A former factory worker has shared how a YouTube ad changed his life and made him a millionaire.
Niko Dieckhoff used to come home after a gruelling shift and feel immediately exhausted.
The 28-year-old hated waking up at 4am to drive to a chemical plant in a run-down Mitsubishi.
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Knowing that something needed to change, Niko started looking for other career opportunities in his free time – when he came across a YouTube video about how to get started with dropshipping.
It started as a side hustle but the money soon started rolling in.
Six months from the day he watched the video, Niko quit his job for good – and another six months later, he made his first million.
“I was a normal guy putting in gruelling hours and sitting in traffic to and from work every day,” said the founder of AI Online Shops, who has over 150,000 followers on Instagram.
“We all have access to YouTube but I never anticipated that an ad would change my life in the way that it has.
“I was dissatisfied with my salaried job and wanted more out of life.
“The idea of working for someone else for the next 45 years filled me with dread.
“Life was passing me by – that’s when the awakening came.
“I realised that I hated my life, but only I had the power to change it.
“When I stumbled onto the advert for the dropshipping course, I was mesmerised.
“I signed up straight away.
“It was a 20-hour course that cost £400, but it was worth every penny.
“Twelve months later, I was a millionaire.
“Now, I work around 30 minutes a day. I don’t even have an alarm anymore.
“Anyone with dreams and a work ethic can do the same.”
Niko learned about a world of online shops that don’t require warehouses and over time built up his portfolio.
His first hit product was a showerhead with mineral stones.
Once he started earning enough money, the clever entrepreneur, who is from Kamen, Germany, used the cash to invest and expand into other business ventures.
He credits his willingness to take risks, perseverance and consistency to his success.
Now, the millionaire dabbles in not only dropshipping, but also e-commerce and cryptocurrency.
He said: “Platforms like YouTube and TikTok are a great source of free information that can lead to a better life.
“Today’s generation just use it for entertainment and scroll through silly videos.
“They are wasting a valuable resource.
“If a completely normal guy like me with a normal upbringing can do this, so can others.
“Now, I do what I want, whenever I want.
“When my family saw my success, they couldn’t believe it, but they are now extremely proud.
“My 52-year-old mum doesn’t work anymore – I told her to retire and now I look after her, financially.
“Becoming a millionaire was an unbelievable feeling and I thought ‘Okay, now I’ve made it and my life will change’.”
Niko had a traditional upbringing; his family raised him to work hard in school to secure a safe 9-5 job.
After finishing high school, the 28-year-old started his apprenticeship, which he did for two years before taking on his role at the chemical plant.
Before his venture into the world of dropshipping, Niko would rarely travel; at most, he could afford a short trip to a cheap all-inclusive in Turkey.
Now, the 28-year-old visits at least 10 countries a year, working from the likes of Dubai, New York and Australia.
His wealth has also allowed him to scrap his old £1,500 Mitsubishi Colt and swap it for a £200,000 Aston Martin DBX707.
As for his digs, Niko lives in a luxury penthouse in the centre of Dortmund, which used to belong to Newcastle United star Alexander Isak.
Despite working just 30 minutes a day, he actually intends to work even less in 2025.
He added: “My goal for the new year is to work less and make my business more automated.
“My days are completely free, it’s improved my quality of life so much.
“I was so unhappy – now I love my life.”