Creator | Tribe Magazine

It started with an iPhone, a drone, and a one-way ticket to Bali.

Three years later, Sam and Marla are waking up in a Lisbon loft with 1.2 million YouTube subscribers, two successful online courses, and a brand that pays for their flights, their freedom, and their future.

This isn’t about going viral. It’s about building something real—an audience, a rhythm, and a purpose that lasts longer than a trending sound.

The First Video Was Awful

“We didn’t know lighting, editing, anything,” Sam laughs. “But we hit publish anyway. That was the whole point.”

That video got 84 views. The next one got 122. By month three, they had 1,000 subscribers and their first taste of momentum.

They posted once a week. Rain or shine. Hostel or hotel. They filmed, edited, and uploaded from jungle cafés and borrowed Wi-Fi. What they lacked in polish, they made up for in presence.

The Consistency Formula

Marla breaks it down:

• 1 video/week (even when you don’t want to)
• 1 audience goal/month (email list, subscribers, collabs)
• 1 brand evolution/quarter (new gear, new format, new offer)

“We treated our channel like a startup,” she says. “But with heart.”

Their Niche? Themselves.

Early on, they tried to niche down. “Digital nomads in Southeast Asia” was the angle. But the real traction came when they started showing more of themselves.

The arguments. The budget breakdowns. The fear of burnout. The joy of a stranger’s kindness.

“Authenticity isn’t a strategy,” Sam says. “It’s a survival skill.”

What They Learned About Being a Creator on the Road

• Connection beats perfection — Audiences want you, not your gear.
• Internet is your oxygen — They never book housing without speed tests.
• Community first, monetization second — Trust buys everything.
• Time zone awareness is real — Especially for livestreams and launches.

How They Monetize Now

It’s a multi-stream model:

• Ad revenue (YouTube partner program)
• Brand sponsorships (Ethical travel, luggage, and fintech tools)
• Online courses (How to Launch a Creator Brand in 90 Days)
• Digital products (Notion templates, Lightroom presets)
• Affiliate marketing (Hotels, gear, insurance)

They earn roughly $30–40K/month—sometimes more. “But we reinvest a lot,” says Marla. “Back into gear, team, and peace of mind.”

Where They Live Now

They spend three months per city, rotating between:

• Lisbon
• Medellín
• Bangkok
• Mexico City

They prioritize community, safety, Wi-Fi, and kid-friendliness. Yep—they’re expecting their first child in the spring.

Final Word

You don’t need to be famous to be free. You need a process. A story. A reason to press record—again and again.

As Marla puts it: “You’re not just a creator. You’re a mirror. The more honest you are, the more your audience sees themselves—and stays.”

Make it matter. Make it move. Make it yours.

That’s what creators in motion do. That’s what Tribe is all about.