Last week, I found myself in two very different rooms. The first, with the brightest strategy minds in the world for closed door sessions in New York, the other with the brightest talent drivers with UTA in Los Angeles; both were talking about the same thing: what happens after the algorithm.

At YMS, I joined Soy Kim, YouTube’s Head of Music & Podcast Content Strategy, to unpack how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are reshaping creative ecosystems. A few days later in LA, I sat with the UTA NextGen team diving into how brands can keep up.

Different coasts, different audiences — same realization. The future of creativity isn’t about reach or visibility anymore. It’s about fluency.

From brand strategy to creator ecosystems to audience behavior— culture has become the baseline. It’s no longer the backdrop of our work; it’s the foundation every creator, brand, and platform is now building from.

Let’s jump into how we got here.

How Culture Became the Baseline

From New York to Los Angeles, every conversation I had last week pointed to the same truth: the definition and importance of culture has evolved. What we think of as “trends” are really just layers of movement happening beneath the surface, slowly reshaping how we create, connect, and communicate. Over the past few years, we’ve watched influence decentralize, audiences become co-authors, and creativity transform from self-expression into infrastructure.

These aren’t isolated shifts — they’re the stages of a new cultural narrative. A framework for understanding how culture moves; the way brands interpret it; how audiences interact with it, and how we build around it as creators and architects of influence.

The Five Stages of Cultural Architecture

Culture doesn’t move randomly. It moves fluidly through structure, intention, and design.

What looks like a trend today is often a phase in a larger system — a shift in how creators, brands, and audiences build meaning together.

Here are the five stages shaping that system — the framework behind the new cultural economy.

Stage 1. Decentralized Influence. Influence no longer scales through reach alone. It scales through resonance. The creator who can move fluidly between fandoms, formats, and dialects of culture isn’t just visible—they’re vital.

Platforms like YouTube, Roblox and TikTok aren’t driven by mass visibility alone anymore, they’re powered by micro-contexts and communities. Gen Z and Gen Alpha don’t follow trends; they generate language around shared values and vibes.

Creators are no longer megaphones — they’re translators.

Stage 2. Participation as Prestige. We’ve officially witnessed the end of passive audiences. Gen Z and Gen Alpha have flipped the production model. Culture is co-authored, not consumed. Remixing, dueting, and stitching are their creative dialects.

The smartest brands — from the NFL to Cash App — aren’t pushing content; they’re leaving space for collaboration. The new power move isn’t creating a moment but in establishing the foundation for a movement people can step into and co-create with you.

The highest form of status isn’t ownership; it’s contribution.

Stage 3. Culture as Capital. The creator economy has evolved beyond content alone to the point that it requires infrastructure, systems and tools that both enable and support. The creator isn’t an influencer; they’re an operator at the center of multi-modal communities.

From Emma Chamberlain’s Chamberlain Coffee to Angel Reese’s brand empire, creators are designing multi-vertical systems that turn identity into equity and activate their communities alongside it.

Influence without structure is noise. Structure turns influence into legacy.

Stage 4. Hybridization: The End of the Category Era. Culture doesn’t care about categories. Athletes run production studios, musicians build tech companies, founders have media companies, and content creators launch fashion lines.

The future isn’t niche; it’s networked. The most resilient creators and brands live at intersections where commerce, creativity, and community converge.

The new creative class is multi-dimensional by design.

Stage 5. Taste as Technology: The Human Algorithm. AI can scale production, but not meaning. In an automated world, taste alongside human discernment, and interpretation is the real differentiator.

The future of creativity belongs to those who can contextualize data with intuition, turning information into insight and trends into timelessness.

Cultural literacy is the new superpower.

What This Means for Your Brand & What Comes Next

Every brand claims to understand culture. Few know how to build with it.

That’s what comes next — the shift from insight to infrastructure and integration across creators, communities, and audiences.

Creators are no longer campaign assets; they’re cultural engineers. Communities aren’t standalone audiences; they’re co-designed ecosystems. The brands that win are the ones integrating systems where all three — creator networks, community, and company ethos — operate in sync.

This is what we build toward at INGENIUS: frameworks that make culture tangible, scalable, and sustainable with the technology that makes it measurable and repeatable.

Not just storytelling for the feed, but architecture for the future.

If this is the framework, Field Notes is the field test.

Coming Wednesday — Field Notes: Culture in Motion (Paid Edition)

In this week’s Field Notes, I’ll unpack insights from YMS and look ahead to BrandWeek, exploring how brands like YouTube, NFL, MLS, and Cash App are proving what it means to treat culture as the baseline — transforming identity, fandom, and finance into ecosystems of participation.

Subscribers to Field Notes receive the deep dive: case studies, frameworks, and insights into how INGENIUS is turning attribution into systems for creators and brands shaping the next era of cultural commerce.

Filed from YMS — somewhere between the sessions, the sidelines, and the scroll.

Until next time,
LaTecia

penned by LaTecia Johnson, Founder @ INGENIUS
LinkedIn | Email

Will A Book Grow Your Business?

No one buys a beach house from book sales—they buy it from what the book makes possible.

Author.Inc helps founders turn ideas into world-class books that build revenue, reputation, and reach.

Book a free 15-minute ROI call to see if your book is a go—or a smart wait.

Schedule Your Book ROI Assessment.

Over the next three weeks, I’ll be on a bit of a mini-tour — three cities, three stages, and one unshakable idea: the next wave of growth won’t be powered by algorithms alone, but by culture. From YouTube’s take on Gen Z fluency to UTA’s talent ecosystems and Reebok’s athlete-led media play, one truth is clear — the future of creativity belongs to those who build with context.

I’m excited to kick off a new series, where each week over the next few weeks, I’ll share the trends I’m seeing, insights from the road, and why I’m an optimist on the future of creator-led commerce.

This week, I’m diving into the primary trend: Culture as the Driver

Let’s get into it:

-LaTecia

The Next Decade Will be Built on Culture & Context

I’m on the road again. I’ll be in three cities, three stages, and three very different rooms — but each with the same underlying question:
How does culture become the driver of everything we create next?

First up, New York — a fireside chat with YouTube’s Head of Podcast & Music Content at YMS NYC, exploring how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining what “influence” even means. Spoiler: it’s not followers; it’s fluency. These generations aren’t waiting to be discovered — they’re co-authoring platforms in real time.

Then, I’m headed to Los Angeles for ZCon with the UTA NextGen team, where we’ll dive into how the future of talent looks less like management and more like ecosystem design. Agencies aren’t just negotiating deals anymore; they’re building worlds around creators who treat their audiences as collaborators, not consumers.

And finally, Atlanta, closing out at BrandWeek with Reebok and the Atlanta Dream to unpack athlete-led media and what happens when performance, personality, and purpose converge. Sports have always been cultural barometers, but this next wave of athlete-creators are media houses in motion, rewriting brand storytelling from the inside out.

Across all three stops, one pattern keeps emerging in our pre-planning discussions: context is the new reach.

My Prediction: Resonance Will Drive Brands Decisions More Than Reach

The brands and creators who win in 2026 won’t just know who they’re speaking to — they’ll understand where they’re speaking from. Cultural, geographic, and emotional context will define resonance far more than audience size ever could.

We’re entering a decade where culture is the infrastructure - not just the marketing layer. Where creativity doesn’t chase trends; it creates reference points.
Where “influence” stops being a metric and becomes a mindset.

And that’s exactly where we live.

At INGENIUS, we believe that culture isn’t just a backdrop to strategy — it is the strategy. The creators, brands, and storytellers shaping the next decade aren’t chasing algorithms; they’re building ecosystems rooted in context, creativity, and community.

Our work begins with one simple truth: true influence isn’t manufactured; it’s cultivated. Through intentional storytelling, consistent audience care, and deep cultural fluency, we help creators and brands build not just followings, but futures.

2026 belongs to the ones who can translate culture into context and context into connection.

That’s where we build. That’s where we play.
That’s INGENIUS.

When you’re ready to build what’s next

If this issue sparked something — let’s turn ideas into impact.

Writing this somewhere between flights and field notes.

Until next time,
LaTecia

penned by LaTecia Johnson, Founder @ INGENIUS
LinkedIn | Email

There’s a narrative being pushed right now that AI is the answer to everything.

And honestly? I get it.

It’s fast. It’s exciting. It promises scale. It gets the people going…

But as I’ve been building INGENIUS over the last year, one thing has become very clear:

In a world where everyone has access to the same tools—AI, data, dashboards, automation—the differentiator isn’t speed or volume.

It’s clarity.

Everyone can build faster now.
But few can build with precision.

Even fewer can explain why they’re building what they’re building and who it’s actually for. But here’s what most platforms get wrong:

AI doesn’t replace strategy — it amplifies it.

At INGENIUS, we didn’t build AI into our platform just because it’s trendy.

We’ve been sitting in this tension daily:

• Agencies drowning in spreadsheets full of data but unsure what to do with it

• Creators building reach but struggling to translate it into revenue

• Brands chasing moments without understanding the context behind them

And the more we ship, the more it becomes clear:

The gap isn’t data. The gap is direction.

And in the creator economy, where culture moves at the speed of conversation, that lack of direction becomes very expensive.

The Real Problem: More Data, Less Direction

Every modern marketing team has access to insights & dashboards.
What they don’t have is the context to make it meaningful.

They’re overwhelmed with metrics, impressions, clicks, and sentiment graphs — but no clear roadmap on what to do next.

We’ve seen brands sit on six and seven-figure campaign budgets waiting for someone to interpret the signals.

We’ve seen creators grow and build massive audiences without a clear way to translate that momentum into scalable deals or package their value.

That’s not a technology problem.
That’s a strategy problem.

And that’s where clarity becomes the most valuable currency.

How We’re Building INGENIUS Differently

I didn’t want to build just another influencer marketing platform or analytics dashboard.

We’re building a cultural operating system that actually helps media teams make decisions.

That means our AI isn’t just reporting on what’s happening. It’s giving users a strategic lens on the why and what next— in the same ways that I would if I were sitting next to them, pulling on my two decades of experience delivering strategy for the biggest brands in the world.

It’s not about replacing people.
It’s about amplifying their judgment with tech that actually understands the assignment.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• AI-generated creator-brand match reports that go beyond audience overlap

• Campaign recommendations that adapt based on real-time signals, not just historical performance

• Automated reporting that includes not just reach + ROI — but monetary impact to help brands identify next-step plays

The Platforms That Win Will Do More Than Automate

Right now, everyone is rushing to slap “AI-powered” on their roadmap.
But if that power doesn’t lead to clarity, action, and aligned outcomes - it’s just noise.

The platforms that win won’t just automate.

They’ll advise.
They’ll contextualize.
They’ll drive better decisions in real time—because the stakes are too high for anything less.

That’s what I’m building with INGENIUS.
Because I believe tech shouldn’t just track culture.

It should help us lead it.

Why This Matters

Because attention is no longer the rarest commodity.

Clarity is.

It’s what cuts through the noise.
It’s what enables better decisions, stronger partnerships, and faster execution.
And it’s what will separate the ones who lead from the ones who ship.

If you’re building at the intersection of brand, strategy, and culture — let’s connect. I’m always looking for collaborators, co-conspirators, and partners who see the same future.

We don’t just need better systems.
We need more direction.

LaTecia Johnson

I’m headed home from London while I write this. I spent the week immersed in conversations with some of the biggest executives in the world—just as the TikTok ban saga continued to unfold in the U.S. A decision that has the global market looking at us sideways.

Two things stood out to me during my conversations:

1️⃣ The global market doesn’t understand what we’re doing—and sees it as an opportunity.

2️⃣ Brands that don’t shift their strategy toward impact will be left behind.

Let’s talk about the power of being paid to be yourself and why creator-focused brands will win this game in the long run.

-LaTecia

From Influence to Impact: The Creator Economy’s Next Big Shift

The Creator Economy is Evolving—Fast.

What started as influencers trading clout for cash has become a global industry reshaping how we connect, market, and build brands. As someone who’s been at the intersection of creativity and strategy for over a decade, I’ve seen the shift firsthand:

✨ From influence for the sake of influence → to impact that actually drives change.

We’re living in a creator-led world, but launching and scaling creator programs is harder than ever. It’s not just about finding the right face for your campaign; it’s about building a system that delivers results—not just fleeting impressions. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to help brands and creators unlock this next phase of growth.

The Shift: From Trendsetters to Trailblazers

2025 is the year of creators taking the reins—not just of their personal brands, but of the industries they touch. They’re not just selling products; they’re shaping culture.

