Finding Founders

From dreams of being in the NBA to personal assistant of multiple Hollywood stars, then a waiter, and finally becoming a YouTube sensation, Kevin Langue’s career path has been anything but conventional. Known for his genuine and fun-filled content, Kevin has always stayed true to being himself on and off camera. Now, with around a decade’s worth of experience in fostering an audience and creating a brand for himself, Kevin is keeping his focus on authenticity and creativity by setting ambitious goals and coming up with new ideas. Let’s find out how it all started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine being launched into YouTube stardom within hours… From his first channel playing video games with friends to joining SMOSH and co-hosting Smosh Gaming, Josh Ovenshire, better known as Joven, quickly became a pivotal figure in YouTube Gaming Channels. Smosh Gaming showed there was an audience for friends just having fun playing games. In consuming loads of content, Joven became a skilled storyteller selling shows to Marvel, ArcadeCloud Cartoon, and even making a puppet show for Dungeons & Dragons. Today, he’s working on new media projects and has a podcast with his friends. Let’s see how it started.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mari Takahashi’s first video for SMOSH, a YouTube sketch comedy channel, wasn’t immediately met with praise. And this gig was far on the side – she had a legitimate career as a professional ballet dancer. Youtube stardom wasn’t even a consideration… but eventually she’d have to make a choice. Today Mari has a large digital media presence, has won 2 Streamy Awards, produced shows like Smosh Pit Weekly, Maricraft, and Operation: Open World, and amassed over 2 billion collective views. Today, she’s focusing on her own YouTube channel and is the co-owner of SpacestationGaming. Let’s find out how she got here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not every day Barbara Corcoran slides into your dms, but for Caleb Simpson this was suddenly the new normal. Now, if this name is sounding familiar at all, it’s because you’ve probably met Caleb before….on your For You page. Known for his casual house tours and the signature question “how much do you pay for rent,” Caleb has amassed over 7.1 million followers on TikTok and 2 million YouTube subscribers in the past few years. Traveling from house to house in New York to LA, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, he isn’t afraid to test out a stranger’s bed or play with your pets, or listen to a soundcloud music sample. But while these videos seemed to go viral in an instant, Caleb’s journey to filmmaking was anything but easy. From finding odd jobs on craigslist to sleeping behind a curtain in someone’s living room, Caleb had to build his skillset from the ground up while learning how to survive in NYC. And before tik tok was even invented, before Caleb first picked up a camera, his journey started in the unlikeliest of places: being homeschooled, amongst his eight other siblings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan Williamson is a dedicated artist and community leader who’s transformed Southern California's art scene over three decades. As the executive director of the 18th Street Arts Center, she has grown the organization into the region's largest artist residency center, supporting nearly 700 artists. She’s co-founded environmental art initiatives and led 18th Street through reinvention with new programs and significant grants. Active in her community, Jan serves on Santa Monica's Art Commission and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism board, demonstrating art's power to transform and unite communities. Let’s see what inspired her creative endeavors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This project, Shit Art Club, started from creative expression in high school. But from a high school rebellious art project, it grew into a thriving artistic community in Downtown Los Angeles. Dedicated to genuine creative expression, Shit Art Club rejects conventional form and function, embracing authenticity and anarchy. The collective invites everyone to join their creative crusade, fostering a space where beauty and discord coexist harmoniously. Their journey from a paint-soaked backyard to a vibrant hub in Skid Row exemplifies their commitment to real, unpretentious art that challenges norms and celebrates the true essence of creativity. But let’s start before all that, back at the beginning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite thinking his career was shattered by his injury, Eric Clem continued to follow his passion for woodworking. In 2010, Eric was able to mix his love for archery and woodworking through Bowyer Brooklyn, where he sold handcrafted bows and arrows to the people of New York. He would eventually move to Los Angeles where he realized his dream of sharing his craft with others, as he opened the doors to LA Woodshop, a haven for aspiring artisans seeking to carve their own path in the world of woodworking. Let’s go back to where it all started in Houston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midtown Lunch was a hit but we’ll come back to that later… because before Zach Brooks was looking for hidden gems in food he was looking for gems in music. Zach’s career would go from radio to food blogging, to eventually becoming the general manager at Smorgasburg where he operates the largest open-air food market in LA county. But let’s find where this love of food started and go back to his childhood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So if you don’t know Berenice Abbott was a famous photographer known for capturing New York's transformation from low-rise to skyscraper-filled in the 1930s. Julia’s apprenticeship with this renowned photographer was just the beginning. Despite facing financial constraints, Julia's determination propelled her forward as she traversed the landscapes of the United States, capturing the essence of societal shifts and cultural nuances through her lens. Settling in Los Angeles, her passion for street photography flourished, leading her to establish the Julia Dean Photography Workshops, later evolving into the Los Angeles Center of Photography. Now she organizes an outdoor exhibit called Projecting L.A. that showcases stories about Los Angeles and its people. Let’s dive into how she got to where she is today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amidst Covid lockdown disruptions, Adam Pisk navigated the challenge of keeping his Manila-based business running. Recognizing opportunities, he swiftly spearheaded the development of an online store for a major Supermarket, followed by a similar success with one of Australia's leading fashion retailers. With years of Global Sales experience at other companies, Adam co-founded Bruntwork, propelling it into a $5 million MRR business within just three years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices