The Revelation That Will Change Everything You Thought You Knew—And Why I Had To Share It Now
Ever wondered what it feels like to finally let go of something you’ve nurtured for nearly two decades? Pat Flynn’s been there, standing at the crossroads between a beloved legacy and a thrilling new chapter. After years of saying a firm “no” to every tempting offer, Pat’s decided it’s time to pass the torch of Smart Passive Income (SPI) to someone who genuinely cares about the community it’s built — enter Liz Wilcox. This isn’t just a business transaction; it’s a heartfelt handoff steeped in shared values, commitment, and a vision for growth that honors SPI’s roots while looking boldly ahead. But what does it take to make such a pivotal choice? And how does one juggle the dual ladders of passion and legacy without losing balance? Dive into Pat’s candid journey of selling SPI, embracing change, and carving out a new role as he embarks on a mission inspired by Mr. Rogers, all while keeping the vibrant SPI community thriving under fresh stewardship. Curious to know the full story behind this unexpected yet exciting shift? LEARN MORE.
Hello, Reader!
To many, this announcement will come as no surprise, however I also know there will be some people who will be caught off guard by it. But either way, I couldn’t be more excited for the future.
Your future, my future, and the future of SPI.
I decided to sell Smart Passive Income.
Before you read too deep into this, I invite you to read what I have to share below, because it’s important.
Selling SPI was never a goal of mine, and not too long ago if you asked me if I would sell it, my answer would have been a hard “NO”.
In fact, in 2022, I had my first offer from a venture capitalist who was attracted to the new community and recurring revenue business model Matt Gartland and I implemented. Even though the numbers were attractive, it was an easy no because I knew exactly what they wanted: your contact info, and eventually your wallet for whatever programs and services they were going to offer you that had nothing to do with SPI.
There was ZERO consideration for what the brand stood for, the community we were building, and zero care for your future as a subscriber and student of SPI, Reader.
A year later, another offer came through, from a different venture capital firm, and again, a hard pass.
In those conversations, it was always about the numbers first, and that’s what told me they knew nothing about what was important to me. If I were to even entertain the idea of selling SPI, it would have to be because that’s what was best for the community and the future of the brand.
Fast forward to 2025 in Seattle, at my 4th Card Party, an event I host that brings nearly 10,000 Pokémon fans together. While at the event, someone who was working with me noticed that I was answering emails and preparing a script for a YouTube video for SPI that I had to film when I got back home the next week.
She could tell I was tired and distracted, and I definitely was.
It was like I was straddling two different ladders, trying to climb both at the same time. The Pokémon YouTube channel that I started with my kids in 2020 has become a new calling for me, however Smart Passive Income, which I started in 2008, is my baby.
And for the last 2 or 3 years, I’ve felt the push and pull mentally between the two. My time and my actions have been divided, and maybe you’ve even felt that on your end.
But, like a parent who sees their child off to college (which I will likely experience very soon), Smart Passive Income just turned 18 years old in 2026, and it’s my time to let it go, so it can move forward into even bigger and better things, beyond me.
So now you might be wondering: “Pat, so who bought Smart Passive Income from you?”
Funny story.
The person helping me at Card Party was a woman named Patricia Prak, who happens to be Liz Wilcox’s sister and assistant. Patricia told Liz how busy and tired I was at the event, and she jokingly suggested to Liz, “You should just buy SPI from him so he can focus on the Pokémon thing, and maybe you could take over and give SPI your full attention.”
One week later Liz, Matt and I had a discussion about what that might even look like, and guess what: no numbers were shared on either side. 100% of our discussion in the first two months were about the future of SPI, its community, and its subscribers.
Do we share the same values? Is there alignment in what the goals are for the community? Could SPI potentially be left in better hands with Liz? Could Liz’s business goals align with SPI, and vice versa?
The answer to all of the above questions was yes.
Let’s be honest though: Liz and I are not the same. Although we’re both 80s babies, Liz is a former Survivor contestant that is way more quirky and bubbly than I am. She’s animated, expressive and some may even say, eccentric.
But at the same time, when it comes to why we do what we do online, and who we’re doing it for, the similarities are incredible.
Like my LEED Exam blog, she got her start with an RV blog that she later sold. She currently generates passive income from her email marketing business that houses a community of over 4,000 people, which is what gave her the time to explore buying SPI and giving more of herself and her time to it.
But most of all, when it comes to our similarities: we’re both authentically ourselves, and we show up to serve.
Liz officially bought SPI in April of 2026, and while I had contemplated making this announcement back then, we decided to first have her come on as Director of Community so people could get to know her first, and I wanted to make sure to set her up for success and give her time to prove herself.
