Sarah Mae Ives

Key Points

• Identity and Business: Sarah Mae Ives is a Canadian entrepreneur and founder of Sarah Mae Ives Social Media Inc., focusing on digital marketing and mentorship through her No Fluff Ads Manager program, which teaches women to start social media advertising agencies.

• Success Claims: Ives promotes her program as a path to earning $10,000+ per month, citing her own success and student testimonials. She claims to have built a multimillion-dollar business after leaving a 9-5 job in 2017.

• Mixed Feedback: Positive reviews praise the program’s actionable training and support, with some students reporting significant earnings. However, negative feedback highlights variable results, high costs, and concerns about unrealistic expectations.

• Concerns: There are no confirmed lawsuits or bankruptcies, but allegations of aggressive marketing, high program costs, and inconsistent student outcomes raise red flags. Some question the program’s suitability for beginners.

• Risks: Potential financial risks for participants due to high program fees and ad spend requirements. Reputational risks stem from mixed reviews and skepticism about overhyped claims.

Overview

Sarah Mae Ives is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur who founded Sarah Mae Ives Social Media Inc., a company specializing in digital marketing services and mentorship. Her flagship offering, the No Fluff Ads Manager program (also referred to as No Fluff Business Mentorship), is a 90-day mentorship designed to teach women (and some men) how to launch and scale Facebook and Instagram advertising agencies. Ives markets the program as a lucrative opportunity, claiming it can help participants earn at least $10,000 per month by managing social media ad campaigns for businesses. She emphasizes her proprietary strategies, which have reportedly yielded high returns for clients, such as a 48X return on ad spend.

Ives’ backstory includes a decade of entrepreneurial ventures, from health coaching to blogging, before finding success in digital marketing. She left her 9-5 job in 2017 after struggling with debt and failed businesses, including a health coaching venture that left her $33,000 in debt. Since then, she claims to have generated millions in revenue through her ad agency, managing tens of thousands in monthly ad spend for clients featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Good Morning America. Her mentorship program includes training on audience targeting, ad creation, and optimization, supported by live coaching, a private Facebook group, and Q&A sessions.

Ives is active on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest, where she shares motivational content and promotes her training. Her company is registered at 1771 Robson Street -1658, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Allegations and Concerns

While no formal lawsuits or regulatory actions have been identified, several concerns have emerged from reviews and analyses:

• Aggressive Marketing: Critics note that Ives’ promotional tactics, including free training videos requiring personal information, may lead to aggressive email marketing or upselling. Some reviewers doubt her claim of not spamming subscribers.

• High Costs: The No Fluff Ads Manager program is expensive, with some estimating costs in the thousands, though exact prices are not publicly disclosed. Additional ad spend requirements (e.g., $5,000-$30,000 monthly for her done-for-you services) make it less accessible for beginners.

• Inconsistent Results: Some students report not achieving the promised $10,000+ monthly income, with outcomes varying based on individual effort, prior experience, and market conditions. This has led to accusations of overhyped expectations.

• Suitability Concerns: Reviewers caution that the program may not be ideal for those without marketing experience or significant capital, as it requires substantial time and financial investment to secure clients.

• Lack of Transparency: Ives does not publicly disclose the program’s cost or detailed curriculum, which some reviewers find concerning for a high-investment course.

No evidence suggests Ives or her company is a scam, and her track record in digital marketing appears legitimate. However, the variability in student outcomes and high entry costs warrant caution.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback on the No Fluff Ads Manager program is polarized, with an average rating of 4.83/5 based on 82 reviews on Reviews.io.

Positive Feedback

• Actionable Training: Students praise the program’s practical, step-by-step approach. One reviewer said, “No-Fluff is hands-down the BEST ad training course I have ever taken… I started the program in August and two months later signed two clients!”

• Supportive Community: The private Facebook group and live coaching are frequently highlighted. A student noted, “The incrediable support you get from her team and the group is literally life changing… I found was family of incredible entreprenuers to lean on and grow with.”

• Life-Changing Results: Some students report significant financial success, such as one who signed a $4,500 client within two months and another who achieved a steady $1,500 monthly contract. Another stated, “It has created a stream of income for me that has allowed me to move into a van and travel the country living out my dreams.”

• Mentorship Quality: Ives is described as a dedicated mentor. A LinkedIn review said, “Sarah has single-handedly rerouted the trajectory of my life… She is one of those once-in-a-lifetime leaders that truly cares more about her impact and influence on her students.”

Negative Feedback

• Variable Outcomes: Some students report minimal results, with one stating, “I didn’t think the program was right for me or they didn’t see the results they had hoped for.”

• High Cost vs. Value: Critics argue the program’s cost is prohibitive, especially compared to other mentorships. One reviewer compared it to a program that cost twice as much but provided “half the information.”

• Time and Effort: Some found the program demanding, requiring significant outreach and networking to secure clients, which was challenging for beginners.

