The Business of Creators
The Business of Creators podcast is for content creators and professionals in the creator economy. Each week we speak to the businesses supporting the creator economy with new tools and effective means of monetisation. Subscribe to the show to learn more about the people powering this amazing new industry. The origin of the show is actually a network I set up in 2017 called The Business of Influencers, back when everyone was talking about influencers and not creators. I built the network to bring people together and it grew to more than 500 people as the creator economy boomed. But I've never liked the word influencer.Having spent more than 20 years in the media industry, I am deeply passionate about supporting creative talent. Today I am the co-founder of a business called Electrify Video Partners which invests in creators. And I created this show to raise awareness of this great industry.
The Business of Creators
How Smart Creators Are Building Million-Dollar Businesses Without Inventory with John Hu from Stan | CREATOR COMMERCE S1E5
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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 tools
Key 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 out
Listen 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!