If you’re new here, welcome! I’m someone who’s spent years in the trenches of e-commerce—building, scaling, and eventually selling multiple dropshipping stores that have generated millions in sales. These days, I dedicate most of my time to helping others break into the world of online business through my dropshipping coaching programs, where I’ve seen firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and what’s just hype.
Recently, I started getting questions from my coaching students about Mug Moguls by Brock Hamilton—a course that promises to help beginners launch a print-on-demand mug business on Etsy, all without the headaches of inventory or shipping. As someone who’s seen countless e-commerce models come and go, I decided to take a closer look at Mug Moguls myself.
In this review, I’ll break down what the course actually offers, who it’s really for, and whether it stands up to the realities of today’s competitive e-commerce landscape. If you’re considering Mug Moguls as your next side hustle or entry point into online business, read on for my honest, no-fluff take.
Table of Contents
What is Mug Moguls?
As someone who’s built and scaled multiple seven-figure dropshipping stores, I’ve seen a lot of online business models come and go. Mug Moguls is Brock Hamilton’s take on the print-on-demand (POD) approach, specifically focused on selling custom mugs through Etsy. The course is designed to walk beginners through every step of launching a mug business—from creating eye-catching designs and setting up your Etsy store, to handling listings, fulfillment, and marketing.
The core appeal here is the hands-off nature of POD: you upload your designs, list your mugs, and when a customer orders, a third-party supplier prints and ships the product directly to them. That means you never have to touch inventory or worry about shipping logistics. Mug Moguls is structured into 9 modules with 47 short video lessons, covering topics like design creation (including using tools like Canva and Photoshop), optimizing your Etsy listings, automating fulfillment, and basic advertising to drive traffic to your store. The course is beginner-friendly and aims to help you get your store up and running in as little as 24 hours, though—as with any e-commerce model—success depends on your effort and willingness to adapt in a competitive market.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Who Created Mug Moguls?
Mug Moguls was created by Brock Hamilton, a digital marketer and website developer with over 16 years of experience in the online business world. Brock isn’t just a course creator—he’s the owner of the Etsy store eCopious, which has reportedly sold over 11,000 custom mugs. That’s a big plus in my book, since many “gurus” never actually reveal their own stores or real results. Brock’s background also includes authoring a book on building websites, and his presence online is verifiable, with a Facebook page boasting around 20,000 likes and a LinkedIn profile with 200 connections.
That said, while Brock’s own mug-selling credentials are legit, there are a few things to keep in mind. Most of the student success stories are hosted on his own website, and there’s a noticeable lack of independent, third-party reviews or testimonials. The course’s marketing also leans on urgency tactics and “fake” discounts (the $37 price tag is marketed as a massive markdown from $495, though it seems to always be available at the lower price). There’s no refund policy, and there isn’t a community or Facebook group for ongoing support. So while Brock’s experience is real and his teaching style is straightforward, you’ll want to weigh the lack of external social proof and support before diving in.
What’s Inside Mug Moguls?
When I got access to Mug Moguls, I was genuinely curious to see how Brock Hamilton structured the course and what kind of actionable content was included. The program is divided into 9 modules, with a total of 47 video lessons—each running about 6 to 10 minutes, so it’s easy to digest even if you’re busy or just starting out.
The curriculum takes you from absolute beginner to running your own Etsy mug shop. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll find inside:
- Setting Up Your Online Business: You’ll learn how to open your Etsy store, register on print-on-demand platforms like Teelaunch, and set up your storefront for maximum appeal.
- Designing Your Mugs: This module covers competitor research, trending design ideas, and hands-on tutorials for Canva, Photoshop, and more. If you’re not a designer, there’s advice on outsourcing designs, too.
- Creating Listings: Brock guides you through writing compelling product titles, descriptions, and choosing the right images and tags to help your mugs get found in Etsy search.
- Managing Your Business: This section is all about customer service, handling custom orders, running promotions, and keeping your shop running smoothly.
- Promoting Your Mugs: You’ll find strategies for Etsy Offsite Ads, running effective promotions, and building a loyal customer base.
On top of the core modules, there are also advanced lessons and bonus content on using Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram to drive traffic and grow your business. The course also includes templates and done-for-you designs, which can be a real time-saver if you want to hit the ground running.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Are Mug Moguls Students Making Money?
As someone who’s coached hundreds of dropshipping students, I always look for real, verifiable student results before recommending any course. Mug Moguls does feature some positive testimonials—students mention the easy-to-follow structure, practical insights, and how the course helped them get their first sales. For example, Chris T says the course covered everything he needed to know, and Bojanna M reports making steady sales since starting out.
However, almost all of these testimonials are hosted directly on the Mug Moguls website, and there’s a noticeable lack of independent reviews or social proof on platforms like Trustpilot or BBB. While Brock claims his own Etsy store has over 11,000 sales, it’s tough to verify how well his students are doing at scale. So, while there are some success stories, I’d take them with a grain of salt until there’s more third-party validation.
Mug Moguls Pricing
Let’s talk money. Mug Moguls is advertised at $37, supposedly marked down from $495. In reality, this “discount” seems to be permanent, so you’re unlikely to ever see the course at the full price. For $37, you get lifetime access to all the video lessons, templates, and resources. It’s a low barrier to entry, which is great if you’re just testing the waters.
