Reel dreams: Finding true calling in content creation

A childhood of creativity

Growing up, Jesse Katches childhood was filled with the simple joys of making videos with his brothers. His father, a UPS delivery man, would often bring home boxes of VHS tapes from his delivery routes, igniting Jesse's early fascination with storytelling and filmmaking.

Jesse and his family would watch the movies and then go outside and recreate them. To Jesse, this was simply a fun thing that he did as a kid but never thought he could do as a career…

From LA to the Big Apple

Jesse initially followed a traditional educational path, pursuing a degree in kinesiology. However, personal challenges, including the profound loss of his brother and a significant breakup, compelled him to seek a fresh start.

This pursuit led him to Los Angeles and, eventually, to an unfulfilling office job that, while stable, drained his spirit and ignited severe anxiety.

A transformative trip to Indonesia with his fiancée opened his eyes to the need for a life filled with joy and fulfillment.

So, upon returning home, Jesse decided to embrace the calling he had long ignored. In 2017, he and his fiancée made a bold decision to leave their jobs and relocate to NYC.

This move was more than a change of scenery; it was a leap of faith into a life where Jesse could reconnect with his passion for video creation. And NYC provided the perfect backdrop for this creative rebirth.

Finding true calling in content creation

Jesse initially worked as a freelance production assistant, immersing himself in the industry he had always admired. He recalls:

But soon, he realized that his true calling was in creating content that resonated more personally with him.

Jesse initially focused on making videos about camera equipment and gear, influenced by his work in the industry. However, he soon realized that this path was unfulfilling. He reflects:

This then led to Jesse doing a little bit of self-discovery and reflection. He began by examining his own interests and passions, realizing that most of his time was devoted to self-development and progress — a lightbulb moment.

Inspired by his personal battle with anxiety, Jesse recognized the potential impact of sharing his experiences. NYC played a pivotal role in showing Jesse that his experiences were universal, and by sharing his story, he could help others feel less alone.

Now, through his content, Jesse aims to empower others, showing them that they have control over their lives and the ability to initiate change.

Jesse’s advice to creators

Jesse emphasizes authenticity in content creation, advising creators to speak from personal experiences and stay true to themselves. He encourages focusing on a core message that reflects their interests and values. Jesse elaborates:

In addition to aligning content with a central theme, Jesse underscores the importance of how creators present their message and engage with their audience. He points out that a creator's unique perspective and personal touch are key in drawing and connecting with viewers. This individuality in content creation can make a significant difference, as Jesse illustrates:

Jesse also emphasized the need for creators to evolve their content as their interests change, and to consistently generate new ideas while maintaining a regular creation schedule (e.g. time-blocking for brainstorming, drawing inspiration from various media, and personal experiences).

Finally, he suggests repurposing or reposting past content during periods of burnout or breaks, like holidays, to maintain audience engagement without the stress of constant new content creation.

Embracing the energy of NYC

Moving to NYC was a dream come true for Jesse, instilling confidence and embodying the city's ethos of endless possibilities. He shares:

Growing up in a smaller town, he was accustomed to a quieter life. In contrast, New York's energy and the ability to effortlessly connect with people — whether on the subway, at Creator Economy NYC events, or out with friends — significantly impacted his outlook and experiences.

His favorite spots like Paloma Coffee in Greenpoint (for their 'spiced oat nola’) and Tip Oshah in Williamsburg, and his love for running in McCarran Park and over the Williamsburg Bridge reflect his embrace of the city's dynamic lifestyle.

He's also a big fan of pizza from Poly-G's in Greenpoint, L'industrie Pizzeria in Williamsburg, and Carmines Pizzeria in East Williamsburg.

Jesse's journey is more than just a success story – it's an inspiration for current and aspiring creators and founders in the city.

His story serves as a reminder of the limitless possibilities awaiting those willing to embrace their true calling in the ever-evolving landscape of NYC’s creator economy. Get after it!!

If you aren’t following Jesse already, now is the time to start!

• Instagram 

• TikTok

• YouTube

• Newsletter

• EBook

Featured

Creator Economy NYC’s Day of Giving and Connecting - Jan 15th, 3:00-7:00pm

I have found community service to be the best way to come together and truly connect. So we’re hosting an epic community service event on Monday, Jan 15 (MLK Day) to give back to our city.

We’ll be packing boxes of food together in collaboration with "Wellfare,” followed by a celebratory dinner and drinks with beautiful views.

Come and join fellow leading creators, investors and founders in NYC for a day of service. RSVP here to get on the list!

Sponsoring this event will go a long way in helping our community, as well as be tax-deductible for you. If you’re interested in sponsoring, please reach out here to get involved.

Upcoming

We’re teaming up with Passionfroot on Tuesday, Jan 30 to host an awesome mixer & panel event focused on forming successful and sustainable brand <> creator partnerships. More details and speakers to be announced soon. RSVP to get on the list!

• Ethan Keiser has gone viral by using his fake AI-powered livestream app called Parallel Live. It’s hilarious and brilliant. Here’s him using it at Art Basel.

• Wells Douraghy, Founder of July, on why he’s bullish on the future of the creator economy and brand partnerships.

• Austin Reif’s tweet breakdown on the success of Logan Paul’s PRIME hydration brand

• Creator Economy 2023 Trends + 2024 Predictions (Lindsey Gamble)

• New York City has become a 'hub' for the creator economy. Here's how one community uses IRL events to connect founders, investors, and influencers (Sydney Bradley, Insider)

• TikTok Shop Wants to Beat Amazon at Its Own Game (Spencer Soper and Alex Barinka, Bloomberg)

• Manager, Growth Analytics @ The Information

• Social Media Content Creator @ GoPuff

• Manager, Social Media + Content @ Peloton

• I went to this Mexican spot called Rosies for dinner on Saturday night on 2nd ave. Very good, highly recommend the guac and queso appetizers.

• Been wearing hats from OnlyNY — they have a ton of other cool clothes that are all about NY (obv hence the name).

• My hands get super dry in the winter and Kiehl’s hand cream has been a game changer. Not greasy. Good holiday gift!

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you thought by replying back to this email.

Wishing all those who celebrate a Merry Christmas. I hope everyone can enjoy the time off, hang with family and UNPLUG!

And before you go — there’s a single easter egg in this newsletter that’s something pertaining to NYC. If ya find it, screenshot it and send it back to me. You’ll be entered into a raffle to win something at the end of the month!

See you next week,

Brett