Last night’s FBA Brand Builder meeting took an unexpected turn. What began as a seemingly typical Monday weekly call meant to inspire, quickly spiraled into a tense display of defensiveness, aggression, and unsettling authoritarianism from Darren Campbell. Despite the program’s branding as a supportive, collaborative space for budding entrepreneurs, the meeting exposed a vastly different reality.
Darren’s tone shifted sharply over the course of the session—from motivational to outright combative—as he silenced genuine concerns and dismissed dissenting voices. The most shocking moment came when Darren removed a client from the meeting entirely after they asked about the status of a trademark refund. For many, this moment underscored fears that the program is shifting from mentorship to something far more authoritarian.
The call began as an attempt to rally people behind a movement but instead instilled fear in everyone about speaking out.
See if anyone we know behind it, we have any information that you are undermining us, that you are fucking trying to snake us, or you're trying to bring anyone in this community down, bully them, or turn anyone against anybody in this community, you will be removed. I don't care who you are, what you've invested, I don't care where you're at, you'll be removed instantly. And that might come across very, very harsh, but I'm here to protect you. I'm here to protect everyone in my community. I'm here to protect my people. I will do that at all costs."
Defensiveness on Display
The meeting continued with Darren highlighting the growth and community-driven spirit of the FBA Brand Builder program. However, as the session wore on, his tone shifted, becoming increasingly defensive when clients brought up legitimate concerns.
One of the most notable moments occurred when a participant openly questioned the handling of trademark services, saying:
"I don’t want the FBA Brand Builder doing my trademark… I want the refund in full, and I want to do it myself."
Darren’s response was swift and cutting:
"You don’t need a trademark to go and launch your product on Amazon....But what I’m telling you right now, I’m not going to tolerate people coming on and questioning us."
Rather than addressing the concern constructively, Darren dismissed it outright, sidestepped accountability, and escalated tensions by ejecting the participant from the call. His blunt declaration, “You’re either with us or you’re not. No refund, no reimbursement,” underscored the authoritarian tone that dominated the meeting.
Ultimatums and Aggression
Darren Campbell made it clear throughout the meeting that loyalty and compliance are non-negotiable in the FBA Brand Builder community. He repeatedly framed the program as a space where participation hinges on unwavering allegiance, presenting a stark, black-and-white narrative:
"See the FBA Brand Builder now. You’re either with us or you’re not. And that’s the way it’s going to operate."
This divisive rhetoric left no room for constructive criticism or meaningful dialogue. Clients who expressed concerns about financial commitments or program delays were swiftly labeled as negative or accused of procrastination. Darren reinforced this stance with a blunt ultimatum:
"If you’re not performing, if you’re not on the calls, if you’re not doing what’s expected, we’re not going to invest in you. Simple."
This aggressive approach alienated many participants, further solidifying the perception that the program prioritizes control over collaboration.
Silencing Genuine Questions
Darren’s abrupt dismissal of the trademark refund query wasn’t an isolated incident. Throughout the meeting, other clients who voiced doubts about their progress or financial readiness faced similarly dismissive and frustrated responses. When one participant shared concerns about their pace, Darren retorted:
"If you’re not launching right now, you’re just making excuses. What are you waiting for?"
For clients dealing with genuine challenges, this response came across as an attack rather than constructive guidance. Even when financial struggles were raised, Darren brushed them aside, asserting:
"I know the main reason you’re not moving forward isn’t because you lack skills—it’s because you’re scared to invest. And that’s not on us."
While Darren often positioned himself as a passionate leader, his rhetoric frequently veered into guilt-tripping and coercion. At one point, he said:
"Think about the family members who helped you build this brand. Are you really going to give up on them now?"
This manipulative framing placed the blame for setbacks squarely on the clients, conveniently ignoring systemic issues within the program, such as delays in trademark services and unclear guidance. Darren’s approach left many feeling unsupported and unfairly criticized, adding to the mounting frustrations within the community.
The Dictatorial Mindset
Darren’s frequent use of profanity, ultimatums, and self-aggrandizing remarks further cemented the impression that he sees himself as an authoritarian leader rather than a supportive mentor. He justified his abrasive approach with statements like:
"I swear, I curse, I’m not polished—but I’m real. If you don’t like it, there are plenty of other programs for you."
When faced with criticism, his defensiveness took center stage:
"What more do you want? We’ve rebuilt this from the ground up, made it better, and now you’re still complaining?"
Comments like these didn’t just shut down meaningful dialogue—they actively discouraged it, reinforcing a culture where dissent was unwelcome, and clients felt pressured to accept the program’s shortcomings without question.
A Community Under Pressure
Despite his repeated emphasis on community, Darren’s rhetoric painted a far harsher reality. He explicitly stated that the program would monitor client engagement, creating an environment that felt more punitive than supportive:
"We’re going to monitor who’s in the community, who’s showing up on the calls, and who’s not performing. If you’re not serious, why should we invest in you?"
For a program promoted as a nurturing space for growth, these remarks suggest a far more rigid and unforgiving approach. Rather than fostering inclusivity or collaboration, Darren’s comments raise serious concerns about the true nature of the leadership’s accountability and the program’s commitment to its clients’ success.
Key Moments of Defensiveness and Aggression
“You’re either with us or you’re not. No refund, no reimbursement.”
“If you’re going to give us shit, you’re going to go on the calls—this is our community, this is my company, this is the people I’m protecting.”
“See the FBA Brand Builder now. You’re either with us or you’re not. And that’s the way it’s going to operate.”
“I’m not going to wake up every single day and have anyone on eggshells in this community.”
“I’ve literally been in the premises every single day…there was one particular night I didn’t sleep.”
“We’ve hired a full-time, we’re going to hire a full-time community manager to make sure this is going to be monitored. Who’s going to be in the community? Who’s behind the community? Who’s on the calls? Who’s performing? Who’s not performing?”
“There is no opportunity in the world like this. None. Like, bar none.”
Other quotes from the call:
- “You don’t need a trademark to go and launch your product on Amazon.”
- “Grab life by the fucking throat, and make it your own.”
- “This is the moment. This is your moment.”
- “If they have it, we’ve got a mole in our group.”
- “If you’re not on the calls, if you’re not engaged, we’re going to put our time into people who are.”
- “Trademark delays are out of my hands. You don’t need it to launch your product—just move forward.”
- “If you’re not moving forward, it’s not because you can’t—it’s because you’re making excuses.”
- “If you don’t put in the work and give up after four weeks, that’s not fair to the people who helped you.”
- “We’ve rebuilt this, improved it, and people still complain.”
- “If you’re not willing to invest in yourself, this might not be for you.”
- “Success isn’t handed to you. You have to work for it. If you’re not ready, don’t waste time.”
You deserve better for £6,500
The events of last night’s meeting cast serious doubt on the direction of the FBA Brand Builder program. Darren Campbell’s defensive and combative leadership—highlighted by his silencing of a participant over a legitimate trademark concern—has created an atmosphere where questions are suppressed, feedback is disregarded, and blind loyalty is valued over transparency.
The FBA Brand Builder community deserves better. Aspiring entrepreneurs turn to this program with the hope of learning, growing, and building sustainable businesses. For those goals to be realized, leadership must embrace accountability, professionalism, and genuine respect for its clients’ voices.
Until that happens, Darren Campbell risks pushing away the very people he claims to empower.