• Overhyped Promises: A few reviews suggest Ives’ $10,000/month claims set unrealistic expectations, as success depends heavily on individual circumstances.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: The program’s high cost and additional ad spend requirements pose a significant financial burden, especially for those without prior marketing experience or capital. Students may not recoup their investment if they fail to secure clients.

• Reputational Risk: Mixed reviews and allegations of aggressive marketing could harm Ives’ credibility, particularly if negative sentiment grows on platforms like Reddit or Reviews.io.

• Market Risk: The digital marketing industry is competitive, and success in ad management depends on market demand, client acquisition, and platform algorithm changes (e.g., Facebook’s ad policies), which could impact student outcomes.

• Operational Risk: As a mentorship program, the quality of coaching and support depends on Ives and her team. Any decline in responsiveness or course quality could lead to dissatisfaction.

Business Relations and Associations

• Team and Staff: Ives works with a team that includes business development managers, account managers, and a support staff for her mentorship program. Specific names are not publicly disclosed.

• Clients: Her agency has served high-profile clients featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Good Morning America, though specific client names are not listed. Testimonials mention coaches, consultants, and personality-based businesses.

• Partnerships: No formal partnerships with other companies or organizations are documented. Ives operates independently through her company, with no affiliations noted beyond her use of platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

• Industry Connections: She compares her services to other ad strategists like Shawn Joshi and Facebook Ad Blaster, positioning herself as a competitor in the digital marketing space.

• Community Engagement: Ives fosters a student community through a private Facebook group, which serves as a platform for networking and support.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Lawsuits: No lawsuits or regulatory actions against Ives or her company were found in public records or reviewed sources.

• Bankruptcy: No bankruptcy filings are associated with Ives or Sarah Mae Ives Social Media Inc.

• Trademarks: The company has one trademark application for “The No-Fluff Business,” filed with the USPTO, indicating efforts to protect its brand.

• Financial Transparency: Ives acknowledges past financial struggles, including $33,000 in debt from a failed health coaching business and $50,000 spent on ineffective courses. She claims to have earned $2 million in two years after pivoting to digital marketing, but these figures are self-reported and unverified.

• Data Privacy: The company’s privacy policy outlines the collection of personal information (e.g., email addresses) for newsletters and services, with opt-out options. It complies with Canadian data protection laws, and no breaches or violations have been reported.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Sarah Mae Ives has built a credible presence in the digital marketing space, leveraging her experience to create a mentorship program that resonates with aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women seeking financial independence. The No Fluff Ads Manager program offers practical training and robust support, as evidenced by positive student testimonials and documented successes. Ives’ transparency about her past struggles and her focus on high-demand skills like Facebook ad management lend authenticity to her brand. Her agency’s work with high-profile clients further bolsters her reputation.

However, the program is not without flaws. The high cost and additional ad spend requirements make it a risky investment for beginners or those with limited resources. Mixed reviews suggest that success is not guaranteed and depends heavily on individual effort, prior experience, and market conditions. Allegations of aggressive marketing and overhyped income claims could alienate potential customers and damage her reputation over time. The lack of transparent pricing and detailed curriculum also raises concerns about accessibility and value.

Pros:

• Comprehensive training with actionable steps.

• Strong community support via coaching and Facebook group.

• Proven success for some students and Ives’ own agency.

• Focus on empowering women in a high-demand industry.

Cons:

• High costs may exclude beginners or those with limited capital.

• Inconsistent student outcomes and overhyped income claims.

• Aggressive marketing tactics may deter cautious consumers.

• Competitive market with no guaranteed results.

Cautionary Advice: Potential participants should thoroughly research the program, assess their financial capacity, and have realistic expectations about outcomes. Those with marketing experience or existing networks may find greater value. Requesting a detailed syllabus or speaking with past students could help gauge suitability. Avoid signing up based solely on free training videos, as these may lead to high-pressure sales tactics.

Key Citations

• CanvasRebel Magazine: Interview with Sarah Mae Ives (2023-06-05).

• Medium: Sarah Mae Ives Review by Chris Chambers (2023-03-29).

• Sarah Mae Ives Privacy Policy (2021-02-13).

• Sarah Mae Ives Official Website: Services and Testimonials (2021-01-16).

• Online Coaching Guru: Sarah Mae Ives Review (2023-06-14).

• USPTO: Sarah Mae Ives Social Media Inc. Trademark (No-Fluff Business).

• Sarah Mae Ives Official Website: Done-for-You Services (2021-01-19).

• Online Training Reviewer: No Fluff Ads Manager Review (2023-08-09).

• Reevyew: Sarah Mae Ives Review (Undated).

• Beastpreneur: Sarah Mae Ives Review (2023-05-03).

• LinkedIn: Sarah Mae Ives Profile and Reviews (2019-08-27).

• No Fluff Business: Sarah Mae Ives Mentorship Overview (2023-01-16).

• Reviews.io: Sarah Mae Ives & No Fluff Business Mentorship Reviews (2022-12-29).