Takeaways from Forbes Under 30 Summit :: where ambition meets awkward dance moves … and game-changing ideas!

After a whirlwind couple of days at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit in #Cincinnati, I’m back in the office and my brain is doing the cha-cha like Alfonso Ribeiro himself just stepped onto the dance floor! ?????? Here are some mind-blowing, growth-spurring gems that blew and grew my mind.

Tips from Titans :: Lessons From Two Business Legends

Gather 'round, folks! We're diving into a treasure trove of leadership wisdom courtesy of two corporate titans: Kenneth I. Chenault , former CEO of American Express , and Kenneth C. Frazier , for CEO of 默克 . Chit-chatting with Forbes’ Steven Bertoni , these two giants served up insights that are as delightful as they are essential.

Let’s kick things off with Frazier’s gold nugget: “If you’re just in it for the money, you’re not a true leader.” Boom! Leadership goes beyond profits; it’s about purposeful choices. Whether you’re running a Fortune 500 or your first startup, leading with intention reigns supreme.

What happens during a crisis? Think 9/11 and the Covid pandemic. Chenault and Frazier spilled their secret recipe: keep a long-term perspective. Tough calls might upset a few stakeholders, but real leaders know that sometimes you have to weather the storm to find brighter skies ahead.

There you have it! A quick, lively masterclass in leadership that reminds us it’s not just about the bottom line; it’s about making impactful choices. Whether you’re in a boardroom or your living room, let’s channel that leadership spirit. Remember, we might not be "Kens", but we can all strive to be leaders who make a difference!

Heartland Hustle :: Perfecting Pitching in the Midwest

Falon Donohue is a powerhouse investor shaking things up in the silicon heartland of America! As a partner at the venture capital firm Narya, based in Columbus, Falon is on a mission to support bold founders across Ohio and beyond—regions considered "flyover."

“Entrepreneurs bring an energy like no other,” Falon shared during a panel discussion with moderator Alex York.

Seth Corder from High Alpha, launched 35 startups since 2015, focuses on early-stage investments. Meanwhile, Kevin Vilkin from Emergent Strategic Partners specializes in late-stage capital, primarily Series B and beyond.

All three experts agree: AI is the buzzword of the moment, but what truly captures their attention in a pitch is something deeper—having a “North Star.” As Seth puts it, it’s all about the origin story: “A founder needs to tackle a problem they’re uniquely suited to solve, and you can feel that passion radiate during their pitch.”

He adds, “It’s become pretty cool to be a founder. But dig into a pitch, and you’ll quickly see if the entrepreneur has done their homework. Have they conducted those crucial validation calls? Do they have an almost obsessive commitment to solving their problem?”

Kevin encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take the plunge. He reminisces about a risky investment he made in his 20s that blossomed into a $750 million company. “Just go for it!” he urges. “Put yourself out there, get into the right rooms, and be loud about your ideas!”

In a world buzzing with innovation, it’s clear that the heartland is not to be underestimated. With passionate founders backed by investors like Falon, Seth, and Kevin, the Midwest is carving out its own space in the entrepreneurial landscape.

From Followers to Fortune :: How Creator Cash is Transforming Fans into Financial Success!"

Hold onto your sunglasses, fashionistas! Amber Venz Box is revolutionizing the influencer game with her platform, LTK (short for “Like to Know It”). When you click on links from influencers like Nara Smith, you’re tapping into a thriving LIK marketplace where over 40 million shoppers are ready to snag the latest trends.

In just the first half of this year, 30 creators have become millionaires, and LTK's value has soared to an $2 billion! ?? The creator economy projected to reach half-a-trillion dollars by 2027. Yes, you read that right! ??

So, what’s the secret sauce behind this influencer goldmine?

Brands are jumping ship from traditional advertising, choosing to partner with trusted creators like Dani Austin Ramirez , who leverage their communities to drive sales. Dani, with 3 million followers, turned her personal hair loss journey into a successful hair care line, Divi , aiming for $100 million in revenue next year.

