In 2018, Hala Taha labored as a company advertising and marketing government when she began a podcast known as Younger and Profiting Podcast. Her purpose was to assist younger professionals maximize their careers and be taught from one of the best minds in enterprise and leisure.
Now, the Younger and Profiting Podcast is the #1 Schooling and Self-Enchancment podcast throughout all apps, with over 5M downloads. In 2021, she leveraged her affect from the podcast and LinkedIn and launched YAP Media, a white-glove social media and podcasting company. YAP Media rapidly grew to become a 7-figure enterprise with 50 workers.
We requested Hala concerning the origins of Younger and Profiting and transitioning from C-Suite to enterprise proprietor and “podcast princess.”
Q&A with Hala Taha, Founding father of YAP Media
Q: What’s one factor you’ve finished this week that helped your enterprise?
A: My essential focus every week is to additional increase the latest a part of our enterprise, the YAP Media Community, a podcast community targeted on the expansion and monetization of community podcasts. We launched the community after efficiently rising and monetizing my present, in addition to three different reveals we produced in-house. In just some months, we’ve grown to over a dozen reveals targeted on enterprise, self-improvement, and entrepreneurship! It’s my essential precedence as CEO to spearhead the community and set it up for long-term success, simply as I’ve finished with our first enterprise, YAP Media, our award-winning social and podcast company.
This week, I’m targeted on creating new gross sales partnerships and doubtlessly choosing an unique gross sales accomplice for our community so I can concentrate on recruiting, bettering, and rising our community’s reveals. In actual fact, this week had a variety of “pinch me” moments — looks like everybody within the trade is courting “The Podcast Princess”— and it’s a extremely nice feeling!
Q: What’s your favourite podcast (in addition to YAP, after all)?
A: It’s a tie between the Jordan Harbinger Present and The Ed Mylett Present. Ed Mylett’s podcast is so motivational – he simply lights me up a lot! I take heed to his interviews to check for upcoming YAP company since there’s a variety of overlap. I had Ed on Younger and Profiting Podcast not too long ago, and it’s rapidly turn out to be one among my favourite conversations. They all the time say you shouldn’t meet your heroes IRL, however I appreciated Ed even MORE after we spoke in individual! He’s such a genuinely good-hearted individual with an unimaginable message.
I’m additionally an enormous fan of the Jordan Harbinger Present. Many individuals have known as me the feminine model of Jordan Harbinger as a result of we’re very alike on the subject of our interview type and matters. After having him on my present in 2020, I saved in contact and, via some strategic maneuvering, Jordan is now my mentor and an advisor at YAP Media. We communicate each single day and he’s even in my Slack channel! He’s taught me a lot about how the podcast trade works and I’m tremendous grateful for our skilled relationship.
Q: You began Younger and Profiting in 2018 as a facet hustle. Why podcasting?
A: My love for broadcasting began in school the place I interned for the New York radio station WQHT Hot97 on “The Angie Martinez Present” without spending a dime for 3 years. I used to be the affiliate producer of the present and was accountable for the every day present transient, analysis, operating the boards, and even studying commercials on air which was my first expertise as on-air expertise. On the facet whereas working on the station, I hosted on-line radio reveals–the precursor to podcasts–with the up-and-coming DJs who additionally labored without spending a dime on the station. Podcasts did exist on the time, however they had been tremendous technical to create and even more durable to entry as a listener – so I didn’t pursue them.
After I left Hot97, I went again to high school and began a weblog known as The Sorority of Hip Hop, which grew right into a motion within the Tri-State with 50+ feminine bloggers that gained a variety of recognition. We had a buzzing weblog, a number of on-line radio reveals, and hosted the most popular events within the metropolis. After virtually getting a present on MTV twice and in the end being rejected, coupled with not having the ability to efficiently monetize the weblog, I shut all the pieces down. It was a really low level in my life, and I fully gave up on the concept that I used to be ever going to make it in leisure.
I let go of my desires, received an MBA, went into company advertising and marketing, and thought I might NEVER get again on a mic…
However then I received the itch once more 4 years later. In April of 2018, I used to be working at Hewlett Packard and didn’t get a chance I actually wished at my day job. I discovered myself with a variety of further time and realized I had a ton of related expertise underneath my belt to begin a podcast. And now podcasts had been far more mainstream! I figured I’d be capable of make the most of the abilities I discovered radio, running a blog, and operating social media for Fortune 500 corporations to create one thing epic. And so I went on to do exactly that with Younger and Profiting.
