Rain Bennett
- May 1, 2023
- 4 min read

Building an Empire in the Creator Economy with Nick Witters

Nick Witters is the CEO of Ballen Studios, most known for managing the MrBallen YouTube channel. Hailing from a small town in Washington, Nick's journey took him from the Air Force to law school, and eventually to the heart of Hollywood as an entertainment lawyer. With a keen understanding of the importance of adaptability and perseverance, Nick has built a thriving career in the creator economy. Alongside his partner John Allen (AKA "MrBallen"), a former Navy Seal, Nick continues to push the boundaries of success, sharing his wisdom and passion-driven approach with aspiring creators.

In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, you will learn how to:

Discover the hidden advantages of military training when tackling business challenges and sharpening decision-making skills.
Appreciate the role of intellectual curiosity in seizing growth opportunities and fostering innovation.
Recognize the significance of embracing failure and adaptability in achieving your career and business goals.
Cultivate trust and authentic passion in talent representation relationships for long-term success.
Sustain momentum and enthusiasm in the ever-changing creator economy to drive continuous personal and professional growth.

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After being a combat veteran and dedicating himself to a successful entertainment law career, Nick Witters was faced with the difficult decision of taking a new job managing Mr. Beast, a popular YouTuber.

Would he make it?

Would he be able to pull the trigger?

As he risked it all, his journey to success was filled with pressure, loss, and, of course, lots of hard work.

But Nick was no stranger to overcoming obstacles and building success from the ground up.

Growing up in a small logging community in Washington, Nick's drive to overcome challenges led him to serve in the Air Force and later pursue a law degree.

As an entertainment lawyer, he tackled the world of Hollywood with the same tenacity he brought to the military—he understood the importance of adaptability, resilience, and never resting on one's laurels.

"Yes, there is room in a saturated market. You just gotta find your edge. You have to be a degree or two off, and you have to have conviction in your product and what you're doing, and you gotta just send it." - Nick Witters

Nick eventually found himself helping manage YouTube sensation Mr. Beast, learning the intricacies of the digital world and the evolving creator economy.

Diving into every challenge with enthusiasm and curiosity, he quickly made a name for himself, becoming an indispensable asset in his field and helping negotiate huge brand deals for his clients.

But he had this inner desire to find that ONE client that he could build something special with.

A true partner that he worked with from the ground up.

He found that partner in John Allen, a rapidly growing storyteller known at MrBallen on YouTube.

John was a Navy Seal who was fearful of matching up with any managers, mostly because he had created his success on his own, making videos in his basement.

But Nick connected with him as a combat veteran and vowed to just help him, free of charge, continue to grow his brand and his business—not just his channel.

When Nick finally brought along the biggest brand deal MrBallen had ever been offered, the partnership became official.

Since then, the two have been unstoppable, creating new shows and podcasts and inking an exclusive deal with Amazon Music.

Nick's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, and the importance of maintaining momentum in the ever-changing landscape of the creator economy.

Now, alongside his former Navy Seal partner, he's building an empire, while inspiring others to also chase their passions with unwavering dedication.

If you are interested in learning about the creator economy, where it's going, and how you can capitalize on it, this is the episode for you!

Other episodes you'll enjoy: 1. The Life-Changing Power of Mentors with STEVEN PRESSFIELD

2. Master the Story of Your Mind with ROBBIE CORNELIUS

3. Manifesting Success in a Personal Brand with OLIVIA MANCUSO Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-storytelling-lab/

Some of the highlights of our conversation:

00:00:00 - Why They Won't Take Their Foot off the Gas Now
00:01:25 - Nick's Military Service and How it Has Helped Him
00:05:07 - From Law to Entertainment
00:09:22 - Military Influence in Business,
00:12:38 - Growth and Momentum
00:14:11 - Loss, Overcoming Adversity, and Finding Purpose
00:18:14 - Finding and Managing Mr. Beast
00:21:41 - The Importance of Loving Your Clients
00:25:20 - The Value of Helping Others
00:27:19 - John Allen's Background
00:28:38 - John Allen's Storytelling Skill
00:32:37 - The Future of Podcasting and YouTube
00:36:01 - Launching the Podcast
00:39:56 - Finding Your Edge
00:41:13 - The Importance of Preventing Burnout for Creators
00:42:35 - How to Get Started in the Creator Space
00:44:14 - The Rise of the Creator Economy
00:49:31 - Seizing Momentum in the Creator Space
00:52:55 - Exciting Developments in the Creator Space