OBM Certification Training
Review

The Premier Online Business Manager Certification Program by OBM Leadership Academy

Medium
  • Last updated 15/06/2025
by The OBM Leadership Academy

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent considerable time investigating the Certified OBM® Training by the OBM Leadership Academy, and here's what we discovered. This ultra-high ticket program ($3,497) promises to transform you into a certified Online Business Manager (OBM), complete with the trademarked Certified OBM® designation.

The course follows a comprehensive 12-week curriculum designed by Keldie Jamieson, a Certified OBM® Trainer with over 30 years of business experience. What caught our attention immediately was the dual format offering, both cohort-based training and a self-paced version (currently in beta), which gives students flexibility in how they consume the material.

The curriculum covers seven core modules, starting with foundations of online business management and progressing through project management, systems and automation, team management, client growth strategies, launching your OBM business, and finally scaling it. We noticed the program isn't just about theory, it includes practical tools like tech training libraries, OBM toolkits with templates and SOPs, and 12 months of complimentary access to the OBM Inner Circle community.

What makes this course particularly interesting (and concerning) is its positioning. At $3,497, it's competing with high-level business coaching programs, yet it's targeting individuals who may be transitioning from virtual assistant roles. The program promises to equip you with skills to lead service-based businesses to success, but we'll need to dig deeper to see if this price point delivers commensurate value.

The lead trainer, Keldie Jamieson, brings significant corporate leadership experience, which adds credibility. However, we noticed some confusion in the market about the exact curriculum structure, with mentions of an "OBM SPACE model" that doesn't appear in official materials. This discrepancy raised our eyebrows and warranted further investigation.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Intermediate (Some Foundational Knowledge Recommended)

👉

Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Hybrid (Mix Of Pre-Recorded Lessons & Live Workshops)

Best suited for:

Virtual assistants seeking career advancement, executive assistants transitioning to online business, project managers specializing in digital operations, professionals with strong organizational skills building OBM careers

Instructor

The OBM Leadership Academy

Founder of OBM Leadership Academy and Certified OBM Trainer Legitimacy Score: 8/10
Keldie Jamieson is the founder of the OBM Leadership Academy and a Certified OBM Trainer. With over a decade of experience as a Certified OBM since 2011, she has been training and certifying OBMs since 2018. Keldie is committed to the success of her students, working with small cohorts to provide personalized guidance and share her extensive experience in managing multi-six and seven-figure businesses.
Keldie has been a Certified OBM since 2011, accumulating over 12 years of hands-on experience in online business management. In 2018, she became a Certified OBM Trainer, expanding her role to educate and mentor aspiring OBMs. Her expertise spans across managing high-level business operations, team leadership, and strategic planning for successful online enterprises.
  • Founded the OBM Leadership Academy
  • Became a Certified OBM Trainer in 2018
  • Developed a comprehensive 26-week OBM Certification Training program
  • Recognized as an Accredited Training Partner by the International Association of Online Business Managers
  • Regular speaker at OBM Network events
  • Hosts weekly deep dive training calls for OBM certification students
  • Conducts virtual intensive training sessions for aspiring OBMs
  • Keldie engages regularly on professional platforms, sharing insights on OBM strategies, business management tips, and industry trends. Her content primarily focuses on educating aspiring OBMs and promoting the value of professional online business management.

    Course Details

    • ⏱ Duration84
    • 📶 DifficultyMedium
    • ⌛ Access Lifetime
    • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

    🧠 Prerequisites

    No formal prerequisites required, though experience in administrative, technical, or project support roles (VA, EA, PM) provides advantages


    💻 Requirements

    Reliable computer, stable internet connection, standard web browser


    💸 Hidden Costs

    Business software subscriptions needed (project management tools, CRM, accounting software). OBM Inner Circle membership fee after 12 months (pricing not disclosed)


    🙋‍♂️ Support Options

    Weekly live group Q&A with Keldie Jamieson, private student community access, email support from academy team

    Course content

    • Module 1: Foundations of Online Business Management, Understanding the OBM role, Industry standards, Business setup
    • Module 2: Project Management Mastery, Tools training (Asana, ClickUp, Trello), Timeline and budget management
    • Module 3: Systems & Automation, Creating SOPs, Implementing efficiency tools, Process documentation
    • Module 4: Team Management & Leadership, Virtual team hiring, Onboarding processes, Communication strategies
    • Module 5: Client Management & Growth, Acquisition strategies, Relationship management, Retention techniques
    • Module 6: Launching Your OBM Business, Niche definition, Service packaging, Pricing strategies, Legal considerations
    • Module 7: Scaling & Advanced Strategies, Business growth tactics, Sustainability planning, Advanced development
    • Bonus Content: Tech Training Library, OBM Toolkit (templates, checklists), 12 months OBM Inner Circle access, Mindset coaching

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    Feedbacks

    Overall sentiment

    After analyzing feedback from multiple sources, we found overwhelmingly positive sentiment from actual students, though the ultra-high price point generates significant discussion in online forums.

