👋🏽 Doors Opening

Hey! Welcome to the Creator Economy NYC newsletter — your weekly dose of actionable insights and strategies to help you build, monetize, and scale as a creator.

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸

Whether you're firing up the grill, watching fireworks, or just enjoying a day off, I wanted to share something that's been on my mind lately.

It's about independence… not just the kind we celebrate today, but the creative independence that comes from finally pushing past our own barriers.

Let's dive in.

Quick reminder: We're hosting a virtual event with Pinterest next Thursday on how creators can grow, get discovered, and drive results on the platform. RSVP here →

✍️ Spotlight

Just make it EXIST first (you can make it good later)

I come across this image every few months. A simple sticky note with handwritten text that says "Just make it EXIST first. You can make it good later."

Those words capture something that's been fundamentally true throughout my entire journey as a creator and founder.

None of the tactics around growth, monetization, or strategy matter if you haven't started... and kept going.

Mindset comes first. Always.

I've shared frameworks about consistency, talked about finding your essential 30%, and broken down monetization strategies. But all of that is useless if you're still stuck at the starting line.

This sticky note writer (whoever you are) understood something: existence beats perfection every time.

Your first video doesn't need Hollywood production value. Your first newsletter doesn't need Pulitzer-level writing. Your first product doesn't need to solve every customer problem.

It just needs to exist.

Because "good" is a moving target that you can only hit once you're already in motion.

The invisible walls we build

Over the past few months, I've been building something behind the scenes related to this.

A course designed to help you push past the invisible walls that keep you stuck in your head instead of in motion:

• Breaking through self-doubt

• Dismantling perfectionism

• Building a bias toward creation

Because what I've learned from hosting hundreds of events and connecting with thousands of creators is that most creators don't fail from a lack of ideas. They fail because they never start.

I’m launching this in the coming weeks, and you can join the waitlist for the course here.

Your July 4th challenge

As we celebrate independence today, what's one thing you could declare independence from? What invisible wall could you tear down?

Maybe it's the perfectionism that's kept your course idea in "research mode" for six months.

Maybe it's the self-doubt that's prevented you from hitting publish on that vulnerable post.

Maybe it's the need for everything to be "ready" before you begin.

Whatever it is, remember the sticky note wisdom: Just make it exist first. You can make it good later.

F*ck It, Create It.

🎪 City Happenings

MIXER & PANEL: Creators mean business (with Visa!) - July 21st

The world is finally catching up to what many of us already knew: creators are small businesses.

We'll dive into the journeys of two standout creators forging their own paths, and hear from Visa's Head of Small Business on why they're officially recognizing creators as small businesses.

Plus, plenty of time for mixing and mingling with NYC’s top creators and industry leaders.

VIRTUAL EVENT: How to WIN on Pinterest - July 10th (next week!)

Most creators are missing out on Pinterest's potential. We're teaming up with Pinterest on July 10th for a free virtual workshop featuring NYC creator Jessica Morrobel (@travelingwithjessica) who's built a thriving business using Pinterest.

You won’t want to miss this. It’s time to LEVEL UP!

📚 Resources

LAUNCHING SOON: "F*ck It, Create It" Course (Early Access)

I've been heads down working on our first creator education course: "F*ck It, Create It."

It's designed to break through the mental barriers that keep you stuck in planning mode instead of creating mode.

I’m looking for early testers to help shape the course. Jump in early and get a limited-edition hat plus access to resources, challenges, and community accountability.

2 FREE resources to accelerate your creator growth

The Creator Goal Setting Guide: A simple but powerful document to help you declare who you want to BECOME in 2025.

The Creator Accountability System: Your visual companion for consistent creation in 2025 (I’m using this now to send one newsletter a week!)

🤝 Industry Conference

Creator Economy Live East is coming to NYC August 5-6.

This influencer marketing conference hosts brands like NBA, Hulu, Southwest Airlines. With speakers from Hilton, SHEIN, FOX, Nespresso, United Airlines. It’s stacked.

I'm partnering with them because it's actually worth your time. And you get 15% off a ticket with CENYC15.

Snag your ticket, and see you there →

✌🏽 Stand Clear of the Closing Doors Please

Thanks for reading! Happy Independence Day to everyone celebrating.

Whatever you're working on, remember: it doesn't need to be revolutionary to start. It just needs to exist.

Let's keep creating,

Brett