The Creator's Toolkit

Furillo is a Black queer pop star and pop culture rolodex who has carved out a unique lane for himself and his group BFF—an ode to 2000s pop/R&B music and films. He joins us to talk about his evolution from solo act to duo, artist to content creator, and how he’s mastered building (and rebuilding) TikTok accounts with ease. In this episode, we dive into the power of knowing your niche, navigating social media, and why authenticity is the ultimate key to viral success.

⁠featuring ⁠"This Shit Hard (Papi Mix)" produced by COLDPRESSEDPAPI

Katini Yamaoka is a powerhouse singer, songwriter, and founder of Katini Skin, the award-winning facial oil-serum brand. In this episode, she shares her journey through the beauty and music industries, the manifestation that led to a career-defining opportunity, and the powerful advice from her sister that reminded her of her limitless potential.

featuring ⁠"This Shit Hard (Papi Mix)" produced by COLDPRESSEDPAPI

This season, we’re bringing back past guests to share valuable insights, and SADBOYMUSIC is kicking things off with a masterclass. A multi-talented artist with a sharp eye for aesthetics, he was a go-to resource in Season 1 for creatives looking to craft impactful merch. Now, he’s deep in the rollout for his latest single, "Kind of HARD"—co-written by our host, YawnyBlew—and he’s dropping fresh gems on what makes a strong music release strategy. Get ready to take notes!

Stream "Kind of HARD" now.

Ladidai is a creative industry juggernaut who has mastered the art of being everywhere, everything, all at once. The multi-hyphenate joins us to chat about her pivot from music to multimedia, how she manages her many roles, and why pouring into your own cup is essential—especially when your superpower is fueling others' journeys.

featuring "This Shit Hard (Drill Mix)" produced by Blackmajic.

Mike & Yawny discuss plans for the upcoming Merch Madness and their experiences as creative entrepreneurs over the last year.

featuring "This Shit Hard (Drill Mix)" produced by Blackmajic.

In this winter episode of The Creator’s Toolkit, Mike & Yawny sit down with their GLAAD Black Queer Creative Summit cohort, Je’Vel, for a candid conversation about the pressures of compartmentalization in creative industries, why waiting for ‘wizards’ to open doors is a losing game, and the inspiration behind Je’Vel and Yawny’s collaboration on ‘Kings.’

Join YawnyBlew & Mike Brown as they tackle season 2 of The Creator's Toolkit and YEAR 3 of Merch Madness. What could go wrong?

Jeremiah Marquez, a graphic designer turned business strategist, takes center stage in the season finale of The Creator's Toolkit. Jeremiah's journey from artist to entrepreneur is a testament to his unwavering dedication and innovative mindset. Throughout the episode, he offers invaluable insights into the challenges and successes encountered on his path, serving as a guiding light for fellow creatives embarking on their own entrepreneurial ventures. Jeremiah's expertise in branding, digital platforms, and strategic planning showcases the seamless integration of artistic passion with business acumen, inspiring a new generation of creative entrepreneurs to chart their own course to success.

https://www.ascnsn.com

Join us on this week's episode as we sit down with Keisha TK Dutes, a multi-talented audio storyteller and visual artist who successfully transitioned from the medical field to the world of audio. Delve into the art of artistic pivots as we explore Keisha's journey, discussing the transformative power of storytelling in product sales and the importance of embracing limitless creativity as an artist. Tune in for insights, inspiration, and a glimpse into the boundless possibilities of creative expression.

Keisha TK Dutes

Website

Instagram

In this episode of The Creator's Toolkit, we delve into the world of merchandising with She's Ryan, a multi-talented artist based in New York. She shares her insights on navigating the business of merch, revealing what sells and resonates with audiences. Discover how She's Ryan's self-aware approach has helped her create a brand with multiple merchandising extensions. Tune in as we explore how she manages to branch out in so many directions and the importance of prioritizing mental health in monetizing art.

She's Ryan

https://linktr.ee/ShesRyan

Instagram

TikTok