But here’s the catch: Mug Moguls maintains a strict no-refund policy. Once you pay, there’s no getting your money back unless there’s been a duplicate charge or fraud. This means you need to be absolutely sure before you buy, as there’s no safety net if you decide the course isn’t for you.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
What I Like About Mug Moguls
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Beginner-Friendly, Step-by-Step Training
I appreciate that Mug Moguls is structured in a way that’s easy for anyone to follow—even if you’re brand new to e-commerce. The course walks you through the entire process, from setting up your Etsy store to creating your first mug designs and handling orders. This clear, actionable roadmap is a big plus for anyone who feels overwhelmed by starting an online business. -
Affordable Entry Point
At just $37, Mug Moguls is much more affordable than most e-commerce courses out there. For that price, you get access to all 47 video lessons and a set of done-for-you templates and designs, which is great value for beginners who want to test the waters without a huge upfront investment. -
No Inventory or Shipping Hassles
As someone who’s managed large dropshipping operations, I know how complicated inventory and fulfillment can get. Mug Moguls leverages the print-on-demand model, so you never have to touch inventory or worry about shipping logistics. This hands-off approach makes it easier to focus on marketing and design. -
Taught by a Proven Etsy Seller
Brock Hamilton isn’t just another faceless “guru.” He’s actually built a successful Etsy store (eCopious) with over 11,000 mug sales. I respect that he’s transparent about his own results and is willing to share the name of his store—something most course creators won’t do. -
Templates and Ready-Made Designs
The inclusion of templates and done-for-you mug designs is a nice touch. If you’re not a designer, these resources help you get started faster and lower the barrier to launching your first products.
What I Don’t Like About Mug Moguls
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No Refund Policy
This is a big one for me. Once you pay for Mug Moguls, there’s no going back. If you decide the course isn’t for you, you’re out of luck—there’s no money-back guarantee. That’s a risk, especially for beginners who might want some reassurance. -
Questionable Marketing Tactics
The course is always advertised as “heavily discounted” from $495 to $37, but in reality, it’s never sold at the higher price. This kind of fake scarcity and urgency is something I don’t like to see, and it can make the offer feel less trustworthy. -
Highly Competitive, Low-Margin Niche
The print-on-demand mug market on Etsy is extremely saturated. While the model is easy to start, standing out is tough, and profit margins are slim after accounting for Etsy fees, POD costs, and marketing. The course doesn’t always set realistic expectations about how challenging it can be to break through. -
No Community or Ongoing Support
Unlike many other e-commerce programs, Mug Moguls doesn’t offer a private Facebook group or community for students. That means if you get stuck or want to network with other sellers, you’re pretty much on your own. -
Limited Platform Focus
The course only covers selling mugs on Etsy. If you’re interested in expanding to other platforms like Amazon or Shopify, you won’t find that information here. This narrow focus can limit your growth potential down the road. -
Few Verified Student Success Stories
Most of the positive testimonials are hosted on Brock’s own website, and there’s only a single review on Trustpilot. Without more independent reviews or third-party validation, it’s hard to know how consistently students are succeeding with the program.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Should You Join Mug Moguls?
After going through Mug Moguls myself and weighing it against my years of experience in e-commerce, here’s my honest take: Mug Moguls can be a decent starting point if you’re a complete beginner who wants a step-by-step introduction to selling mugs on Etsy. The course is affordable and Brock does a good job breaking down the basics, so you won’t feel lost even if you’ve never sold anything online before. Plus, the print-on-demand model means you don’t have to worry about inventory or shipping, which is a huge relief for many first-timers.
But I have to be real—this business model has some serious challenges. The mug niche on Etsy is crowded, profit margins are thin, and you’ll still need to invest in ads or design outsourcing if you want to scale. There’s no refund policy, so once you buy, you’re committed. Most of the student testimonials are hosted on the Mug Moguls website itself, so it’s tough to know how many people are truly succeeding outside of Brock’s own results. If you’re looking for a side hustle that’s simple, hands-off, and you’re okay with modest returns, Mug Moguls could be worth a shot. But if you want more control, higher earning potential, or a business model that isn’t so saturated, you might want to look elsewhere.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Mug Moguls Alternative
I’ve built my entire career on e-commerce, but I’ll be the first to admit—it’s not for everyone. Not everyone wants to deal with product research, supplier headaches, or the constant grind of customer service. That’s why I always recommend Wealthy Affiliate as the best alternative for people who want to make money online without the stress of running a physical product business.
Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform that teaches you how to build a real online business through affiliate marketing. Instead of selling mugs or managing inventory, you’ll learn how to create content-driven websites that earn commissions by promoting other people’s products. The platform includes comprehensive training, web hosting, keyword research tools, and a super supportive community to help you every step of the way.
What I love most is that affiliate marketing lets you focus on creating value and building passive income streams. You don’t have to deal with shipping, returns, or product quality issues. And unlike the saturated mug market, you can choose any niche you’re passionate about. Wealthy Affiliate is beginner-friendly, always updated, and you can even start for free to see if it’s a good fit for you.
So if you’re serious about building a sustainable online income but don’t want to jump into the crowded world of e-commerce, Wealthy Affiliate is my top pick. It’s the same platform I recommend to my coaching students who want more flexibility, less hassle, and real long-term potential.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

James Johnson, the founder of DropshippingCourse.org, launched his first ecommerce store in 2008 with just a $500 investment. Through dedication, his initial store generated over $500,000 in sales in the first year. By the second year, the store’s sales had reached $1 million, and by the third year, sales soared to $1.5 million, granting him the financial freedom he had always dreamed of.
Motivated by his own success, James aimed to help others achieve similar financial freedom. So, he created the free Dropshipping Course. In this course, he offers comprehensive guidance on launching a dropshipping business, covering essential topics such as niche research, market analysis, store building, supplier approval, conversion optimization, traffic generation, and business automation.
For those seeking more personalized guidance, James also offers a 1-on-1 dropshipping coaching service. Through this mentorship, he shares his secret strategies with those eager to achieve extraordinary results in their own businesses.