I’M WALKIN’ HERE WITH

Hey! Welcome to Creator Economy NYC — the premier place for all things creator economy in the Big Apple.

Before we dive in, while we may be Creator Economy NYC, our community stretches from coast to coast, and right now, many of our LA-based members are facing challenging times with the devastating wildfires. To our West Coast community: we're thinking of you, and we're here to support however we can.

One of our amazing community members, Liza Wong, has compiled some crucial resources for those wanting to help (and can immediately):

For influencers & brands: If you have unopened PR items (toiletries, feminine hygiene products, clothing), please contact Liza Wong via DM @lizawong_, or email [email protected].

Most needed items:

• Clothing: Shirts, new underwear, new socks, jackets, gently used shoes

• Hygiene products: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant

• Blankets & bedding: Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags

• Comfort items: Books, playing cards, games

Support links:

• L.A. GoFundMe Master List - direct support for impacted individuals

• LAFD Emergency Wildfire Funding - supporting firefighters with essential equipment

• Firefighter Meals - donate meals to firefighters (2x daily)

Anything is appreciated, and even just sharing this resource list with someone else in our community goes a long way.

On a different note, tomorrow marks Creator Economy NYC's second birthday. While we celebrate this milestone, we're reminded that what makes this community special is how we show up for each other, coast to coast.

And with that, I want to share some tactical reflections on creating this community and offer something I hope will inspire your own creator journey as we begin the year. Plus, there’s a little challenge for you at the end…

Let's dive in.

Enjoying being part of the community?

BROUGHT TO YOU BY BEEHIIV

The foundation every creator needs (learned from experience)

Before Creator Economy NYC, I started in this industry by launching a newsletter with my brother, and it taught me one crucial lesson: owning your audience is everything.

That's exactly why I use beehiiv, the newsletter platform behind this very email you're reading. Like me, beehiiv believes in freeing creators from algorithm dependency, giving you the tools to build genuine, lasting connections with your community.

I've lived this journey — now it's your turn! Grow your brand with the most powerful newsletter platform on the planet.

CITY SPOTLIGHT

Two years of Creator Economy NYC: the power of “just creating it”

Two years ago, in a small bar in the Lower East Side, fifteen people showed up to what was simply called "Creator Economy Meetup NYC." No fancy branding. No master plan. Just a group of creator economy people gathering over drinks.

I had no idea that night at Hair of the Dog would become the start of something much bigger. But sometimes the biggest movements start with the smallest decisions.

At the start of 2023, I made what seemed like a simple commitment: one meetup a month. That was it. Pick a bar, send a message, see who shows up. No elaborate strategy, no grand vision — just a straightforward goal to keep showing up.

Two years later, I'm overwhelmed by what our community has become. To everyone who reads every newsletter, shows up to our events, and contributes to the broader creator economy ecosystem – you've helped build something truly special.

But here's the truth about that first meetup: I almost didn't do it…

The simple secret: JUST CREATE IT

We've all seen that iconic Shia LaBeouf "JUST DO IT" video (you know the one). Nike made it famous, Shia made it memorable, but for creators like us, we need our own remix: "JUST CREATE IT."

Throughout 2022, I was stuck in that familiar loop of overthinking. Playing with ideas of creating something, dreaming about possibilities, but never actually starting. Sound familiar?

Then 2023 hit, and something clicked. I had this moment of "f*ck it, let's just create this" – and that's literally how our community was born. No grand strategy. No perfect plan. Just a decision to start and figure it out along the way.

Here's what I've learned since taking that leap:

• Create over perfect. The moment you start waiting for perfection is the moment you stop moving forward.

• Dream it, create it, refine it later. You can always adjust course, but only if you're already in motion.

• Stay consistent. Small creations, shared regularly, create unstoppable momentum.

And here's why I'm sharing this with you now: every single one of you reading this has your own Hair of the Dog moment waiting to happen. Your own idea that could become something special — no matter how big or small.

The only difference between dreaming and doing? A little something to get ya started…

The F*ck It, Create It Framework™️

To help you take that step, I've developed what I'm calling the "F*ck It, Create It Framework™️.” Yes, I'm actually calling it that. And yes, I added the ™️ because... well, f*ck it, why not?

This is exactly what helped me push past my own overthinking, and I believe it can do the same for you.

Here's how it works:

1. The 3-2-1-F*ck It Method

   • Write down 3 things you've been wanting to create (or build)

   • Pick 2 you could start literally today

   • Choose 1 that scares you the most

   • Say "f*ck it" and start it right now

2. The 24-Hour Rule

   • Once you have an idea, you have 24 hours to take one concrete step

   • Doesn't matter how small — send one email, write one paragraph, record one clip, do some research

   • After 24 hours, your brain starts creating excuses – don't let it. Because f*ck it, we create it (and you can use our Accountability Framework to overcome this)

Your 2025 call to action

Here's what I want you to do right now after reading this. Not tomorrow, not after you've figured it all out — right now:

1. Open your notes app

2. Write down your 3-2-1

3. Set a 24-hour timer

4. Optional (but encouraged)… send me a reply saying "f*ck it, creating it" with the 3-2-1, so I can cheer ya on.

Whatever you want to accomplish, whatever content you want to create, whatever community you want to build — the time is now. Take that first step. Make it happen.

Here's to another year of building, creating, and supporting each other in the Creator Economy NYC community. Let's get after it. Thank you for being here.

P.S. Seriously, set that 24-hour timer. The framework only works if you actually do it. Tag me when you ship your first thing — I want to be your first supporter.

CITY HAPPENINGS

Upcoming events

Our first event is upcoming on January 28, 6:30-9:30pm! It is a mixer and panel with our friends at Teachable.

Our panel is just about to be finalized, so details will follow…but I can assure you that it will be valuable, entertaining, and something you DO NOT want to miss.

Come hang with the city’s best creators, marketers and brands. You know how it is…

INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS

Vegas is calling all creators and marketers!

I’m excited to share that I am MCing the Creator Economy Live conference happening in VEGAS, Feb 4-5! Expect some roasts, mediocre jokes, and maybe even some celebrity impressions from me!?!?

You should join me there if you’re looking to level up your influencer marketing and attend sessions tackling topics like determining influencer ROI, vetting creators and content strategy, etc. Now’s the time!!

Come hang with folks from Disney, Google, Fenty, and like 40 other brands and agencies you'd actually want to meet.

And because you’re part of my crew — get 20% off with code 20CENYC. But get ‘em before they sell out soon!

PICKS & PERKS FOR YOU

Start a newsletter: It’s time you own your audience and start a newsletter. Get 20% off your first 3 months on any beehiiv paid plan. Snag it here →

*Optimize your influencer campaigns: Siftsy analyzes comment sections to uncover sentiment and trends, helping you improve performance and prove ROI. Discover more here →

Get shareable clips in seconds from long form: I’ve been using OpusClip to easily create high-quality clips from our panels. Try it out here →

*Siftsy is something I’ve co-founded, and working to make it the best damn tool out there for influencer marketers and brands.

ICYMI

I recently shared with you two free resources to help supercharge your creator journey in 2025. If ya missed it, you can download both right here:

1. The Goal Setting Guide: A simple but powerful document to help you declare who you want to BECOME in 2025. Get it here →

2. The Accountability System: Your visual companion for consistent creation in 2025 (I’m using this now to send one newsletter a week!) Get it here → 

STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS PLEASE

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you thought of it by replying to this email! To our friends in LA, we are thinking of you. Please stay safe 🧡

See you next week,

Brett