Podcast Summary
From Nursing Student to TikTok Sensation: Griffin's Unexpected Journey: Opportunities can come from the most unexpected places and it's never too late to try something new, even if you're unsure or have no initial ambition.
Griffin Johnson, a nursing student before the pandemic, rose to social media fame through TikTok despite having no initial ambition for it. He was unaware of the platform and was just trying to make money. His friends, who were also Midwest farm boys, were surprised by his sudden success as they barely used social media growing up. Griffin's honesty about not knowing what he was doing at first and just wanting to make money resonates with many, especially millennials who are still discovering the power of TikTok. The unexpected turn of events in Griffin's life shows that opportunities can come from the most unexpected places and that it's never too late to try something new.
From spinning a pencil to viral success on TikTok: Starting small and being authentic on TikTok can lead to unexpected success. Hard work, authenticity, and being in the right place at the right time are key factors.
Starting small and being authentic can lead to unexpected success on social media platforms like TikTok. The speaker, who began by posting videos of himself spinning a pencil in class, was surprised when one of his videos went viral and he gained a large following. At the time, having 20,000 followers was a significant achievement, and when he went live on the app, he was able to make money through donations. This early success gave him the confidence to continue creating content and growing his audience. A pivotal moment came when he was invited to attend Playlist Live, a conference for creators, where he met other successful TikTok users and was offered the opportunity to join a tour. This experience helped him build connections and take his content to the next level. Ultimately, the speaker's success on TikTok came from a combination of hard work, authenticity, and being in the right place at the right time.
Meeting influential creators at a conference led to a valuable opportunity: Taking risks and being adaptable can lead to valuable opportunities in social media or any field
Starting a successful social media career can be unpredictable and may require taking risks, even if it means going to events or meeting new people without a clear plan. In this case, the speaker met several influential creators at a conference and was invited to join a tour, which ultimately led to the formation of the Sway House. However, the financial aspect of the tour was not well-managed, and the speaker did not receive the earnings they were expecting. Despite this, the experience was valuable in helping the speaker build a network and further their career. It's important to remember that success in social media, or any field, often involves taking chances and being adaptable to new opportunities.
Experiences and lessons in ethical business practices: In the music industry, it's crucial for those in power to act ethically and transparently towards talent. Joshua's story illustrates the importance of financial responsibility and following dreams, despite challenges.
Talent or opportunities should not be taken advantage of by those in positions of power. In the discussion, a musician named Joshua shared an experience where his manager expensed extravagant tour accommodations to him, leaving him in debt. This situation highlights the importance of transparency and ethical behavior in business relationships. Additionally, Joshua's story showcases the importance of education and the sacrifices some individuals make to pursue their passions. Despite receiving a full ride to college, Joshua ultimately decided to finish his degree online rather than dropping out and paying back the scholarship money. This decision was influenced by his desire to avoid financial burden and his commitment to his career goals. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of honesty, financial responsibility, and following one's dreams, even when faced with challenges.
Social media fame doesn't guarantee financial success: Despite gaining popularity on TikTok, making a living and achieving financial stability can still be a challenge for content creators
Even with significant success on social media platforms like TikTok, financial stability and making a living can still be a challenge. The speaker, who moved to LA to pursue a career in content creation, shared that they initially had a company paying for their housing expenses, but they didn't make substantial income until they secured a deal with a brand like Trojan for a sex education campaign. However, they weren't very brand-friendly, and their content was considered wild and not suitable for most advertisers. Despite living in the house with some of the most influential TikTokers, they only made around $30,000 in total during their 9-month stay. This experience shows that while social media fame can bring opportunities, it doesn't guarantee financial success.
Former Reality TV contestant starts talent agency for fairness and equality: Determined by past experiences, a former reality TV contestant founded their own talent agency to ensure fairness and equality in the business world of social media, leading to significant financial gains after leaving a controversial house.
