How Justin Moore Reinvented His Career After a Crushing Failure
Feb 4, 2025
auto_awesome
Join Justin Moore, founder of Creator Wizard and a seasoned YouTuber, as he shares his journey through the highs and lows of the creator economy. He candidly discusses the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life, especially after facing a setback when his agency collapsed during the pandemic. Justin elaborates on his transformative experiences, from launching a YouTube channel to navigating online negativity. His story is a testament to resilience, the importance of family time, and the ever-evolving dynamics of modern parenthood.
Justin Moore highlights the emotional toll of failure, sharing how a $100,000 debt instilled feelings of hopelessness and self-doubt.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of balancing entrepreneurship with family life, showcasing how Justin and his wife supported each other through transitions.
Justin's journey illustrates the role of music as a vital escape, reflecting his multifaceted interests and need for creative expression during tough times.
A major takeaway is the power of asking for help, as Justin shares how openness to collaboration fostered deeper connections and community support.
Deep dives
Struggles with Debt and Self-Perception
Struggling with a debt of $100,000 had a significant impact on the speaker’s mindset, instilling feelings of failure and hopelessness. Each dollar earned became a reminder of the financial hole created, fueling negative self-talk that labeled him a failure. This harsh narrative persisted for two years, overshadowing any potential successes or progress made. The intense pressure and emotional toll made it difficult to envision a positive outcome or future.
Entrepreneurial Journey and Balance
The podcast delves into balancing the roles of being an entrepreneur and a family man, as the speaker shares experiences with his wife building their business. The couple navigated the successes and failures of entrepreneurship, including starting and growing Creator Wizard after the demise of a previous venture. This journey emphasized the value of learning from failures and seeking a work-life balance to fulfill personal and family commitments. The foundation of their marriage and partnership was crucial, as they supported each other throughout the ups and downs.
The Power of Music as an Outlet
Music served as a vital outlet during challenging periods in life, particularly amid family struggles. The speaker shares how music filtered into his life as an escape during his parents' tumultuous divorce, offering not only solace but a means of expression. He initially aspired to pursue music professionally before making choices that led him down different paths. The influence of diverse music genres, from metal to Italian opera, reflects the speaker's multifaceted interests and the solace he finds in creativity.
Navigating Professional Choices
The contemplation of career choices and the tension between passion and practicality became evident when addressing educational paths. The speaker was at a crossroads between pursuing a music degree or a more conventional, secure career choice, influenced by parental expectations. In choosing engineering, he found success but often reflected on an unmet passion for music, illustrating the conflict between stability and fulfilling one’s dreams. This duality highlights the importance of aligning personal interests with professional aspirations.
Origin of Creator Wizard and Lessons Learned
The foundation of Creator Wizard emerged from experiences and relationships built during previous entrepreneurial endeavors, ultimately leading to the realization of helping others. Recognizing that many knew him as a resource for negotiation and brand partnerships prompted the transition to a business aimed at teaching creators about monetization strategies. Through valuable relationships and hard-earned lessons, the speaker shaped Creator Wizard into a platform that empowers artists financially. By shifting focus from personal struggles to aiding others, he found greater fulfillment in the work.
Building a Safe Space for Creativity
The speaker emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and safe environment for those in the creator economy. This includes cultivating relationships with brands that align with creators' values and fostering genuine partnerships. By advocating for ethical practices in sponsorships, the speaker aims to help creators stabilize their finances and articulate their worth confidently. This approach not only promotes mental well-being but paves the way for creators to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Learning to Ask for Help
An essential lesson learned was the significance of asking for help and being open about needs, both personally and professionally. The speaker recounts a pivotal moment of realization that reaching out to others for support is neither a weakness nor a burden, but an opportunity for collaboration. This shift in perspective changed the way interactions occurred, leading to more meaningful connections and reciprocal relationships. Embracing vulnerability and the willingness to ask opened the door for a more profound sense of community and support.
This week, I talk with Justin Moore—founder and CEO of Creator Wizard, longtime YouTuber, and entrepreneur who’s spent more than 15 years navigating the creator economy. But this conversation isn’t just about business. It’s about the tension between entrepreneurship and family life, the ups and downs of building something meaningful, and the resilience required to start over after failure. Justin shares how he and his wife, April, built a thriving business on YouTube, only to face a major setback when his agency collapsed during the pandemic. We talk about the lessons he’s learned, how he’s doing things differently now, and why his ultimate goal has always been to support his family. This is a deeply human story of commitment, reinvention, and making work matter. I think you’re going to find a lot to relate to in this one. Let’s get to it!
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(03:22) - How Justin ended up in a metal band
(06:18) - Music as an escape
(12:47) - Starting a YouTube channel
(19:49) - Why make videos?
(25:22) - Transition to full-time creators
(32:53) - Justin's first time dealing with online negativity
(35:43) - How Justin and his wife worked through the transition of careers and (roles) - in their marriage
(37:43) - Gender roles and family dynamics
(41:57) - Dealing with judgmental people
(44:48) - Life as a content creator
(46:20) - The importance of family time
(52:06) - Reflecting on parenting choices
(56:21) - Adapting to new environments
(01:03:57) - How Justin built a business from scratch
(01:10:38) - The moment Justin decided to shut down his business
(01:15:55) - The power of asking for help
(01:27:17) - How Justin built the business he's always wanted
