ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO • 2 MIN READ

🏴‍☠️ The Whistle, the Workhorse, and the Whale

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Unconventional Entrepreneur

As a builder and unconventional entrepreneur, I’ve learned that one key to success is adding value to others. Join the community that understands the power of giving first, learning from our mistakes, and always asking, “How can I help?” Explore building side hustles and successful businesses that lead to living an uncommon life.

Unconventional Entrepreneur

Shannon Jean

Your business is in trouble if you're trying to win on price alone.

Discounts and deals can be useful for sure; they can bring people in. But if all you do is attract bargain hunters, you're stuck in a losing game.

That’s where the Whistle, Workhorse, and Whale strategy saves the day.

The Whistle: The Hook That Pulls Them In

This is your foot-in-the-door offer. A no-brainer deal that gets people to pay attention—and more importantly, take action.

They come for the deal. You make sure they stay for the real value.

Examples:

  • Free trials that make you sure you’ll cancel (you won’t)
  • Carpet cleaners offering “Three rooms free!”
  • Netflix’s budget-friendly, ad-supported plan
  • Lego mini-figure packs—cheap, collectible, and strangely addictive

But here’s the thing: Whistles don’t pay the bills. They just get people through the door. Enter the Workhorse.

The Workhorse: Your Money Maker

This is your bread and butter—the product that keeps the lights on. If your Whistle did its job, customers naturally land here.

Examples:

  • Starbucks' regular coffee and lattes—nothing fancy, just steady sales
  • Lego classic sets—parents buy them, kids love them, repeat forever
  • Netflix’s standard subscription—the real cash cow

The Workhorse is solid, but the real fun (and profit) happens when customers upgrade to The Whale.

The Whale: Big Ticket, Big Profits

Not everyone will go for this, but the ones who do? That’s where things get interesting. This is your luxury, premium, “I can’t believe people pay for this” offer.

Examples:

  • Starbucks Reserve Roastery—$20 for a cup of coffee, and people love it
  • Lego’s Millennium Falcon—because regular bricks aren’t enough
  • Netflix’s 4K premium plan—because standard definition is a crime
  • Deep cleaning services that go beyond basic dusting—fresh, spotless, and worth every penny

Each step feeds into the next. Whistle grabs attention. Workhorse builds trust (and revenue). Whale takes things to another level.

Now, think again about the post you just read…

It’s my Whistle. You’re here.

If this got your attention, imagine what my Workhorse and Whale can do for your business.


One of my favorite moments is sitting around a campfire, sharing stories.

A few years ago, I was at one with a small group of entrepreneurs. No filters. No posturing.

Just real talk.

One guy was stuck…too many ideas and no clear path forward. Another felt like an outsider, watching others succeed while he kept spinning his wheels. Someone else had just landed a big win, but no one in his life truly understood what it meant.

By the time the fire burned down, something had shifted. The guy who was stuck had a plan. The outsider realized he wasn’t alone. And the one with the win finally got to celebrate it with people who got it.

That night stuck with me. Because every entrepreneur needs a space like that—a place where you can drop the mask, ask the hard questions, and get real answers.

That’s exactly why I’m creating the UE Community.

Think of it as our campfire. A place to talk through challenges, share wins, and connect with people who understand what you’re building. A place where you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Inside, you’ll get:

  • Weekly calls where we work through problems together
  • Exclusive content and resources to sharpen your edge
  • 24/7 access to UE Chat, where the conversation never stops

If that sounds like something you need, pull up a chair. Let’s talk.

Have a great week!

Shannon

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Unconventional Entrepreneur

As a builder and unconventional entrepreneur, I’ve learned that one key to success is adding value to others. Join the community that understands the power of giving first, learning from our mistakes, and always asking, “How can I help?” Explore building side hustles and successful businesses that lead to living an uncommon life.