Transparency and honesty are valuable in an industry often associated with fame and fortune. As discussed, a former reality TV contestant recognized the gap in knowledge between themselves and industry professionals, particularly in the business world of social media. They felt exploited and determined to be both the talent in front of the camera and the businessperson behind the scenes. This led them to start their own talent agency to ensure fairness and equality for others in similar situations. An intriguing moment was when they mentioned losing a potential $400,000 gaming deal with Facebook while in the Sway House, which they later made significantly more than that after leaving. The experience of being in the Sway House and leaving it drastically changed their career trajectory.
Impact of Business Events on Careers: Despite not being directly responsible, negative business events can still significantly affect careers. Building relationships and seizing opportunities lead to financial gains and valuable connections.
Even if you're not directly responsible for a negative event that impacts your business or personal brand, the consequences can still significantly affect you. This was highlighted in the discussion about the Facebook deal and the impact it had on the interviewee's career, despite not being the one at fault. On a positive note, the interviewee shared that raising a $10 million VC fund was the best business move they made, leading to significant financial gains and valuable connections. The power of building relationships and being in the right place at the right time cannot be overstated in business success. The interviewee also experienced a 6 figure payout from an investment in Magic Spoon cereal. Overall, the discussion emphasized the importance of resilience, networking, and seizing opportunities to achieve financial success.
From factory worker to millionaire through self-learning and experience: Self-learning and experience can lead to success in various fields despite the lack of formal education or training.
Self-learning and experience are invaluable, especially when formal education falls short. The speaker's journey from a factory worker to a millionaire from TikTok and an actor illustrates this point. While some industries may require formal education or training, natural talent and determination can lead to success. Acting, for instance, can be learned through practice and experience, even without formal schooling. The speaker's experience in the entertainment industry has taught him the importance of respecting the craft and putting in the necessary work. As for the financial rewards, the speaker's music on Spotify has garnered significant streams, but the exact earnings were not discussed. Ultimately, the speaker's message is that continuous learning and a strong work ethic can lead to personal growth and success in various fields.
Navigating the Complexities of the Music Industry: Artists must consider potential consequences and long-term implications of actions taken in the public eye, as the music industry can be full of unexpected demands and lawsuits.
The music industry can be ruthless and difficult to monetize, with many hidden costs and complex deals. An artist may release a song for fun or as a social media stunt, but unexpected demands and lawsuits can arise. Some individuals in the social media sphere may focus on engagement and monetization, but not all aspects of their online presence are fabricated. It's essential to consider the potential consequences and long-term implications of actions taken in the public eye. The entertainment industry, whether it be music or Hollywood, can be driven by fame, fortune, and the constant pursuit of attention, with relationships and personal growth sometimes taking a back seat.
Exploring Reality TV for Financial Success: Consider reality TV for financial success despite industry stigma, focus on passive income, and explore investments to build a solid financial foundation.
While there may be a stigma against reality TV and its performers in the entertainment industry, especially in LA, there is potential for significant financial success and a larger following through reality TV platforms. The speaker argues that this is especially true in the current market, where it's harder to make it in traditional acting. They also suggest focusing on passive income as a financial goal rather than relying on sporadic earnings. Additionally, they mention the potential for acquiring investments or even part of a marketing company or talent agency to help reach financial goals. While the speaker acknowledges the negative perception of reality TV, they believe it's starting to shift and that there's value in it. They also mention Harry's revenue goal of $10,000,000 in gross revenue, which he reportedly achieved in part through OnlyFans. The speaker encourages listeners to explore all opportunities, including reality TV, and to focus on building a solid financial foundation.
Building Teams and Trusting Others: Successful people delegate tasks, focus on strengths, and build communities through consistency and authenticity.
