If you're a creator and not making six figures yet — this might be why. ThriveCart CEO Ismael Wrixen reveals what actually works in the creator economy after processing over $2 billion in sales — and shares the blueprint behind today’s top-earning creators.

In this episode, Ian Shepherd digs into ThriveCart’s 2025 Creator Economy Report with Ismael, uncovering the future of digital products, why niche creators win, and how AI is opening massive new revenue streams. Whether you’re selling templates, running a membership, or dreaming of high-ticket launches — this is the roadmap to doing it right.

Topics Discussed:
- What ThriveCart’s $2B in sales data reveals about successful creators
- Key shifts in the creator economy through 2030
- Why community is the most underrated growth engine
- How AI is transforming education, skills, and monetization

Key Takeaways:
- Find out what separates six-figure creators from the rest
- Learn how to use niche positioning to charge more and grow faster
- Discover the best ways to validate your product before you scale
- Get tactical tips to increase conversions and customer lifetime value
- Understand how to future-proof your creator business in an AI-powered world

Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

What if the next Halo wasn’t built by a massive studio, but by a teenager on Roblox? In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd talks with Alex Seropian, co-creator of Halo and founder of Look North World, about how the gaming industry is being reinvented by creators, communities, and platforms like Fortnite and Roblox.

Seropian explains why he believes we’re entering the Creator Era of gaming—where players aren’t just consumers but builders shaping the future. From empowering young developers through his Creator Label to using AI to bridge platforms, Seropian shares a bold vision for what comes next in interactive entertainment.

Topics Discussed:
- Why the biggest opportunity in gaming now lies in player-creator platforms
- How Look North World funds and mentors next-gen developers
- The role of AI tools in transforming how games are built and shared
- How brands like Hasbro and DoorDash are creating experiences inside games
- Why Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft are outpacing legacy studios

Key Takeaways:
- You’ll learn how creator platforms are becoming the new frontier for game development.
- You’ll discover why these ecosystems are more equitable and community-driven than traditional studios.
- You’ll hear how Look North World’s Creator Label gives young devs ownership, funding, and mentorship.
- You’ll understand how AI is reshaping production speed and cross-platform creativity.
- You’ll gain insight into how brands are monetizing engagement through in-game storytelling.

Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!

What happens when AI meets creativity and respects the people behind it?

In this episode of The Business of Creators, Ian Shepherd sits down with Oscar Höglund, CEO & Co-founder of Epidemic Sound, to dive into how AI is transforming music in content creation without replacing artists. From emotional storytelling to fair artist compensation, this is a deep dive into building creator-first tools that actually work. Steve Wright, filmmaker and YouTuber, joins the conversation to share a creator's perspective.

Topics Discussed:
- The vision behind Epidemic Sound and its 16-year journey
- Launching "Adapt" — Epidemic's AI tool that empowers creators
- Steve Wright’s creative process and the role of music in storytelling
- Music’s emotional impact and how it shapes content
- The balance between AI innovation and ethical responsibility

If you listen to this episode, you'll learn:
- How to use music to dramatically elevate your video content
- Why AI doesn’t have to replace artists — it can support them
- How tools like Adapt can save creators hours of editing time
- What smart creators are doing to diversify their income
- How working with creator-first platforms builds long-term success

Listen to learn actionable strategies to grow your creator business — and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more insights on the business of creators!