Discover Thumzup: The Uber for Social Media Advertising Thumzupmedia.com About the Guest(s): Robert Steele is the CEO of Thumzup, an innovative advertising platform often described as the "Uber for advertising." As an experienced tech entrepreneur, Robert has successfully led several technology ventures, raising more than $30 million in financing across three startups. With a background in computer programming dating back to his early childhood, Steele has consistently demonstrated a knack for leveraging emerging technologies and adapting them into business opportunities. Prior to Thumzup, he made significant strides in pioneering mobile technology, such as creating software that allowed users to view Microsoft PowerPoint and AOL MapQuest on mobile devices. Episode Summary: Join Chris Voss on a thrilling journey into the world of innovative advertising with Robert Steele, CEO of Thumzup. With a colorful background in technology and entrepreneurism, Steele shares insights into his journey from computer geek to industry trailblazer. This episode uncovers the unique approach Thumzup takes in redefining advertising by simplifying the process for brands to engage customers through social media, offering monetary incentives to everyday users for sharing posts. This intersection of modern advertising, technology, and gig economy presents an exciting future for both businesses and consumers. In this episode, Chris and Robert delve into the vision driving Thumzup, unveiling strategies that enable gig economy workers to capitalize on their social media presence. They discuss how Thumzup empowers anyone to become a brand ambassador, providing new revenue streams by getting paid for social media posts about brands they love. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by startups, lessons learned from the ever-evolving tech landscape, and the importance of resilience and balance in the entrepreneurial journey. Through the lens of Steele's career, the episode provides actionable insights for budding entrepreneurs interested in the technology and advertising sectors. Key Takeaways: Thumzup offers an innovative platform likened to Uber for advertising, paying users to post about brands they enjoy on social media. The app bridges the gap between consumers and brands, bringing the power of word-of-mouth advertising into the digital age. Steele's entrepreneurial success is attributed to his persistence and adaptability, showcasing how important resilience is in overcoming challenges. By allowing everyday users to earn money, Thumzup taps into the trend of the gig economy and society's interest in multiple income streams. The platform focuses on smaller influencer engagements, emphasizing authenticity and trust, and providing opportunities even for those with smaller followings. Notable Quotes: "We think of Thumzup as like Uber for advertising." "If you think about it today, you're gonna interact with more, probably more than a dozen brands… Imagine if a significant amount of those businesses and brands were willing to pay you to just make a social media post about 'em." "We're essentially aggregating that and making it so that they can get the effect by more posts, made by people with smaller follower accounts." "My number one advice is don't give up. That's the biggest thing." "We really have invested a lot in Instagram and there's a risk, but we think we can ride that wave."