Millionaire Gives Up Everything He Owns And Makes Himself Broke To Show It's Possible To Make $1,000,000 From Nothing

A millionaire recently shared his experience conducting an experiment to see if he could achieve a 'million dollar comeback' starting from scratch.

In July 2022, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, millionaire Mike Black took on the challenge of resetting his life to zero to see if he could build a $1 million business from nothing. 

Why did he do it?

Black wanted to "help people" and create content demonstrating how to start anew, especially since he saw many people struggling during the pandemic. 

Mike Black decided to go broke to try and make a million dollar comeback YouTube / Mike Black

His YouTube channel description reads: "My goal is to help people reinvent themselves during this crazy time. [...] I want to show you how to build your business from NOTHING."

In a post on his X account, he shared:

"To give people a framework of here's the things I know how to do, and I'll [...] share that knowledge with you and you can take what you want and use it for yourself."

Here’s the scoop on the project:

On July 10, Black abandoned his existing life to start from 'nothing' with the goal of going from "$0 to $1 million in 12 months."

Black wanted to help those who wanted to reinvent themselves after COVID. X / @theMikeBlack1

He didn’t just start without any money; he completely transformed his life for the experiment.

Mike Black left his seven-figure business, changed his name to Scott, and adopted the persona of an "aspiring videographer."

Additionally, he left his home, cut off contact with family, friends, and work colleagues, and took only a phone, some clothes, COVID PPE, and camera equipment with him.

His website lays out the rules: "The $1 million in 12 months can ONLY come from revenue generated from businesses I start during the project or money I make working."

"Any revenue generated as a result of the YouTube series will not count towards the $1 million goal."

Black's goal was to make $1 million from nothing YouTube / Mike Black

But how did things turn out?

Results

Black admits he "messed up a lot" during the year-long experiment but emphasized that "it's okay to mess up." He wanted people to see that "even someone with experience was messing up."

In a May 2021 video, he recounted how he went from being "homeless" to making an initial $350,000 profit, living out of an RV, signing a contract, and eventually getting a house. However, by the ninth month, the project had "derailed."

By week 43, with just two months to go, Black shared that his "personal health" had declined so significantly that he had to end the project prematurely.

In the final financial summary, from July 10, 2020, to May 10, 2021, Black disclosed that his total revenue was $64,158.95—well below his $1 million target.

He showed the final money tracker. YouTube / Mike Black

"I still think if the cards fell a little bit different maybe I could have," he reflects.

"But it's still pretty cool to go from absolutely nothing to $10,000 in monthly revenue."

Reflection:

Black clarified that the experiment was never really about "making a million dollars" but rather about "reinventing yourself" and "persevering through challenges."

After concluding the project earlier than planned, he realized what "truly matters" to him: "health and gratitude."

So, what do you think about his journey?