Inspiring YouTubers Turned Entrepreneurs: A Look at Business Success in Simple Terms

Introduction

In the age of digital content, some YouTubers have gone beyond creating entertaining videos to venture into the world of entrepreneurship. These individuals have taken their creativity, passion, and influence to build successful businesses. In this exploration, we’ll dive into the stories of some of the best YouTubers turned entrepreneurs, unravelling their journeys in easy and simple language to inspire budding creators and business enthusiasts alike.

I. Casey Neistat: From Vlogs to Business Ventures

Casey Neistat, known for his dynamic and adventurous vlogs, has seamlessly transitioned from the YouTube screen to entrepreneurship.

1. Background and YouTube Journey:

• Casey’s journey began with daily vlogs showcasing his life and adventures in New York City.
• His engaging storytelling and unique cinematography style quickly gained him a massive following on YouTube.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• Founded Beme: Casey co-founded Beme, a multimedia company that aimed to revolutionize video sharing.
• Acquisition by CNN: Beme was later acquired by CNN, marking a successful exit for Casey and his team.
• 368: Casey’s current project, 368, is a creative space and studio that fosters collaboration among artists and creators.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Casey’s journey teaches us creativity and authenticity and seizing opportunities can lead to successful entrepreneurial ventures.

II. Michelle Phan: Beauty Vlogger to Beauty Mogul

Michelle Phan is a beauty vlogger turned entrepreneur who has significantly impacted the beauty and cosmetics industry.

1. YouTube Stardom:

• Michelle gained popularity through her makeup tutorials and beauty tips on YouTube.
• Her charismatic personality and connection with viewers propelled her to become one of the most influential beauty YouTubers.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• EM Cosmetics: Michelle founded EM Cosmetics, a cosmetics line emphasising self-expression and creativity.
• Ipsy: Michelle co-founded Ipsy, a beauty subscription service that delivers personalized beauty products to subscribers.
• Icon Network: She also launched Icon Network, a lifestyle network on YouTube.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Michelle’s story illustrates the power of personal branding and leveraging a dedicated audience to build successful ventures.

III. MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson): Turning Stunts into Business

MrBeast, known for his philanthropic stunts and attention-grabbing challenges, has transformed his YouTube success into a thriving business.

1. YouTube Stunts and Challenges:

• MrBeast gained fame for his extravagant challenges, philanthropic giveaways, and attention-grabbing stunts.
• His videos often involve giving away large sums of money to friends, strangers, or for charitable causes.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• Beast Burger: Jimmy launched Beast Burger, a virtual restaurant brand offering a unique menu, utilizing his massive online following to drive orders.
• Finger on the App: He created a mobile app game, “Finger on the App,” which attracted millions of participants and garnered significant attention.

1. Key Takeaway:

• MrBeast’s story showcases the potential of leveraging online fame to create diverse and innovative revenue streams.

IV. Zoella (Zoe Sugg): Lifestyle Vlogger Turned Businesswoman

Zoella, a lifestyle and beauty vlogger, has successfully expanded her brand beyond YouTube into various entrepreneurial ventures.

1. YouTube Stardom:

• Zoe gained popularity through her lifestyle, beauty, and fashion-related videos on YouTube.
• Her relatable content and charming personality resonated with a broad audience.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• Zoella Beauty: Zoe launched Zoella Beauty, a beauty and bath product line that became immensely popular.
• Books and Merchandise: She authored a series of successful books and created merchandise, further expanding her brand.
• Zoella Lifestyle: Zoe extended her brand with Zoella Lifestyle, offering a range of home and lifestyle products.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Zoella’s journey emphasizes the importance of diversifying revenue streams and building a brand that transcends the digital realm.

V. Graham Stephan: Financial YouTuber Turned Real Estate Mogul

Graham Stephan, a financial YouTuber known for his informative personal finance and real estate content, has translated his financial knowledge into successful real estate ventures.

1. YouTube Content:

• Graham’s YouTube channel focuses on personal finance, real estate investing, and general financial literacy.
• His transparent approach to sharing his financial journey resonates with a wide audience.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• Real Estate Investments: Graham has strategically invested in real estate, leveraging his knowledge to make informed investment decisions.
• Courses and Consulting: He offers courses and consulting services to help others navigate the world of real estate investing.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Graham’s story highlights the potential of using expertise gained from online content creation to fuel successful ventures in related industries.