Look at athletes like Angel Reese and Travis Kelce, turning their platforms into media empires. Or creators like Flau’jae and Coco Gauff, merging sports, music, and culture to build multi-dimensional careers.

What makes this moment different? Authenticity and alignment.

Creators aren’t just looking for paychecks anymore—they’re demanding partnerships that resonate with their values and their audience. And for brands, the stakes are higher than ever:

👀 Audiences see through the noise. If your partnerships don’t feel organic, you’ll lose.

The Strategy: What Brands (and Creators) Need to Do Next

Here are three strategies to thrive in this creator-led era:

1. Invest in Long-Term Partnerships:

   
   The one-and-done campaign model is dying. Audiences don’t want surface-level interactions; they crave stories that unfold over time. Look for ways to build deeper, ongoing collaborations with creators.

2. Focus on Metrics That Matter:

   
   Vanity metrics—likes, views, and followers—are no longer the gold standard. Brands need to prioritize metrics that reflect true business impact: engagement rates, conversions, and, most importantly, cultural relevance.

3. Build Systems, Not Just Campaigns:

   
   This is where platforms like INGENIUS come in (yes, shameless plug). Managing creator campaigns shouldn’t feel like herding cats. Invest in systems that automate workflows, track ROI, and provide real-time insights. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

The Personal Take: Why This Matters Now

I’ve spent the last year building a platform, INGENIUS, to help brands solve these challenges. But even beyond the tech, this work is personal to me. I’ve seen too many brands burn through budgets chasing trends, only to miss the bigger opportunity: the chance to create something timeless.

Creators are more than billboards. They’re culture makers. And if we want to win in this space, we have to respect the craft, honor their genius, and build systems that let them—and us—thrive.

What’s your take on the creator economy in 2025? I’d love to hear your thoughts—reply directly or join the conversation on LinkedIn.

VIBES

This week’s artist spotlight goes to NAO, in honor of my time in London

Happy People

Nao · Happy People · Song · 2025

open.spotify.com/track/41wgHYaNAx7QAEaUvmpUBb?si=19be2ad9414c4dc9

CREATOR-LED MEDIA

Over on INGENIUS, I’m breaking down the top athlete-led media companies and how this shift will impact brands in the future. Check it out here.

LaTecia Johnson

Welcome to Creative Brink, each week this newsletter helps founders, creators, and brands build leverage by breaking down key trends across the Creator Economy.

Last week, we jumped into the Creator-Led Brand Playbook and the opportunity on the market. Building on that theme,  this week was a wild week for Creator-Led brands with Candace Parker being announced as Head of Women’s Basketball for Adidas, Mr. Beast parting ways with long-term management, and Issa Rae announcing a new kind of talent and creative agency, Ensemble, with a slew of partnerships already slated.

I’ll get into what all this means and more below, but also:

• What consistency means for Creator-Led Brands

• What these key moves can teach us about the future

• How to integrate the Creator-Led Playbook into your own agency

Was this email forwarded to you?

Consistency: The Backbone of Success in Creator-Led Brands

Consistency isn’t just about posting regularly; it’s about maintaining a coherent brand voice, quality, and engagement strategy that resonates with your audience over time. For Creator-Led Brands, this means sticking to their roots even as they scale. Candace Parker’s commitment to Adidas not only underlines her personal brand of perseverance and excellence but also demonstrates Adidas's consistent effort in championing diversity and promoting women in sports.

Lessons from the Front Line

The movements this week offer rich insights into the evolving landscape of the Creator Economy:

Candace Parker and Adidas: This partnership underscores the importance of aligning with brands that share your values and goals. It’s a powerful example of how personal branding and corporate missions can align to foster meaningful progress in industry-specific discussions like inclusion in sports.

Parker's role as Head of Women’s Basketball at Adidas is not just about promoting products but also about championing initiatives that encourage women's participation and recognition in sports. This alignment goes deeper than marketing—it's about creating pathways for young athletes and fostering environments where their talents and contributions are valued. Adidas's commitment to these values, mirrored by Parker's own advocacy for gender equality in sports, empowers them to push for change effectively.

By leveraging Parker's influence and Adidas's global reach, they can amplify discussions on inclusivity, inspire future generations, and introduce practical initiatives that make sports more accessible and equitable. This partnership serves as a blueprint for how personal branding can intertwine with corporate missions to not only enhance brand image but also spearhead substantive change in societal issues—a powerful demonstration of brand-human collaboration in action. Read the full press release on the Adidas official site.

Mr. Beast's Break with Management: Sometimes, growth necessitates change. As creators scale, there is a growing need for management models that prioritize autonomy and flexibility—attributes that empower creators to make swift decisions, react in real-time to their community's feedback, and innovate without bureaucratic delays. Such models would likely be more collaborative than directive, aligning more with a partnership than a traditional client-management relationship.

This shift can lead to the development of new management frameworks tailored specifically for the digital and creator-centric business models, which emphasize a deeper understanding of digital content strategies, audience engagement, and brand partnerships. For emerging creators, observing these shifts offers valuable insights into structuring their growth strategies to maintain control over their creative output and business trajectory, ensuring they remain agile and true to their vision even as they reach new heights.

Issa Rae's New Agency: Rae’s venture into creating a new kind of talent and creative agency speaks volumes about the need for structures that support diverse creative voices. Her move could be a blueprint for future agencies looking to be more inclusive and supportive of underrepresented talent. Her agency is set to function as a much-needed incubator for creativity that transcends traditional boundaries—be it race, gender, or cultural background.

This initiative could serve as a groundbreaking model for other agencies, demonstrating that inclusivity not only fosters a richer diversity of content but also taps into a wider, often underserved audience. In essence, Rae's agency could become a template for how the creative industry can evolve its practices to foster a more equitable environment. By integrating inclusivity at the core of business operations, future agencies can not only enhance their relevance and appeal but also drive meaningful social change within the creative landscape.

Integrating the Creator-Led Playbook

Adopting a Creator-Led Playbook into your agency means more than just tapping into new trends; it’s about fundamentally transforming how your brand operates to become more agile, responsive, and in tune with the creator ethos.

Here’s how you can start:

• Empower Individuality: Like Issa Rae, build frameworks that support and amplify unique voices.

• Flexibility and Freedom: Take a page from Mr. Beast’s book and allow more flexibility in management styles to fit the diverse needs of creative talents.

• Commit to Long-Term Visions: Align with partners like Adidas has with Candace Parker, who share and support your long-term goals.

As these creator-led initiatives shape the future of the industry, understanding and integrating these approaches into your agency or brand could not only set you apart but also deeply align you with the evolving dynamics of the Creator Economy. Keep these narratives in mind as you plan your next strategic moves. They’re not just stories; they’re roadmaps to the future.

CREATOR PULSE

There are so many moving pieces to the Creator Economy with more and more things shifting every day. Here’s a list of things that crossed my desk this week that made me stop and think or get inspired and dream.

Gumroad announces new fund to invest in creator-led businesses with checks of $100K - $500K, then receive dividends from company in the future.

That’s all for this week.

LaTecia

powered by Ingenius Studio OS

Hey - Welcome back to the Creative Brink newsletter - each week this newsletter helps founders, creators and brands build leverage by breaking down key trends across the Creator Economy.

This week, I’ve been busy setting up the inbound flow for Ingenius, meeting with agencies and brands trying to solve for big attribution problems, and dodging any mention of rap battles across social media.

Let’s get into

• Building a brand beyond the logo

• Core needs of a creator-led brand

• Establishing longevity through authenticity

Was this email forwarded to you?

The Creator-Led Brand Playbook

When I speak about ‘Creators’ people always assume I mean content creators; they are partially right because my definition includes content creators, but who I’m really talking about are the creators of companies: freelancers, founders, and brand enthusiasts who got tired of leaving their success up to others and decided to create their own luck by using their skills, talent, and knowledge to launch a business.

This blog’s for you.

Congratulations on launching, by the way, it’s one of the hardest things to do: take that first step.

You’ve just entered a crowded market with lots of naysayers. The challenge isn’t just to launch a brand; it's to sustain and grow it in a way that transcends trends and resonates deeply with an audience, forging a genuine connection with your community and establishing a presence that stands the test of time so you can scale your own creator-led brand.

Have you heard it’s the future?

What Exactly is a Creator-Led Brand

A creator-led brand is a business or brand that is developed and managed by an individual creator or a group of creators who leverage their personal influence, creativity, and community to drive the brand's identity, values, and offerings. This type of brand often originates from the personal brand of the creator, utilizing their established audience and reputation as the foundation for building the commercial brand.

Issa Rae is a quintessential example of a creator-led brand, exemplifying how personal creativity, community engagement, and authentic storytelling can be seamlessly integrated into successful business ventures. Her journey from a YouTube series creator to a prominent figure in entertainment and business with her media comapny, Hoorae Media, showcases the power of leveraging personal brand into broader entrepreneurial success.

I know what you’re thinking: “But, LaTecia, I am not Issa”. I know, but we can all learn a lot from Issa and other creator-led brands, so the below playbook is designed to guide freelancers and independent creators through the process of building your own creator-led brand.

The Creator-Led Brand Playbook

Step 1: Cultivate Your Personal Influence and Build Community

• Identify Your Niche: Like Issa Rae’s early focus on the African American female experience, find a niche where you can offer unique insights or content that isn’t widely available.

• Engage Your Audience: Build your community by consistently engaging with your audience. Respond to comments, participate in discussions, and create content that invites interaction.

• Platform Presence: Establish a strong presence on platforms that resonate most with your target audience, be it YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or others.

Step 2: Embrace and Convey Authenticity

• Share Your Journey: Be transparent about your experiences, the good and the bad. Authenticity fosters trust and relatability.

• Stay True to Your Values: Let your personal values guide your brand. This consistency will make your brand feel more genuine and cohesive.

• Product and Service Integrity: Ensure that any products or services you offer adhere to the standards and values you communicate through your brand.

Step 3: Master Direct Communication

• Personal Touch: Use direct messaging, emails, and social media to maintain a dialogue with your followers. Personal responses make your community feel valued.

• Feedback Loop: Regularly solicit feedback from your audience to understand their needs and preferences. Use this data to tailor your content and offerings.

• Community Events: Host live sessions, Q&As, or webinars to foster a sense of community and belonging, making your audience feel part of your brand’s journey.

Step 4: Foster Flexibility and Innovation

• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new formats or introduce new products. Issa Rae ventured into different media and business ventures, always staying relevant to her core audience.

• Adaptability: Stay attuned to trends within your niche and adapt quickly to changes. Use the agility of your small scale to your advantage in testing new ideas.

• Collaborate: Partner with other creators or brands to bring fresh content and expand your reach.

Step 5: Utilize Personal Storytelling

• Narrative: Every piece of content should contribute to the larger narrative of who you are and what your brand stands for. Your story should weave through every product launch, post, and campaign.

• Visual Storytelling: Use consistent visuals that reflect your brand’s personality and story. This can be through a consistent color scheme, style of photography, or graphic design.

• Emotional Connection: Aim to connect emotionally with your audience. Stories of personal challenges, achievements, and insights can create deeper connections and loyalty.

Next week, we’ll tackle what consistency looks like when you’re building your own creator-led brand and many of the brand and startup clients I work with get this wrong.

Hint: It has absolutely nothing to do with how often you post.

CREATOR PULSE

First Look at Brand Manager via Ingenius

Last week, Ingenius Studio OS, gave our First Look at the Brand Manager, a customer relationship manager (CRM), helping you to quickly organize contacts across campaigns, access project details, and sync updates quickly.

Liquid I.V releases an early look at the campaign for the Summer

Launched on Wednesday, “Tear. Pour. Live. More.,” features ads that depict the burst of energy one gets when hydrating on a hot day with Liquid I.V. Tired and dehydrated people walking through the streets or hiking tear open a pack of the product, add it to water and take a sip, only to develop hydro jets on their feet and fly across town. 

That’s it from me today -thanks so much for reading! Let me know your thoughts by replying back!

See you next week,

LaTecia

Hey! Welcome to the Creative Brink newsletter - each week this newsletter helps founders, creators and brands build leverage by breaking down key trends across the Creator Economy.

I’ve spent the last few weeks absolutely enraptured with all things Women’s basketball from the NCAA tournament breaking massive records, to the WNBA draft, and more recently Caitlyn Clark’s rumored $28 MILLION deal with Jordan Brand.

