YouTube is now the most popular platform for earning a living. In June, the company reported The creative economy of the United States contributed more than $55 billion in GDP to date and has created over 490,000 jobs.
YouTubers are less reliant on brand agreements and ad revenues. There are many reasons behind this change. Ad revenue is unpredictable. YouTube’s policies are constantly changing, and some video creators have difficulty obtaining ads to promote their videos. This can adversely affect their income. These creators have also learned that the income they receive from these sources can disappear without warning.
YouTubers no longer consider themselves to be just creators, as they are aware of the instability in platform-dependent revenues. Vertically integrated media firms with multiple businesses including consumer brands, product lines and brick and mortar ventures. They can also outlast policy changes.
Some of these businesses grow more quickly and sustainably that their YouTube channel.
MrBeast
Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, who has 442 million subscribers, isn’t just one of the platform’s biggest creators — he’s its most aggressive entrepreneur.
The Times, as an example, published a November 2025 issue. reported The YouTuber has announced plans to build a theme-park in Saudi Arabia with rides based on his videos. There will be, among other things, a game in which six people stand on trapdoors and have to push a button if they fall or light up.
MrBeast has also ventured into the telecommunications industry. He plans to establish a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which could involve partnering with one of the major operators, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.
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Also, the YouTuber has been spotted filing trademark applications for mobile apps that offer banking, financial advisor, and crypto-exchange services. MrBeast revealed the launch of the Crypto Exchange in February 2026. acquisition of StepThe banking app for Gen Z.
There’s much more. What started with a merchandise store in 2018 — ShopMrBeast — has exploded into a broad business portfolio, including his now three-year-old snack brand, Feastables.
Feastables initial product was the “MrBeast Bar,” Chocolate bar with over $10 million Over 1 million bars were sold in the first 72 hours. Feastables, as of today is more profitable than YouTube and even the content he produces. “Beast Games” Prime Video offers a variety of competitions. Feastables will generate approximately $ 2.4 billion in 2024. $250 million His media company lost about $80,000,000 in revenue, but made over $20 million profit.
He also has a toy company called MrBeast Lab and a packaged food label named Lunchly. MrBeast BurgerThe analytics platform Viewstats. He even attempted You can also find out more about the following: buy the U.S. operations of TikTok Join the American Investor Consortium led by Employer.com’s founder Jesse Tinsley.
Emma Chamberlain
Emma ChamberlainIn 2016, he became a popular teen blogger. He now boasts over 12 million subscribers.
Chamberlain Coffee was launched by her in 2019 and offers various products such as cold brew coffee, pods of coffee, whole beans, matcha and tea. Other YouTubers, including Jacksepticeye Top of the Mornin’ Coffee is his brand. Philip DeFranco with Wake & Make Coffee.
Chamberlain Coffee’s 2023 was a year of great significance. ready-to-drink canned lattes According to estimates, the revenue will reach approximately $20 Million. Forbes. Recently, the brand experienced an even greater growth. opening its first physical location In January. Previously it only had a presence online or in retail stores like Target, Sprouts and Walmart.
Chamberlain Coffee is expected to bounce back in 2025 with revenue projected to grow by over 50%, to more than $ 33 million. Business Insider. The brand also wants to be profitable by 2026.
Logan Paul
Logan Paul The wrestler (23.6 million followers) was previously known for a number of controversies including an infamous 2017 clip and an allegedly scammy NFT project, CryptoZoo.
Prime was his other brand that gained rapid attention in 2022. Co-founded by YouTuber KSI. The brand has surpassed $1.2 billion in sales In 2023, this figure will be far greater than what content creators make from ads, views and deals with brands. It has been hit by declining sales since then. In the U.K. sales have cooled down, particularly. revenue dropped by about 70% From 2023 to 2020.
Maverick Apparel was another of his ventures, which he made between $30 million and $40 million In 2020,
Jake Paul is his brother and he has also been involved in various business ventures including founding the Anti Fund, The company has cited past investments made in OpenAI and other technologies such as Anduril Ramp Cognition. Paul’s younger brother also has a grooming brand called W and an a mobile betting platform Betr.
Ryan’s World
Ryan’s WorldRyan Kaji (13 years old) is another YouTuber that has an impressive following. Ryan became famous through toy reviews, unboxings and other videos that have attracted nearly 40,000,000 young viewers.
Kaji’s YouTube fame has led him to expand his brand by creating a range of apparel and toys that have been sold at major retailers and that has reportedly raised millions. over $250 million Revenues of $500,000 in 2020. Kaji’s family has since diversified their business ventures. They have launched a television show, as well as an educational app for kids.
Rosanna Pansino
Rosanna Pansino She is known on YouTube for her themed desserts, baking tutorials, and other treats. Her recipes, which are inspired by movies, games, pop culture and gaming, have gained her fame.
Pansino, who is best known for her YouTube channel, has also published several well-received cookbooks to expand the Nerdy Nummies name. Pansino also sells her baking tools on Amazon and other retailers.
Some YouTubers are launching their own cookware or food product lines as a way to generate revenue. Babish was the pseudonym of Andrew Rea, a chef and author who started his YouTube channel. Babish Cookware brand in 2021, as well as comedy duo Rhett & Link, who sell MishMash Cereal.
Michelle Phan
Michelle Phan Her makeup tutorials gained her fame in 2007. She became one of first beauty influencers who successfully monetized their content. She co-founded Beauty Subscription Service in addition to her YouTube success. IpsyPhan has also created her own cosmetics line, EM Beauty. Phan has also created her own cosmetics line EM Cosmetics.
Huda Kattan
Huda kattan launched the Huda Beauty brand in 2013, a globally recognized and respected beauty product. After selling a minor stake in 2017, Kattan purchased it again in June, after investor pressures to replace senior executives clashed her vision of the brand. hundreds of millions of dollars Each year, the sales of these products exceed $1 billion.
Influencers are creating their own makeup lines. Jeffree Star Cosmetics (also known as Tati beauty) and Jeffree Star Cosmetics are other popular makeup brands that have been launched by YouTubers.
