The Story of MrBeast – How Jimmy Donaldson Mastered the Art of Attraction and Entrepreneurship
You have likely seen the name MrBeast splashed across your social media feed, whether in the form of jaw-dropping stunts or stories about how one of YouTube’s most successful creators continues to dominate the digital world. But did you know that this “internet sensation”, Jimmy Donaldson, the man behind MrBeast, is also a powerful force in entrepreneurship, with annual earnings of $85 million, a mind-blowing 503 million followers, and a staggering 2.38% engagement rate? To put that in perspective, his YouTube empire alone has garnered over 320 million subscribers, and his videos regularly rack up billions of views each year.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
In addition to his viral challenges, like surviving a week in a cave or offering insane prizes like $500,000 for completing 100 days in a bunker, Donaldson’s entrepreneurial journey has expanded into product lines like Feastables, a successful candy brand, and various clothing ventures.
While his rise to fame has been meteoric, the road hasn’t been without controversy. Most recently, contestants from his Amazon show Beast Games filed a lawsuit against Donaldson’s production company, claiming unsafe working conditions on set.
Though he hasn’t commented publicly on the matter, this lawsuit adds another layer to his narrative, reflecting both the brilliance and the growing pains of building an empire.
In the CNN article “Behind the Staggering Success of MrBeast”, Faith Karimi, a Senior Writer for CNN Digital, recounts the remarkable rise of Jimmy Donaldson, known globally as MrBeast. Back in the fall of 2016, the 18-year-old appeared far from the multimillionaire celebrity he would soon become.
At that time, he was a shy young man posting videos on YouTube from his mom’s home in North Carolina, struggling to gain significant traction. Despite his mother’s encouragement to attend college, Donaldson dropped out of East Carolina University after just two weeks.
Rather than attending classes, he spent his days editing videos in his car on campus. Fast forward to today, and Donaldson runs five YouTube channels that collectively boast over a quarter of a billion followers. His content is now translated into multiple languages, and his growing empire includes Feastables, a snack brand, and MrBeast Burger, a rapidly expanding chain of mostly virtual restaurants offering delivery and takeout.
See also Beyoncé Endorses Kamala Harris With Unifying Speech at Houston Rally: ‘It’s Time to Sing a New Song’
But what makes MrBeast’s journey so compelling isn’t just the incredible numbers. According to some, the key to his success lies in his ability to create extraordinary content that captivates audiences, often featuring mind-blowing stunts and generous giveaways.
This unique approach, combined with an effective distribution strategy, has propelled him to massive viewership and impressive revenue. At the heart of his success is a carefully crafted feedback loop, where constant adaptation and refinement drive his content to new heights.
For African diaspora entrepreneurs, particularly those in the creative industries, there’s a lot to learn from this story. MrBeast’s ability to master the art of attraction — of drawing in millions of followers while building multiple streams of revenue offers invaluable lessons about owning your story.
It also speaks of the importance of collaboration with others and navigating the world of business. So, how did MrBeast get here, and what can you take away from his rise to the top?
The Before: How He Became The MrBeast
Every empire has its origins, and for Jimmy Donaldson, the journey to becoming MrBeast was neither instant nor easy. Growing up in North Carolina, Donaldson wasn’t born with the advantage of fame or wealth. Instead, his story begins with a simple love for video games and, eventually, YouTube.
His early videos, simple commentary on video games and various challenges, didn’t set the world on fire, but they gave him the foundational skills that would later be the backbone of his viral success.
In 2017, Donaldson shifted gears. He decided to take the gamble of going big. His first viral stunt? A video in which he counted to 100,000. While it might sound mundane now, at the time it was a breakthrough moment, the audience was captivated by the sheer dedication it took to achieve such a mind-numbing task.
From there, he upped the ante, creating bigger, more extreme challenges, like surviving for days in the wilderness or giving away huge sums of money to strangers. His brand quickly grew from a quirky YouTube account to a fully-fledged entertainment operation.
See also Awakened With New Beats: How Mr Eazi And Other African Artists Are Redefining The Creative Economy
In one unforgettable video from last year, Donaldson took things to another level by tying an FBI agent to a chair, handing him a knife, and offering him $100,000 if he could catch him before midnight. What followed was a thrilling chase through a hedge maze, a dramatic disguise, and an escape by private jet.
But beyond all these spectacles, there was something more important happening: MrBeast was learning how to build an audience. This is the critical part of Donaldson’s journey that every creative entrepreneur must understand.
He didn’t just make videos that people watched; he created content that people wanted to share, discuss, and invest in emotionally. For the African diaspora, this is crucial: to succeed as entrepreneurs in the global marketplace, it’s essential to not just create, but to forge meaningful connections with an audience that shares your values, passions, and vision.
The After: The Business of Building an Empire
MrBeast’s rise as a creator was nothing short of remarkable, but what truly set him apart from others in the digital space was his ability to turn his massive audience into a viable, sustainable business. This transition, from creator to entrepreneur is what most aspiring creators, especially in the African diaspora, often struggle to navigate. Now below are some considerations for you:
Harnessing Virality for Business Success
You might ask, “How can I turn my creativity into a business?” The answer lies in understanding the relationship between virality and entrepreneurship. MrBeast didn’t just create entertaining videos; he built a brand that was inextricably linked to his identity. In doing so, he transformed viral content into a catalyst for business ventures.
