How has the creator economy evolved over time?

The creator economy has transformed dramatically from its nascent beginnings. Initially, social media was merely a tool for interacting with friends, but it has evolved into a vast ecology where people earn money from content creation. According to industry analysts, there are now 50-100 million creators working part-time or full-time, with Goldman Sachs valuing this economy at approximately $250 billion. The technological evolution has enabled easier content production - from early blogs to sophisticated multi-platform content. While once met with skepticism ("All my friends thought I'd lost my mind"), content creation has become legitimized as a viable career path, with creators building teams including videographers, editors, and managers to handle brand partnerships as their operations scale.