YouTube has become the biggest platform out there, offering many opportunities for creators to earn a living. Back in June, the company reported whose creative ecosystem adds more than $55 billion to US GDP and creates more than 490,000 full-time jobs.

However, many YouTubers have reduced their reliance on ad revenue and brand deals. There are many reasons for this shift. First, ad revenue can be unpredictable. With YouTube constantly updating its policies, some creators find it difficult to secure ads for their videos, which can negatively impact their earnings. They also realize that income from these streams can disappear unexpectedly.

Recognizing the volatility of platform-dependent income, many YouTubers are no longer creators. They are vertically integrated media companies with parallel businesses, including product lines, brick-and-mortar ventures, and consumer brands that can survive algorithm changes and policy changes.

In some cases, these side businesses are faster and more sustainable than their YouTube channels.

MrBeast

Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, with 442 million subscribers, is not only one of the biggest creators on the platform – he is the most aggressive trader.

In November 2025, for example, The Times reported that the YouTuber is set to open a theme park in Saudi Arabia, with rides inspired by his video content. Among other features, there is supposed to be a game where six players stand at trap doors and have to press a button if they light up or fall down.

MrBeast also ventured into telecommunications. He plans to establish a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which may include a partnership with one of the major operators, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.

Additionally, the YouTuber has been spotted filing a trademark application for a mobile app that offers banking services, financial advisory, and crypto exchange. In February 2026, MrBeast announced the taking the Stepthe banking app targeted towards Gen Z users.

But there are many more. What started as a grocery store in 2018 – ShopMrBeast – has exploded into a wide portfolio of businesses, including his now three-year-old snack brand, Feastables.

Feastables’ first product was the “MrBeast Bar,” a chocolate bar that was created $10 million in sales within the first 72 hours, selling over 1 million bars at launch. Today, Feastables earns more than his YouTube content and even his “Beast Games” competition series on Prime Video. In 2024, Feastables was created roughly $250 million in revenue and more than $20 million in profit, while his media business lost approximately $80 million.

Other businesses include his packaged food brand Lunchly (co-founded by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI), the toy line MrBeast Lab, Mr. Beast Burgerand the analytics platform Viewstats. He even TRYING on buy TikTok’s US operations by joining the American Investor Consortium, a group of investors led by Employer.com founder Jesse Tinsley.

Emma Chamberlain

Emma Chamberlainwho rose to fame as a teenage vlogger in 2016, now has over 12 million subscribers and has found success in the beverage industry.

He launched his coffee brand, Chamberlain Coffee, in 2019, offering a variety of products, including cold brew, coffee pods, ground and whole bean options, as well as tea and matcha. Notably, other YouTubers are following suit, such as Jacksepticeye with its Top of the Mornin’ Coffee brand and Philip DeFranco with Wake & Make Coffee.

In 2023, Chamberlain Coffee will have an important year, indicates ready-to-drink canned latte and will reach approximately $20 million in revenue, according to Forbes. The brand has recently experienced greater growth, opening its first physical location in January. Previously, it only had an online and retail presence in places like Target, Sprouts, and Walmart.

Although Chamberlain Coffee faces some challenges in 2024 due to supplier issues, it is expected to rise, with an expected revenue growth of more than 50% in 2025, reaching more than $33 million, according to Business Insider. The brand is also targeting profitability by 2026.

Logan Paul

Logan Paul (23.6 million subscribers) is now known for his wrestling career but has previously been known for many controversies, such as a famous 2017 video and a alleged scammy NFT projectCryptoZoo.

He also gained attention through his energy drink brand, Prime, which achieved rapid viral success in 2022. The brand, founded by YouTuber KSI, excelled $1.2 billion in sales in 2023, a number that exceeds what most content creators earn from views, ads, and brand deals. However, it has since faced declining sales, regulatory scrutiny for its high caffeine content, and lawsuits by business partners. Sales have cooled significantly in the UK, where income dropped by about 70% from 2023 to 2024.

Another venture of his, Maverick Apparel, was made in between $30 million and $40 million in 2020.

His brother, Jake Paul, is also involved in various businesses, including co-founding the Anti Fund, citing past investments in OpenAI, Anduril, Ramp, and Cognition, among others. Younger Paul also owns a line of shears, called W, and a mobile betting platform called Betr.

Ryan’s world

Ryan’s worldhosted by 13-year-old Ryan Kaji, another popular YouTuber with a staggering following. Ryan became famous for his toy reviews and unboxing videos, which attracted nearly 40 million young viewers.

In addition to his success on YouTube, Kaji expanded his brand through a line of toys and clothing sold in major retail chains and which reportedly created. more than $250 million in revenue by 2020. Kaji and his family have since diversified their businesses, including launching a TV show and an app that provides educational content tailored for children.

Rosanna Pansino

Rosanna Pansino is a popular YouTube baker known for her cooking tutorials and themed meals. With 14.8 million subscribers, she is famous for her recipes inspired by pop culture, games, and movies.

Outside of YouTube, Pansino has released several well-received cookbooks, expanding his Nerdy Nummies brand. He also sells cookware to many retailers, such as Amazon.

Some YouTubers have ventured into cookware and food products as additional income streams. Notable examples include chef and author Andrew Rea, known by the pseudonym Babish, who launched his Babish Cookware brand in 2021, as well as the comedy duo Rhett & Link, which sells MishMash Cereal.

Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan gained fame in 2007 with her makeup tutorials, becoming one of the first beauty influencers to effectively monetize her content. In addition to her successful YouTube career, she co-founded a beauty subscription service Ipsywhich became very popular. Phan also has her own makeup line, EM Cosmetics.

Huda Kattan

Huda Kattan founded globally recognized beauty brand Huda Beauty in 2013. She sold a minority stake to private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners in 2017 but bought it back in June after investor pressure to bring in senior leadership clashed with her vision for the fast-moving brand, which reportedly brought the hundreds of millions of dollars in sales per year.

Many influencers have created their own makeup brands. Other well-known makeup brands launched by YouTube influencers include Jeffree Star Cosmetics and Tati Beauty.