What happens when creators stop being the face of their own businesses?

In this episode, we dive into the new wave of creator-led companies, how investors think about exits, and why the strongest creators build cults instead of just audiences.

Inside:

🏗️ Building creator brands that can outlast the founder’s face

📈 VC vs. cash-flow businesses — what investors really want

🔥 Measuring “cult-like” followings in the creator economy

💡 Why niche and “unsexy” industries are blowing up on social

🎟️ The rise of side events vs. big conferences like VidCon

Timestamps:

00:00 – Creator brands vs. personality-driven businesses

08:45 – The new wave: Joyride, Nami, and faceless creator CPG

19:00 – What does a “successful exit” look like in VC?

28:30 – Cult followings & how to measure them

45:00 – Unsexy industries turning into creator niches

53:40 – Events: side meetups vs. VidCon & SXSW

🎙️ Hosted by Grace Ling & Justin Nguyen

📍 How Creators Make Money — the podcast where we unpack the real strategies behind today’s smartest creators.