I’m looking forward to breaking down my thoughts on everything once the smoke clears, but first, I have some new for you - so let’s get into it.

_{Was this email forwarded to you?}

Launching something new…

I’m thrilled to share that I’m launching Ingenius Studio OS, an all-in-one operating system streamlining workflows for agencies, brands, and the talent they work with, so each can stay in their zone of genius.

Introducing Ingenius Studio OS

I’ll be making some changes to better accommodate this new direction, expanding efforts on how to help founders, creators, athletes and brands navigate the Creator Economy by breaking down the latest trends across:

• Media

• Brand Partnerships

• Social Media

• Creator-led companies

• Creator Driven Media

• and more...

How it happened – Antler x ATX Ecosystem

I initially met the team at Antler in October 2022 after I’d left my previous role as Head of Global Music Partnerships & Strategy at an early-stage startup where I’d spent much of the prior year talking to everyone in the entertainment industry about emerging technology.

I’d formed a lot of hypotheses about where the market was headed, and armed with these ideas, had deep conversations with the Antler team on what I wanted to build. A few days later, they invited me to take part in their 6-week accelerator…

‘Let’s build the next most valuable platform for creators’.

I was excited, but exhausted. I decided to take a few months off to refill my cup instead of joining the accelerator. Truthfully, I was also hoping someone else would see what I saw and I would be able to advise them on how to execute, join early enough to make an impact, and deeply contribute to their roadmap. I found some of that in my partnership with the team at yet another early-stage startup, who pitched me on one of the most ambitious visions I’d ever seen: let’s build the future of the internet.

I spent another year thinking through hard problems, working alongside an incredible founding team to shape go-to-market and solve monetization for creators. It was invigorating and meaningful work, but there was something else keeping me up at night. So, in September when the Antler team reached out to ask if I was ready to build, I knew I was ready to at least explore the answer to the question I couldn’t shake:

“How do we shift an industry that doesn’t know it needs to be rewired?” 

What followed were 6-weeks of some of the hardest work I’ve ever done. I met the person who would become my co-founder, started having conversations about what I was thinking, and for the first time voiced what I wanted to build…

Building the future

We’re in an era where the creator economy is booming, on track to hit $500 Billion by 2027; yet media companies, like the ones most of you who read this newsletter have, are making less and less. 

Add to that algorithms that have obliterated what it means for artists to create, brand teams that are struggling to keep up with the proliferation of content, and agency partners having to choose between insight-driven creative or meme-ified performance as budgets tighten.  

 What you get is an industry that’s ripe for innovation. 

Twitter tweet

I decided to build Ingenius after realizing that it was time for me to finally, fully, and wholly invest in my own vision. I can’t imagine doing anything else and I’m looking forward to introducing you to the platform, our thesis, and vision not just for the creator economy, but for the entire media landscape.

My ask for you and the Creative Brink community

I’m excited to about this new chapter, combining the teams of Visionary Rising (VSNRY) and Ingenius Studio OS, with the goal to empower the next generation of media to scale more effectively.

So, if you or a brand you work with are currently trying to scale in-market campaigns and struggling due to manual processes and broken systems (or still working out of a spreadsheet), let’s talk about partnering with Ingenius to streamline your workflows and 10x your outcomes.

CREATOR PULSE

This past month, I was featured on Thought Enthusiast by Adhoc, and had a blast talking about the things that are taking up the most of my time, traveling, and the music I can’t get enough of.

Click below to check it out.

LaTecia Johnson, Visionary Rising

💭 Thoughts on Beyonce’s new music, what it takes to build your own agency, and the art of balance & mindful productivity.

adhocprojects.substack.com/p/latecia-johnson-visionary-rising

---

That’s it from me today -thanks so much for reading! Let me know your thoughts by replying back!

See you next week,

LaTecia

Another week and another round of content.  I’m recovered from traipsing around the world and ready to explore more trends for you. This week my focus is solely on how Creators can drive deeper engagements while building their community.

Let’s dive into:

+ How NOT to build a connection with your community
+ what you should do instead
+ My favorite AI tool this week

— LaTecia

Why You Don’t Need a Broadcast Channel

Last year, Instagram introduced Broadcast channels as a way for “creators to deepen their connection with their fans,” and I immediately didn’t like the idea and advised every one of our brand and creator clients to stay away for one simple reason: one-way communication channels, while educational, miss the mark on engagement. And engagement, as we know, is the soul of connection. 

They’re already ignoring your emails – do you want them to tune you out online, too? 

The Mission of Every Interaction

 A Creator’s mission is to become irresistible—to craft a love affair with their audience that's nurtured through a series of deliberate touch points. In the world of music, this relationship unfolds like a well-composed symphony: single → music video → press tour → live tour.

Each step is a movement and the audience is there for the entire performance.

Artists like Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny have mastered this.

In the digital concert hall, the melody is supposed to flow similarly: one-way video → call-to-action → audience response → creator’s reply. It's a loop, a digital call-and-response that feels as natural as breathing. The point is palpable: the audience needs to feel you. Without that reciprocal moment, the connection doesn’t hit as strong.

Try Not to Isolate Your Community

Broadcast channels, as they're pitched, are akin to delivering a soliloquy at a dinner party. You’re speaking, sure, but without the nods, the laughter, the back-and-forth, it’s less of a dialogue and more of a lecture. That’s not the fabric of relationships. That’s not the dance we’re here to do.

The call-and-response is vital—it turns a void into a venue, a billboard into a conversation. Broadcast channels, with their one-directional approach, risk muting this dialogue. They risk turning your vibrant venue into a silent movie theater where the audience is expected to watch quietly without a chance to interact.

Connection is a living, breathing entity. It's a two-way street with heartbeats felt on both sides. Creators thrive on this pulse—it’s what turns a follower into a fan, a fan into a family member. When that connection is stifled due to the lack of interaction, the connection doesn't fade; it's severed.

Two-Way Conversations Drive Deeper Engagement

The digital world thrives on back-and-forth—the comments, the memes, the shared moments. This is the dialogue that turns passive scrolling into active engagement, transforming silent spectators into vocal advocates. Creators would do well to remember the venues of old, where echoes were not just heard but felt, where every call was met with a response, and where shared experiences turned casual listeners into lifelong fans.

Avoid the one-way street of broadcast channels and choose instead the path of engagement. Nurture the sparks of interaction into fires of community. That is the true essence of connection—unseen perhaps, but most certainly felt, evolving, and unbreakable.

Conclusion

Please don’t integrate broadcast channels into your strategy without first considering your brand’s unique strengths. Is your magic in the personal touch? The depth of your storytelling? The authenticity of your engagement? Like a master chef knows their signature dish, know what makes your brand's social media strategy Michelin-star worthy.

In the end, it's not about using every tool in the shed but knowing which ones will help your garden grow. Broadcast channels might be the latest, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the greatest for your brand as a Creator. Focus on cultivating genuine connections, crafting compelling content, and engaging in meaningful conversations. That's the blueprint to building connection with your audience whether as a brand or a creator. 

“Actionable takeaways within 5 minutes” – Dickie Bush

Package your expertise, build trust, and enjoy unlimited scale with your next great offering:

An email-based course.

Master the Email-Based Course brings you 20 expertly crafted lessons that top creators, marketers, and business owners have used for lead magnets, standalone products, agency projects, and more.

Get $50 off for the next 48 hours with code LEAD.

2024 has been a whirlwind for me so far.  I spent most of January on the traveling and found it impossible to settle into any type of routine.

So, I’m treating February 1st as the start of my new year. 

That means a fresh slate of personal and professional goals, a renewed commitment to entrepreneurship, and even more opportunities to deliver insights on the Creator Economy straight to your inbox. 

This week we’re getting into:

+ Angel City FC’s massive rookie season
+ 3 social/creator economy essays 
+ AI tools I can’t get enough of

-LaTecia Johnson

How Angel City FC is Reshaping Entrepreneurship

Courtesy: HBO

Last week found me in London, guiding a dialogue at the MusicAlly Connect Conference that was nothing short of electric. Picture this: Universal Music Group, Warner Music, and Beggars Group all at one table, with me stirring the pot on how startups can sync up more effectively with their teams for long-term wins. It was a deep-dive session that unpacked layers of industry know-how, and I'm itching to share those nuggets with you in upcoming articles.

But first, let's shift the spotlight to Angel City, because en route to London, with seven hours to play with, I got sucked into the documentary on MAX about this bold soccer startup's rookie year. And let me tell you, it was an eye-opener.

The HBO docuseries "Angel City" delves into the inaugural season of Angel City FC, a team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The club's founding group, led by Julie Uhrman, actress Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, exemplifies a diverse leadership dynamic striving for impact both on and off the field.

The parallels between the themes we riffed on at the conference and Angel City's playbook were striking. Both are about the hustle of breaking new ground, the symphony of orchestrating the right partnerships, and the art of engaging communities in ways that go beyond the conventional.

Here's where Angel City truly scores: they're not just playing the game, they're changing it. They've crafted a brand that's as much about impact as it is about soccer. It's a masterclass in narrative, a blueprint for startups on how to step into the arena with purpose and come out with a brand that sticks, a culture that endures, and a strategy that wins.

That's the kind of energy I brought back from London—inspired by how industries can intersect, how giants can learn from newcomers, and how a startup, much like a fresh track, can become an anthem if played right.

Here are 3 lessons I learned from Angel City about making big plays, both on the field and in the boardroom.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: Big Visions Need BIG Commitments

Angel City started from a big vision: let’s build a women’s soccer team that considers how women athletes need to be supported and nurtured.  It seems like a no-brainer but was a novel idea when presented in 2021.  The docuseries follows the inaugural season in 2022 while its owners were fighting for a winning season and reshaping the idea of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) at the same time.   The big vision is what kept them going when they lost starters, were wrecked by season-ending injuries, and had to endure league-wide investigations that might’ve ruined similar leagues at other times. 

Not this team. Not this time. 

They had an uncanny ability to just focus on the main thing and stay committed to the task at hand.

Bet On Yourself and Double Down

At one point during the series, the team talks about their refusal to accept a $1 Million valuation for their kits (the jersey’s the team wears weekly) when other losing teams in the men’s league were commanding at least $5M.   The agency was forced to go back to the table to revalue the team, factoring in their celebrity connection, and market opportunity. The results? An overall club valuation of $180 Million, the highest in the NWSL.

In year one, Angel City managed to amass $50 Million in sponsorship dollars during a season that saw them barely break even in wins and had them placed in the heart of Los Angeles, an already saturated market with 13 other professional sports teams.

What this taught me is the immutable power of betting on yourself and refusing to accept the things that have always been.

Never Underestimate the Power of Community

Angel City FC's blueprint for success hinges on a community-centric brand ethos. This forward-thinking team has set a precedent in the sports world by focusing on elevated standards for employee and player welfare, advocating for equitable pay, and fostering robust community ties. Their mission resonates with fans and the wider community, creating a loyal and passionate following. Such a model demonstrates that when a team places communal welfare and engagement at its core, it doesn't just build a brand — it cultivates a movement. This approach is a powerful lesson for any organization aiming to make a meaningful impact beyond its immediate goals.

AI PULSE

Another week, another tool. AI is quickly augmenting the platforms we know and love, so the purpose of this corner is to highlight ones that enhance the creative workflow without completing replacing human interactions.

This week: I’m still stuck on Canva and their “Magic Edit”

Courtesy: Canva

Canva's "Magic Edit" feature simplifies the process of editing and designing by automating various tasks throughout the design process offering auto-resizing, background removal, style transfers, smart mockups, animations, and a lot of other elements that are integrated utilizing AI strategically.

Why I love it: the editing process is tedious, but Canva’s feature manages to create an intuitive suite of tools to ease the process while speeding up execution.

CREATOR PULSE

There are so many moving pieces to the Creator Economy with more and more things shifting every day. Here’s a list of things that crossed my desk this week that made me stop and think or get inspired and dream.

Why are there so many layoffs if the Music Industry is growing? 

That’s a really great question a lot of my talented friends in media are asking themselves this week. Billboard seeks to answer this question and more throughout this article that’s a pretty deep dive into the state of media and the future of music.

Creator-led Marketing is Here to Stay

The future of media is creator-led brands that are less interested in finding a celebrity and more centered on connecting with the RIGHT creator. This article explores this concept offering even more insight into the art and hustle of creator-led brands.

Signing off for the week.

—LaTecia
^{Find me on X, LinkedIn, Instagram or Book a 1:1 with me}

I’m back and excited to kick off a new quarter with refreshed content and new theories and introduce you to our next cohort of sponsors that will help to level up your creative output.

