Creators don’t just want brand deals anymore. They want equity.
By Michaelkayepr · September 15, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
Creators don’t just want brand deals anymore. They want equity.
That’s the shift I explore in my latest article for Inc. Magazine, inspired by the conversations I had at Cherub’s Creator Angel Summit about creators moving from audience to ownership.
Last year, Maggie Sellers Reum helped spark my interest in finance, and she’s one of the reasons I recently moved into fintech. I listen to Hot Smart Rich every week, so hearing Maggie talk about creator investing in person was especially meaningful. (I think my adrenaline rush is finally coming down.)
Nadya Okamoto is someone I’ve known for nearly a decade, and it’s been so inspiring to watch her growth. I also recently met Valeria Lipovetsky, and I hope we stay connected. I’ve already subscribed to her podcast, Not Alone, and am learning a ton from her.
The creator economy is entering an ownership era. Creators can bring founders far more than reach: cultural insight, brand expertise, community trust, strategic feedback, and distribution. But the strongest partnerships will require both sides to be clear about the value they’re bringing to the table.
Thanks to Elise Labau Topaloglu for inviting me to this summit and to Maggie Sellers Reum, Nadya O., and Valeria Lipovetsky for taking time to chat with me onsite.
I also had the honor of hearing from Beth Ferreira, Julia Berolzheimer, Kate McAndrew, Max Rivera, Suneera Madhani, and Thomas Berolzheimer, and got to catch up with Colin Daniels, M.A., Les Alfred, and Sarah Whittle.
Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gbmFK9_9
#AngelInvesting #CreatorEconomy #Entrepreneurship #Finance