An Open Letter To Creators Like Me

(This audio version is generated by AI for accessibility access)

Dear Cultivator,

Good morning,

This email is too much for the newsletter, it needed to be it’s own thing.

I have been in the digital space for over 27 years. And in all that time, I always paid close attention to the growth, and who is making impact in the world, even though I may sometimes not engage, I am watching.

I say that to say, I see you…you’re out there creating, building your passion, and trying to turn what you love into something real. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably felt the pressure—the uncertainty that comes with living in the creator economy. It’s exciting, yes, but it’s also filled with gaps that no one tells you about when you first start.

I’m writing this because I’ve been where you are. I’ve felt the highs of creating something from nothing, and I’ve also felt the stress of wondering if it’ll all fall apart… multiple times, and it has.

So this email is for you… if you are building something, want to monetize, but struggle with imposter syndrome, working hard but treating your business like a non-profit because culturally, somehow doing anything that you love for money - makes you a sell out. I am writing this for someone that is going down the path I did in entrepreneurship.

The worst part of this very popular entrepreneurship journey is that, it is widely believed that you can ignore all the rules of business and still be successful, and although it may be true for some… it is highly unlikely.

I want to shift the narrative, and I am still in the mix starting my 6th or 7th startup since 1997… it’s time I start being the change I want to see in (this) world.

So let’s get real for a second. If we’re going to thrive in this space, if we are truly going to build a legacy, we need to do more than just create. We need to build. And building means treating our creator business like the legitimate, thriving business it has the potential to be.

I am going to frame this using my Audit, Align & Amplify to give you the structure you need to take action…

Here are the steps I think you need to take to level up;

Audit: Where Are You Right Now?

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was getting real about where I was. No sugarcoating, no “I’ll figure it out later.” Just raw honesty. Here’s what I had to face, and maybe you do, too:

• Are you really understanding your audience? In the traditional business world, there’s market research for a reason. When I started, I was creating based on what I wanted, not what my community needed. I wasn’t serving them as well as I could have. Ask yourself: are you listening to your people, or are you just putting stuff out there?

• Do you have a plan? If you’re like me, you might have skipped the whole “business plan” thing at first. I get it—it feels unnecessary when all you want to do is create. But flying by the seat of your pants will only get you so far. Having a plan doesn’t mean you’re locking yourself into something—it means you’re setting yourself up to succeed long-term.

• Are you legally protected? I’ll be honest: I dragged my feet on this for way too long. No LLC, no trademarks, no contracts. I was putting my work—and myself—at risk. If you’re serious about this, protect your brand. Don’t wait.

• How are you funding this? The creator economy is unpredictable. I learned the hard way that relying on sponsorships or platform ad revenue wasn’t enough to sustain me. There are grants, loans, and other avenues that traditional businesses tap into—and so can we. The more funding options you have, the less vulnerable you are to the whims of algorithms and brands.

  My mistake was I spent 16 years subsidizing it with my corporate 9-5 without every considering anything else…

  I am doing things differently with Siembra Connect.

Align: What Do You Want to Build?

Once you get clear on where you are, the next step is alignment. Where do you want to go? And more importantly, how do you plan to get there?

• Create a business plan that works for YOU. Even if you’re just one person with a camera or a laptop, your content is a product. At Siembra Connect, we talk a lot about aligning your passion with practical, real-world strategies. It’s about turning your vision into something sustainable. What’s your roadmap to growth? How are you going to serve your audience and grow your revenue?

• Get your legal foundation in place. Don’t wait for something to go wrong before you protect yourself. Register your business, secure your intellectual property, and use contracts to make sure you get what you’re owed. This isn’t just about safety—it’s about giving yourself the confidence to operate like the business owner you are.

• Diversify your income. One platform can’t be your entire business. It’s risky. Align your strategy to create multiple streams of income—whether that’s through consulting, digital products, services, or collaborations. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Amplify: Let’s Grow Together

The last piece of this puzzle is amplifying what you’re building. And here’s the thing, it’s not just about gaining followers. It’s about building something that lasts.

• Build your team. If you want to grow, you can’t do it all alone. For a long time, I was a one-person show, and it burned me out. As soon as I started delegating tasks, I was able to focus on the bigger picture. Even if it’s just hiring a VA or a freelance editor, start small and build from there.

• Plan for financial stability. I can’t stress this enough: don’t skip the financial planning. Income in the creator economy is unpredictable, but if you audit your finances and align them with smart budgeting, you can weather the ups and downs.

• Own your audience. This is big. Platforms come and go, algorithms change, but your audience is yours if you own that relationship. Build your email list, create a website, and make sure your brand lives beyond YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Those platforms are tools, not the foundation of your business.

Let’s Build Something Sustainable

I get it, it’s hard out here. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that treating your creator business like a real business is what takes you from surviving to thriving. You’re already doing the hard part—creating, showing up, and building something from nothing. Now, let’s legitimize it, protect it, and set it up to grow.

It will take you tuning some of the noise out, and surrounding yourself with likemenided creators & change-makers in community…

At Siembra Connect, that’s exactly what we’re doing, helping creators like you bridge the gaps and thrive in this competitive landscape. So let’s do this together. Audit where you are, align with where you want to go, and amplify your way to success.

If this resonates with you and you want to chat, just reply to this email and let’s set up some time to have that conversation.

Let’s grow…

As I am,
George Torres

Founder, Siembra Connect

PS… Please share this email with someone you know, looking to build something.