Let’s get into it!

Today, I’ll unpack the "Triple Threat Strategy," and explore how you can implement it effectively as a creator whether you’re just starting out or a seasons side hustler, but first, l want you to meet our sponsor - AE Studio, a long-time partner of VSNRY and a team of AI specialists you should absolutely use on your next AI-focused project.

Become a Triple Threat & Build Leverage

Navigating your career as a creator isn't a linear path. In today's complex ecosystem, relying solely on a single strategy isn't just unwise—it's a recipe for stagnation. This is why I’m sharing a strategy that has been a game-changer for me:  The Triple Threat Strategy

Twitter tweet

What is a Triple Threat? It’s someone who is skilled at three things in their particular field. It usually refers to athletes and artists, example: Beyoncé is a triple threat because she can sing, dance, and direct.

For professional creators, becoming a triple threat means building up skills across 3 areas, and then using each of those to build leverage.

Let's unpack the "Triple Threat Strategy," and explore how you can implement it effectively.

1. The Stable Role: Your Safety Net

In a world that glorifies the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship and risk-taking, the concept of a 'stable role' often gets overlooked or even derided as unimaginative. However, this could not be further from the truth. The stable role is not just a safety net; it's the foundational pillar that supports the other, more volatile endeavors you may pursue.

My stable roles have been in technology – earlier in my career, I took on analyst roles to understand how things worked. Later, the stable roles played more into strategy and operational effectiveness shaping how things operate.

Each role served a purpose it either taught me something or paid me well.

For the roles that didn’t pay as well, the tradeoff is that they had to teach me something I could not learn on my own.

While in the role, I understood the assignment: learn, earn, grow.

The Psychology of Stability

A stable role provides a consistent income and a foundational skill set. This is your 9-to-5 job, a contract with a long-standing client, or a role within your business where you know exactly what to expect. People often underestimate the psychological importance of stability. A consistent income and routine not only provide material security but also mental space. When you aren't constantly worrying about your next paycheck, you free up cognitive bandwidth for creative thinking and problem-solving.

Use the mental and emotional stability offered by a stable role as a launchpad for ideation and creative exploration. Knowing that you have a 'base' to return to allows you to venture into unknown territories with greater confidence. Many dismiss this as 'playing it safe,' but it's about sustaining your capacity to take risks elsewhere. Ensure that your stable role is not just comfortable but also pushes you enough to continue skill-building and networking.

2. Entrepreneurship: Your Passion Play

Entrepreneurship isn't just a buzzword for those wanting to break free from the 9-to-5 grind. It's the arena in which your most daring and innovative ideas as a creator come to life, develop, and get executed on your own terms. Entrepreneurial ventures allow you to flex your creative muscles. Whether it's a side hustle, a startup, or a new service within your existing agency, the point is to engage in something you own.

Visionary Rising (VSNRY) has been this for me, a hybrid consultancy and creative studio launched in 2016, and has operated alongside my stable roles. Having both enabled me a bit of flexibility in the roles and projects I could take on – it meant that I no longer had to take roles out of necessity or stay in places that weren’t additive to my journey.

Owning Your Creative Freedom

In this context, entrepreneurship became synonymous with creative freedom. Here, you're not limited by organizational hierarchies or external constraints. You get to choose the projects, set the timelines, and drive the vision. It's not just about flexing your creative muscles; it's about owning the gym. 

It is the ultimate expression of your unique value proposition. Develop it side-by-side with your stable role. Invest time and resources systematically, and don't be afraid to iterate based on customer feedback and performance metrics.

3. High Risk, High Reward: Your Calculated Gamble

 In the game of life and career, high-risk, high-reward opportunities are akin to drawing the "wild card." They offer the thrill of the unknown and the allure of outsized rewards. But just like any gamble, the stakes are high, and the room for error is low.  

 The Psychology of Risk

Our brains are hardwired to both fear and crave risk. The potential of unparalleled gains can often cloud our judgment, making us underestimate the risks involved. Conversely, the fear of loss can sometimes be so paralyzing that it blinds us to genuinely good high-risk opportunities.

Awareness of this psychological tug-of-war is the first step toward mastering high-risk decisions. Utilize data-driven assessments to counterbalance emotional biases. Always have an exit strategy and set predefined limits to your exposure.

An example of this comes to mind from a few years ago when I was making the decision on whether to leave my director-level role in a late-stage, high-growth startup that had just been acquired to join the founding team of an earlier-stage startup that was just getting off the ground.  I weighed the options (lower salary in exchange for more equity), factored in the risk (the equity would be worthless if the startup failed), and ultimately decided to go for it (because I’d built up a cushion from my stable roles).

The insights I’d gained from both my stable role and entrepreneurial pursuits helped to de-risk the decision for me, but I also gave myself a year to assess whether it made sense for me to continue that path. After a few months, it became clear that remaining at the startup wasn’t a viable long-term option; so, by month 11, I was out with a bit of a cushion to explore the next thing.

How to Implement The Triple Threat Strategy: Your Actionable Roadmap

While we've explored the intricacies of the three career paths—each essential in its own right—the true test of mastery lies in effective execution. For you, the founder of a creator-led company, it’s not just about juggling these roles; it's about synthesizing them into a cohesive strategy.

Here’s an actionable blueprint tailored for creators like you, designed to actualize the Triple Threat Strategy.

1. Complete a self-assessment.
2. Develop the Structure and Plan
3. Execute and Monitor Progress
4. Adjust and Scale

Phase 1: Assessment and Preparation

Self-Assessment: Before you embark on juggling these three paths, take stock of your skills, financial standing, and most importantly, your risk tolerance.

I recommend creating a breakdown of exactly where you are in these areas:

• Identify your top skills that people are already paying you for or that you’ve picked up along the way.

• Outline your current salary, expenses, and revenue goals

• Define your level of risk (how comfortable are you with 1 or 2 areas not working out? Will it completely bankrupt you if you lose your stable role? How financially secure are you, really?)

Phase 2: Structuring and Planning

Time Management: Already running a tight schedule with your stable role? Use techniques like time-blocking to designate specific times of the week for your entrepreneurial and high-risk endeavors.

Pro-Tip: Seek out salary-based roles that pay the same regardless of your level of input/output - these are typically based on outcomes vs. hourly inputs.

Set up your schedule so that you’re dedicating at least 2 hours per day and a few hours on the weekend to growing in your focus areas. If you have a stable role, your focus should be on starting your own thing. If you already have your own thing and a stable role (because it’s your own thing), then get started on exploring other investment ops.

Financial Planning: Allocate your budget in a manner that sustains your stable role while fueling your entrepreneurial projects and high-risk gambles.

Budget is going to be a big factor in this. The more disciplined you are with your funds, the more things you can do. Your stable role is going to be your first investor - so you’ll want to make sure that you have this locked down before moving into other areas of the plan.

Phase 3: Execution and Monitoring

Continuous Learning: This isn't just a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. To remain effective and agile in all three paths, continuous learning is non-negotiable. Seek relevant courses, webinars, and feedback sessions.

Phase 4: Adjustment and Scaling

Quarterly Reviews: Every three months, review your performance across all paths. Are your high-risk ventures paying off? Is your stable role still serving its purpose? Adjust your strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

As professional creators, the journey toward financial stability, entrepreneurial prowess, and high-risk, high-reward mastery is an ongoing process, not a final destination. The Triple Threat Strategy is more than a theoretical framework; it's a lived experience that evolves with your skills, aspirations, and life circumstances as a dynamic tapestry you weave, thread by thread, with each career move you make.

In a landscape that often rewards specialization, I invite you to embrace diversification—because the true genius of being a creator lies in the ability to adapt, innovate, and take calculated risks. Armed with this guide, you now possess not just the vision but the blueprint to make this your lived reality.

LaTecia Johnson

Whenever you’re ready, here are the ways I can help you:

1. Work with me 1-on-1: Book a growth strategy consulting session with me

2. Enroll in the Creator LaunchPad: coaching to 10x your business

TheFutureParty

Get the latest news and trends on business, entertainment, and culture - so you always stay one step ahead of the rest.

Subscribe

I recently celebrated 7 years of running Visionary Rising aka VSNRY – the digital studio I started in a spare bedroom and scaled in my spare time. Throughout that process, I discovered that the entrepreneurial journey is an art, a science, and a dance between creativity and strategy.

From the very beginning, when VSNRY was just a spark of an idea, I've navigated uncharted territories, made unexpected pivots, embraced beautiful imperfections, and built a team of collaborators imbued with a hunger and drive for more.

Today, I’ll share with you the 7 key lessons that have guided me, the insights that have shaped me, and the wisdom that continues to fuel me. Whether you're an entrepreneur at the helm of your own business, a creative seeking to infuse strategy into your work, or anyone in between, these lessons are for you. They're not just about scaling a business but about scaling oneself.

Balancing Acts: The Art and Science of Building a Creative Business

In the last 7 years, I’ve almost sold the business (2x), navigated a global shutdown and pandemic, pitched my dream client (and lost), pitched another dream client (and won), scaled up to a full-service agency complete with a 20-person team, then scaled back to a digital studio with a core team of 5 and a network of freelancers. 

I’ve learned a lot about running a business, but my lessons are not confined to mere business tactics; they're a reflection of life itself, a testament to growth, courage, resilience, and relentless pursuit of passion.

Let’s dive in.

1. Harness the Side Hustle: Don’t Quit Your Daydream

While forging a career in tech, I nurtured Visionary Rising as a side hustle. This duality wasn't about dividing my energies but synergizing them. The lessons from the tech world enriched my entrepreneurial endeavors, while the creative energy of my side hustle fueled my professional growth. It was a dance between two worlds, each enhancing the other.

Lesson: Synergy between career and side hustle leads to mutual growth.

Insight: The calculated risk of nurturing Visionary Rising alongside my tech career enriched both domains and propelled me forward.

2. Trust the Process: Build Your Entrepreneurial Muscle

Entrepreneurship isn't a straight path; it's a journey filled with twists and turns. From B2C to B2B, from solo to pivoting to a hybrid model, from building a team to realizing the core elements required. I learned to adapt and grow.

Each decision, no matter how small, contributed to building the muscle necessary to navigate the complex business landscape. It's a continuous process of learning, adapting, and moving forward.

Lesson: Entrepreneurship is a continuous process of adaptation and learning.

Insight: The countless small decisions over time formed a resilient entrepreneurial muscle that has defined my success.

3. Know Yourself: Audit and Reflect Across Multiple Domains

 My career in tech wasn't just a job; it was a part of my broader life canvas. Knowing myself meant understanding how my career in tech and side hustle were both integral parts of my growth. It was never one or the other for me – it’s always been both. 

This intricate self-understanding of what I wanted allowed me to make decisions that were multifaceted and aligned with my complex journey. Of course, there were times when I thought “Wouldn’t it be easier if I didn’t have to do both?”, but that thought was quickly replaced with the understanding that I wasn’t just building a company – I was building leverage.

The kind of leverage that meant I never had to do anything out of necessity. 
Freedom of choice was the most important thing to me, and so, I built a business around this concept.

Insight: Recognize what fulfills you, audit continuously to ensure alignment with your core values, and goals – and be prepared to make the tough decisions.

Lesson: Self-awareness is key to creating a multifaceted and aligned journey.

Insight: Continual self-auditing ensured that all parts of my life were contributing to my core values and goals.

4. Plan, But Allow Imperfection

When I chose to launch VSNRY, I forced myself to go from idea to execution in two weeks because I knew that if I didn’t put a timeline on it, I would never launch.

While planning is essential, I realized that perfection could become paralyzing.

My two-week launch taught me that taking imperfect action is better than taking no action at all. Mistakes became areas for growth, not setbacks. Embracing imperfection allowed me to iterate, innovate, and evolve continuously. It also lessened my dependency on others for validation of the idea. 

I put the thing out there and let the market tell me if it was needed.

Hint: It was.

Lesson: Imperfect action is better than inaction; perfection can be paralyzing.

Insight: My 2-week launch taught me to embrace imperfections, turning mistakes into areas for growth, not setbacks.

5. Pivot When Necessary

In a constantly changing business environment, rigidity can be a downfall. My ability to pivot and adapt to the needs of the market has been instrumental in shaping VSNRY. Recognizing the need for change at any given moment, then doing so decisively became a strength, not a liability.

In 2016, I launched with a $1,500 offer, but by month 6 realized quickly that I would barely break even if I stayed at that price point. 

