From YouTube Star to Business Mogul: Jimmy Donaldson's Big Leap

Jimmy Donaldson, known to many as MrBeast, has grown far beyond his YouTube roots. With nearly half a billion subscribers, he's not just a content creator anymore. He's a businessman with a diverse portfolio that includes chocolate, toys, and even a theme park in Saudi Arabia. His company, Beast Industries, is now worth over $5 billion. Donaldson's strategy has shifted from relying solely on YouTube. He's now exploring other avenues like streaming and consumer goods. His recent deal with Amazon to create "Beast Games" on Prime Video is a big step in this direction. The show, which will have its second season in January 2025, is part of his plan to engage audiences beyond YouTube. Beast Industries is divided into three main areas: content, consumer goods, and a new platform connecting creators with major brands. The content division still brings in half of the company's revenue. The consumer goods division has already launched products like beef jerky and plans to introduce a mobile phone soon. The third division is a new platform that aims to match other creators with Fortune 1000 companies for marketing purposes. Despite his success, Donaldson remains critical of other platforms like TikTok. He believes YouTube is still the best place to reach a wide audience and sell products. He also downplays the role of his personal identity in his success, attributing it more to the unique concepts he brings to the table. Donaldson's content is known for its outrageous stunts, like being buried in a glass coffin for 50 hours or filling his brother's home with neon green foam. However, he avoids controversial topics and prefers to use his platform for positive causes, such as ethically sourcing cacao for his snack brand, Feastables. Jeff Housenbold, the CEO of Beast Industries, adds that their goal is to make kindness go viral. This approach seems to be working, as Donaldson's brand continues to grow and diversify.