Her advice? “It’s really not about you; it’s about your audience and building community.”

Branz so gud :: Crafting a Brand That Gen Z Won't Just Scroll Past—But Might Actually Send to Their Group Chat!"

Every brand wants to ride the social media wave, but many are still paddling in confusion on how to catch the young consumer tide. Forbes editor Alexandra York @rounded up three pros to spill the tea.

“Most brands don’t get influencer marketing right, and the brands that do get it right don’t know why,” says Jenk Oz, FRSA BCyA , a 19-year-old CEO of Thred Media, a consulting company aimed at Gen Z. “Gen-Z is going to be the most influential economic generation. Just listen to us.”

Jordan Bentley , founder and CEO of Hypland, chimed in, noting that young audiences can spot a fake from a mile away. “Brands need to show they actually care, not just chase the cash. “Get experimental! Gen Z loves when brands take risks!”

Jenny L. , founder of Freja New York, transformed her blog into a handbag empire, draping celebs like Hailey Bieber and Katie Homes with their bags. “When we finally got our PR game on, it was like, boom! Now I spot people sporting my bags around town and can’t resist snapping a pic for my ‘Freja bags in the wild’ collection!”

Viral to Vital :: How to Turn Your Creative Sparks into a Portfolio that Shines Bright in the $500 Billion Boom!

The creator economy is on fire and could hit an eye-popping half-a-trillion dollars by 2027! ??

This week we met Drew Afualo, a Forbes Top Creator and one of the exciting speakers at the 2024 30 Under 30 Summit! She’s built a thriving online business, and here she spills her secrets on navigating the journey and her roadmap for what’s next. Get ready to be inspired! ???

The creator industry is like a blockbuster movie we never saw coming—full of wild twists and turns! Social media has turned into a dazzling stage, showcasing talents that Hollywood used to miss. And guess what? She's one of them! It's amazing to see creativity unleashed and everyone getting their moment in the spotlight. Cheers to social media for smashing barriers and rewriting the script for aspiring artists everywhere! ???

Here’s a quirky gem: leap into traditional entertainment! Social media trends are like shooting stars—quick and gone! ?? Instead, lock in your spot with podcasts, live shows, or even a good old-fashioned book. These timeless avenues will keep you steady when the latest platform pulls a disappearing act!

Bilt to Billions :: How One Under-30 Visionary Scaled the Ranks to Billionaire Status!

In a plot twist straight out of a Silicon Valley fairy tale, Bilt Rewards scored a jaw-dropping $200 million from venture capitalists, rocketing its value to $3.1 billion! This means Ankur Jain , the 34-year-old genius, has officially upgraded to the billionaire club >>> just nine years after making the 30 Under 30 list. Talk about leveling up faster than Mario on a power-up spree!

Jain spilled the tea on his wild entrepreneurial ride with Forbes CEO Michael Federle , covering everything from Kairos and Humin to playing matchmaker at Tinder. Since launching Bilt in 2019, he’s been busier than a bee on a double espresso!

His golden rule? Tackle a problem that’s not going anywhere—like rent! ????

After 18 months of law-hiking in DC, Jain has helped renters use rewards points to save for that elusive down payment.

“There’s a special brand of ‘crazy’ in this line of work,” Jain quipped to young entrepreneurs. “If you wake up feeling a little delusional, congrats—you’re on the right track!”

So, dream big and embrace your inner weirdo! A sprinkle of craziness and a dash of determination might just land you on the billionaire list! ???

Fired to Fabulous :: How Drew Afualo Went from Zero to 9 Million Followers!"

Get your popcorn ready, because Drew Afualo's rise to stardom is nothing short of inspiring! With 9 million followers and a dazzling $2.9 million in earnings last year, this Forbes Top Creator shows that sometimes a setback is just a setup for an epic comeback.

In 2020, after losing her job just two weeks into the pandemic Drew took the plunge into content creation. Ten months later, she had a million followers, although her bank account was still pretty empty.