So, I created a new division for Partnerships and partnered with businesses and brands to bring their products to market.

This new offer, coupled with the portfolio of projects, was enough to warrant a new price point; and each year, as successes have increased – I was able to scale our offer. 

Lesson: Adaptation and readiness to change are strengths, not liabilities.

Insight: Shifting from B2C to B2B and a hybrid model illustrates my readiness to adapt, turning change into an opportunity.

6. Build Culture, not Community.

Building a culture of confidence and greatness spreads through the team. Building a culture isn't just about implementing values; it's about living them. Throughout the years, I’ve cultivated a team of collaborators that embodies confidence, resilience, passion, and dedication. Creating a space where each collective member can unleash their potential, thrive, and contribute to a shared vision, whether they are with us for a few projects or a few years.

Lesson: Building a strong culture means living the values, not just implementing them.

Insight: The culture of confidence at VSNRY manifested in the way my team worked and collaborated, turning values into lived experiences.

7. Balance Action and Reflection

The dance between taking action and reflective thinking became crucial. Through a balanced approach, I made decisions that were both bold and thoughtful allowed me to gain an understanding of when to move (like when the dream client we’ve been wanting to pitch sends us an RFP with a 2-week lead time) and when to pause (like when we’re on the cusp of acquisition and the economy is shifting like quicksand under our feet), when to leap (at the opportunity to bring on new members of the team and share the vision) and when to look (deeper into our processes to uncover why close rates have plummeted).

 Lesson: A balanced dance between action and reflection leads to personal and professional growth.

Insight: This equilibrium guided me through the complexities of scaling Visionary Rising and myself, making me more agile and insightful.

This delicate balance has guided me through the complexities of scaling a business and scaling myself.

Conclusion:

My Visionary Rising journey isn't just a story of financial success - even though many people might lead with that; this journey has been one of a personal and professional evolution. These seven lessons weave together a narrative that transcends business tactics. They're about the relentless pursuit of a dream.

TL;DR

7 Lessons I’ve Learned in Building a Creative Business

1. Don’t quit your daydream job

2. Trust the process

3. Know Yourself

4. Plan, but leave room for imperfection

5. Pivot when necessary

6. Build a culture, not just a community

7. Balance action with reflection

The biggest lesson I left off here is to just get started. Commit to doing it in your spare time, whenever you have time will get you farther than letting another day go by without taking action.

Here’s to the launch of your own digital studio!

​​​Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

​​​1. Book a call to work with me directly to scale your creator-led business or high-growth startup to $150K and beyond.

2. Subscribe to my podcast to Grow + Expand Your Mindset alongside 10,000 other creators

3. Promote yourself to 15k+ subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter and podcast (Booking 3 months out)

As someone who works in and writes about the Creator Economy, I’ve learned to not be distracted by quick trends, but even MY head has been spinning from the rapid-fire news cycles the last few weeks.

It has me thinking about what the future of media means for creators and builders, and why understanding the impacts of the recent shifts is critical.

So, let’s get into:

• My latest theory on the importance of going direct

• Creator Tools as a Service

• Why this matters for everyone whether you’re a creator, fan, or builder

Building for Today in a Direct Creator Economy

Image by Mohammad Mardani

The creator economy is evolving at a pace we could hardly have imagined a few years ago. I’ve shared this statistic a few times because it always blows my mind, but the Creator Economy is on pace to become a $500 BILLION industry by 2027.

This stat was shared in a study by Goldman Sachs last year

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a creator yourself or aspire to be one, so I want to usher you through this fundamental shift that will enable creators to take control of their creative output, connect with audiences directly, and build successful businesses because, in the future, creators are not just hired help; they are the media companies themselves. You’ll own the audience, output, and opportunity.

The Core Pillars of Direct Creator Economy Theory

The future of the creator economy is direct and transparent, and it revolves around five key principles, which I’ve titled the Direct Creator Economy Theory:

Five Pillars of the Direct Creator Economy Theory (Chart)
© 2023 Creative Brink Media. All rights reserved.

1. Own your audience - Creators now have the power to directly connect with their audiences without the need for intermediaries.
   

2. Create a flywheel effect - With each piece of content, creators can build momentum, creating a self-sustaining cycle that drives growth and innovation.
   

3. Borrow Platform Traffic by using existing platforms to create blueprints - Platforms provide a valuable stepping stone for creators to establish themselves, learn what works, and shape their future strategies.
   

4. Provide Access by Going Direct - With the capabilities to manage and monetize their own content, creators can forge their own path, providing unique value to their audience and reaping the rewards directly.
   

5. Embrace Diversification - In an ever-evolving digital landscape, creators must diversify their presence across multiple platforms and establish varied revenue streams, safeguarding against changes in platform policies, audience behavior, and algorithms (X anyone?).

While this approach sounds simple in theory, the practicalities can often prove overwhelming. Many creators find the complexity of managing multiple platforms and revenue streams daunting, and some abandon these efforts altogether. This is where 'Creator tools as a service' come into play.

Creator Tools as a Service (CTAS)

'Creator tools as a service' are platforms or tools that equip creators with the necessary resources to manage, diversify, and scale their businesses effectively. They are transformative in the same way that software as service tools have revolutionized traditional industries, facilitating efficiency, scalability, and adaptability.

These services provide an array of digital tools, covering everything from content creation and distribution to fan engagement and revenue generation. They enable platform diversification by integrating with various platforms, allowing creators to manage their multi-platform presence from a single interface. Moreover, they support revenue diversification by offering features like e-commerce integration for merchandise sales, membership or subscription management for fan funding, and analytics for strategic ad placements or sponsorships.

With the addition of tools for platform and revenue diversification, creator tools as a service give creators the power to handle every aspect of their business. They allow creators to set their own rules, retain creative control, and directly profit from their content. In essence, creator tools as a service are set to democratize the creative industry, empowering creators to become the true masters of their work and fostering an environment where creativity thrives.

Why it Matters.

The shifting tide of the creator economy impacts us all, regardless of whether you're an established creator, an aspiring one, or a fan enjoying the wealth of content available.

Here's why you should care:

For Creators: The advent of creator-led companies and creator tools as a service means you have an opportunity to turn your passion into a thriving business. These changes provide you with a direct path to your audience and potential revenue streams.

You have more control than ever before - over your creative content, your audience interaction, and your earning potential. Embracing diversification helps you weather platform changes and audience shifts, further enhancing your resilience and control. The challenge to understand and leverage these tools can be overwhelming, but the rewards are significant.

For Aspiring Creators: If you've ever considered turning your hobby or passion into a career, there has never been a better time. With creator tools becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, barriers to entry in the creative industry are being lowered. Embracing diversification opens up more opportunities and provides a safety net. With dedication and creativity, you have the potential to carve out a space for yourself in this burgeoning economy.

For Fans: As a fan or consumer, you will benefit from a greater variety and quality of content as creators gain more control and are better supported in their endeavors. Direct relationships with creators mean more personalized, engaging experiences. Plus, supporting your favorite creators directly helps ensure they can continue producing the content you love.

For Builders: This shift also offers new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. Whether it's developing the next big creator tool, investing in creator-led companies, or finding innovative ways to collaborate with creators, the possibilities are vast.

In essence, the changes in the creator economy signal a shift towards a more democratized and inclusive future, where anyone with a talent, idea, or message can share it with the world and even make a living from it. The potential impact on individual empowerment, culture, and even the global economy is enormous.

This is a wave that's only getting started and we all have a chance to ride it.

 CREATOR PULSE

There are so many moving pieces to the creator economy with more and more things shifting every day. Here’s a list of things that crossed my desk this week that made me stop and think or get inspired and dream.

EVERYTHING about Nike’s WorldCup Ad Campaigns

This article brilliantly breaks down the commercials released so far that have managed to make us laugh, think, and haunted every creative moment for me.

R/GA Launches Fractional Workplan to evolve the way agencies tackle project-based work

Loved everything about this news, but also that major agencies are starting to embrace that global and fractional talent is capable of delivering when treated well and given space to thrive. I hope to see more agencies embrace this type of program.

Want more? Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn and let me know how I can help you scale as a creator. Want to support this newsletter and get featured? Drop me a line & I’ll be happy to collaborate.

_{© 2024 Creative Brink Media & Ingenius Studio, Inc. All rights reserved.}

I hope this finds you soaking up the summer sun, taking rejuvenating hikes, going for long swims, and reclaiming the joy you might’ve put aside in the hustle of life (I, for one, am enjoying all of that and more this summer). Today, I want to step outside of the usual content around finding creator market fit and give a glimpse into my own journey to build leverage and define success on my own terms – one that may resonate with you as a creator.

This time last year, I found myself standing at a pivotal crossroads.

I was on the brink of selling my business and going all in on a startup I was a part of at the time. As many of you might have guessed by now, I ultimately did not sell, but the experience was enlightening and, so I want to share the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Let’s talk about:

• The road so far in leading my own company

• Lessons I learned through the experience

Background first, the lessons next

Before we start though, I’ll provide a bit of background on my studio, Visionary Rising, which I’ve led for the last seven years. Since launching in 2016, I’ve grown a team, built a profitable model, and worked with brands, creators, and startups to help them define, refine, and expand their visions. Our services include strategy, content creation, and brand positioning through the lens of market-product-fit.

In 2020, at the height of the business and just before expanding the model to Toronto and London, the pandemic happened.

I, like many other independent agencies, was forced into trying to figure out what came next in a world where nothing was clear.

The goal at that time was simple: survive.

Something shifted along the way and we didn’t just survive; we figured out how to thrive. In an uncertain world, a creative studio with a lean team, low overhead, and top-tier output became very valuable.

Overnight, I went from managing a small startup and team of 4 as a side hustle to a staff of 20 that was a mix of full-time employees and freelancers across multiple time zones and with competing priorities. Needless to say, by the time I was approached to sell the company in November 2021, I was absolutely ready to do it.

A mentor once told me to never make decisions in situations when I was upset or exhausted because a person always chooses the thing that is in the best interest of meeting that need.

Here are the lessons I learned while going through the process and the reason I ultimately decided to continue building…for now…

Lesson #1: Don’t rush the process

Decisions – especially life-altering ones – aren't meant to be rushed.

I was ready to sell, move on, and start building something new. Partially because I was excited by the prospect of having more money than I’d dreamt of, but mostly because I was absolutely tired seeing how I had been burning the oil on both ends in both a full-time job and acting as the CEO of the agency.

I recognized that I really loved starting and building the company, but that I’d become overwhelmed with all the other elements of running a business while also building a career. The issue was that I’d started the studio to stoke my creative fire, but my role had turned into more operations, management, and administrative tasks that left little room to create or dream.

Faced with the realization that much of my role in the agency and role in my career was mired in the same types of tasks, selling the company seemed like the best next step because something had to give. Right?

Lesson #2: Set your price and live your life.

We all love a good bargain, don’t we? But when the first offer came knocking, I realized that this wasn’t a yard sale. This was my business and brainchild. It was worth more than a hastily accepted offer. So, I, along with my amazing attorney who’d been with me since the start, negotiated, pushed, and made sure we got a fair offer that we both felt was in alignment with what I deserved.

It’s a lesson in not selling yourself or your worth short.

This has carried over into how I run the studio today. I’ve said ‘no’ to 90% of the clients that approach our team for projects, mostly because they either undervalue the work or don’t value their needs enough to make the investment.

Remember, it’s not a negotiation if you aren’t willing to walk away.

I am always willing to walk away.

Lesson #3 The only constant is change.

Change is the only constant, right? If the last few years have taught me anything, it’s taught me that the only way to prepare for change is to embrace it.

The idea of selling the business was a change from the initial vision I’d set out for, but when the opportunity came - my willingness to embrace change is what ultimately led to the conversations continuing.

In the middle of the due diligence process, I realized that my business wasn't just some corporate entity. It was so much more than that. It had become an extension of me, a platform for my voice, a vessel for my vision, and a way for me to deeply contribute meaningful work, which is often gated in companies that aren’t your own.

I fought to ensure that I would be involved in many of the decisions to the changes that would inevitably come to the business and team.

Lesson #4 Ask for help from people you trust.

No one is an island, especially not when you’re building a business.

Seeking advice, getting a fresh perspective, and understanding the experiences of others – these were all game changers for me. I’d advised a few companies on acquisitions through the years, but those decisions were often being made in rooms where I wasn’t present. I’d never actually been on the other side of the table before the founder approached to sell their company.

