Brand
Influencer-Founded Brands + How You Can Create Your Own
Several of the most popular brands today were started by people who were once influencers. This article talks about 7 of the most popular brands that were founded by influencers, including an in-depth guide on how you, as an influencer, can start your own brand.
Social media influencers are starting their own brands by leveraging their fame, and this is becoming the next big thing in ecommerce. Influencers are using their industry-specific knowledge and the loyalty of their followers to start brands that focus on the needs of the customers. This is also a new way for them to connect with their audience by creating products that will be received well by them.
If you are an influencer who has dreamed of starting their own brand, keep reading for a comprehensive step-by-step guide. But, before that, let us look at 7 of the top influencer-founded brands!
Influencer-Founded Brands + How You Can Create Your Own
Top 7 Influencer-founded Brands
#1 Chamberlain Coffee by Emma Chamberlain
Instagram: @emmachamberlain
Followers: 16.1M
Emma Chamberlain is a famous YouTuber and podcaster, who is known for her podcast “Anything Goes,” where she shares her thoughts about everything. She is known for her love for coffee, which she, then, turned into a brand.
For her, coffee is more than a beverage; it is a way to connect with others and create memories, which is why she hopes that all her customers will find joy in her coffee. All her products are of the highest quality, too!
#2 Something Navy by Arielle Charnas
Instagram: @ariellecharnas
Followers: 1.3M
Arielle Charnas is a fashion blogger and influencer who gained fame due to her unique fashion style that she likes to describe as “elevated basic.” After her blog grew in popularity, she opened her own clothing brand, Something Navy, where she sells everyday wear that is not basic. If you need wardrobe staples that you will use again and again, her brand is a great place to shop!
#3 Ipsy by Michelle Phan
Instagram: @michellephan
Followers: 1.9M
Michelle Phan is a beauty influencer and YouTuber who is known for using makeup to transform her face to look like famous celebrities and characters – such as Snow White, Barbie, and Lady Gaga to name a few.
She believes that beauty should be inclusive and celebrate what makes you “you,” and Ipsy is her contribution towards this. Ipsy is a beauty subscription service where you will receive products personalized exclusively for you – all based on your preferences, skin tone, and type. The goal of the brand is to use beauty to empower the person that you already are!
#4 Mr. Beast Burger by Mr. Beast
Instagram: @mrbeast
Followers: 24.5M
Jimmy Donaldson, who is widely known by his online moniker, Mr. Beast, is a YouTuber and philanthropist who is known for his over-the-top charitable acts. Some of his acts include giving away a car to a waitress as a tip, donating a house, and hosting competitions with extravagant prizes.
He founded Mr. Beast Burger by partnering with Virtual Dining Concepts LLC. It is a virtual burger chain that delivers across North America and Europe. People can order via a delivery app, and the food will be prepared at brick and mortar establishments. Within just three months, Mr. Beast Burger sold more than a million burgers!
#5 Forvr Mood by Jackie Aina
Instagram: @jackieaina
Followers: 1.8M
Jackie Aina is a lifestyle and beauty YouTuber and influencer who is trying to change the standard of beauty, one video at a time. She used to be a professional makeup artist before she turned to YouTube, so she gives a lot of valuable insider tips. She advocates for people of color in the cosmetic industry and strives to create tutorials that make them feel empowered in their own skin.
She launched her lifestyle brand, forvr mood, as a way of encouraging Black women to pamper themselves more, changing the narrative that a strong woman does not deserve self care. She sells scented candles that lift the mood!
#6 Sweat by Kayla Itsines
Instagram: @kayla_itsines
Followers: 15.6M
Kayla Itsines is a personal fitness trainer whose aim is to support women in their health and fitness journey. Since 2008, she has been helping women around the world get fit and become more confident in themselves. She has also authored a series of fitness books titled “Bikini Body Guides.”
Sweat is a fitness and meal planner app by Kayla for women. The app helps you work out with your own personal trainer from anywhere. You get structured workout plans based on your preferences, and all the support you need to be empowered.
#7 Craftd by Alex Cannon
Instagram: @alexcannon
Followers: 362k
Alex Cannon is a former model who reached insta fame due to his modeling shoots. The idea for Craftd came to him when he was shopping for jewelry for his fashion shoots. He noticed that brands either had jewels with cutting-edge designs, or were high quality, but never both. So, he decided to start one!
Craftd sells men’s jewelry with unique and cool designs, while also being high quality. The brand’s jewels work as personal statement pieces. The website also offers you a quick quiz to help you choose the best pieces for you!
Now that we have looked at 7 of the best influencer-founded brands, let us see how you can also jump on the wagon!
How To Start Your Own Brand as an Influencer
If you are an influencer who wants to dip your toes into entrepreneurship, here are a few simple steps to get you started!
- Build your audience. This is especially important if you are a beginner. You need a loyal audience before you can venture into starting your own company, because these are the people who will serve as your first customers.
- Brainstorm ideas in your niche. Obviously you would want to use your expertise and knowledge to create products and services within your niche. But, at the same time, you need to narrow down at first. For example, if you are a beauty influencer, you could start with one or two products – such as lipsticks and lip balms – and then scale up.
- Come up with a business plan. Having a proper business plan is very important as this will be the foundation of your brand. Clearly define your ideas, goals, and budget breakdown. This will serve as a roadmap, even years later. If you don’t know how to prepare one, hire a professional to help you!
- Find who you want to partner with. When starting your own brand, you need to partner with manufacturers and shipping companies. Do some research and look for manufacturers who will help you bring the vision you have to life. You should have a say in every step of the process – right from the raw materials to the packaging.
- Test out the products yourself. As soon as you get the first sample, test it out. And be objective with your analysis. Are there any aspects that need to be better? Does the product speak to your brand as an influencer? Even if it takes a few tries, ensure that your product is something that you would use yourself.
- Promote the products. Promote your company and your products naturally on your page. Post teasers about it before you launch the product. Partner with other influencers, and ask them to give honest reviews in exchange for a free product. Post behind-the-scenes of how the idea was conceived. All the while, make sure to post your regular photos consistently.
And, there you have it! The top 7 brands founded by influencers, including a quick guide on how to start your own!