VI. Jenna Marbles (Jenna Mourey): Comedy Vlogger to Business Owner

Jenna Marbles, known for her comedic and relatable content, has successfully translated her online success into various business endeavours.

1. YouTube Stardom:

• Jenna gained fame through her humorous and candid vlogs, covering various topics.
• Her authenticity and humour garnered a massive and dedicated fan base.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• JennaJulien Podcast: Jenna co-hosted the JennaJulien Podcast with her partner Julien Solomita, providing additional content beyond YouTube.
• Dink Doink: Jenna created a line of merchandise, including the popular “Dink Doink” items, showcasing her unique sense of humour.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Jenna’s journey highlights the potential for monetizing a strong personal brand through various creative outlets.

VII. Ryan Kaji (Ryan’s World): Kid Influencer to Business Tycoon

Ryan Kaji, the star of “Ryan’s World,” has become a business phenomenon at a young age, showcasing the impact of kid influencers on the business landscape.

1. YouTube Stardom:

• Ryan gained fame for unboxing and reviewing toys on his YouTube channel, captivating a young audience.
• His infectious energy and engaging content quickly made him among the most popular kid influencers.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• Ryan’s World Brand: The success of his YouTube channel led to the creation of the Ryan’s World brand, featuring toys, clothing, and other merchandise.
• Licensing Deals: Ryan’s brand expanded through licensing deals with major retailers, solidifying his presence in the toy industry.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Ryan’s story demonstrates the influence of young content creators in shaping consumer trends and the potential for building lucrative brands around their personas.

VIII. Liza Koshy: Comedy Vlogger to Multifaceted Entrepreneur

Liza Koshy, known for her comedic sketches and vibrant personality, has diversified her ventures beyond YouTube, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.

1. YouTube Stardom:

• Liza rose to fame through her comedic sketches, relatable vlogs, and engaging personality on YouTube.
• Her versatility in content creation garnered her a diverse and dedicated fan base.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• Acting Career: Liza pursued acting, appearing in movies and TV shows, showcasing her talent beyond the digital realm.
• Merchandise and Partnerships: She ventured into merchandise and collaborated with brands, expanding her reach and revenue streams.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Liza’s journey emphasizes the importance of versatility and leveraging diverse opportunities in the entertainment industry.

IX. Peter McKinnon: Photography Vlogger Turned Creative Entrepreneur

Peter McKinnon, a photography and filmmaking YouTuber, has inspired creatives worldwide and turned his passion into a thriving business.

1. YouTube Content:

• Peter’s channel provides tutorials, tips, and vlogs on photography and filmmaking.
• His engaging teaching style and cinematic visuals have made him a go-to resource for aspiring photographers and filmmakers.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• PM Gear: Peter launched PM Gear, a brand offering photography accessories, including camera bags and filters.
• Courses and Workshops: He offers online courses and workshops, sharing his expertise and knowledge with a global audience.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Peter’s story showcases the potential for turning a passion into a profitable business, catering to a niche audience.

X. Casey Ho (Blogilates): Fitness Vlogger Turned Fitness Empire

Casey Ho, the fitness guru behind Blogilates, has transformed her online presence into a fitness empire, inspiring millions to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

1. YouTube Fitness Workouts:

• Casey gained popularity through her Blogilates YouTube channel, offering workout routines, fitness challenges, and motivational content.
• Her positive and energetic approach resonated with viewers seeking fun and effective workouts.

1. Entrepreneurial Ventures:

• POPFLEX: Casey launched POPFLEX, an activewear brand featuring stylish and functional workout apparel.
• PIIT28: She created PIIT28, a fitness program combining Pilates and high-intensity interval training, catering to a global fitness community.

1. Key Takeaway:

• Casey’s journey exemplifies the impact of building and leveraging a fitness community to create a successful brand in the health and wellness industry.

Conclusion

The stories of these YouTubers turned entrepreneurs reveal a common thread of creativity, resilience, and adaptability. From makeup tutorials and toy unboxings to comedy sketches and photography tips, these content creators have harnessed their online influence to build diverse and successful businesses. The key takeaways are clear: authenticity, a strong personal brand, and the ability to seize entrepreneurial opportunities are essential for success in the digital age. Aspiring creators and business enthusiasts can draw inspiration from these stories, understanding that the journey from content creation to entrepreneurship is filled with exciting possibilities and the potential to leave a lasting impact on the world.