In our final episode of the Creator COO podcast, this week, Matt sits down with Ben Burns, COO of The Future, an educational platform dedicated to empowering creative professionals worldwide.

Ben shares insights into The Future's transformative journey from content creation to a comprehensive educational entity, the introduction of innovative tools like 'DoBot' for AI-powered coaching, and the evolution of their team to support the company's growth.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of creativity, education, and technology with Ben Burns. The Futur, at its core, strives to help individuals make a living doing what they love, aiming to reach a billion people. Ben details the strategic shift from a personality-driven brand to a broader educational platform, the challenges of marketing, and the importance of adapting and evolving in the ever-changing creator economy.

Dive into the details of building a successful platform that balances educational content, community engagement, and innovative technology to create a sustainable business model that not only generates revenue but also significantly impacts its users' lives.

Jump into the Conversation:

13:32 - The mission and vision behind The Futur

15:21 - The evolution of The Futur from content to commerce

18:36 - Building the team to support The Futur's growth

22:06 - Shift towards genuine content creation

25:58 - Changes in The Futur's team over the years

29:07 - Integrating AI into coaching with 'DoBot'

33:57 - Ben's role in realizing Chris Do’s vision

36:45 - Transitioning to a publishing model and expanding the brand beyond Chris Do

49:30 - Launching the Accelerator Membership for deeper engagement

Continue the conversation with these resources:

Check out The Futur

Connect with Ben Burns on LinkedIn and Twitter

This week, Matt engages in a deep dive with Zach Miller, delving into the intricacies of navigating the creator economy and scaling a content-driven business like Bucket Squad. Zach, with his rich background spanning from McKinsey to Spotify, and now pivotal in steering Bucket Squad's growth trajectory, shares invaluable insights into the strategic thinking, operational challenges, and the evolving landscape of content creation and distribution.

In this episode, we unravel the dynamics of content creation businesses, exploring the balance between organic growth and strategic mergers & acquisitions, the nuances of diversifying talent and content to ensure sustainable growth, and the critical importance of aligning new ventures with core audience interests and creator passions.

Join us as we dissect the operational complexities of scaling in the creator economy, the strategic considerations in expanding business models beyond traditional content creation, and the profound potential of creators in shaping the future of media and entertainment.

Jump into the Conversation:

3:24 - Organic Growth vs. M&A in expanding the business

8:07 - Exploring opportunities beyond podcasting for Bucket Squad

13:15 - Strategies for diversifying talent and content

19:02 - The challenge of operational scaling and strategic planning

24:36 - Financial models and business strategies for growth

30:41 - Dynamics of the creator economy and its impact on media

35:59 - The critical role of belief in driving success and strategic bets

41:33 - Operational and strategic nuances in creator-led businesses

47:25 - Reflecting on the potential of creators to build monumental businesses

52:48 - Zach's personal insights on transitioning from consulting to the creator economy

Continue the conversation with these resources:

Connect with Zach Miller on LinkedIn
Explore Jesser and Bucket Squad’s content and products

This week Matt is joined by Natalie Barbu, a content creator, podcast host, CEO and founder of Rella a SaaS business created to be the ultimate project management assistant for creators. She has built a following of over 380,000 on her personal channels, raised an impressive $1M in pre-seed from top investors, and grown revenue by 35% month over month since launching the business.

In this inspiring episode, we dive deep into the world of content creation, entrepreneurship, and the ever-evolving creator economy with Natalie Barbu, content creator, podcast host, and CEO of Rella. Rella is a pioneering software business crafted to serve as the ultimate project management assistant for creators, addressing the glaring need for a more integrated and efficient approach to managing the multifaceted demands of content creation.

Join us as Natalie shares her personal journey from starting on YouTube over a decade ago to identifying a gap in the market and taking the bold leap to fill it with Rella. We explore the challenges and triumphs of building a software business in the creator economy, the importance of aligning team dynamics with the creative vision, and Natalie's insights into the future of content and business.

Jump into the Conversation:

02:15 - Natalie’s evolution from content creator to CEO of Rella

05:40 - The unique challenges faced in establishing a software business

09:25 - Building a supportive team, emphasizing the need for alignment and a positive work culture

13:50 - The critical role of content in business today

18:00 - Early days on YouTube and seeing a gap in the market

22:45 - Potential opportunities for businesses catering to creators, and the future of creator-led ventures

27:10 - Advice for creators considering entrepreneurship and getting feedback

31:55 - Rella's ambitions and comments on the creator economy

Continue the conversation with these resources:

Check out Rella

Follow Natalie on Instagram and YouTube

Listen to the Real Reel podcast