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

Next Tuesday is election day — and the future of the creator economy is most certainly on the ballot — remember to get out and VOTE!

In this week's newsletter, we're spotlighting Kayla Maria G, a creator I met at our event back in August. Born with a limb difference, Kayla has become a powerhouse in the creator economy – dancing, modeling, teaching, and advocating for greater disability representation.

Plus, announcing our next event, which aligns closely with the theme of carving your own path as a creator, as presented in our spotlight. Let’s dive in.

Enjoying being part of the community?

"I got laid off, so I became a full-time creator."

I heard this story repeatedly at a dinner we hosted last week with some of NYC's top creators.

Trading steady paychecks for uncertainty takes guts. But sitting there, hearing everyone's journeys, one thing was clear: not one person regretted taking the leap.

These creators weren't just surviving post-9-5 life; they were thriving.

Why? Because ownership changes everything. Their freedom to choose when, where, and how they work wasn't just a perk — it was transformative.

Here's what fascinated me: Some had 10K followers, others 600K+, but all were making real impact in their niches. They weren't just earning; they were building something bigger than themselves.

That's exactly why Teachable launched the 9-5 Quitters Club. It's for everyone ready to bet on themselves — whether you're building a side hustle or going all-in on your passion.

Your knowledge has value. Your creativity has a place. And that "someday" dream? It could start today. Get after it.

Breaking barriers: how Kayla Maria G is redefining creator success 

When Kayla Maria G walked into a dance studio in 2017, her teacher asked her a simple question that would change her life: "What artist do you want to dance for?" The question caught her off guard. "I think subconsciously, as a person with a disability, I never saw anyone like me dance with an artist on stage," Kayla recalls. "So I truly did not even think it was a possibility."

Fast forward to 2024, and Kayla has transformed that moment of realization into a thriving career as a multi-faceted creator. Recently signed to a prestigious dance agency whose performers appear in productions like "Deadpool & Wolverine," she's built a career spanning dance, modeling, teaching, and advocacy in the disability community.

When asked to define herself with a single label – creator, dancer, or model – Kayla pushes back against the constraint. "I wouldn't choose one specific thing because I really feel like all these things define me," she explains.

While many creators feel pressure to narrow their focus, Kayla has built a platform that celebrates all aspects of her identity – from professional dancer to "bionic model," a unique term she coined to describe her work.

Creating your own path

Kayla's journey began with recognizing the lack of representation in her field. "I ultimately had to just figure it out on my own," she says of her early days in dance. Without established mentors who shared her experience, she turned to social media to document her journey and connect with others.

Her relationship with content creation started organically in 2011. As social media evolved from photos to video content, Kayla found her authentic voice. She began sharing not just the victories, but the real struggles: "Me messing up in classes, me getting frustrated in classes, not it being perfect, just like this is my journey."

Simultaneously, she recognized a larger void in social media – the lack of content about life with a disability. "There's no guideline, there's no guidance. It's just like a really unknown path," she explains. This realization led her to create vlogs addressing questions many were afraid to ask: "Do I want to get a prosthetic arm? Do I want to wear it this way my whole life? Does that make me insecure?"

This dual approach – sharing both her dance journey and disability experience – helped her build a unique platform.

Through her content, she connected with Zebedee, a disability-focused modeling agency, opening yet another avenue for creative expression. Today, she's represented by three different agencies: Zebedee for modeling, Block NYC for dance, and a talent manager for influencer work.

Her teaching career emerged as a natural extension of her growing influence. "I realized I wanted to create a space where people can feel confident in their bodies," she explains. "Not just disability-wise, but being in tune with your femininity and not being afraid to vocalize how you feel with your movement."

This philosophy has taken her far – she now teaches at one of the top three commercial dance studios in the country, has completed an international tour across six countries, and has become the kind of representation she once sought herself.

Navigating virality and negativity

When a simple video of Kayla using her prosthetic arm to hold a cup went viral, she faced an unexpected flood of negative comments. This experience led her to develop a strategic approach to protecting her mental health while continuing her mission. Here's her tactical advice for creators:

1. Understand it's not about you: "I'm one person and I can't overpower millions of hateful voices. It's not about me. It's about whatever the commenter is projecting." The stark contrast between online harassment and in-person interactions helps maintain perspective.

