The Business of Creators

Think selling merch is just about slapping your logo on a t-shirt? Think again — this episode reveals what really drives sales in 2025. This episode is packed with surprising, actionable insights on what actually works in creator commerce today.Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc10Ian Shepherd sits down with Aaron Day, CEO of Amaze, to unpack how creators are using AI, data, and community to launch products that actually sell. From NBA stars to crab-loving YouTubers, Aaron shares what separates the creators making real money from those spinning their wheels.Topics Discussed:- The evolution of creator-led product launches in 2025- How creators are using audience data and AI to drive smarter decisions- Key differences between micro-creators and large creators when it comes to success- What really makes a creator brand “authentic” and sticky- Behind-the-scenes stories from high-performing creator campaignsKey Takeaways:- Why creators who collaborate with their audience during product development see massive conversion rates- What makes creators like Katie Shoger and Alex Caruso stand out — and how they keep their products selling- How TikTok Shop has reshaped creator attitudes toward “selling” without being salesy- Why access to capital is the hidden bottleneck behind pre-sales — and what needs to change- How integrating product stores with platforms like YouTube can 7X your revenueListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

What if one person could build a $100 million brand — without a team? Pietra’s new AI assistant is making that future possible right now.Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc9In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Ronak Trivedi and Tala Akhavan, co-founders of Pietra, to explore how their new AI assistant is revolutionizing e-commerce. They dive into the powerful potential of AI-powered digital workers and how this new tech is helping solo creators build and scale brands like never before.Topics Discussed:- The launch of Pietra’s AI assistant for e-commerce operations- How AI can automate 80–90% of a business’s backend processes- Real-world use cases from creators and brand owners using Pietra- Ethical and creative implications of AI in entrepreneurship- The duo’s early days at Uber and their approach to tech-driven problem solvingKey Takeaways:- Learn how Pietra’s AI assistants automate the most time-consuming parts of running a business — from sourcing to fulfillment to marketing- Discover how solo entrepreneurs can now scale brands faster than ever, with minimal overhead- Understand the real-world impact of AI on creativity, brand authenticity, and founder focus- Hear behind-the-scenes stories from Pietra’s early days at Uber and how those lessons shaped their tech- Get inspired by real case studies of creators and celebrities using Pietra to bring product ideas to life in just hoursListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

What if your kid’s favorite YouTuber could also make them fall in love with science? That’s exactly what CrunchLabs is doing — and today, Jim Lee, the company’s President and COO, reveals how.Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc8In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Jim to explore how CrunchLabs transformed from a kitchen-table idea with Mark Rober into a multimillion-dollar creator brand redefining STEM education. From high-tech toy kits to school curriculums and viral collaborations, Jim shares the blueprint behind building a purpose-driven creator business that’s both wildly fun and deeply educational.Topics Discussed:- How CrunchLabs launched and scaled with Mark Rober- Building and testing subscription products like BuildBox and HackPack- Using content and physical products to spark interest in STEM- Collaborations with Dude Perfect, chess.com, and more- The future of CrunchLabs in the classroomWhat You’ll Learn:- The behind-the-scenes story of a top creator brand's launch and growth- How to pair content with products to create powerful engagement- What it takes to keep kids (and adults) excited about STEM- How creators can expand into education without losing their brand magic- Practical advice on testing, partnerships, and authentic storytellingListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

What happens when you combine a viral creator with a disruptive candy brand? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd dives into the story of 1UP with co-founders Michael Schenker, and Chris Koch — the team behind the bold new candy brand launched with FaZe Rug. From rapid product innovation to landing Walmart distribution in months, they share how they’re building a Gen Z-first CPG company with creators at the core.Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc7Topics Discussed:- The origin and growth strategy behind 1UP Candy- How FaZe Rug became an authentic co-founder — not just a face- Equity, royalties, and what creator partnerships really look like- Navigating retail launches and the power of viral product experiences- Future product categories in protein and kids’ nutritionKey Takeaways:- Learn how to structure meaningful creator partnerships beyond sponsorships- Discover how to use consumer insights and social trends to build breakout products- Understand what retailers really want from creator-led brands- See how a lean team used speed, testing, and authenticity to win shelf space- Get inspired by how to turn creator influence into long-term brand equityListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

Want to know the secret to going viral and getting paid on Snapchat? This episode breaks it all down. Ian Shepherd sits down with Varshini Satish, Talent Partnerships Lead at Snapchat, to explore how Snap is rapidly becoming one of the most creator-friendly platforms in 2025 — with a strong focus on authenticity, monetization and deep audience engagement.Topics Discussed:- What Varshini’s team does to elevate creators inside Snapchat- How Snap identifies top creators through both data and culture- Best practices for content strategy and posting cadence on Snap- New monetization tools and easier eligibility for creators- The future of AR, dual-camera content, and Snap’s unified content feedKey Takeaways:- Learn exactly how to grow and monetize your content on Snapchat in 2025- Discover why copying your TikTok or Instagram strategy won’t work on Snap- Find out how to balance Stories and Spotlight for faster audience growth- Understand what Snapchat’s new monetization requirements are — and how to meet them- Get inspired by creator success stories and practical tips to stand out on the platformListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and Colin & Samir use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc6What if your next big payday didn’t come from AdSense or brand deals—but from a product your audience actually wants to buy? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd dives deep with Miles Sellyn, VP of Creator Partnerships at Rare Days, to explore how top creators are turning their audiences into thriving digital product businesses.Topics Discussed:- The rise of memberships and subscriptions in the creator economy- Real examples of million-dollar product launches- How to validate product ideas using your DMs and comments- Frameworks for pricing and ongoing marketing- The future of creator-led software productsWhat You’ll Learn If You Listen:- How to spot the right product for your audience (hint: it’s hiding in your DMs)- The step-by-step process top creators use to launch and scale products- Proven strategies to price, market, and grow your digital offerings- How to shift from “posting and hoping” to building a long-term business- Tools and mindset shifts to overcome the fear of selling to your audienceListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

