#7 - Bryan Gold, Cofounder & CEO, #Paid. The Creator Marketing Founder

How I Became...

🎙️ From Solving a Problem to Revolutionizing Creator Marketing: A Conversation with Bryan Gold 🚀

In our latest episode of "How I Became," I had the privilege of sitting down with Bryan Gold, the Co-Founder and CEO of #Paid. #Paid is a game-changing creator marketplace where brands and creators seamlessly connect, collaborate, and measure their creator marketing campaigns.

Bryan's journey is a testament to the power of identifying a problem and relentlessly pursuing a solution. He didn't start out considering himself a founder, but his path led him to stumble upon the creation of one of the most influential creator platforms today.

It all began with a friend, Ronnie, who was a creator facing a specific problem. Bryan saw an opportunity and felt compelled to solve it. Fast forward to today, #Paid boasts an impressive community of 85,000 creators, empowering brands (from small solopreneur brands to Fortune 100s like General Mills) to reach their target audiences effectively.

During our conversation, we delved into Bryan's early days of problem/solution iteration, where he started with a sample size of one and built from there. We explored the challenges and rewards of creating a product in an entirely new industry, where first principles thinking was the driving force.

We also discussed the critical decision-making moments of when to pivot and when to recognize that the problem you're solving simply isn't there. Bryan shared his insights on #Paid's initial concept of connecting brands and creators and how it evolved through consistent iteration, culminating in the successful "in-feed moments" from version 1 to version 6. The key, as Bryan emphasized, is to validate your idea as quickly as possible.

Drawing from the pages of "The Lean Startup," we delved into the fundamentals of building a startup. Bryan's unwavering passion shines through as he shares the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-governance and self-management to gain trust from your team, clients, and investors.

For personal growth and self-management, Bryan opened up about his practices, including ice baths, meditation, and yoga, which help him navigate the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.

One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is Bryan's philosophy on personal growth. He believes that if you recognize yourself from six months ago, you're not progressing as you should be. According to Bryan, success comes from continually "firing" and "hiring" a better version of yourself, always striving for improvement.

As #Paid scales and transitions from Series B to Series C, Bryan discusses how founder problems evolve, and the importance of embracing change and fresh perspectives.

Our conversation also touched on the value of mentors and the significance of having a support system on your entrepreneurial journey.

This episode is packed with incredible quotes, profound thoughts, and inspiring discussions. If you're an entrepreneur or aspiring to be one, this is a must-listen.

Tune in to our latest episode of "How I Became" and embark on a journey through the inspiring story of Bryan Gold and #Paid. 🚀

[Link to Podcast Episode]

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