For example, his launch of Feastables, a candy company, wasn’t just a side hustle. It was an extension of his brand. What started as a simple idea, creating a product that would resonate with his audience, turned into an enterprise that generated millions in revenue.
See also The Rise of Afrobeat Music: From Africa’s Heartbeat to Global Phenomenon
Donaldson leveraged the trust and loyalty he built with his followers to sell his product, seamlessly integrating his audience’s interests into his business strategy. This concept of “audience-first” business is a powerful lesson for African diaspora entrepreneurs.
Whether you are a creator in the fashion, tech, or entertainment space, understanding your audience’s needs, values, and interests allows you to build products and services that resonate with them on a deeper level.
For example, the African diaspora’s purchasing power is significant. According to a 2021 report by the African American Consumer Market, African Americans alone have an estimated $1.6 trillion in buying power, a figure that continues to rise as diaspora communities become more integrated into the global economy.
If you are a creative entrepreneur from the African diaspora, the opportunity to create products and services that serve this audience, both locally and internationally is vast. The MrBeast model, which blends entertainment with products that match audience values, could be your roadmap to success.
The Importance of Collaboration Within the Diaspora
While MrBeast built his empire on the back of personal content, the scale of his success required collaboration. Donaldson’s ability to scale his brand wasn’t limited to his solo efforts, he built a team of people who could help him manage the logistics of filming, production, and distribution. This is where the lessons for African diaspora entrepreneurs come into sharp focus.
The global African diaspora community is vast, and one of the most powerful assets we have is the ability to collaborate. Whether you’re based in the U.S., Africa, or the Caribbean, there’s an immense network of creatives who share common values, struggles, and dreams.
See also The Rise of Simi: Nigerian Afropop Sensation
The magic happens when this network is tapped into for collective action. Whether through partnerships, joint ventures, or co-branded products, collaboration within the diaspora amplifies our collective strength and economic power.
By working together, African creatives can tap into global markets and leverage their combined influence. For example, consider the collaboration between Nigerian artists Burna Boy and Wizkid with global brands. These partnerships have not only increased their influence in the music industry but have also provided their fans with a way to connect with the culture.
By understanding and embracing this collective power, you as a creative entrepreneur can build business strategies that cater to a wider audience, making your brand and business more resilient and expansive.
Diversification: Feastables and Beyond
Another crucial lesson MrBeast offers is the importance of diversification. Feastables is just one example of how Donaldson used his platform to create a product that aligns with his personal brand.
However, Donaldson’s success didn’t stop with candy bars. He also entered the world of merchandise, gaming, and even philanthropy. His diversified approach to business is a model for anyone in the African diaspora looking to build sustainable enterprises.
By diversifying your revenue streams, you safeguard your business against market shifts and expand your ability to reach new audiences. As the global economy shifts, particularly in post-pandemic markets, understanding the value of adapting and investing in multiple sectors can help you stay ahead.
According to the McKinsey, African business opportunities is predicted to hit $5.6 trillion 2025, opening doors for diaspora creatives to venture into untapped markets and industries.
In a 2020 publication by the World Economic Forum, titled “This Region Will Be Worth $5.6 Trillion Within 5 Years—But Only If It Accelerates Its Policy Reforms”, the future of Africa’s economy was painted with both immense potential and critical challenges.
If Africa can sustain and accelerate its structural reforms, some experts believe the continent could replicate China’s remarkable economic ascent over the past five decades.
Between 2015 and 2045, Africa is expected to add an average of 24 million new urban residents each year. Despite being home to about 17% of the global population, Africa currently contributes only around 3% to the world’s GDP.
This disparity highlights both a failure to fully harness the continent’s developmental potential and the vast opportunities. Because “already”, said the publication, “spending by consumers and businesses in Africa totals $4 trillion”.
Now, let’s return to MrBeast’s story and let’s consider his controversy and business challenges.
The Controversy: Navigating Challenges in Business
Of course, no entrepreneur’s journey is without its obstacles. MrBeast’s recent legal challenges over unsafe working conditions on his Beast Games show are a reminder that the bigger the business, the more complex the responsibilities.
This controversy highlights a key challenge: managing the scale of operations while maintaining the ethical standards that built the brand in the first place.
See also What Amazon’s Story Teaches Us About the Power of Business Storytelling
For African diaspora entrepreneurs, this lesson is crucial. As you scale your business, the importance of balancing growth with responsibility, whether towards your employees, partners, or community becomes essential.
There’s a delicate dance between pushing for success and ensuring that your company’s practices reflect your values.
While controversies can be damaging, they also provide growth opportunities. In Donaldson’s case, how he addresses the legal situation moving forward will be just as important as the stunts that made him famous.
For you, navigating challenges with integrity will not only protect your brand but also set you apart as a leader in your community.
Conclusion: What’s Next for MrBeast?
As MrBeast continues to expand his empire, the question remains: what’s next for him? Will he push into more industries? Expand globally? Or perhaps focus more on philanthropy?
Whatever path he takes, one thing is certain: Donaldson’s journey isn’t just about individual success. It’s about how his story can inspire a generation of creators, particularly those within the African diaspora, to realize that their narrative, no matter how small it starts, can have global reach and impact.
For the African diaspora creative entrepreneur, the road ahead is wide open. With the lessons from MrBeast’s success, from understanding the power of virality to embracing collaboration, diversification, and continual self-improvement, the possibilities are endless.
As a community, we have the power to build, innovate, and thrive together, not just individually. So, ask yourself: What story will you own, and how will you turn it into a business that resonates with the world?
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