Q: What had been your objectives within the early days of YAP? Did you intend to make YAP a full-time gig?
A: No, I began YAP whereas I used to be a advertising and marketing government at Hewlett Packard (after which at Disney Streaming Companies). I assumed I used to be going to remain in company without end and simply stand up the ranks.
I began the present as a passion to present again by serving to others pay attention, be taught, and revenue. The plan was to interview the brightest minds on the planet and distill their knowledge into actional recommendation that my listeners might apply of their life. I had been a failed entrepreneur, however then was rocking it in company, so I felt like I had a variety of worth so as to add to the dialog as nicely. And to be 100% trustworthy, I truly didn’t perceive the enterprise mannequin behind podcasts at first, and by no means dreamed that we’d be monetizing the way in which that we do at this time!
I first began to monetize by utilizing my podcast as a lead technology software. By 12 months two of the podcast, I used to be a significant influencer on LinkedIn and my podcast was doing nice. The company who would come on my present would usually ask me if I might run their social and podcast channels for them given my observe report. I used to all the time say no, and that I had a small staff of volunteers who solely had capability for my present. However finally, I made a decision to lean into the demand and launch a facet hustle known as YAP Media, a white-glove social media and podcast company catered to CEOs, best-selling authors, and celebrities–the identical sort of people who find themselves company on my present. The corporate took off instantly.
Q: You constructed your staff initially by asking followers to volunteer. What motivated that selection to succeed in out to your viewers?
A: I truly by no means reached out to my viewers to ask for volunteers. My followers reached out to me! After I first launched YAP Podcast, I had a variety of expertise underneath my belt. My podcast and social had been nice from the beginning, and since I had such pure intentions to assist individuals–I suppose many individuals had been very interested in that–it was virtually magnetic! In actual fact, I had my first volunteer by episode 2, Timothy Tan, who’s now my enterprise accomplice. By episode 8, I had 10 volunteers in a Slack channel to assist my present. Most individuals reached out on LinkedIn, expressed how a lot the present meant to them, and requested how they might assist. They wished to be taught from me and felt very aligned with the mission of Younger and Profiting.
For instance, I had one volunteer from Estonia who managed my web site, and one volunteer from Atlanta who would work on my movies. I might educate them learn how to run sure elements of the present, which unlocked time for me to discover revolutionary methods to develop the present, and so they had been pleased to degree up their expertise whereas doing good work for the world. It labored out actually properly and I’m tremendous grateful for it.
Q: Do you’ve gotten any humorous tales from the early days of recording and producing YAP?
A: I used to be operating a reasonably large podcast by the tip of my company profession, however since I used to be nonetheless working a full-time job, I used to report my interviews throughout my lunch hour–oftentimes in humorous locations on the workplace. Getting a correct assembly room was out of the query. If I used to be fortunate, I might get a telephone sales space and sound like I used to be in a fish bowl! Generally, I must report in an deserted closet; and one time I even locked myself in a lady’s toilet as a result of there wasn’t a quiet place for me to report. Fortunately, this was again when my present was audio-only… so no person knew, haha. And once I first was an entrepreneur and simply received out of a nasty breakup, I used to be recording episodes in my mother’s basement for practically 8 months–even my interview with Matthew McConaughey was recorded in my mother’s basement!
These days, I’ve an excellent cool studio with a branded chalkboard mural, mounted ceiling lights, a sizzling pink desk, and I also have a teleprompter. Getting a correct studio was a giant second for me. I usually simply really feel so overwhelmed with pleasure once I suppose again to how laborious I labored, and the way far I’ve come! The come-up has been actual!
Q: Was there a second once you realized that YAP could be your full-time profession?
A: It was after I launched my social and podcast company, YAP Media. That was the primary time I tasted what the longer term might seem like and realized the total potential of YAP. In December 2021, YAP media was 8 months outdated and I had constructed the company to a considerable measurement whereas working in company. I had about 30 workers and we had been making over 6-figures a month servicing a handful of high-profile shoppers. That very same month, I additionally found I might be featured on the duvet of Podcast Journal–an enormous milestone for me. And simply two weeks later, I landed an interview with Matthew McConaughey. That’s once I knew I needed to take this chance extra severely, and I ended up quitting my company job at Disney in February 2021 to concentrate on YAP full-time.
Q: What challenges did you face making that transition?
