Valentine Thomas Instagram – Content creation (or being an influencer) is NOT a career; it’s a stepping stone. With the surge of online influencers and content creators, many Gen Z individuals were attracted by the allure of what seemed like a “dream job.” The perks of being your own boss, working from home, receiving freebies, and the potential to earn over $10k per month are undoubtedly attractive. However, as the saying goes, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” and this rings true in this context as well. When I left my job to pursue my own ventures in my late twenties, it was, well, pretty exhilarating. I traveled the world, increased my income significantly, surpassing even what my lawyer and finance friends were making. But then what? The looming question was, “how will I sustain myself in the long run? How will I retire?” Despite the excitement of my current lifestyle, the uncertainty, ever-changing trends, and the evolving nature of content creation made me question where I saw myself in 30 years. Certainly not making out TikTok videos all day. Hence, content creation should be viewed as a bridge, not a lifelong career. It presents a remarkable opportunity once you’ve amassed a substantial following (hundreds of thousands at a minimum). However, once you’ve reached hundreds of thousands or even millions of followers, that is not when you’re done, but when the real work begins. Leveraging that platform to establish a lasting career, such as founding a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company, investing your earnings in real estate or becoming an expert in a particular field to secure a job within that industry, becomes imperative. It is very hard not to envision numerous content creators facing a harsh reality in their late forties or fifties with zero job prospects and opportunities. While enjoying the present is crucial, laying the groundwork for future stability is paramount. Just a reminder 😉