Stop Working for Free , The Industry Will Respect You More | Nesrin & Ralph

We Asked 4 Experts For The REAL Truth About The Creator Economy

For this very special 2-year anniversary episode of Creators of Creators, we’re doing something a little different…. our first ever roundtable episode, presented by Qube. Apply at Qube here: theqube.com [http://theqube.com/] We’ve brought together an incredible group of creatives, industry leaders and experts who have been working behind the scenes of the creator economy for many decades combined, building brands, scaling businesses and helping creators succeed. Taha Khan, one of the 3 creators behind the Answer in Progress YouTube channel (1.6M+ subscribers), Chrissie Milan (prev. Condé Nast and LADbible) who has extensive experience collaborating with global brands and years of content creation. Also on the panel is Ishveer Malhi from CreatorIQ, one of the leading platforms powering influencer marketing and creator partnerships worldwide. Rounding out the group is Pele Newell, a motion graphics creator and the co-founder of the production studio / talent management company, Bolder Studios. Together, they bring decades of combined insider knowledge from across the creator industry. In this conversation, they share practical insights on everything from the real legal “hacks” to getting paid on time, to how creators can sustainably scale their brands, the most common mistakes creators are making today and how to think about risk in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.  Whether you're an emerging creator or an established one looking to grow, this discussion offers an honest look behind the scenes of the creator economy and the strategies that actually work. Enjoy! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Stop Working for Free , The Industry Will Respect You More | Nesrin & Ralph

Photographers and creators Nesrin Danan (@blackprints) and Ralph (@ralphcreates) join Creators on Creators for a brutally honest conversation about the highs, lows, and hidden realities of building a creative career. From touring with musicians to brand trips with Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, and Cartier, Nesrin shares the pivot that changed everything — and how charging what she’s worth gave her creative freedom back. Ralph breaks down his journey from sneaker photography to directing brand campaigns, the loneliness of being independent, and the mindset shift that changed how he works with clients. In this episode: * Why creative freedom comes with a price — and how to protect it * The truth about working with big brands and delayed payments * How to pitch yourself and land dream partnerships * Why “working for exposure” will keep you broke * Navigating pay transparency, project-based pricing & negotiating with confidence * The burnout of constant creation — and how to stay inspired * What it means to find your community instead of chasing virality * Being a Black woman in photography & carving out space in a saturated industry * How authenticity outperforms “perfect” content every time * This episode is a masterclass for anyone balancing art and business — packed with real talk, practical advice, and reminders that creative freedom is earned, not given. FOLLOW THE CREATORS Nesrin: @blackprints [https://www.instagram.com/blackprints] Ralph: @ralphcreates [https://www.instagram.com/ralphcreates] Creators on Creators: @creatorsoncreators [https://www.instagram.com/creatorsoncreators] CREDITS An Ambos Studios Production Executive Producers: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Editor: Tati Kapaya Camera: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Sound: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Location: Los Angeles, California Copyright © 2025 Ambos Studios LTD. All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Thirst Traps to $55K Brand Deals | Jay Ford & Tulio Sasaya

What happens when two creators stop chasing views and start building careers? In this episode, filmmaker and creative director Jay Ford and content creator Tulio Sasaya sit down for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of being a full-time digital creator, from the early thirst-trap days to leading six-figure brand collaborations with global companies like Abobe! They get brutally honest about the highs, lows, and everything in between: In this episode: - The creative hustle of living and working in LA - How “thirst traps” turned into storytelling & brand partnerships - Canon USA & Adobe collabs — how they happened and what they paid - The $55K brand deal that changed Jay Ford's career - The pressure of social media validation & burnout - Finding your community and the loneliness that comes with it - Learning to delegate, manage teams & protect your mental health This one’s packed with raw insights, unreal stories, and advice every creator, marketer, and freelancer NEEDS to hear. 🎧 Watch or Listen On: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music 🔗 Follow the Creators Jay Ford:  @JayFordProductions  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCF_hO7dcMseTZqQ9DwBdbvA] Tulio:  @TulioSasaya  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCaGJhrJUSL-mpiyJptp8GBA] Creators on Creators: @creatorsoncreators Ambos Studios Production Executive Producers: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Editor: Tati Kapaya Camera: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Sound: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Location: Los Angeles, California Copyright © 2025 Ambos Studios LTD. All Rights Reserved. SEO Keywords creator economy, brand deals, content creators, Jay Ford, Tulio, influencer marketing, creator burnout, long-form storytelling, creative process, Canon USA, Adobe collaboration, how to get brand deals, indie creators, social media growth, creator podcast, creative career ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Jack Cook & Nicolas Chae: Creators, Your Community Is Dying Because You Don’t Talk to Them

@JackCook  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCRVbyuxprIJbOixzaiL6G_w] (@_hjcook) the 1200 day daily , founder of Hydrant and  @NicolasChae  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCA00oRy5kQvWCR8O3Ie4Ctw] (@nicolaschae) filmmaker and Youtuber join Creators on Creators for a raw, relatable and refreshing conversation about what it really takes to grow an audience that actually cares. From replying to comments and hosting IRL events, to going off-platform with newsletters and long-term partnerships. This episode is a deep dive into the indie creator grind and how to build a loyal community in a world that rewards short attention spans. In this episode find out: - Why replying to comments is still the most underrated growth strategy - How to build real connections with your followers — beyond likes and views - The difference between followers vs. fans and how to turn one into the other - Why creators should go off-platform: from newsletters to in-person events - The reality of staying independent without management - How to find your people and build your creator network - The truth about balancing creativity and business as a modern creator Whether you’re a content creator, influencer, marketer, or just someone curious about the creator economy; this conversation will completely change how you think about audience, connection, and longevity online. Follow the Creators Jack Cook :@_hjcook Nicolas Chae :@nicolaschae Creators on Creators :@creatorsoncreators Credits An Ambos Studios Production Executive Producers: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Editor: Tati Kapaya Camera: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Sound: Tati Kapaya Location: Los Angeles, California Copyright © 2025 Ambos Studios LTD. All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The 505 Podcast: Stop Taking One-Off Brand Deals, They Don’t Work | Brayden & Kostas

Brayden Figueroa (@bfiggy) and Kostas Garcia (@kostasg95), the dynamic duo behind the  @the505podcast  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCBKHd9rl7PjWrmM4jN-ug4Q] join Creators on Creators for a raw, hilarious, and brutally honest conversation about what it really takes to survive as a modern creator. From battling the endless scroll and the mental toll of comparison, to negotiating brand deals and exposing the wild west of influencer marketing, Brayden and Kostas share stories every creator will relate to. This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and hard truths about: - Why social media feels like an addiction you can’t quit - The dangerous balance between mental health and brand money - How the 505 Podcast built its reputation for honesty & humor - Secrets to winning (and avoiding disaster) in brand deal negotiations - Why long-term partnerships always beat one-offs - The behind-the-scenes struggles every creator faces but no one talks about Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, or just addicted to scrolling, this episode will open your eyes to the messy, rewarding, and sometimes toxic world of online influence. Follow Kostas: https://www.instagram.com/kostasg95/ Follow Brayden: https://www.instagram.com/bfiggy/ ---- Credits: An Ambos Studios Production Executive Producers: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Editor: Tati Kapaya Camera: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Sound: Rebekah Mithinji Tati Kapaya Location: Los Angeles, California Copyright 2025 Ambos Studios LTD. All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.