Successful people, like Griffin Johnson, don't have to do everything themselves. They build teams and delegate tasks to trusted individuals, allowing them to focus on their strengths and contribute to the overall success of their projects. Believing in oneself and taking calculated risks are also crucial for achieving one's goals, no matter the field or passion. Johnson emphasizes the importance of consistency and authenticity in building a community, rather than focusing solely on numbers like followers. Regarding the frequency of posting content, Johnson suggests that if one is passionate about their chosen field and comfortable with sharing it, they will naturally find themselves posting more often as they gain confidence.
Consistency is key to building a strong online presence: Authenticity, dedication, and hard work can lead to significant growth on social media, even for those who defy expectations.
Consistency is key when it comes to building a strong online presence, especially on social media platforms like TikTok. Griffin Johnson, a nursing student turned TikTok sensation, emphasized that the more content you post, the more people will get to know you and feel connected to you. Johnson encourages creators to be authentic and relatable, as he was an unexpected find for the hosts who assumed he would be an arrogant and delusional TikTok star. Instead, they were impressed by his humility, intelligence, and grounded perspective. Johnson's success story shows that hard work, dedication, and authenticity can lead to significant growth on social media, even for those who defy expectations. To follow Johnson and keep up with his content, search for him on all platforms using the handle "I m g r I f f I n j o h n s o n."
TikTok's remarkable growth in revenue and user base: From 63 million to 4.7 billion in revenue, and 133 million to 1.5 billion users, TikTok's growth is unmatched.
TikTok has experienced remarkable growth in both revenue and user base since its inception. From generating 63 million dollars in revenue in 2017 to reaching 4.7 billion dollars in 2021, and growing from 133 million users in 2018 to an estimated 1.5 billion users in 2022, TikTok's growth is unparalleled. The app's algorithm is a consumer's goldmine for learning about new interests, making it an engaging platform. TikTok is privately owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company, and while it has strict regulations on Chinese users' screen time, the content they consume is reportedly educational. A 1,000,000 second interval is equal to 11 days, and a 1,000,000,000 second interval is equivalent to 31 years, highlighting the vast difference in scale between these numbers.
The vast difference between millions and billions: Venture capital funds invest money in startups for equity, TikTok has fewer users but rapid growth, Liquid Death and Magic Spoon Cereal are successful startups.
The difference between millions and billions is vast, as shown by the contrast between 11 days and 31 years. This was emphasized during a discussion about the number of users on various apps, with TikTok having significantly fewer users than apps like Facebook and YouTube but experiencing rapid growth. Another key point is that venture capital funds function by raising money and investing it in startups, with investors receiving equity in return. An example given was Liquid Death, a canned water company that has seen significant growth and is now valued at nearly a billion dollars. Additionally, Talent X, a marketing and media company, was mentioned as a business that builds companies around people. The discussion also touched on Magic Spoon Cereal, a successful startup that was invested in by a venture capital company.
Factors influencing product success and marketing strategies discussed: Understanding market, product appeal, and effective marketing strategies are crucial for business success. High price points and viral social media moments can impact sales.
The success of a product, such as a cereal, can be influenced by various factors including its nutritional value, taste, price point, and marketing strategies like social media stunts. The speaker shared his experience of passing on an investment opportunity for a low-sugar, high-growth cereal due to its high price point. He also discussed his experiences with social media stunts, sharing examples of his own unplanned viral moments and the planned paparazzi encounters in Bachelor Nation. While some paparazzi moments are genuine, others are staged to create a desirable image for the public. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding the market, product appeal, and effective marketing strategies in achieving business success.
Unexpected opportunities from networking: Networking leads to deals and insights, emphasizing authentic interactions and open communication.
Networking and building relationships, both personally and professionally, can lead to unexpected opportunities and deals. The speaker shared how he's met numerous founders to invest in through podcast guests and Bachelor Nation connections. He also mentioned the importance of financial literacy and transparency, which resonated with a wealth adviser he recently spoke to. The upcoming episode, "Jason Tells All," promises to reveal more deals made with podcast guests. Overall, the podcast has opened doors to new connections and insights, highlighting the power of authentic interactions and open communication.
