In this episode of the Contraption Company Podcast, host Philip Thomas sits down with Ben Weiss, an entrepreneur who transitioned from founding Zcruit, a software company for college football recruiting, to working in creator businesses. They discuss the nuances of running software versus creator businesses, the journey of growing and selling Zcruit, Ben's experience enhancing operations at Meat Mafia, and his insights into consulting for creators through Velcro. Philip and Ben delve into the importance of product-market fit, the dynamic of selling and marketing in the digital age, and the evolving landscape of content creation and management. Throughout the conversation, they highlight strategies for leveraging content across platforms, the impact of creators on software businesses, and the potential for collaboration between the two realms.

Show notes + links: contraption.co/essays/creator-vs-software-businesses/

Join the Contraption Company newsletter: contraption.co/essays

00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest
00:25 From software to creator businesses: Ben Weiss's journey
01:43 Deep dive into ZCruit: Building and selling a software company
02:33 Transition to creator business: Operations at Meat Mafia
07:09 Exploring the creator business model and value capture
09:27 Operational challenges and solutions in creator businesses
14:15 Advice for creators and software brands on media strategy
21:58 Reflections on the shift from software to creator space
23:41 The allure of the creator economy
23:56 Transitioning from founder to creator
24:47 The changing prestige of working in tech vs. creator world
25:38 The power of attention in the information economy
26:02 Creators vs. Hollywood: The battle for eyeballs
26:52 Choosing between software and creator careers
27:57 The value of content creation and audience building
28:40 Breaking into industries through content
29:31 Marketing strategies for software startups in the creator age
39:39 Leveraging creators for software product growth
46:20 Final thoughts on software and creator business models