Episode 48: Kate O’Brien - Leaving the 9–5 for Full-Time Influence

Ohemaa Akosua made the leap from flight attendant to full-time content creator during the early days of COVID, and hasn’t looked back since. In this episode, she shares how she’s landed dream brand deals, built a community that cares, and represented proudly as a Ghanaian creator in the micro-influencer space. We also get into her content workflow, her favorite tools, and why Pinterest deserves a bigger seat at the creator table.Follow Ohemaa on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @aqousuahh.

Andy Dooley’s journey from chaplain to content creator proves that consistency, discipline, and purpose can open unexpected doors. In this episode, he shares how he built a platform rooted in faith, landed a hosting role with the Seattle Seahawks, and secured his dream brand deal with Reebok. We also talk about his pillars—faith, family, fitness, fun, and fandom—and the habits that helped him grow to 1.9M followers on TikTok.Follow Andy on Instagram and TikTok @andyldooley.

Kate O’Brien traded her career in HR for a camera and a ring light, and never looked back. From hitting 200K YouTube subscribers to building long-term brand partnerships, Kate shares how she navigated the leap into full-time content creation. In this episode, we talk about creator rates, syndication strategies, and why her “just one free moisturizer” mindset helped her grow a deeply engaged audience.Follow Kate on Instagram and TikTok @carewithkate, and on YouTube at Care With Kate.

Olga Goffman started her creator journey in Ukraine, but it wasn’t until she immigrated to the U.S. that her content truly took off. Now based in Chicago, Olga shares how she built trust with her audience, and got brands to notice her before she ever pitched herself. We discuss how managing her own deals has helped her stay true to her vision. Follow Olga as she redefines what it means to grow with intention—one stylish post at a time.Follow Olga on Instagram and TikTok @olia_chicago. 

At just 22, Carrie Berk has written a book, built a multi-platform audience in the millions, and carved out space online for mental health conversations that matter. In this episode, she shares how her book, “Mindfire,” helps readers better understand how to approach and overcome anxiety. We address what it takes to grow across five social channels, and why the most meaningful influence often starts one-on-one. Follow Carrie on Instagram and TikTok @carrieberkk.

Francesca Murray has carved out a thriving creator career at the intersection of travel, beauty, and culture. With a publicist’s eye for opportunity, she’s landed brand deals and global moments that go beyond follower count. In this episode, Francesca shares why creators should be showing up at Cannes, how to evolve your niche without losing your audience, and the tools she uses (including AI) to stay inspired. Follow Francesca on Instagram @onegirloneworld.

Vin Matano made his mark in tech sales—then turned his expertise into a personal brand that now powers his own business. As a leading B2B creator, Vin shares why LinkedIn is the most underrated platform, what the Cannes Lions festival revealed about the future of influencer marketing, and how creators can stay focused while building multiple income streams. Follow Vin on Instagram @vinmatano and LinkedIn @Vin Matano

Justin Glaze first rose to fame on season 17 of “The Bachelorette," but reality TV was just the launchpad. Since then, he’s carved out a space as a creator, artist, and now, founder of Love Potion—a canned espresso martini brand born from personal obsession. In this episode, Justin shares how he rebuilt his audience with intention, the value of losing followers to gain real connection, and why betting on yourself (and your tastebuds) is always worth it. Follow Justin on Instagram @justinglaze

Coco Mocoe is a content creator, marketing strategist, and podcast host known for her sharp insights into pop culture, digital trends, and the creator economy. Through her TikTok account, she’s built a following of over 1.1 million, delivering viral commentary on marketing, media, and the ever-evolving landscape of influence—making her a trusted voice among creators and brands alike.In this episode, Coco reflects on her early career days at Famous Names and Buzzfeed, how to actually get a brand’s attention, and what it means to become a thought leader in a saturated space. Plus, she breaks down creator compensation myths (and shares exactly how she spent her first influencer check).Follow Coco on Instagram and TikTok @cocomocoe

Meet Chris Allen, startup founder and cast member of Netflix’s “Million Dollar Secret.” Before stepping into reality TV, Chris co-founded Osena, the world’s first zero-sugar spiked coconut water cocktail. Navigating the ultra-competitive beverage industry gave him a front-row seat to the mental and emotional challenges of chasing success—an experience that prepared him for the world of “Million Dollar Secret.”In this episode, Chris shares what reality TV taught him about quiet confidence, how he built resilience through the pressure of public competition, and why staying grounded matters most when you're building something that matters. Follow Chris on Instagram @callennd