LATEST DEVELOPMENT
Digital marketing pioneer Gary Vaynerchuk has become an investor in Stan Store, an all-in-one creator platform powering 80,000+ creators who've generated $300M in sales over three years, launching "The GaryVee Stan Challenge" eight-week mentorship program to help creators build sustainable businesses without platform dependency.
INDUSTRY TALK
"Stan represents everything I believe about the creator economy right now. Too many Creators are at the mercy of platforms, and that has to change. Stan gives them ownership - the fastest, simplest way to launch a digital business on their own terms. No gatekeepers. No excuses."
BY THE NUMBERS
Platform achievements include:
80,000+ creators using Stan Store platform
$300M in total sales generated over three years
$250B total creator economy market size
15 challenge winners receiving VaynerMedia NYC office trip
8-week mentorship program starting October 8, 2025
PARTNERSHIP MISSION
Strategic objectives include:
Democratizing entrepreneurship for "middle-class creators"
Providing ownership instead of platform dependency
Building omnichannel presence across multiple platforms
Empowering creators without established followings
Creating sustainable businesses beyond influencer clout-chasing
FOUNDER PERSPECTIVE
John Hu backstory includes:
Nearly returning to corporate job five years ago
Gary Vaynerchuk convincing him to overcome fears through content
"Full circle moment" partnering with inspirational figure
Mission to empower anyone to make living working for themselves
Recognition that monetization remains difficult for creators
CHALLENGE STRUCTURE
Program benefits include:
Weekly hour-long calls with Gary Vaynerchuk
Access to VaynerX leadership team
Community of like-minded challenge participants
Half-day VaynerMedia NYC office visits for winners
Tools and mentorship to build real, lasting businesses
THE BOTTOM LINE
VideoShops is betting that the future of influencer commerce lies in seamless, native checkout experiences rather than traditional affiliate links—creating a democratized platform where anyone can become a seller while merchants benefit from streamlined transactions, positioning the company to capture significant market share as user-generated content continues reshaping retail.