Forbes Top Creators Show

Entrepreneurship

creators, influencer, influencer, youtube, toktok,

The Forbes Top Creators Show, hosted by Steve Bertoni, brings you unrivaled access behind the brands and businesses of the internet's most watched (and highest earning) creators. Each episode uncovers the incredible stories behind their success, and offers unmatched insights to the next wave of inspiring creators.

Credits

Steve Bertoni

How Drew Afualo Hit 1 Million TikTok Followers In 6 Months

Known for her offbeat laugh and women-focused content, TikTok creator Afualo earned an estimated $2.9 million last year from a mix of brand deals and her two podcasts: The Comment Section, a weekly show on which guests like actor Rainn Wilson and singer-songwriter Kehlani talk about how to deal with internet hate, and Two Idiot Girls, where she and her sister, Deison, share embarrassing stories and funny life experiences. With a 9 million strong audience consisting mostly of women under 35, Afualo's social platforms appeal to sponsors like Elf Cosmetics and the NBA. In April 2023, she signed a two-year deal with Spotify, which Forbes estimates earns her $450,000 a year. Fresh off the success of LOUD, her best-selling memoir, Afualo is setting her focus on mainstream media. "Traditional Hollywood now must be a lot more open to the idea of including internet people," she says. "TV and movies-that's my new venture."

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Bobbi Althoff Was Making $300,000 Per Year (And Still Working At Jersey Mike's)

This podcast phenom started creating content with one goal: to make money. Althoff tested countless angles, including life as a nanny and house cleaning videos, before embarking on the style that would ultimately skyrocket her to success: parody videos about being a "bad mom." In 2021 she posted her first viral video on TikTok, where she joked about naming her daughter Richard because she wanted a son. She hit 3 million followers in early 2023 (she now counts 13 million) and that same year launched "The Really Good Podcast," which became known for her deadpan and sarcastic interviews with folks such as Mark Cuban, Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Derulo. In 2024, Althoff signed a year-long deal with Studio71, a Beverly Hills-based content shop that helps digital creators sell ads and otherwise monetize their output. Over the 12 months ending in August 2024, she earned approximately $2.9 million between this deal and brand partnerships. "I don't know how it keeps working for me," she says. "I'm just taking it one interview at a time."

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Why Marques Brownlee Thinks 'Going Viral Is Overrated'

Brownlee is social media's gadget guru. Nearly 21 million folks subscribe to his YouTube channel to watch his reviews on all things tech: the latest iPhone, Tesla, or VW's new electric bus. The New Jersey native began making YouTube videos in high school and now attracts 750 million views annually. "It was steady growth. I think it's a good thing that no one video propelled the whole thing. I think going viral is overrated. It's the best thing that never happened to me."

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How Dani Austin Turned Influencing Into Entrepreneurship

Austin has turned content covering fashion, family, and faith into a social media juggernaut. The Dallas native began posting on YouTube in 2012 and now has over 3 million followers across her accounts. Meanwhile, her haircare brand Divi offers serums, shampoos, and conditioners to combat hair loss. Other brand deals include Stanley, Walmart, Abercrombie, and QVC.

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How A Viral TikTok Gave Adam 'W' The Confidence To Quit His Job

Adam Waheed is a comedy actor and filmmaker who delivers skits to 55 million fans across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. In 2024, Waheed’s funny takes on everyday events—like Googling symptoms when sick and using a public restroom—have attracted 10 billion views across his social media platforms. He’s collaborated with celebs including Kevin Hart, Will Smith, and Paris Hilton. Brand partnerships include Old Spice, The NFL, and Paramount Pictures.

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How to Get Rich in Your 20s: Easy Money Tips from Gen Z Investing Expert 'Your Rich BFF' Vivian Tu

Vivian Tu mixes funny with money. The former J.P. Morgan equity trader brings financial knowledge to social media with her irreverent and straight-talking videos that teach her followers (2.4 million on TikTok, 1.8 million on Instagram) how to build an investment portfolio, manage their careers, and negotiate a raise. Her relatable lessons, think honest big sister giving tough-love money advice, have scored Tu lucrative partnerships with companies like Marshalls and SoFi.

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Ian Boggs On How To Make Money On Social Media

Boggs has built an 18 million subscriber channel on YouTube with comedic skits, challenges, and TikTok reviews. Says Boggs: “With TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, we can create short, condensed versions of movies that people can easily watch and consume.” The former National Geographic photographer has partnered with top streamers including Netflix, Google, Hulu, FX, and Prime Video.

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Savanah Moss's Videos Are Creepy, Weird, And Get Billions Of Views

Moss is a creator of surreal worlds. The filmmaker shoots videos in a style she calls "fever dreams," using jump cuts, strange props, and wild costumes to build eerie and entertaining scenes. "I studied forensic psychology in college. I loved all things scary but didn't know what to do with it. When I started TikTok, I eventually found my niche." For Moss, scary is a family affair: her two sisters help shoot and edit each short film.

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iJustine Reveals How To Win On YouTube And The Biggest Mistakes Creators Make

Justine Ezarik began her social media career in 2007, back when influencers were known as lifecasters. Over the years, she's built a tech-savvy brand by reviewing new gadgets and gear from Apple, Google, and Tesla. Her 7 million YouTube subscribers tune in to her Tech Tuesday videos to watch her review the latest smartphones, headphones, and EVs. Beyond reviews and unboxing, iJustine interviews the most prominent tech leaders. Her guests have included Apple's Tim Cook, Alphabet's Sunday Pichai, and Spotify's Daniel Ek. She has inked brand partnerships with Microsoft, Amazon, and BMW.

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What Rickey Thompson Wants Young Creators To Know

After being bullied in high school, Rickey Thompson got his own sweet revenge posting over-the-top comedic videos on Vine and later, Instagram. The North Carolina native, who now has 3 million followers on TikTok, has made sponsored content for brands like YSL Beauty, Moncler, Marc Jacobs. He also has an exclusive deal with Spotify for his "We Said What We Said" podcast and is starring in his first feature film "Good Mourning" with Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox and Dove Cameron. Thompson was ranked No. 33 on the inaugural Forbes Top Creators List in 2022.

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