I reached out to mentors, peers, and people who'd been there to talk through their experiences and candidly share their perspectives.

What I found from this exercise was a very clear picture start to emerge that helped to inform the decisions I made while I was in the process.

A lot of the founders I spoke to regretted their decision to sell their first company outright.

They had differing opinions on whether the money they received was worth the price they paid, and they also felt they’d made a hasty decision due to exhaustion or out of necessity.

Lesson # 5: You are more resilient than you think.

Resilience. If I had to pick a 'word of the year', that would be it. It's easy to be optimistic when things are going smoothly, but what about when they're not? That's when resilience steps in. Amidst doubts and potential regrets, remember why you started. Stay true to your vision.

And speaking of vision, this entire process showed me just how far I'd come. From an idea on a napkin to a fully-fledged business, the journey was a testament to growth and achievement. And it reminded me to trust in myself, in my journey, and in my ability to go even further.

Lesson # 6: Self-care is not negotiable.

On this wild ride, I also realized that self-care is not negotiable. Amidst negotiations, calculations, and late-night meetings, don't forget to take care of yourself. You're your business's biggest asset. So, take that hike, read that book, and catch up on your favorite show. Your health – both physical and mental – is paramount.

Through the process, I realized that I was burnt out. With good reason, having navigated wildfires, a global pandemic no one saw coming, completely pivoting the business TWICE, and managing a team that was navigating personal family loss during a global loss – I was exhausted. Due diligence forced me to get clear about the process we’d established for the business and deeply understand the areas I could afford to phase out of.

I made self-care a priority, and as I restored myself, my reasons for selling disappeared. I realized that I didn’t want to sell at all, I just needed a clearer model that would focus on the things I loved and reposition the things that were draining me.

Lesson #7: Your Journey is Yours and Yours Alone

There's no one-size-fits-all strategy, no standard protocol for how to do this, but what I do know for sure is that your decisions should align with your values, vision, and the life you want to lead.

You're the architect of your journey and you hold the pen that writes your story. Embrace that.

Reflecting on my own journey of running the studio while building a career, I had to admit, that it was filled with challenges, doubt, and the occasional fear. But it also brought growth, learning, and a newfound sense of resilience.

Be relentless in asking yourself tough questions and answering them with decisive action.

Lesson #8: Build leverage and never let anyone trick you out of your bag.

One last thing: I ended up leaving that company I thought I was going to go all in on in November over differences in long-term vision.

I ultimately chose not to sell because I felt there was still more work to do.

It doesn’t mean that I won’t sell in the future, but having leverage means you get to decide when and how you use it.

I’m having fun again and enjoying the work again, but it took a lot of deep thinking about what exactly I wanted, then even more work in digging in to reposition the agency from the vision I didn’t want back into a vision I recognize: a lean team, low overhead, and doing work that matters.

Conclusion

Walking away from a potentially life-changing deal hasn’t kept me up at night one single moment because I know that it was the right decision for me and I’m excited to continue building out the vision I have - one step at a time.

As you start to carve out your own path in the Creator Economy, I hope this story reminds you to stay true to your vision, value your work, embrace change and, care for your well-being.

Here's to taking risks, embracing growth, and writing our own stories.

CREATOR PULSE

There are so many moving pieces to the creator economy with more and more things shifting every day. Here’s a list of things that crossed my desk this week that made me stop and think or get inspired and dream.

It’s more than Lebron James’ 2-year extension with the Lakers! But, it’s also a huge signal for creators as more and more brands enter the space. Remember when I said creators are the new media companies? This deal proves it.

Candle Media – whose businesses include Hello Sunshine, digital publisher ATTN, Latin-focused Exile Content Studio, and Moonbug Entertainment – will work with TikTok to develop custom creative opportunities for brand-centric storytelling, which will then be brought to the world’s largest brand advertisers through TikTok.

Publishers. Content. And Shared revenue streams, oh my.

Personal News

I recently joined DeCential Media to chat about my career so far, the creator economy, and a host of other things.

​​​Want more? Follow @lateciarising and let me know how I can help you scale as a creator. Want to support this newsletter or get featured? Respond directly to this email & I’ll be happy to collaborate.

Hi,

I’d like to start off by welcoming the new readers. This newsletter is 100% free thanks to contributions from partners and I wouldn’t be able to work with those partners without you tuning in each week - so thank you! You joined in the middle of the series on Creator Market Fit, also known as CMF.

Each week, I break down the elements creators need to find their fit within the market and profile a creator or two nailing it in real-time. Last week, I covered Janelle Monae & their album release blueprint. Click here to view earlier breakdowns on Russ and an overview of the entire series.

Now, let’s talk about:

• Why you should do things that don’t scale

• Learning to be a beginner again

• A few things I have my eyes on in the creator economy this week

-LaTecia Johnson

Do Boring Shit that Doesn’t Scale

The $100 Billion dollar creator economy is growing.

New predictions show it’s on pace to hit $450 Billion dollars by 2027 with steady expansion in the coming years. In the future, everyone will be a creator in some form or another.

This means that the 50 Million people currently making a go at creating content will triple. If you think it’s hard to stand out now, just imagine when there are 15 creators for every 1 of you.

That’s scary. But it doesn’t have to be.

I’m a firm believer that each creator possesses a unique ability to unlock success for themselves on their own terms, but understanding the keys to what it means for you means venturing into a part of the process that you’re probably not familiar with: the business of being a creator.

Most of us who are born creators spend our youth exploring the elements of our chosen craft. We dedicate ourselves to learning every aspect of our discipline in order to get better at it, setting aside hours on end simply getting lost in the art of creating.

It’s what makes creators stellar at our craft. This ability to lock in is what sets us apart from others in the craft, but it’s also what will unlock the keys to success on the other side.

Twitter tweet

The Art of Locking In

Business is boring.

I used to think this, too. Then, I launched a solo creative studio in 2016 and learned quickly that I would fail if I didn’t at least make an effort to learn the business side of it. I took that same level of dedication and discipline that I’d devoted to years of learning all of the elements of music from songwriting to reading sheet music to learning my way around a recording studio, and applied it to learning everything I could about running a business.

I figured that the process that enabled me to become a stellar songwriter would also help me to become a stellar business owner; so, I broke my efforts down into 3 key areas:

#1 Practice

As a creator, you have a lot of things that you naturally do well, but at some point, there were one or two areas that you decided to go all in on.
It wasn’t easy at first, but through time spent in practice, you started to improve.

Learning the creator business is a lot like that - there are things that, as a creator, you probably won’t be very good at, but it’s important for you to understand so that when you start to build a team, you know exactly what you need to have taken off of your plate.

Whether that’s sending invoices and setting time aside to follow up or creating a plan, sticking to it, and seeing improvement over time. The creators who are able to nail the art of experience in business are usually the ones who set themselves up for success.

Set aside 1 to 2 hours per week to tackle the aspects of the work that you don’t like to do - this time is what the building blocks of your business rely on.

#2 Performance

The second step is to start implementing what you've learned from practicing. Execute your plans, knowing that the initial steps might be challenging, and that's okay. Just as you once had your first performance or published your first piece, these first steps in your business performance may feel unpolished, or even scary.

Take note of what works and what doesn't.

Learn from every interaction, every failure, and every win. The performance isn't about being perfect from the get-go; it's about constant improvement, refinement, and building resilience.

 #3 Measure of Success 

Finally, it's crucial to define your measure of success. In the creative world, success can be applause, a dope review, or the satisfaction you feel when you've created something truly unique. In the business world, success often looks more tangible – it's revenues (the money you make), customer satisfaction (how people connect to your product), and growth metrics (if people are sharing it with their friends).

As you venture into the business side, decide what success looks like for you. Is it financial stability? The ability to scale your operations? Perhaps, it's the freedom to spend more time on your craft while your business runs smoothly. Defining this will give you a clear goal to work towards, a light at the end of the 'boring tasks' tunnel.

To stand out in the creator economy, you need more than just creative skills. You need to venture into the 'boring' and non-scalable aspects of the business. By applying the discipline and dedication you've honed in your craft, you can unlock unparalleled success.

Remember, as a creator, you have already mastered the art of dedication, practice, performance, and measuring success in your craft. You can use the same formula for your business.

Creator Pulse

There are so many moving pieces to the creator economy with more and more things shifting every day. Here’s a list of things that crossed my desk this week that made me stop and think or get inspired and dream.

Formless is reshaping the internet with WEB3 → The FORMLESS team recently graduated from a16z’s Crypto Startup School and shared the pitch video + insights on what was learned through the process.

Ambré releases Muse - Freestyle → the perfect blend of chill vibes and sultry r&b to kick off summer.

Spill releases iOS app → The Twitter competitor started by former employees promises all the things we loved about the other platform with none of the issues. But it’s still in private beta nS the only way to access is through an invite code. May the odds be ever in your favor.

 Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

​​​1. Book a call to work with me directly to scale your creator-led business or high-growth startup to $150K and beyond.
2. Subscribe to my podcast to Grow + Expand Your Mindset alongside 10,000 other creators
3. Promote yourself to 15k+ subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter and podcast (Booking into October 2023)

​​​Love + Light,

​​​LaTecia

​​​Want more? Follow @lateciarising and let me know how I can help you scale as a creator. Want to support this newsletter and get featured? Drop me a line & I’ll be happy to collaborate.

I’ve been enjoying a bit of rest and relaxation as the summer kicks off. This looks like taking long hikes and coming back to catch up on the shows and things I’ve missed as a result of being heads down. As much as I’d love to spend this edition talking about how absolutely amazing ‘Daisy Jones and the Six” was (and, it was QUITE amazing), I think we should dive into creators to find their fit.

This week, let’s talk about:

• How Janelle Monae’ utilized ownership of their audience to launch their recent project

• How creators can use similar trends from their audience to develop better content

• A few things I have my eye on in the Creator Economy this week

– LaTecia Johnson

I’ve been a Janelle Monáe fan since 2006 when she burst through my speakers with ‘Lettin’ Go’. Before signing to Bad Boy and the 4-pert Suite series was retitled Metropolis.

Maybe I identified with her because she was so enveloped by Atlanta. When I look deeper, it probably had more to do with the fact that I was a Black woman from the South trying to make it in music; seeing a dark-skinned Black woman that also admitted she didn’t quite fit in, made me feel accepted in a way that I hadn’t thought I needed to feel. Maybe my love for Janelle is still about what she represents much more than the music.

Long-time fan or not, you have to admit that Janelle Monáe is having a moment. With the release of ‘Age of Pleasure’ this past Friday, the long-awaited follow-up to 2018’s ‘Dirty Computer’, Monáe is out to achieve the rare feat of having a follow-up album be even better than the penultimate project that broke them through.

Let’s take a look at how ‘Age of Pleasure’ managed to premier with nearly 12 Million streams, gain momentum, and be the topic of conversation in every music and non-music circle over the last few months.

The Timeline and Strategy

As we delve into the intricacies of Janelle Monáe's remarkable 'Age of Pleasure' album release strategy, it becomes evident that successful creative campaigns require not just talent, but also meticulous planning, strategic collaborations, and an astute understanding of one's audience. This is a story of long-term vision and execution, demonstrating the power of sustained anticipation and multi-dimensional engagement.

Monáe's journey to the release of her highly anticipated album can be traced back six months before the actual launch. It's a narrative punctuated by calculated teasers, strategic partnerships, direct fan activations, boundary-pushing content, and a harmonious blend of both physical and online audience engagement.

This meticulous timeline and release strategy masterclass, illuminated in the following breakdown, offers an inside look into Monae's innovative approach and provides valuable insights that creators across various fields can adopt to cultivate their own communities, shape narratives, and ultimately, ensure their projects not only see the light of day but also resonate deeply with their target audiences.

Now, let's embark on this enlightening journey that starts in December 2022 and culminates with the successful release of 'Age of Pleasure' in June 2023.

December 2022 through February 2023 - ‘Float’ season begins

The first single ‘Float’ was released on February 16, 2023, but Monáe begins to reference ‘Float’ as early as December 1, 2022. These references alongside images of Monáe in the studio caused many to speculate that a full-length album was near.

From the first strings of the song, it’s clear that Monáe has stepped from behind the android and into a new phase of music, perhaps introducing listeners to Janelle for the first time.

For the release of the single, Monáe teams with a number of DJs, including Coco and Breezy for remixes of the song, a few weeks post-premier. Promotion is relatively quiet outside of standard press runs and interviews connected to the single.

