Olympic Level Creators
Olympic Level Creators
And the value in being the 6th man off the bench.
Hey honeys and hustlers,
There’s no place I’d rather be than under some soft blankets while it’s raining outside and the Olympics are on TV. Durham has been getting some much-needed rain these past few days and it’s the perfect backdrop for a little bit of writing and reflection while I recover. While the spotlight often shines brightest on the top 1% of any given field, there lies a vast and vibrant opportunity for those who aren't in this elite tier. Take the example of the WNBA: only about 8% of WNBA players get chosen for the Olympic team (who I’m most excited to see compete for their 8th straight gold medal). Even among highly skilled professionals, only a select few reach the pinnacle of international competition.
For the remaining 92% of WNBA players, the story of their success is far from over. There are also always going to be players who are considered “Olympic snubs” who consistently deliver high-level performances and help grow the game of basketball. If anyone saw Arike’s 34-point performance during the All-Star game or Allisha Gray’s double skills competition win (earning 62% of her annual salary in one day while becoming the first to ever win both in the same All-Star weekend) then you know what I’m talking about. These athletes, and many others, can still carve out incredible careers, becoming stars in their own right within the league. They have the platform to make significant impacts in their communities, whether through local outreach, mentoring young athletes, or advocating for causes they believe in. Success for many athletes isn't solely defined by making the Olympic team. Instead, it's about the passion, persistence, and positive influence they bring to the sport.
In much the same way, creators (from filmmakers to podcasters and designers) who aren't in the top 1% can build meaningful and impactful careers. We don’t often talk about the career paths of creators – in part because every path is a little different, and sometimes because going from one level to another takes a different amount of time for different people based on their circumstances. Roughly, I would describe the general career path for creators as:
side-hustler: solo creator or freelancer who has a full-time job that accounts for the majority of their income
in-house creator (optional): a creator who has a role within an organization and doesn’t take on a lot of work outside of their role (i.e. sports creators)
full-time creator: solo creator or freelancer whose business accounts for the majority of their income
creative agency owner: creator who has built a team of at least 2-3 consistent collaborators, either full-time or subcontractors. (Matti Haapooja)
boutique media business: creator who has built a business around them with a team of at least 3-5 consistent collaborators, both full-time and subcontractors. (Think Media, The Futur, Marques Brownlee)
WNBA players start as incredible college athletes, then go pro. When they get drafted or signed to a contract, they don’t always start and have to make the most of the minutes they get coming off the bench. Once they make an impact with limited time, or if a starter has an injury, there’s a chance for them to lead in a bigger role. With more visibility comes more opportunities for All-Star and Olympic team placements, brand partnerships, more income (from their team contract, contract extensions, or offseason leagues), and more impact.
You may not be starting, but you can make an impact as the 6th (wo)man off the bench. You may not have 10,000 followers now, but you can make the best content possible for the 1,000 followers that support your work right now or the 10 clients who are coming back for repeat work and referring you to others.
You got this! I’m rooting for you (and Team USA) this week.
Please Hustle Responsibly,
🤙🏾✨
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