From affiliate YouTube empires to billion-dollar creator platforms, this episode dives into how creators are turning strategy into scale. Justin and Grace break down the real business behind money-making on the internet — from finance creators earning millions off links to brands like Adobe rebuilding their image around creators. Inside: 💸 The truth about OF and the “1%” income curve 🎯 Why vice-based content (betting, thirst traps, alcohol) always wins attention 🏙 SF vs. LA creator culture — how environment shapes identity 🎨 Adobe Max’s rebrand into creator-first marketing 🤝 How to get into the right invite-only brand rooms 📈 Charlie Chang’s $4M/year YouTube machine and affiliate strategy 🔁 Recurring revenue from affiliate deals (and how creators can copy it) Timestamps: 00:00 – The economics of OF and vice-based content 07:28 – SF vs. LA culture and how it shapes creator identity 13:42 – Adobe Max: how Adobe is reinventing for creators 20:30 – Creator-first branding and event strategy 27:03 – Inside the “real” brand parties and how to get invited 29:46 – Charlie Chang’s $4M affiliate empire 38:02 – How to actually make YouTube affiliate content work 41:24 – ChatGPT affiliate ideas + AI product monetization 43:20 – Closing thoughts 🎙️ Hosted by Grace Ling & Justin Nguyen 📍 How Creators Make Money — the podcast where we unpack the real strategies behind today’s smartest creators.