Her golden tip for aspiring creators? “Don’t quit your day job until you’ve saved at least a year's worth of money!” A follower count doesn’t pay the bills, after all!

Drew made waves on TikTok by giving out dating advice. Her voice led to a New York Times best-selling book (Loud), a Spotify podcast (The Comment Section), and partnerships with major brands like Warner Bros.!

Here’s to Drew Afualo—proof that getting fired can turn setbacks into comebacks? ??

Beyond Beauty :: How Bold Marketers are Cracking the Code to Engaging Storytelling!

Selena Gomez isn't just a pop star — she's a billionaire beauty mogul, thanks to her brand, Rare Beauty ! So, what’s the secret behind her success? It turns out, it’s all about community and connection.

During a panel discussion, Katie Welch Rare Beauty 's chief marketing officer, shared the brand's winning formula. “We created a community,” she said. Before launching, they went beyond traditional marketing tactics and took the time to really get to know their audience. From Zoom calls to hikes to gratitude journals, they prioritized personal face to face connections and create deep insights into their market.

Joining her on stage was Robyn DelMonte , known as GirlBossTown (GBT) , who took an unconventional route to success. After struggling to land a corporate marketing job, she decided to pitch brands directly—and it paid off! Her advice? Brands need to engage creators in more meaningful ways. “These creators build communities every day,” she noted, urging brands to involve them in the creative process rather than just using them as ad space.

The key takeaway from these marketing pros? Trust is paramount. In today’s world, cultivating genuine relationships with your audience is crucial for storytelling that resonates. So, if you’re looking to crack the storytelling code for your brand, remember: it’s all about connection, collaboration, and community

Game to Growth :: Unleash the Power of Play to Transform Onboarding with Gamification

Onboarding is no longer a snooze-fest—thanks to Andrew Powell , a Forbes Under 30 alum, and his company, Learn to Win ! Imagine entering a new job and instead of boring manuals, you’re engaging with customized training that feels like you’re in a thrilling video game!

Companies like Chick-fil-A and the NFL's Carolina Panthers are already experiencing the benefit of gamified onboarding. “It’s basically Duolingo for your job,” says Powell.

From football players mastering playbooks to fighter pilots learning air tactics, Learn To Win makes essential training not only engaging but menainfull.

Judith Thelen , creator of Beli , an app that lets foodies share restaurant experiences with friends and family without flooding the internet. “Taste is personal,” she says, allowing users to connect over favorite meals instead of wading through endless reviews.

So whether you’re gearing up for a new role or eager to share culinary finds, Andrew Powell and Judy Thelen are leading the charge for a fun, engaging future! Let’s embrace the power of play and turn the ordinary into the extraordinary—one game at a time!

Pro Playbook :: How To Be Mindful in Every Mortifying Moment

As time ticked down to kickoff for Monday Night Football between the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders , Joe Buck found himself in a quirky predicament :: both fan-bases united in their disdain for him. “It’s either Joe Buck sucks, or Joe Buck yourself,” he joked during a chat with Forbes at the Under 30 Summit in Cincinnati.

In that moment, Buck, a broadcasting pro, embraced the irony, turning criticism into comedy. It’s a story as old as time — everyone loves a good rival, but what do you do when both sides point fingers at the same guy? ???? ?? ????

Instead of taking offense, Buck's witty remark served as a reminder that in the world of sports, sometimes laughter is the best play, even when you’re the target!

More importantly, the 55-year-old is taking mindfulness to the next level—while being hilariously ironic about it. “You need to laugh at yourself,” he says. “It’s the best trait anyone can have.”

So here’s to Joe Buck: the king of self-deprecation in a kingdom of critics!

Thank you JobsOhio for bringing this game-changing celebration to Cincinnati!

Its a remarkable time to be a bearcat. #NextLivesHERE at the University of Cincinnati . It happens everyday at the 1819 Innovation Hub .