It’s reported that over 50% of Gen Z would become influencers if given the chance. A growing number of young people are choosing content creation and influencing as viable career paths over traditional higher education.
With more people joining the creator economy, there is a visible structural imbalance that shows how the industry may be expansive, but still not evenly distributed. Monetisation opportunities have not scaled at the same rate with only a fraction of creators earning sustainable income from content.
The solution to this disparity being increasingly adopted by today’s most strategic creators is ownership.
After establishing authority within a niche, creators are moving beyond platform dependency and building businesses designed to outlive algorithms. From launching product lines to cultivating membership based communities and producing events, the next phase is currently happening. This is emerging as the most sustainable income stream for creators, where influence becomes infrastructure.
Social media is no longer the end goal, but the entry point. The most forward-thinking creators are leveraging their digital presence to build ecosystems, brands, experiences, and communities that exist beyond the feed.
Here are a few examples of creators recently hosting events tied directly to businesses born from their digital niches.
Fikile Zungu (Maid to Cook)
Food content creator, Fikile Zungu, popularly known as Maid to Cook recently hosted her first sold out cooking class. This is what she had to say about how content creation opened her eyes to opportunities she never imagined for herself.
“What started as simply sharing my love for food has evolved into something much bigger, helping me recognize the value of my skills and how they can translate into real experiences, like hosting cooking classes. It made me realize that I’m not just creating content, I’m building a brand, a community, and spaces where people can connect, learn, and be inspired. Through this journey, I’ve discovered that I have so much more to offer beyond the screen, and that my passion can create meaningful, real life impact.”
Lisa Madibe
Beauty influencer, Lisa Madibe launched her hair extensions line two years ago and now she recently hosted her first pop up event for her brand. “This was more than a pop-up; it was a celebration of community, craftsmanship and the standard of excellence we continue to build,” she shared.
Thandi Gama
Meanwhile beauty influencer turned content studio owner, Thandi Gama’s The Paris Edit studio hosted Lisa Madibe’s pop up event.
Abi Downs
Durban based beauty and wellness influencer, Abi Downs hosted her first wellness walk during the same weekend. “Super grateful for every single person who made this possible and for all of the ladies who came and supported! Overwhelmed by the love and support and good vibes,” she said of her event.
A post shared by Reset With Abi | Wellness & Workouts (@reset_withabi)
