SecuredPicks

How an 18-Year-Old Built a $500K Sports Betting Empire

February 14th, 2025

Founded By
Tyson Nguyen
Monthly Revenue
$50K
Founders
1
Profitable
Yes
Year Started
2022
Customer
B2B & B2C

Who is Tyson Nguyen?

Tyson Nguyen, the founder of SecuredPicks, is a high school dropout and young entrepreneur who monetized his sports betting skills to successfully retire his parents by 18. Raised in an Asian-American household, he chose to skip college, utilizing his business acumen to surpass financial expectations.

What problem does SecuredPicks solve?

SecuredPicks helps sports bettors who often struggle with losing money by providing expert insights and community resources, which can improve their chances of making informed and profitable bets.

Secured Picks Homepage

Secured Picks Homepage

How did Tyson come up with the idea for SecuredPicks?

When Tyson Nguyen was in high school, he realized his knack for side hustles could be channeled into something bigger. He loved sports betting as a hobby and saw a chance to turn his passion into a business. Spotting the potential to earn from his sports betting knowledge, Tyson transitioned his free community to a paid one, securing consistent income.

Before diving fully into SecuredPicks, Tyson observed the demand for sports betting tips and researched platforms that could support his vision. As his community grew rapidly, he prioritized refining the service based on user feedback, ensuring it met their needs. Initially, he faced challenges with finding the right platform for his community, but his problem-solving skills and market acumen guided him through these early obstacles.

How did Tyson Nguyen build the initial version of SecuredPicks?

Tyson Nguyen, the founder of SecuredPicks, initially built the product by utilizing existing online platforms to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience. He used Discord as the primary software to host his sports betting community, enabling direct engagement with members in a familiar digital space. To tackle the technical and financial challenges of integrating a seamless payment system, Tyson chose Whop, a no-code platform, which allowed him to create a professional storefront and automate member access upon purchase. This strategic use of Whop addressed the high fees and unattractive landing page issues he encountered elsewhere. Despite being young and facing the pressure of proving his unconventional path, Tyson built and refined the initial version of the SecuredPicks platform in just a matter of months, emphasizing a balance between efficiency and user satisfaction.

What was the growth strategy for SecuredPicks and how did they scale?

Discord Community

SecuredPicks initially focused on building a robust and engaged community on Discord. By creating a space where sports betting enthusiasts could come together, share insights, and get access to premium content, Tyson curated an environment of exclusivity and value. With over 120,000 members, the Discord became a central hub for both free and paid strategies. Tyson often interacted directly with community members, offering genuine advice and support.

Why it worked: Discord served as a direct line of communication between Tyson and the bettors. It allowed for real-time updates, engagement, and a sense of belonging among the members. The personal touch and active participation made users feel part of a community rather than mere subscribers.

Whop Marketplace

Tyson expanded his reach by listing SecuredPicks on Whop Marketplace. This platform exposed his offerings to a broader audience, allowing people shopping on Whop to discover and join his community. The visibility on a popular marketplace contributed to significant recurring revenue, with 400+ new signups.

Why it worked: The marketplace offered credibility and access to a large user base seeking similar services. It reduced the effort required for members to join, as everything was streamlined, leading to increased sign-ups and reduced friction in the buying process.

Referral Program

Although not extensively detailed in the sources, the success of SecuredPicks suggests the likely use of a referral program. Similar to many online communities, a referral program would incentivize current members to bring in new users, thus expanding the community organically.

Why it worked: Word-of-mouth marketing is powerful, especially in niche communities. Members who see value are likely to refer friends, provided they see personal benefits, such as discounted membership or other perks.

Social Media (TikTok & Instagram)

Tyson made effective use of TikTok and Instagram to share free betting tips and strategies, driving significant traffic to SecuredPicks. His initial TikTok video went viral, resulting in thousands of new members joining the Discord community overnight.

Why it worked: The visually engaging and short format of TikTok and Instagram allowed for the rapid sharing of content. The virality potential on these platforms meant a single hit post could draw immense attention, translating to high numbers of memberships and engagement.

What's the pricing strategy for SecuredPicks?

SecuredPicks offers sports betting insights for $30/month through Whop Marketplace, with access to a free community and subscription for enhanced expertise.

Sports betting plans

Sports betting plans

What were the biggest lessons learned from building SecuredPicks?

  1. Adapt and Overcome: Tyson faced hurdles with integrating platforms and fees but found a solution using Whop to streamline processes and reduce costs. This adaptability was crucial for his early success and growth.
  2. Leverage Community Support: Creating a vibrant sports betting community on platforms like Discord allowed Tyson to gather valuable insights and feedback, fostering a supportive environment that fueled SecuredPicks' growth.
  3. Promote Fairness: Tyson stands out by prioritizing transparency, such as sharing both wins and losses with his community. This honesty builds trust and loyalty, differentiating him from competitors who might be less forthcoming.
  4. Continuous Learning: Despite achieving success at a young age, Tyson continues to learn and refine strategies based on industry changes and feedback, underscoring the importance of lifelong learning in entrepreneurship.
  5. Percieve Passion Over Profit: Tyson emphasizes helping others and building a community over purely making profits, demonstrating that a mission-driven approach can lead to significant personal and financial success.

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More about SecuredPicks:

Who is the owner of SecuredPicks?

Tyson Nguyen is the founder of SecuredPicks.

When did Tyson Nguyen start SecuredPicks?

2022

What is Tyson Nguyen's net worth?

Tyson Nguyen's business makes an average of $50K/month.

How much money has Tyson Nguyen made from SecuredPicks?

Tyson Nguyen started the business in 2022, and currently makes an average of $600K/year.

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