In the creator economy, building a substantial following and generating interest from the audience is crucial before being able to monetize. Unlike bootstrapped SaaS businesses that can start monetizing early on, creators need to reach a critical mass of followers and content consumption before earning revenue. Platforms like YouTube require creators to have a minimum number of subscribers and watch hours before enabling monetization. This process necessitates significant effort and content creation without immediate financial rewards, similar to internships where individuals must prove themselves before securing a job.