Eric Wei: Why Karat Financial Is Investing Over $30M In Creator Financing & Support

Most creators are missing basic financial literacy that could ruin their business.

Eric Wei is making it his mission to fill that gap.

Today's conversation with Eric, Co-Founder of Karat Financial, the black card for content creators is a glimpse into how he’s doing just that. Eric and his team have raised over $30 million from Union Square Ventures and Y Combinator, as well as from top creators such as Graham Stephan, Nas Daily, and Josh Richards. 

In this episode, Eric explains the unique financial literacy challenges faced by creators and the need for business financial education. We discuss navigating co-founder dynamics, scaling creator businesses, and the importance of financial management and operational partnerships in the creator economy. Ready to learn? Let’s dive in.

Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Eric:

Embrace the Power of Delegation and Trust

As a creator, scaling your brand means acknowledging that you can't handle every aspect of your business alone. Eric Wei dives deep into why finding a trusted COO can be a game-changer. By learning to delegate, you can focus on what you do best—creating content—while an operational partner manages the growth challenges. Eric shares real-life examples of successful partnerships and gives advice on aligning business expectations and establishing trust.

Financial Literacy is Key to Business Longevity

Don't let your passion for content creation overshadow the importance of financial management. Eric shares crucial financial literacy tips for creators and Creator COOs, such as budgeting for uneven cash flows and the pros of transitioning from a sole proprietorship to an LLC or S corp. Eric provides insights into tax benefits, protecting personal assets, and wise investment strategies to secure your business's future. He warns against avoiding common pitfalls and explains how to set up a sturdy financial infrastructure for your creative enterprise.

Diversify Your Revenue Streams for Stability

Relying solely on ad revenue or unpredictable brand deals can make your creator business financially vulnerable. Eric highlights the benefits of diversifying your revenue with memberships, products, and deeper audience engagement strategies. He explains both the challenges and opportunities in creating consistent, loyal fan bases, particularly for short-form content creators looking to branch into long-form material. By adopting the right revenue model, creators can ensure a more stable and sustainable income, freeing them from the 'hamster wheel' of chasing brand deals.

Jump into the Conversation:

[02:32] Why financial literacy is a challenge for creators

[07:46] Finding and fostering a relationship with the right co-founder

[24:39] Different paths to finding an operational partner

[29:23] The importance of back office finance for creators

[43:41] Structuring a business with multiple product lines

[51:24] Compensating employees with equity

[01:01:13] Building membership programs

[01:09:24] Cultivating talent for Creator COO roles

[01:11:20] Finding the right operating partner

Continue the conversation with these resources:

• Follow Eric Wei on LinkedIn