And she has.
Since April, she’s already increased activity and engagement in our community by over 400%. I’ve personally received messages and DMs from people who have said that the only other time the community has ever “felt like this” was back when it was launched in 2020.
That’s Liz’s doing. She’s showing up more than I ever did. She’s implemented a successful recurring co-working experience, and is helping to answer so many questions and make connections that only a person who truly cares would.
Also since April, she’s doubled the number of new members in our community. That’s all Liz, too. She saw some very clear holes in our marketing and used her email expertise to encourage more sign-ups, and the community is booming because of it.
So now that the announcement is official, I can confidently welcome the new owner of SPI, Liz Wilcox, who will take the baton and run the next leg of this journey alongside you.
I’m not going too far, though. I will be back on the podcast from time to time with updates, and I’m here to advise and help Liz through the transition as well. She’s already been showing up on the podcast, and I’ve heard a lot of people say they love the new style and energy she brings to the show. She’s got a vision for the show that is akin to the early days of the podcast, and I can’t wait to hear it, too.
Now finally, you might be wondering, what are my plans for the future?
As you might remember, my partner Caleb Wojcik and I recently sold our physical product company SwitchPod. Today, you just got the news about Smart Passive Income.
Other than advising a few companies on the side, most of my time will be spent on building upon what I started in the Pokémon space with my channels. My family is also involved in that venture as well, and it’s something that is bringing us even closer together.
I invested in a large physical space to become a film studio where a lot of production will occur both for Pokémon related content, and other new ventures, too. I do have a drive to learn more about storytelling and eventually get into filmmaking, too.
But it’s not just about videos and content, or Pokémon. The drive is much bigger than that. In several episodes of the SPI podcast, you may recall that I’ve spoken about how I’ve wanted to do something that positively impacts kids and families. I even tried to make an impact in my local community at a school and curriculum level, only to be met with a lot of politics and red tape.
With the Pokémon content and the event I run, I’m seeing firsthand the impact that my content is having on kids and their families. Moms and Dads are spending time with their kids, off-screen, to connect together. I’ve had parents tell me that my content is the only content they’re comfortable letting their kids watch. And I’ve even had people struggling with mental illness say my videos have saved their lives.
Although many people have called me “The Mr. Beast of Pokémon”, I personally do not like that comparison, nor do I believe Mr. Beast is all that good for kids to begin with, but that’s a conversation for another time.
What matters is, I don’t want to become the next Mr. Beast…
I want to become, in a sense, the next Mr. Rogers.
I grew up with Mr. Rogers, someone who taught me about good values, and about life. He was that voice I heard on my television almost every day, and I’d like to step forward and be a similar voice to today’s kids. Right now that’s with Pokémon, and in the future, it could be through something else.
No one will ever replace Mr. Rogers, and I could never be him. But, I am inspired by him, and I’d like to have that same positive impact on the world.
None of this would be possible without you.
You have given me the opportunity to step forward into something I never thought possible. Thank you, so much, from the bottom of my heart.
I’d like to think the world is a better place because of what I started in 2008, and I’m grateful for those of you who have sent me messages or letters saying I played some positive role in your life story as an entrepreneur.
A big thanks to the SPI team and everyone who has been a part of this journey with me. The openness to Liz and how y’all have teamed up to work even better together is so exciting!
Former CEO, and my business partner Matt Gartland, deserves a big thanks as well. He has played a major role in shaping SPI for nearly a decade and a ton of the biggest business decisions over the years were made with his counsel. And thanks to Caleb Wojcik too, the previous CEO, who spent the last 2 years keeping things organized and getting us to this point as well.
Thank you to Jess Lindgren, my assistant turned business manager, who will continue to make sure I have what I need and get to where I need to go, when I need to, on my new adventure.
And thank you, to Liz. I am so blessed we crossed paths, first on the SPI podcast, then at Kit’s event Craft + Commerce, and through your sister once again. There is literally no one else in the world I could imagine taking it from here. SPI is in good hands with you, and you are in good hands with SPI. You already know this.
And to think, none of this would have even been a thing if I didn’t get laid off from my architecture job in 2008. Thanks boss, you did me a solid back then, even though I didn’t know it at the time. Truly.
Here’s to the future. Whatever road you’re on, I know you’ll get there. But remember, where you’re going, you might not even need roads.
Sincerely,
Pat Flynn
P.S. Please listen to this podcast episode on SPI with both Liz and I talking about the acquisition. A heartfelt, genuine conversation about the sale, and our plans for the future, too.
PPS. For those that are super curious, Liz is doing something wildly transparent over here. It’s these kinds of ideas that I’m most excited for you to see, study, and implement into your own online business.
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