A: Opposite to most new entrepreneurs, gross sales have by no means been my downside. The expansion of YAP Media occurred very organically as a result of we had nice product-market match and really efficient lead technology instruments; my podcast and social channels.
I feel the most important problem for me has been transitioning from a volunteer group to an actual firm. At first, our YAP staff was like a giant household–composed of volunteers who merely wished to be taught, contribute and do good for the world. However as soon as we began scaling and earning money, imagine it or not, it grew to become a lot more durable to retain expertise. Volunteers are simpler to handle as a result of the expectations are completely different. When persons are getting a paycheck–issues naturally get extra critical and aggressive. Some individuals didn’t need to let go of the earlier flexibility that they had as volunteers. There was additionally friction between externally employed workers and volunteers who become workers. We had a giant tradition shift at one level to get out of that “volunteer” mentality so we might successfully scale as a media company.
Q: What have you ever discovered about your self as a frontrunner from this transformation?
A: I’ve all the time been a frontrunner, since I used to be just a little lady I used to be all the time “president” of one thing or making an attempt to be. Nonetheless, YAP Media is the primary time I’m a frontrunner of a revenue-generating firm, and it’s a special form of accountability. I’m accountable for the livelihoods and careers of not solely my very own workers but in addition my shoppers. It’s a variety of stress, however I spotted the sort of stress is motivating for me.
I wish to make an influence; that’s what drives me to shut large offers, consider artistic options, and so forth.
I additionally realized I wanted to work on my feelings a bit. Entrepreneurship could be a rocky highway. We’ve witnessed intervals of skyrocketing development and it’s thrilling. However after all, each firm has each highs and lows. I used to let the specifics of what was occurring in my enterprise dictate my vitality, however at this time, I attempt my finest to maintain a good keel it doesn’t matter what the particulars are. My staff wants confidence, energy, and consistency!
Q: You’ve had loads of unimaginable company on YAP, together with Matthew McConaughey, Seth Godin, Yancey Strickler, and Heather Monahan. However which visitor stunned you probably the most in what they shared?
A: The one that basically stands proud to me is my latest interview with Wim Hof, the residing legend referred to as the Ice Man. He holds dozens of world data involving the chilly – together with climbing Mount Everest in shorts and operating a half marathon barefoot in ice and snow. His respiratory strategies and chilly remedy have been scientifically confirmed to extend management of our brains, innermost bodily capabilities, and techniques to do issues like reverse power sickness. He appears to be actually enlightened! It was a really eye-opening and academic interview for me. You may take a look at my interview with Wim Hof, right here.
Q: For younger entrepreneurs, infinite social media advertising and marketing channels might be overwhelming. The place do you advise they begin?
A: It’s good to be the place your audience hangs out and the place there’s nonetheless natural attain. The place are all the opposite influencers in your area of interest selling themselves and having success? That’s the place you ought to be. And by way of natural attain, LinkedIn and TikTok have a variety of it proper now. With that mentioned, there are nonetheless methods to develop on each platform, for instance; on Instagram, using Instagram Reels is an efficient strategy to achieve visibility on the platform.
The actual key’s to concentrate on one platform as a substitute of making an attempt to grasp a number of at a time. Actually be taught the ins and outs of the platform; use all of its options, submit each day, research its algorithm, and reverse engineer what different influencers are doing nicely.
When it got here to selling Younger and Profiting Podcast and my private model, I solely targeted on LinkedIn for a number of years. I purposely didn’t unfold myself skinny by additionally making an attempt to win on Instagram. I posted each single day and experimented. I attempted to face out and be completely different. I noticed what labored by placing content material on the market after which leaned into what labored. In the present day, I’m referred to as probably the most prolific influencers on LinkedIn. I’m a part of their official influencer program and communicate at their occasions. And I’ve leveraged that social affect to assist develop my podcast and enterprise. Selecting to concentrate on LinkedIn was among the best choices of my life.
Q: What’s subsequent for YAP Media?
A: Podcasting has grown exponentially over the previous few years and it doesn’t seem like it’s slowing down any time quickly. Securing podcast sponsorships is our most scalable alternative right here at YAP Media and that’s why I’m tremendous bullish on the YAP Media Podcast Community!
I’m totally targeted on rising my community and making certain we’ve an incredible portfolio of enterprise reveals, in addition to making certain we’ve tight promoting operation processes and the precise partnerships able to rock by the 2023 Upfronts. My firm YAP Media is the one podcast community with experience in podcast media shopping for and social media, and due to that, we’re already taking the trade by storm!
