Lessons from the Titans: How MrBeast, Alex Cooper, and Gary Vee Build Empires (And How You Can Too)

Julie Lokun
Jan 22
3 min read

Our Favorite Creative Entrepreneurs Alex Cooper, Gary Vee and MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson)

In the world of creative entrepreneurship, there’s "making content," and then there’s building an empire.

A recent episode of the Creative Entrepreneur podcast dove deep into the playbooks of the three undisputed titans of the digital age: MrBeast, Alex Cooper, and Gary Vaynerchuk. While they operate in vastly different niches—from high-stakes YouTube stunts to raw, intimate podcasting and high-level business consulting—their core strategies for growth, strategy, and monetization share a common DNA.

If you’re looking to scale your business and dominate your niche, here are the actionable takeaways from the episode that you can implement today.

1. The MrBeast Method: Obsessive Optimization & "The Retention Game"

Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) didn’t become the world’s biggest YouTuber by accident. He did it through a level of data-driven obsession that most entrepreneurs overlook.

The Lesson: Growth isn't about luck; it’s about the Feedback Loop. MrBeast spends more time analyzing why people stopped watching a video than why they started.
Actionable Tip for Entrepreneurs: Audit your customer journey. Where is the "drop-off"? Whether it’s an abandoned shopping cart or a low email click-through rate, find the friction point and obsess over fixing it.
The Goal: Don't just aim for views; aim for retention. A loyal customer who stays is worth ten who just pass through.

2. The Alex Cooper Strategy: Ownership & Brand Intimacy

Alex Cooper took Call Her Daddy from a podcast to a $125 million-plus media powerhouse. Her secret? She understood the power of a "cult-like" community and the importance of owning her IP.

The Lesson: Authenticity is your greatest moat. Alex Cooper succeeded because she created a safe, "unfiltered" space that her audience couldn't find anywhere else.
Actionable Tip for Entrepreneurs: Don't be afraid to be polarizing. When you try to speak to everyone, you speak to no one. Define your brand voice so clearly that your "tribe" feels like they are part of an exclusive club.
The Goal: Move from being a "service provider" to a lifestyle brand.

3. The Gary Vee Playbook: Scalable Empathy & "Document, Don't Create"

Gary Vee has been the North Star for entrepreneurs for over a decade. His strategy centers on high-volume output and a "jab, jab, jab, right hook" philosophy (give, give, give, then ask).

The Lesson: Content is the cost of entry. Gary Vee argues that every business today is a media company first, regardless of what they actually sell.
Actionable Tip for Entrepreneurs: Stop overthinking your content. Follow Gary’s "Document, Don't Create" rule. Record your meetings (where appropriate), share your behind-the-scenes struggles, and post the raw process. This builds trust faster than any polished ad ever could.
The Goal: Build Brand Equity through consistent value before you ever ask for a sale.

Summary Checklist: Actionable Items for Your Business

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Start with these three moves inspired by the podcast:

Analyze Your Data (The MrBeast Move): Pick one metric (conversion rate, retention, or engagement) and spend 30 minutes a day analyzing what causes it to dip.
Double Down on Your Voice (The Alex Cooper Move): Write down three things your brand stands for that might be "controversial" in your industry. Lean into them.
Increase Your Surface Area (The Gary Vee Move): Commit to posting one "raw" piece of documentation daily for the next 30 days. No fancy editing, just real value.

YOUR CRE8TIVE NEXT MOVE

As discussed on the Creative Entrepreneur podcast, the bridge between a "creator" and an "entrepreneur" is strategy. By combining MrBeast’s optimization, Alex Cooper’s community-building, and Gary Vee’s volume, you create an unstoppable engine for business growth.

Want to learn more about monetizing your creative spark?