What happens when a college freshman drops out and builds a social media empire from scratch? Teddy Solomon did exactly that — and now Fizz is dominating college campuses across the U.S.In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Teddy Solomon to uncover how Fizz tapped into Gen Z’s craving for authenticity, creating a platform where real conversations thrive — without influencers, filters, or pressure to be perfect. From viral launch hacks to scaling without a marketing budget, this is how to build products Gen Z actually wants.Topics Discussed:- The origin story of Fizz during the pandemic- How they hacked early growth and scaled across 300+ campuses- Why anonymity and authenticity work together- How Fizz’s content moderation system keeps things safe and local- The roadmap for monetization and post-college expansionKey Takeaways:- Learn how to grow a product without spending a dime on marketing- Discover why Gen Z is rejecting traditional social platforms- Understand the psychology behind anonymous, high-engagement content- See how hybrid moderation models balance community and safety- Get inspired to build platforms rooted in real-world identity and connectionListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

Launching products for sale? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc5 What happens when one of the world’s biggest podcasters backs your startup? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd dives into the exclusive story behind Steven Bartlett’s investment in Stan — and how co-founders John Hu and Vitalii Dodonov are quietly powering the next generation of creators.From cold emails and relentless hustle to building a platform that’s generated over $300 million for creators, John and Vitalii share what’s working, what’s next, and how AI is changing the game.They Discussed:- How John’s cold outreach landed a deal with Steven Bartlett- The mission behind Stan and its explosive growth- Monetization strategies that actually work: digital products, subscriptions, and coaching- How AI can empower (not replace) creators- Why community and simplicity are the new edge for creator toolsKey Takeaways:- Learn exactly how John got Steven Bartlett’s attention — and what made him say “I’m obsessed”- Discover the three product types generating the most income for creators today- Get actionable advice on pricing your first product and avoiding common creator traps- Hear how Stan’s founders think about AI’s role in amplifying—not diluting—creativity- Find out what separates creators who make it from those who burn outListen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insights on the business of creators!

Launching merch? Start with a .store domain. Top creators like MrBeast, Dude Perfect and IShowSpeed use .store to build clean, memorable web addresses like YourName.store, boosting clicks, driving sales and making it crystal clear where fans can shop. Grab yours now: https://go.store/boc1 In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Charles Haynes, Founder and MD of Ziggurat XYZ, to explore how niche creators are building thriving businesses beyond brand deals. Charles shares his journey from recognizing a market shift in YouTube viewership to managing creators who turn passions like woodworking, miniatures, and coffee into profitable product lines.This conversation is packed with real-world examples — from Squidmar Miniatures’ million-dollar Kickstarter to James Hoffmann’s artisan coffee accessories — and reveals what it really takes to launch a successful creator-led product.They Discussed:The difference between agents and managers in the creator economyEvaluating if a creator is ready to launch a productCase studies: Emil of Squidmar, James Hoffmann, Bourbon Moth, and moreProduct strategy, fulfillment, pricing, and long-term brand buildingWhat You’ll Learn from This Episode:How to assess whether your audience is ready for a product — and what signals to look forThe difference between a creator selling merch vs. building a product businessReal examples of niche creators turning small audiences into major revenue through physical productsThe importance of pricing correctly — and why underpricing can hurt your brandPractical advice on pre-orders, fulfillment logistics, and avoiding common pitfallsWatch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

What if shopping felt more like a stadium packed with fans than a boring scroll through product listings? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd chats with Nick Bell, CEO of Fanatics Live, about how he’s transforming the world of collectibles through live commerce — blending entertainment, community, and commerce into one addictive experience.They dive into how Fanatics Live fits into the broader Fanatics empire, the psychology behind collecting, and why creators are central to this fast-growing platform. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or fan of the hobby, Nick shares powerful insights on where the industry is headed — and how you can be part of it.Topics Discussed:- The concept and evolution of Fanatics Live- How live commerce differs from traditional e-commerce- Cultural differences between UK and US collectors- The role of creators and how they earn on the platform- The future of creator monetization and community buildingWhat You’ll Learn:- How to turn collecting into a thriving business and community experience- Why creators are moving from ad-based revenue to deep community monetization- How Fanatics Live equips creators with tools to engage fans and drive sales- The power of curating niche audiences and building long-term loyalty- What the rise of live commerce means for the future of digital shoppingWatch to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!