The song has legs, though, and slowly but surely ingratiates itself into the hearts of their fans, mounting 6 million+ streams in the process.

May 2023 - Monáe premiers songs at Met Gala after party

Monáe makes an annual appearance at the Met Gala and whispers begin to spread that a new album is forthcoming based on the songs shared during the event. Later, Janelle shares that playing the music at parties was the way that they workshopped which songs belonged on the album, her thought process was, "If the songs can't work at the party, they're not going on the album". So she continued to workshop them until she was confident on a sequence that would work.

Things kick into high gear after the Met Gala after-party. 

The second single “Lipstick Lover” releases on May 11th, and shortly after, news hits that the artists’ first album in 5 years will release less than a month out. That’s not the entire story, though, because along with the song premiere, Monáe shares an NSFW video that is eventually banned by YouTube and re-released as a clean version.

At the same time as the promotional efforts, Monáe kicks communication to their fan club into high gear through activations with key partners: Spotify and Atlantic

5/11 - Same day as “Lipstick Lover” release and album announcement

Spotify sends a notification to gain access to purchase Janelle Monáe's album early (a full 3-weeks before the public announcement on 5/31)

This opts the audience into Janelle’s newsletter in order to be the first to receive notifications on the upcoming release including access to vinyl & merch packages, and the coveted early access to tour dates when announced.

As a long-time fan, I’m sold on everything and easily opt into the flow.

Shortly after opt-in, Atlantic sends out an email confirming that I’m locked into Monáe’s fan club and to stay tuned for more updates soon.

June 2023 - Countdown to album release begins

The timeline between the first mention of ‘Float’ in December and the announcement of the upcoming album in May, is exactly 6 months. Monáe and the team have done a solid job of activating their audience through well-timed sequences and strategic partnerships up until this moment. Although this release strategy has followed a traditional timeline, it’s anything but ordinary.

Entering June, Monáe re-releases a fully edited version of the ‘Lipstick Lover’ video and also announces there will be several listening sessions in the days leading up to the release of the album.

Live Listening Sessions featuring the artist in key markets:

• Washington D.C

• Chicago

• Atlanta

• NYC

• Los Angeles

• Long Beach

• San Francisco

And, in-store activations at 35 indie record stores where the Monáe F.A.M (Freeassmothafuckas) can listen to the full album ahead of the release.

Followed up finally by a tour announcement. All before we even get into the full album.

On June 9, 2023, after months of foreplay, the album was finally released to critical acclaim.

This album release strategy hit every major element that artists should look to hit when activating their audience: a compelling story, consistent content, direct activation, and exceptional execution.

Conclusion

As we conclude our exploration of Janelle Monae's strategic launch for her 'Age of Pleasure' album, it becomes abundantly clear that the success of creators in today's digital age extends beyond talent and creativity; it also requires strategic foresight, comprehensive audience engagement, and effective partnerships.

Monae's multi-faceted approach, including her long-term planning, direct activation of fans, unique and compelling content, as well as her strategic use of physical and digital platforms, culminated in a launch that captured and retained her audience's attention from start to finish. Her success underscores the immense value of understanding and leveraging these tools and tactics in the modern creative economy.

While the specific execution of these strategies may vary from one creator to another, the principles they embody remain constant. Carefully nurturing your audience, strategically utilizing partnerships and events, offering engaging and distinctive content, and maintaining a balance between online and physical engagement, all play a key role in the journey towards achieving resonating success.

By taking cues from Monae's playbook, creators across disciplines can construct their own comprehensive strategies, designed to not only release their work into the world but also to ensure that it echoes in the hearts and minds of their audiences, leaving a lasting impact. As we look ahead, these lessons from the 'Age of Pleasure' launch remain invaluable guideposts for creators navigating the ever-evolving creative landscape.

In the end, what Monae has done brilliantly is not just to create and release an album, but to create an experience around it, turning every moment into an opportunity for storytelling and connection. And that is, perhaps, the most significant lesson for creators today: your work is not just about the final product, but the journey you take your audience on along the way.

Keep reading to see what creators can learn from this and how to activate it in your own strategies.

Creators can learn a lot about fan engagement, strategic planning, content quality, leveraging partnerships, and multi-channel engagement from Janelle Monae's album release strategy by implementing a 6-point approach to their own launches and content.

1. Long-Term Planning and Consistent Teasing: The buildup to the album began six months before its release. Early teases, like the subtle references to 'Float' and the sharing of studio images, helped to build anticipation among her audience. This shows that a long-term content strategy with consistent and engaging updates can be effective in cultivating and maintaining interest.

2. Clever Utilization of Events and Partnerships: Monae cleverly used the Met Gala afterparty to test out her songs and increase hype around her upcoming work. She also leveraged her partnership with Spotify and Atlantic to give fans early access to her album, merchandise, and tour dates. This demonstrates the value of both strategic partnerships and capitalizing on high-profile events.
   
   

3. Fan Engagement and Direct Activation: Monae was able to directly engage with her fan base through the offer of early access and other perks, which not only heightened anticipation but also fostered a sense of exclusivity and community. This shows the importance of building a direct relationship with your audience and using creative methods to incentivize engagement.
   
   

4. Quality and Uniqueness of Content: Monae was not afraid to push boundaries with her content, as evidenced by the initially NSFW video that accompanied the release of 'Lipstick Jungle'. This shows that taking risks and producing content that is unique and high-quality can help to distinguish a creator and their work.
   
   

5. Strategic Use of Multi-Media and Multi-Channel Engagement: Monae strategically used various media platforms (like Instagram) and leveraged live events (like in-store activations and listening sessions) to engage with her fans, showcasing the importance of a multi-channel approach to reach and engage with different segments of an audience.
   
   

6. Physical and Online Presence: By combining live events with online interactions, Monae managed to create a comprehensive experience for her fans. This underscores the importance of combining both physical and online presence in your strategy.

Creator Pulse

There are so many moving pieces to the creator economy with more and more things shifting every day. Here’s a list of things that crossed my desk this week that made me stop and think or get inspired and dream.

GRIN releases a comprehensive playbook for the Creator Economy → impossible not to read, highlight and come back to again and again.

Gatorade brings back their “Be Like Mike” campaign → impossible not to get a bit sentimental with close-ups of Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, and a whole lot more stars that benefit from the history-making of Jordan.

13 Principles Artists Can Learn from Startups → Rob Abelow breaks down what artists can learn from how startups approach their business.

Whenever you're ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:

1. Subscribe to my podcast to Grow + Expand Your Mindset alongside 10,000 other creators
2. Promote yourself to 15k+ subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter and podcast (Booking into May 2023)

​​​​​Love + Light,

​​​​​LaTecia

​​​Want more? Follow @lateciarising and let me know how I can help you scale as a creator. Want to support this newsletter and get featured? Drop me a line & I’ll be happy to collaborate.

I think I’m starting to get the hang of this creator thing. I’m having a blast developing content for you weekly and diving into everything that’s happening on the creator front through near daily threads on my Twitter and deeper dives on each week right in your inbox.

I’ve been experimenting a lot to find the rhythm of what piques your interest so that I can keep delivering it to you. So, I wanna know – have you enjoyed the shift so far? Do you wanna see more of a specific type of content? I know my music folks want some more artist-specific stuff, and I’m working on it. For everyone else, please free to respond right to this email.

Now to the good stuff. This week, let’s talk about:

• How to identify your target audience

• How to build content once you figure it out

• Key things I have my eye on this week in the Creator Economy

How to Find Your People (Identifying Target Audience)

Audience has always been important. As a creator, you know this. Most of us have had ‘audience’ and ‘consumer’ drilled into our heads as interchangeable ideals since YouTube burst onto the scene way back when shifting the idea of audience from the group of people who attend shows, watch movies, and tune in weekly to their favorite televisions shows to everyone on the internet.

In the third installment of our Creator Market Fit Series, I’m breaking down the essential pillars to help you find success as a creator. In past editions, we’ve outlined what Creator Market fit is and why you need to understand it. In today’s newsletter, we will focus on the crucial first step of defining CMF for yourself: Identifying Your Target Audience.

Understanding who your audience is and what they want is key to creating art that resonates with them and keeps them coming back for more. There are three key aspects of identifying your target audience and finding your people: Demographics (who they are), Psychographics (what they want), and Consumption Habits (how they like to receive it).

 Understand Who They Are

Demographics, or ‘demos’ for short, are the basic characteristics of the people receiving your product. Things like age, gender, location, education, and even what they do for a living play into the development of this. Gaining insight into these factors allows you to create content that appeals directly to a specific group of people, making it more relevant and engaging.

To gather demos, consider:

• Studying successful creators in your niche and observing their audience.

• Surveying your audience to gather data directly from your followers or potential audience.

• Using social media analytics and insights to gain an understanding of your current audience’s needs.

It can be as simple as asking a series of questions to gather feedback like the ones I asked at the start of this newsletter or putting together more in-depth polls that require some time and effort.

Figure Out What They Want

While demographics provide a general overview of your audience, psychographics delves deeper into their interests, values, preferences, and lifestyles. Understanding these aspects can help you create content that aligns with their passions and aspirations, ultimately forging a deeper connection with your audience.

To explore psychographics, consider:

• Analyzing comments, messages, and reviews from your audience to understand their preferences and values.

• Identify common themes, messages, or emotions that resonate with your target audience.

• Observing trends and popular culture to gain insight into the interests and values of your potential audience.

Deliver It To Them Consistently 

Analyzing your audience's consumption habits will give you a better understanding of how they discover, experience, and interact with art. This information can guide your decisions on which platforms to use, how to present your work, and what marketing strategies to employ.

To examine consumption habits, consider:

• Investigating where your target audience discovers new things, such as from friends, online platforms, or social media.

• Identifying the formats and mediums your audience prefers, like physical goods, digital, or mixed media.

• Exploring how your audience engages with content, including purchasing habits, sharing on social media, or attending events.

CMF In Action: The Russ Theory

A great example of this in action is how the artist Russ used his fanbase to jumpstart his music career while the rest of the industry overlooked him.

If you’re not familiar with Russ, an independent music artist that has accumulated millions of dollars and streams due to the overwhelming success of his highly engaged fanbase, then this quick breakdown will get you there.

In 2016, Russ had his first Billboard Hot 100 success with the song ‘What They Want’ which peaked at no. 83, but that was song #87 in a journey that had taken him ten years to string together. Before the success of Hot 100 in 2016, Russ had self-produced 10 albums with each one barely making any waves in the industry.

The artist wasn’t focused on appealing to everyone – he was solely focused on figuring out what his audience wanted, so each release was designed in a way to directly target the fanbase he was slowly building.

Russ’s plan is simple: ask fans what they want, then deliver – and that’s what he’s done on nearly every release since his first.

Between 2011 and 2014, he produced 10 studio albums independently before identifying that most of his audience was on Soundcloud. He then began releasing singles weekly for 3 years to engage his audience on their platform of choice and learn things in real time and it worked. The music industry started paying attention because of his audience’s commitment to him.

The result- Creator Market Fit: 12 studio albums, 200 songs released, multiple sold-out tours, independently.

The lesson here is that identifying your target audience is the foundation of achieving Creator Market Fit. By understanding who you're creating art for, you can tailor your work to their preferences, making it more impactful and valuable to them over the lifetime of your relationship.

Creator Pulse

TikTok’s new Music Discovery Hub → This breakdown shows how TikTok is paving the way to become the discovery platform for the music industry’s audience

The Creator Economy Keeps Growing →This Goldman Sachs report predicts Creator Economy growth to top $450B in the next few years. Whether you’re a creator or studio owner, this growth means absolute opportunity ahead.

Janelle Monáe announces new album → Speaking of CMF + artists who understand their audience so well they only create art for them, Janelle is back with a new album and video that’s sure to cause a stir.

 Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

​​​1. Book a call to work with me directly to scale your creator-led business or high-growth startup to $150K and beyond.
2. Subscribe to my podcast to Grow + Expand Your Mindset alongside 10,000 other creators
3. Promote yourself to 15k+ subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter and podcast (Booking into October 2023)

​​​Love + Light,

​​​LaTecia

​​​Want more? Follow @lateciarising and let me know how I can help you scale as a creator. Want to support this newsletter and get featured? Drop me a line & I’ll be happy to collaborate.

Thank you to our sponsors who keep this newsletter free to readers:

In this week’s newsletter, we’re partnering with Wild, the community where you create, collect, and explore experiential art. Enter the Wild universe to collaborate with boundary-pushing creators in an artist residency, collect curated experiential art on their platform, and experience immersive works produced by Wild, all in one destination.

