If you’re building a brand as a creator, entrepreneur, or small business owner, I want to share four lessons that took me eight years to learn. I hope that by sharing these, you can avoid some of the mistakes I made and have clarity on building your brand.
I’ve spent the past eight years creating gaming content, graphic design content, and branding content. It hasn’t been easy, but the lessons I’ve learned have shaped not just my content, but my entire approach to building a sustainable creative business.
Here are the four lessons that changed the game for me.
Lesson #1: Going Viral Isn’t Enough
September 2017. I was a freshman in college when I posted a video that tied the movie IT (which had just premiered in theaters) to my wrestling content: Pennywise vs. The Undertaker.
The video exploded. 18,000 views. My first video got 143 views. I thought I’d made it.
But here’s the thing: I never reached that number again.
Why? Inconsistency.
I uploaded every now and then throughout 2017–2019. College life took over: assignments, exams, trying to maintain my sanity. I’m going to show myself some grace here: I was going through a major life transition, and I’m glad I had people around me who helped make that time memorable.
But when the pandemic hit and the world shut down, I had a realization: it was time to lock in. I started posting consistently, more than I ever had before.
That’s when it hit me: that viral video in 2017 meant nothing because I didn’t show up afterward.
Going viral is not enough if you don’t maintain momentum. Don’t be a one hit wonder.
We spend so much time hoping and praying for that one post to blow up, but the real question is: what’s next? How do you capitalize on that attention? Consistency after a win is what separates those who build something lasting from those who fade away.
Action step: If you get a viral hit, or even just a post that performs better than usual, commit to posting your next 3 pieces of content on schedule. No gaps. That’s how you win.
Lesson #2: You’re a Brand, Not Just a Creator
In 2025, I made a mindset shift that changed everything.
I was working on New Attitude, my wrestling gaming channel, and diving deeper into branding strategies. That’s when I realized: New Attitude isn’t just a YouTube channel. It had the potential to become a full-fledged wrestling brand.
I started fleshing out ideas: a paid membership community, merchandise, tournaments, media content. While these ideas haven’t all come to life yet, they will. But what mattered most was the shift in how I saw myself.
Old me: just making videos for fun. New me: building a brand.
I started focusing on impact rather than views, followers, or subscribers. However, I stepped away from New Attitude for a bit (less interested in the current wrestling product) and shifted toward building my personal brand through Empower to Create, where I offer consulting, web design, and branding solutions. I’m also planning to launch a community for small business owners and creators to learn, create, and collaborate.
Now, I think about content through this lens: “How does this serve my audience?” It’s no longer about me. It’s about the value that people gain through what I’m building.
Action step: Ask yourself: What’s the bigger vision beyond just posting content? What could your platform become if you treated it like a brand? Write down 2–3 ways you could serve your audience beyond content.
Lesson #3: Your Voice Matters
Over the years, I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome. I know I’m not alone.
Sometimes I felt confident about what I was creating. Other times, I felt like my videos were trash. “Who cares? No one’s gonna watch this.”
I would compare myself to other creators and feel inferior because my content wasn’t “as good as theirs.” I was stuck in a vicious cycle of comparison and self-doubt.
Then I had a realization that shifted everything: I don’t have to compete against anyone.
I had to shift my mindset to: “I have the opportunity to make content. My voice matters. With every piece I put out, I can help others, whether through entertainment or education.”
That imposter syndrome is real, and it slapped me more times than I can count. It took me years to come to this conclusion because I sometimes felt like just another number. I would underestimate myself constantly.
This is why I say at the end of every video: “If no one else told you, you matter, and you were put on this earth to be great.” I truly believe that. It’s not just a quote. Too many people forget just how important they are.
Action step: Write down 5 of your best qualities. Keep that list somewhere visible. When you start to feel discouraged or doubt creeps in, remind yourself of who you are and the gifts you have.
Lesson #4: Take Care of Yourself
This is the lesson I had to learn the hard way.
I became obsessed with growing my gaming channel. And it took a serious toll on my mental and physical health.
I became restless and anxious about posting consistently because I feared that if I missed even one day, it would hurt the channel. I was tired of it being stagnant, so I kept pushing, harder and harder.
The grind-culture mentality convinced me I had to post every single day or I’d fall behind. But all I was doing was running myself into the ground.
I was burning out chasing growth, and honestly? It wasn’t worth it.
Action step: Build self-care into your routine. Take breaks. Go for a walk. Schedule rest time. Spend time with your friends and family. Don’t be consumed by content creation. Protect your well-being, because without it, none of this matters.
Final Thoughts
These four lessons — going viral isn’t enough, you’re a brand not just a creator, your voice matters, and take care of yourself — took me eight years to fully understand.
My hope is that by sharing them with you, you can apply them to your own journey and avoid what I experienced.
And remember: you matter, and you were put on this earth to be great.