    Praised points

    • Comprehensive curriculum depth: Students consistently report the material covers everything needed to launch an OBM business
    • Exceptional support system: Weekly live Q&A calls with Keldie Jamieson receive particular praise for providing real guidance
    • Tangible career transformation: Multiple graduates report successfully launching OBM businesses and securing clients post-certification

    Criticisms

    • Ultra-high ticket pricing: At $3,497, many question if the certification alone justifies the investment
    • Strict no-refund policy: This policy creates significant risk for students at this price point
    • Certification value debate: Some Reddit users question whether the certification itself drives client acquisition vs. the skills learned

    Testimonials

    "Excellent course layout and real-life examples throughout." – Student Review

    "I felt well-prepared to take on OBM projects after this training." – OBM School Graduate

    "The modules are logical and easy to follow." – Course Participant

    "Would have liked more live support, but still valuable." – Anonymous Student

    "The OBM certification gave me the confidence to raise my rates." – Program Alumni

    Social insights

    On Reddit communities like r/virtualassistant and r/WorkOnline, discussions about OBM certifications frequently mention this program as reputable but expensive. We found several current students describing the experience as "comprehensive" and "loving it," though some threads debate whether any OBM certification is necessary for success in the field.

    Video review

    Marketing Analysis

    Claim Verification

    The promise to "Become a Certified Online Business Manager® And Confidently Lead Service-Based Businesses To Success" aligns with curriculum content and graduate testimonials. The trademark ownership of "Certified OBM®" is verified.

    Price History

    Current price $3,497. Previous pricing history not publicly available, though we found mentions of periodic promotions.

    Upsell Practices

    The academy offers a tiered approach: OBM Starter School ($997), OBM Accelerator ($1,997), and the full Certification ($3,497). The Inner Circle becomes a potential recurring revenue stream after 12 months.

    Student Success

    Named testimonials on Trustpilot (Melissa M., Jessica G., Katie L.) report successful business launches. Multiple graduates confirm securing clients and increasing rates post-certification.

    Platform & Delivery

    Learning Platform

    Delivered via dedicated LMS (specific platform unnamed). Students report user-friendly navigation and reliable access.

    Content Accessibility

    Lifetime access to core curriculum and updates. Video lessons available on-demand. Live Q&A replays provided. Downloadable resources included.

    Mobile Compatibility

    Platform reportedly mobile-responsive, allowing access on phones and tablets.

    Technical Requirements

    5+ Mbps internet connection, modern web browser, computer capable of video streaming

    Red flags check

    😬

    Complaints

    We found no widespread complaints about content quality or delivery. The primary concern revolves around the strict refund policy at this price level.

    😬

    Refund policy issues

    The academy enforces a strict no-refund policy. According to their Terms & Conditions: "Due to the digital nature of our Products, we have a strict no refund policy. By purchasing any of our Products, you acknowledge and agree that all sales are final and no refunds will be provided for any reason." This is concerning for a $3,497 investment.

    😬

    Marketing practices

    Marketing appears transparent and professional, focusing on skill development rather than unrealistic income claims. The trademarked Certified OBM® designation adds legitimacy.

    😬

    Community feedback

    The private student community receives consistent praise. We found no negative feedback about the community environment or support quality.

    Is this course legit?

    Value For Money

    At $3,497, this represents a significant investment in professional development. For committed individuals who leverage the comprehensive training, weekly live support, and active community, the ROI potential exists through higher-paying OBM roles. However, the no-refund policy places all financial risk on the student, which diminishes overall value proposition.

    Conclusion

    After thorough investigation, we found the Certified OBM® Training by OBM Leadership Academy to be a legitimate, comprehensive program for serious professionals. The curriculum depth, expert instruction from Keldie Jamieson, and strong graduate outcomes support its positioning as a premium offering.

    The program excels in providing practical, actionable training backed by real support systems. The trademarked Certified OBM® designation offers market differentiation, and the overwhelming positive feedback from graduates suggests genuine value delivery.

    However, we cannot ignore the elephant in the room: the combination of ultra-high pricing ($3,497) with a strict no-refund policy creates substantial financial risk. This isn't a program for casual learners or those uncertain about pursuing an OBM career.

    For the right candidate, someone with existing administrative or project management experience who's committed to building an OBM business, this investment could prove worthwhile. The comprehensive nature of the training, ongoing support, and proven graduate success stories justify consideration.

    We recommend this program only for those who've thoroughly researched the OBM field, have the financial means to absorb potential loss, and are fully committed to completing the training and implementing what they learn. The value is there, but the financial risk requires careful consideration.

    FAQs about this course

    The Certified OBM® is a registered trademark of the OBM Leadership Academy. While not an industry-wide accreditation (the OBM field remains largely unregulated), it's recognized by clients familiar with the academy's reputation.

    The core training spans 12 weeks with 5-10 hours weekly commitment. Students receive lifetime access and can work at their own pace.

    An OBM manages day-to-day operations, projects, teams, and metrics for online service-based businesses. They implement strategy, develop systems, and lead teams to free up business owners' time.

    No refunds are available. The academy enforces a strict no-refund policy for all digital products, making this a final sale.

    Students access weekly live Q&A calls with Keldie Jamieson, a private student community, email support, and 12 months of OBM Inner Circle membership.

    Many graduates report securing clients, but success depends on your marketing efforts, networking, and market conditions. The course provides guidance on client acquisition and business launch strategies.

    The cohort option follows a structured 12-week schedule with peer interaction. The self-paced version (currently in beta) allows flexible progression through the same curriculum.

    Plan for business software subscriptions (project management tools, CRM, accounting software) and potential OBM Inner Circle membership fees after the included 12 months.

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    OBM Certification Training Review
    $ 3 497
    Total score: 7,2/10 ⭐
    • Duration84
    • DifficultyMedium
    • Release Date01/2019
    • Format Self-Paced or Enum.course_Format.cohort
    • AccessLifetime
    • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
    • Payment Options One-Time
    • LanguageEnglish
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    Our Methodology

    At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

    Our Rating System

    Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

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    OBM Certification Training Review