And, Honeybook. The all-in-one business management tool helps creator-led businesses scale. Send custom proposals, manage client communication, and automate your process so you can spend more time creating. Try it out today and start your road to 6-figures!

Creators are increasingly struggling with ways to stand out in the ever-evolving creator economy. In the last week alone, they’ve had to combat AI generators, takedowns across streaming platforms, and a growing chorus of voices discussing the future of creativity.

Let’s drown all of that out.

A creator’s ability to ignore everything and focus on their audience is going to be the most important skill set to master in the coming years.

In today’s newsletter, we’ll continue exploring Creator Market Fit (CMF) and why every creator needs to find it to unlock their greatest potential. This is article #2 in my series on Creator Market Fit, here’s the first one if you missed it.

Let’s dive in.

Introduction

In the age of digital entrepreneurship, the concept of Product Market Fit (PMF) has become increasingly important in determining the success of a venture. However, as the creator economy continues to rise, a new approach to this concept has emerged—Creator Market Fit (CMF). CMF builds upon the principles of PMF by focusing on the alignment between a creator's skills, passions, and a target audience's needs. In this article, we'll delve into the key elements of CMF and how creators can adapt PMF principles to achieve success in their own ventures.

This looks like creators who understand their audience, build community, and then manage their output through a series of partners. The partner may shift, but the mission for the creator remains at the forefront.

Defining Creator Market Fit

Just as PMF is the perfect alignment between a product's features and the target market's needs, CMF is the ideal alignment between a creator's unique skills, passions, and the needs of their target audience. A strong CMF ensures that a creator's content or services are in high demand, resulting in sustainable growth and success.

Adapting PMF Principles to CMF

The fundamental principles of PMF can be adapted for the creator economy by focusing on the following key elements:

a. Identify Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

A creator's UVP is the combination of their skills, knowledge, and passions that sets them apart from others in the market. To develop a strong UVP, creators should:

• Assess their skills and expertise in their chosen field

• Identify their unique passions and interests that can be incorporated into their content.

• Understand how they can differentiate themselves and not try to follow everyone else.

b. Understand Your Target Audience

Successful creators must have a deep understanding of their target audience's needs, preferences, and pain points. To achieve this, creators can:

• Define their target audience's demographic, psychographic, and behavioral characteristics

• Engage with their audience through social media and feedback loops to gather valuable insights

• Create audience personas to guide content development and marketing strategies

c. Validate Your Offering

Before fully committing to a specific niche or content strategy, creators should validate their ideas by:

• Testing content and services on a small scale through Minimum Viable Creations (MVCs)

• Gathering feedback from early adopters and refining offerings based on their input

• Continuously iterating and improving their content or services to ensure they resonate with their audience.

CMF in action

As CMF continues to expand, the creators who take the time to test and define it on their own terms will be the ones to win in the long run. This is no more prevalent than in the continued iteration of artists like LATASHÀ and Jon Waltz who are using web3 technology to test the bounds of their creativity and foster community with their audience.

Instagram post

LATASHÀ is a Los-Angeles based artist who was struggling to find her voice in the traditional music industry but found an audience by releasing limited edition videos in web3. Her collections and partnerships have run the gamut from recently partnering with Mastercard through their artist incubator to running her own activations via ZORATOPIA, an event series where she partnered with Our ZORA to activate and engage an often overlooked community.

Jon Waltz provided courtesy of Wild

Jon Waltz is a Memphis-based artist using web3 technology to forge his own path in the music industry. For his upcoming collection, Voodoo House, releasing this upcoming Wednesday in partnership with Wild, he developed a generative collection that explores the concept of abstract growth and the emotional experiences accompanying transitional periods in life. Each piece in the collection is a moving digital work, accompanied by a song from Jon Waltz's upcoming EP. This exploration of the connective tissue between visual experience and musical manifestation is a prime example of Waltz’s understanding of his audience.

Both artists understand the connection their audience has to music and are finding partners who also seek to expand this connection through authentic experiences.

This is the future of the creator economy and a prime example of why CMF is so important to find and foster as creators grow.

That’s it for me today.

Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

​​​1. Book a call to work with me directly to scale your creator-led business or high-growth startup to $150K and beyond.
2. Subscribe to my podcast to Grow + Expand Your Mindset alongside 10,000 other creators
3. Promote yourself to 15k+ subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter and podcast (Booking into October 2023)

​​​Love + Light,

​​​LaTecia

Hey, Quite a few people have asked for my take on AI in music so I’m in your inbox again with bonus content for my music subscribers.

I’ll be back next week with the next installment of the Creator Roadmap to CMF.

I’ve been reluctant to share my take on music and AI due to the nuance of the topic, the speed at which it’s moving, and the numerous use cases for it, but that all changes today.

This is the one about AI. 

In today’s newsletter, I'll catch you up on what’s happened so far in AI + music creation and suggest ways that artists can protect themselves, including by working directly with AI creators to license their music.

Let’s dive in

How We Got Here

AI has been a sleeping giant the music industry has had an eye on since at least 2017.

There have been several successful AI-generated music projects like Amper Music, an AI music composition platform that allows users to create custom music tracks, and AIVA, which has produced a wide range of original compositions that have been used in films and advertisements.

These elements show us what’s possible when artists and AI creators come together within an infrastructure that can support them both.

More recently, though, ‘unauthorized remixes and creations’ have popped up everywhere. The most prominent one released a few weeks ago featured Drake and The Weeknd. It was quickly removed from streaming platforms, but not before racking up millions in streams and views across social media.

Was it the best track? No. The draw was obviously that it was generated using AI.

In an industry that already has a history of exploiting artists, it's important to consider how AI-generated music might impact the livelihoods of musicians, producers, and the entire chain of creation. Furthermore, using AI to create music that features the likenesses of real artists raises ethical questions. Is it right to use an artist's image or persona without their consent? Does this practice cheapen the value of an artist's work?

My thoughts on it are quite simple: artists should benefit from the use of their voice in AI creation and music already has the framework to ensure it happens. 

Twitter tweet

Where It’s Headed

Music is collaborative.

This is just a simple fact. Your favorite track probably has 20 named collaborators because everyone that was a part of making it was credited: the producers, the creators of the sample used, the writers, and the random publishing company… everyone gets credit and points (part of the revenue generated).

Why should this be any different in the use of an AI creation?

Establishing a clear framework will open the lines of collaboration and expand the way AI creators and artists work together.

Protecting against AI exploitation in music creation

This isn’t a unique moment the music industry is facing at all.

In 2007, when Netflix introduced its streaming platform to a market that was populated by On-demand television, box office budgets, and straight-to-video sleeper hits, writers needed to understand how they would benefit from the use of their works in an ever-increasing digital world. To address these concerns, Netflix entered into licensing agreements with writers and studios, ensuring that they were fairly compensated for the use of their content and included in the back-end deals that studios were reaping the benefits of.

I think a similar solution is needed in the case of Music + AI. Labels understand that the train has already left the station and many of them will be open to exploring what the future holds by helping to shape it with their artists.

This idea is taking root – just this week, Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Group’s CEO stated the label was open for business but emphasized the need to “respect our artists and the integrity of their work...” and any solution has to incorporate this idea into its DNA.

That’s it for me for now.

What are your thoughts on Music + AI creation? Do you think it’s just a phase or the start of a new wave?

Creator Pulse: AI edition

A few more thoughts on AI

Who Owns A Song Created by AI? ← This NY Times article grapples with the legal ramifications of AI-created works

Julian Grainge’s full thoughts on Music + AI via Billboard ← The full UMG head’s thoughts were delivered via UMG earnings call earlier this week.

Listen to this Bad Bunny + Rihanna AI Mash up ← Will most definitely be taken down soon

​​​Want more? Follow @lateciarising and let me know how I can help you scale as a creator. Want to support this newsletter and get featured? Drop me a line & I’ll be happy to collaborate.

I’m back! After a brief hiatus, two conferences, and more than my fair share of Twitter threads. I’ve spent the last 6-weeks focusing on updating the newsletter (You might have noticed the cleaner look!) and also developing the tools and resources to provide all the things you need to excel as a creator launching, growing, and scaling your own business.

I’m excited to share what that will look like over the next few weeks, but first let’s talk about

• Product Market Fit

• Creator Market Fit

• How it all comes together

Magnus Andersson/Unsplash

I’m a Growth Strategist. I’ve spent the last 10 years launching products and verticals at everything from Fortune 100 companies to high-growth startups and tried my hand at pre-revenue companies as well. Throughout my career, these strategies have garnered $750 Million and acquired 10s of millions of users for products, services, and content. That’s a great track record of success, but to get there, regardless of whether I’m going in to advise a $100 Million company or one that hasn’t made $1, the conversation always starts the same: have you found Product Market Fit or PMF?

WTF IS PMF?

PMF occurs when a product finds its audience and converts them to users. There are a few ways to measure this: first through the growth of eyes on the product; then, finally through dollars generated. In business, these are the only two things that really matter: are people aware of your product and are they willing to pay you to use it?

If they are aware of the product, are they telling their friends about it, and if they are telling their friends about it, are their friends signing up to use it? This is what we call ‘organic product-led growth’ because it happens over time through a minimal effort from the business. It starts with having a superior product, then puts it in the hands of people who need it, and allows the superiority of the product to work its magic. The more people that see it, use it, and tell their friends about it - the more money the company makes and the more they can invest into other marketing drivers.

It's simple. Right?

I’ve created enough strategies over the years to know that it rarely is as simple as that. But it’s the most critical aspect for any company that exists today: have you found PMF? Because until they find it, nothing else matters.

Introducing Creator Market Fit

Earlier this month I came across some metrics that stopped me in my tracks.

The global creator economy is worth $100B, but we haven't even scratched the surface of the true power of this sector, yet:

+ 50 MILLION people currently contribute to the creator economy.
+ 93% believe they are still amateurs.
+ Only 450,000 are full-time and
+ Less than 10% of the full-timers make over $80K per year.

In today's increasingly competitive digital landscape, creators face the challenge of standing out from the crowd and building a loyal following.

Through reviewing these staggering facts, I realized that most creators are struggling to find the market where their content fits. One critical aspect of achieving long-term success, and breaking out from the 93%, is finding a strong “Creator Market Fit” and it applies whether you are a content creator, musician, digital artist, or educator.

This concept, inspired by the business principle of Product Market Fit, refers to the alignment between a creator's content, target audience, and distribution channels. In essence, it means creating content that resonates with the right audience and delivering it through the most effective platforms.

Unlocking Growth through CMF

Understanding and achieving Creator Market Fit is crucial for creators, as it enables them to grow their audience, strengthen their personal brand, and monetize their work more effectively. In the coming weeks, I will walk you through the essential steps to achieving Creator Market Fit, providing you with a framework to help navigate the ever-evolving world of the creator economy.

We’ll cover the following things in the series:

• Understanding Creator Market Fit (CMF)

• Identifying a target audience

• Analyzing trends to create better content

• Creator Monetization strategies

• Partnership structures for your Niche

• and, a lot more.

By implementing the strategies outlined, you can increase your chances of success, build a loyal fan base, and ultimately, turn your passion for creation into a sustainable career.

If you’re a creator who has been struggling, then you’ll definitely want to tune in each week as we unlock the next level for creators.

Creator Pulse

A few things I have my eye on this week:

TikTok continues to expand its vertical dominance with an expanded discovery mode being tested in select markets. The feature, similar to the Explore functionality on Instagram, further solidifies TikTok’s space as the app where everyone goes to discover new things.

That one time AI Drake & The Weeknd made everyone lose their minds.
An AI creator, released a track last week featuring prompts created with the voices of Drake and The Weeknd. The song hit streamers on Friday and by Monday had over 2 Million plays before it was removed.

Variety wrote an excellent breakdown of how fans felt about the song and why major labels had it removed within 48 hours.

Netflix shutters its DVD business after 25 years. End of an era, truly.

Twitter tweet

Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

​​​​​1. Book a call to work with me directly to scale your creator-led business or high-growth startup to $150K and beyond.
2. Subscribe to my podcast to Grow + Expand Your Mindset alongside 10,000 other creators
3. Promote yourself to 15k+ subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter and podcast (Booking into May 2023)

​​​​​Love + Light,

​​​​​LaTecia

​​​Want more? Follow @lateciarising and let me know how I can help you scale as a creator. Want to support this newsletter and get featured? Drop me a line & I’ll be happy to collaborate.