve already lost. Entrepreneurship isn’t a passive activity where you sit back and watch the dollars roll in while you binge Netflix. It’s active. It’s grueling. And that’s exactly why not everyone can do it.
But that’s also what separates the real entrepreneurs from the wannabes. The ones who understand that success isn’t instant; it takes years of effort, risk, and constant learning. Take Ryan’s second venture—My City Guide—a franchise model built around supporting local businesses and creating a community-centered resource in cities across the country. Does it sound glamorous? Maybe not. But it’s real. It’s something that adds tangible value to a local economy, helps small businesses thrive, and gives entrepreneurs an actual foundation to build on. It’s not some fly-by-night internet scheme that vanishes once the trend is over. It’s work, it’s grit, and it’s sustainable.
Ryan didn’t just create My City Guide to prove he could duplicate success; he did it because it’s the kind of business that has staying power. Think about it—who wins in the end? Who is trying to make money by figuring out how to “beat the algorithm,” or who invests in building a legitimate business that supports real communities? The answer is obvious to anyone who’s been through the entrepreneurial trenches.
Entrepreneurs like Ryan don’t just wake up one day and decide to “go viral.” They create businesses that solve problems. They build systems that add value. They understand that the grind is where the gold is. And that’s where so many people go wrong. They want the result, but they don’t want the process. They want the payday, but they don’t want to earn it. The truth is, there are no shortcuts. Success takes time, and if you’re not ready for the grind, you’re not ready for the reward.
A lot of the nonsense you see online is designed to exploit that very impatience. “Work from home and make six figures selling trinkets from your laptop!” is nothing more than a shiny bait and switch. It sounds appealing because it promises what people want most: fast, easy money. But fast and easy doesn’t exist—not in the world of entrepreneurship.
Ryan Rydell didn’t get where he is by doing the bare minimum. He built RyCOM Creative and My City Guide through calculated risks, hard-earned experience, and a deep understanding of what actually works in business. He didn’t follow the crowd. He didn’t chase the latest trend. He created real opportunities for himself and others by knowing the difference between what looks good on paper and what works in practice.
That’s the ultimate lesson for anyone considering starting a business. Are you looking for an easy out, or are you prepared to put in the work? Because if it’s the former, you’re wasting your time. Real opportunity doesn’t come with a viral hack or a magic app that automates everything. It comes from rolling up your sleeves, digging in, and building something that lasts.
So the next time someone tries to sell you on the dream of passive income with minimal effort, ask yourself: Is this opportunity or just another pile of nonsense? You’re not ready for entrepreneurship if you can’t tell the difference. But if you can and are willing to put in the work, you’re already ahead of the game.
Published by: Josh Tatunay
