• Who: Marilyn Stein
• Website: highwaysafetycentral.com
• Course Topic: Substance Abuse
• Interesting Stats: 23,476 registered users since 2017

Who are you and what course have you created?

I’m the founder of Highway Safety Central, a breakthrough program designed to eliminate substance use and driving.

What market does your online course serve?

Highway Safety Central is an online class designed for DUI offenders who are required to complete an educational program as the result of their arrest.

My class allows the student to complete the class in 30 days. Once they register, they can stop and start as they choose. When they complete the class, a completion certificate is sent to the probation department or authorities in the county where their DUI arrest occurred.

What’s the biggest benefit of taking your course?

It provides an opportunity to meet the court requirement when getting to an actual class room is difficult.

How did you get into the market?

I was a probation officer for 23 years and realized there was a need for this as an option.

Why did you decide to create an online course in the first place?

It was a confluence of seeing the need and having the resources of time and money to put it together. It was expensive and time consuming to develop.

Did you have any moments of doubt before you created/launched it?

I had moments of doubt daily. Fear was a constant companion.

I did not struggle to put the content together because I knew the material but I doubted my ability to stand up and just do it. - Marilyn Stein Click To Tweet

It caused me to trust those I should not have trusted. All of it has been one ongoing life lesson.

If so what made you turn it around and do it anyway?

I had to learn to manage fear and move forward anyway.  I talked to my fear and wrote it letters. In the end, you just take the next step anyway.

What’s your online course like?

The course is 12.5 hours long. It includes videos, quizzes, a narrated PowerPoint, homework and a participant evaluation. It includes a follow-up series of emails to anchor the reminder to separate drinking from driving. Finally, the added feature includes emails on NYE, Thanksgiving eve and July 4^th eve to remind students to develop a plan to not use and drive.

The course is offered for hearing-impaired and in Spanish as well.

How long did it take you to create your course?

Identifying a tech company and working through their process took some time. Putting the content together was also a timely endeavor. Overall, it took over a year from start to finish.  Additionally, it has been “rebuilt” a few times in order to keep up with the technology.

Tell us a little about the process of launching your course and getting your first sale(s).

Initially, I had the support of those at the state level who allowed me to promote to the professionals in the DUI field. This includes Probation Departments and others involved in ensuring the legislative requirements were satisfied. The support did not continue and I found myself kind of out there on my own.

Do you have a lead magnet?

No.  The DUI offender who must take the class has to have special permission from the authorities in their jurisdiction to complete the class on-line.  I do not market the class at all.

What online course platform are you using?

We developed a custom platform. I am a subject matter expert and leave the tech stuff to the tech people. I trust them completely.

What made you decide to use your chosen platform over others?

The course required a unique solution so my website agency created custom-developed application to handle all of its specific needs.

What books or training programs have you found useful on your journey to a successful business owner that others might find valuable too?

I found a lot of value from, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Do you have any big mistakes you’ve made along the way that you’d be willing to share?

I have made big mistakes.  Be careful who you trust is one of the biggest lessons. Listen to your knowing and work at trusting yourself. One of my motto’s is “Doubt your doubts.”

Please share some idea of revenue.

During COVID the use of my online class escalated. Everyone still needed classes but in-person classes were not being held. My on-line class was a perfect solution. The sales volume reflects that.

Please tell us a little about what the money you’ve earned from your course has done for you.

This relatively passive form of income has been an opportunity to grow my business in other areas. It has allowed me to support causes that are important to me and it has allowed me to travel which I love.

In addition to revenue are there any numbers you would like to share?

There have been 23,476 registered users since the new site went live in 2017. Previous to the site’s redevelopment in 2017, there were over 16,000 registered users.

What has creating your course done for you personally?

My online class has taught me to stand up to my fears. It has taught me to believe in my own ability despite pressure from outside sources to quit. - Marilyn Stein Click To Tweet

What advice do you have for people just starting out?

Just do it. Don’t compare yourself to others. Only you can say it or do it the way you can even if it has been done before.  It has not been done by you.

Learn more about Marilyn Stein of highwaysafetycentral.com:

• Website: highwaysafetycentral.com
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