This is the #1 myth that keeps international students broke and scared. 'If I start a business on OPT, I'll get deported.' Let me be direct: under current ICE regulations, F-1 students on post-completion OPT MAY be self-employed and start businesses — if specific conditions are met. According to published ICE guidance and immigration attorneys, the requirements include: → The business must be related to your field of study → You must be properly licensed and incorporated → You must be actively engaged (working 20+ hours/week) → You must be able to demonstrate a legitimate role in the company For STEM OPT, it's stricter — you need E-Verify enrollment, a bona fide employer-employee relationship (I-983 form), and a qualified supervisor. One common structure: Form a C-Corp, recruit advisory board members, serve as CTO reporting to the board. The point isn't 'go start a business tomorrow.' The point is: the regulations have MORE flexibility than the fear-based WhatsApp rumors suggest. ⚠️ This is educational content, not legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions about employment or business activities on your visa. Question for the group: Did you know self-employment was permitted on OPT? What other 'rules' have you heard that might be myths? Drop them below — I'm doing a full myth-busting series. 👇

Most people blast outreach messages to anyone with a pulse. That's why most people get ignored. Here's the framework I teach every client — the 3 Tiers of Targeting: Tier 1: Decision Makers These are the people who can sign the check. CEOs, VPs, Founders, Heads of Department. They have budget authority and they feel the pain directly. Your message to them should focus on outcomes and ROI — not features. Tier 2: Champions These are the people who influence the decision maker. Directors, Senior Managers, Team Leads. They can't sign the check, but they can put your name on the shortlist. Your message to them should be about making their life easier and making them look good to their boss. Tier 3: Connectors These are people in your network who know Decision Makers and Champions personally. Investors, advisors, former colleagues, community members. Your message to them is simple: "Who do you know that's dealing with [specific problem]?" Here's what changes when you use this framework: - You stop wasting time on people who can't say yes - - You build multiple paths into the same account - - Your response rates jump from 2% to 10%+ because you're speaking their language The biggest mistake I see? People only target Tier 1 and wonder why they get ghosted. Decision Makers are bombarded. Champions and Connectors are your backdoor into every deal. This is exactly the kind of targeting framework we build out for our DFY clients — but you can absolutely run it yourself. Here's your action step: Map out 10 target accounts right now. For each one, identify at least one person in each tier. That's your outreach list for the week. Drop your number below — how many accounts are you going after this week?