The Chicken and Egg Paradox of Influence
Coming back to YouTube this past month has been like opening a time capsule. All those early lessons suddenly snap into perfect focus through the lens of hindsight.
The paradox that haunts us all: How do you grow when you don’t have the budget, or the connections or [insert your excuse here]?
Take me as proof that you can build a business and a following without:
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Industry connections (I knew no one)
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Years of experience (I was a complete outsider)
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Any budget (literally zero dollars)
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Sexualizing yourself or posting thirst traps
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Technical expertise
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A fancy degree from a fancy school
In other words:
How do you gain influence when you don’t have it?
&
How do you build trust when no one knows who you are?
This Week’s Breakdown: Zero To Iconic
What happens when YouTube is considered a joke, you have zero budget, and you set your sights on Manhattan’s most iconic luxury property? A masterclass in influence that no textbook could teach.
The Teaser
Picture this: A tiny New York apartment. Workout videos on something most people didn’t even know about: YouTube (zero respect). And a goal to have the iconic Plaza Hotel as my partner- with no money and no prestige to offer.
What unfolded next became the foundation for my research, book and the influence framework now taught in MBA programs globally.
The best partnerships often don’t involve the transfer of a single dime.
Key Takeaways
☑ True influence is built on value exchange, not wallet size
☑ Understanding WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) is the master key to any door
☑ No budget can actually be your greatest strategic advantage
Next Week
The shocking truth elite luxury brands and top Wall Street institutions can’t escape: Why world-class products alone fail in 2025—and the experience revolution reshaping business survival.
(Hint: Creating community is now worth more than product excellence, regardless of your company size.)
Join The Conversation
🎥 Watch the full breakdown on YouTube to see exactly how this partnership came together
💬 Comment below the video on your own zero-budget partnership wins (I read and respond to ALL of them, so thank you, it means a lot!)
🔄 Forward this to someone who thinks they need money to build influence
“What if the chicken and egg problem of influence is actually an illusion?”
See you Thursday,
P.S. What’s a brand you’d love to partner with? Reply directly—I read every response.