2. Take strategic breaks: After her first viral experience, Kayla took nearly a year off from disability-focused content while continuing her regular vlogs. "This wasn't about giving up, but about stepping back to build resilience and develop better strategies." When she returned, her resolve was stronger: "I don't want people to have the power to take it away from me."

3. Implement practical solutions:

• Use platform tools effectively (hidden words, blocking features)

• Turn off comments when needed without guilt

• Filter and block proactively

• Control what happens on your page

• Give yourself permission to prioritize mental health

4. Create an action plan: "Taking time and game planning is a part of it like anything else," she advises. "View it as problem solving, not emotional combat." She suggests creators prepare for different scenarios: "How would you navigate 200 hateful comments or even just one?"

The key, Kayla emphasizes, is "knowing what you and your content stand for, how you want to stay resilient, and how you mentally show up for yourself. Keep those at the forefront when navigating these scenarios."

Building with purpose

Having weathered the storms of viral content and online negativity, Kayla has emerged with an unwavering vision for her platform.

"It's not about the trends, it's not about what can go viral," she emphasizes. "It's about what message do you really want to share." This clarity guides every aspect of her work, rooted in her belief that "anything that comes with positive change comes from genuine need to want to make that positive change."

Her approach is both principled and practical: "I always do what I love to do, and then see how I can implement that in what works for the algorithm." This balance has proven powerful - through her content, she's built a substantial following while creating real-world impact through dance teaching, modeling work, and advocacy.

Her success demonstrates that when content creation is driven by genuine purpose rather than solely metrics, the impact can extend far beyond social media.

The Big Apple’s influence

Born and raised in Queens, now residing in North Jersey, Kayla credits NYC's diversity and energy as catalysts for her success. "It's a melting pot. There's just so many opportunities, so many different people to meet, so many places to visit," she explains, "I've lived here all my life, and I'm still discovering new places within the city."

While her mother's emphasis on confidence and vocal expression laid the foundation for her journey, NYC amplified her ambitions: "I think I would still be on this path, but New York has influenced it in a positive way that I don't think other places would have the ability to do."

Looking forward

While already breaking barriers in dance and modeling, Kayla's vision extends further. Currently pursuing a degree in digital marketing, she plans to open a creator studio that will serve as a hub for all forms of creative expression. "I can't be a dancer forever," she acknowledges, "but I’ll be around it somehow throughout my life."

For creators looking to make an impact, Kayla's journey offers a powerful blueprint: start with authenticity, build with purpose, and don't let others define your limitations. As she proves, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply show up as your full self, even when – especially when – you don't see others like you in the space.

You can follow Kayla and her journey on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Upcoming event

Join us Monday, November 18, at 6:30 for our signature mixer and panel event —connect with NYC’s top creators, marketers, and founders shaping the creator economy.

Whether you’re an established creator or just beginning to build your personal brand, your differentiator is YOU. Our panel will feature three top NYC creators who transformed aspects of their personal lives into content-driven careers. They’ll share insights on how to find and lean into what makes you distinct, translating personal experiences into content that resonates:

• Jack Appleby – Creator of Future Social, a top newsletter for social media marketing, Jack combines his expertise with a passion for basketball to reach a dedicated audience.

• Yena Kim – Known for her account Menswear Dog, Yena has turned her love for fashion and her Shiba Inu into a viral brand, proving that creativity knows no bounds.

• Colin Rocker – A career coach turned content creator, Colin shares industry insights to help professionals thrive by building their personal brands.

Huge shoutout to our sponsors for this event — Teachable, beehiiv and Fig Wealth.

• 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. This comes after a complimentary 30-day free trial, exclusively for our community members! Snag it here.

• Creator Guide: The Influencer Marketing Factory launched a guide to help creators navigate the challenges of the creator economy and to and capitalize on the opportunities that exist today. Lots of expert advice! Get it here.

• Small businesses are getting creative on social media—and driving foot traffic

• People are paying thousands to learn how to be creators

• A look at Key players in the $250 billion creator economy

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

Brett