The opinions of contributing entrepreneurs are their own. </p><div>
Key Takeaways
- The American dream is shifting. Many of today’s workers are motivated less by climbing ladders and more by sharing their expertise and earning a decent living while doing so.
- I built a solution to help creators get paid for the work they were already doing. It’s a one-stop shop that removes the friction that keeps them from building real online growth.
- The most successful creators understand the specific need their brand fills and share their journey authentically, helping build a real connection with their audience.
As an Asian American child growing up to an immigrant mother in North Carolina, I learned to follow the rules (no exceptions). I was a Boy Scout, graduated at the top of my class, and was hired by Goldman Sachs immediately after graduation. I had followed what I thought was the “right” path. I was living in the greatest city in the world (New York City, of course) and working at one of the best companies in the world…but none of it felt right.
Like many others in corporate America, I left the job at the big bankers. Not because I couldn’t do it, but because it wasn’t Mine dream. Working for someone else 100 hours a week felt like living in the wrong skin.
After leaving Goldman, I went to Stanford Business School and started thinking about the future. Like everyone else in 2020, I was making stupid dance videos on TikTok when I realized I could also use social media to promote myself, my skills, and whatever job I might get.
Instead, what I discovered was much more meaningful: an online community of creators authentically sharing their talents with the world.
The passion of these creator-entrepreneurs, the companies they build, and the way they bring people together through their shared digital community is, in my opinion, the essence of today’s American Dream. Regardless of generational differences, the American workers I speak to are (for the most part) no longer motivated by climbing ladders; they – we – are motivated by sharing our knowledge and expertise with others, and also earn a decent income in the process.
Dare to dream
What I also found among fellow creators was a web of disparate, broken systems, a misunderstanding of how to build real online growth, or even how to set up an email campaign. Everything felt harder than it needed to be, none of the tools were connected, and much of it was overwhelming (and too expensive) for new entrepreneurs.
I had a little programming experience, so I created and launched the first version of my company, Stan, in 2021. The beta launch was very basic, but brought together many of the pain points my co-creators and I were experiencing. We’ve made it a one-stop shop, with everything a maker needs, conveniently packaged and designed in one place.
I then convinced a few fellow content creators to let me set up their online brand presence, and the first creator saw an overnight direct sale of their online course (for $999 less) – with no marketing and no outreach other than the creator’s own work up until that point.
The idea was simple: make it easier for people to get paid for the work they were already doing. Stan wasn’t built to teach creators how to monetize. It was built to eliminate friction altogether.
The business model turned out to fill a unique gap in the market, and building Stan became my full-time job. Now, five years later, we have over 80,000 active creators on the platform, who have collectively earned over $400 million, and we even have support from Gary Vaynerchuk and Steven Bartlett.
The everyday entrepreneur
What I’ve seen over the past five years is that the creative economy is becoming the default path for anyone who wants to build something for themselves. What defines a “creator” in 2026 could be anyone: a fitness coach, a special education teacher, or a mechanic. These “non-traditional” influencers are turning to the creative path Real own their brand, build their community, and monetize what they know, on their own terms.
It is these everyday entrepreneurs, the ones who work on their dream and take their ideas to the next level, who continue to motivate me and my team. Among these new creators, those who succeed tend to have two key things going for them:
- They understand the needs their personal and professional brand fulfills: The most successful creators have clearly identified a gap in the market for their product or services and determined how they can help fill that need.
They share their experience in an authentic way: You have to believe in your dream to build it, so why not share your story and experience authentically? Being true to yourself allows the audience to connect with you and understand the “why” behind what you do.
Do what is right, and do it well
When it comes to my “why,” I, like many other immigrant children in the US, grew up with very little. While working at Goldman, I realized that I necessary my job must be fulfilling (no, working at an investment bank didn’t check that box). I wanted my work to be meaningful and give back to the greater good in some way.
My current work with Stan and the maker community allows me to directly help others realize their dreams and monetize their businesses, turning their creative passions into a living wage.
While many are still burning the candle at both ends, building their business while also being parents, caregivers, partners and working one, two (or even three) other jobs, they are working towards their dream of a successful future business, built on their experience and creativity. If that doesn’t sound like “living the dream,” I don’t know what does.