He Tried Hundreds of Jobs So You Don’t Waste 10 Years in the Wrong One | Ep. 333 with Gabriel DeSanti Content Creator & Founder of Staj

0:00Daniel Robbins:Hey, I'm Josh Spiegel, host of the podcast Lunatic in the Newsroom. If you enjoy journalism that drifts into mild panic, wild overthinking, and a guaranteed nervous breakdown, Lunatic in the Newsroom is for you. It's news like you've never heard before. The only newsroom with a panic button. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and gasp in horror as the show spirals completely out of control. It's not just news, it's emotionally unstable. Lunatic in the Newsroom. Listen today.

0:34Daniel Robbins:so gabriel you are doing something that i always dreamed of doing you're creating the world's longest resume and i remember watching dirty jobs as a kid that show and i always thought like it'd be so cool to like document yourself just getting jobs and just the whole process and then when i saw your content. I'm like, this guy is doing it in real life. Like what a time to be alive where you could do that on the internet for social media. And like that can be your life. So what is the craziest, most unique story or job that you had that stands out? Oh, man, a crazy one that that stands out to me is a declutterer or like kind of like a hoarding house cleaner situation.

1:24So there's this woman here in New York, and she goes and she cleans these apartments and homes that are just in really bad shape. You know, oftentimes there's trash in every room, you know, up to the wall, you can't even barely open the door. And I went to work with her in one of these rooms in the Bronx, or in one of these apartments in the Bronx, it was a studio apartment. So you can imagine like it feels like a really tight space. And then with trash halfway up the wall everywhere, it feels pretty claustrophobic. And this was a pretty extreme case. And it's the one that like stands out to me the most because I had to put on like a hazmat suit, I had to wear the goggles, I had to wear a whole respirator mask.

2:11And the most startling part was there was like millions of roaches. So there's like roaches climbing everywhere all over the bed, all over the trash, all over the walls are like falling on our head. And it was pretty insane. Like I, I knew what I was signing up for, but I didn't necessarily know the extent of it. And so that was, that's one that definitely stands out to me in my head.

2:33Daniel Robbins:That's insane. Like the crazy part is somebody lived in there without hazmat and stuff, which is insane. So when you're doing this, it kind of reminds you, you remember undercover boss where they're like undercover, then the whole story is around the employee. Are you finding the same thing as you're doing these jobs? Like there's this whole story around the person that you're you get to experience this with? Absolutely. Like the videos, they are like a little bit about me and my experience trying the job. But it's also very much like narrated through the voice of this person that I'm joining at work.

3:06And my hope is like to give pride to like what these individuals are doing as well, because they're really the ones who are showing up and doing this every single day. And you know, they're the unsung heroes, oftentimes. So yeah, it is it is a combination of me trying it and highlighting this wonderful person who who shows up and does this every day.

3:27Daniel Robbins:I have to say a lot of people would watch I think almost everyone in their 20s wants to be a content creator, maybe like even 30s and below they want to be content creator. And they're seeing you've been doing this for a few years, correct? I think 2022. too. Yeah. So I started this show. Yeah. Yeah. So you started this show in about, you know, four years ago, less than four years ago. That's incredible to get the traction to be able to do this like you're doing. Yeah. You think really got you to the point where you're like, okay, this is my full time thing. I'm going all in. Absolutely. So really before starting the show, there's about a decade of experimentation in content creation.

4:10So I started making gaming videos when I was 13 years old. And that was like my introduction to making content. And back then, like making YouTube videos or making gaming videos, like it wasn't, it didn't have the same weight that it does now. And it was just, I just started doing it because I was genuinely curious about it and interested and was having fun with my friends online. And then over time, that transformed from gaming content to picking up a camera. And it felt like this similar process, just a different tool. And that's really like when I fell even more in love with it, and was like, I want to do this, like this, this is this is kind of for me.

4:51And so over time, I was just working for different YouTubers, helping them make their content. There's about six years of working for different YouTubers, traveling to 30 countries around the world, helping them make videos. And so through all of this process, I'm learning, you know, how to do this for myself, knowing that one day I'm going to like step into those shoes myself. And, you know, also at the same time, creating content of my own and experimenting, nothing is hitting, that's for sure. Partly due to the fact, I think that I didn't know what my voice was yet. I was like making these videos or like making travel videos for myself or making little vlogs.

5:29But like, I didn't know my through line or I didn't know like the real purpose behind the content that I was making. So yeah, there was just years and years of experimentation before I got to building the world's longest resume or going to work with people and making and making this content. And I think once I started doing that, it was like, it worked pretty quickly. And I think that's partly due to the fact that I was making videos that were like, just me, uniquely me and like, uniquely my voice and things that I'm interested in. And there's like odes to my past in there. And I think that that's why it worked.

6:06Daniel Robbins:No, there was a mistake I made for a while. I was like, okay, I want to become, I want to be like Diary of a CEO. Like that's like, I want to strive to have a show like that. But then I formulated everything as if I am Stephen Barlett in Diary of a CEO, which like you said, it's not my voice. And it became unnatural. It was almost uncomfortable because it's like I'm trying to be something that I'm not. And what I noticed, there was more traction when I'm like, what's the differentiator is me. It's my personality. But it's really hard to ideate how to be different. So obviously what you're doing is so unique and different.

6:45Daniel Robbins:How did you get to the phase where you're like, okay, I'm going to do this because it's so different. It's so unique. And then you obviously had to start. Yeah. I mean, just like what you said, Like when you set off and started or whatever part of the process that was, you were imitating somebody else that, you know, was doing a really great job. And I think that that's very similar for anyone who maybe finds success in their in their path. Like I started off imitating my idols. You know, there's there's lots of early influence from the people that I worked with and the people that I watched online because that's that's all I knew.

7:19And so you go off and you try to imitate them and, you know, put that out. and you learn through that process. And then you're like, oh, like, I like this part of it. I don't like this part of it. And then over the years and over time, it morphs into you and your unique thing. And I think that's, you know, how I maybe found my style. But then in terms of the actual, like, topic of the subjects, being like going to work with people and deciding to make videos about jobs, that's kind of a unique experience to me. So early in my life in high school, I went to a trade school. And in trade school, you have to go through all the different trades and try all the different trades before you pick the one you're going to get certified in.

8:04And during this process, I remember thinking like, oh, like I wish I could just continue to work everyone else's job. I was just having so much fun getting access and exposure into all these different industries. And that thought really stuck with me for the better part of like a decade. and during this period of time where I was experimenting with content trying to figure out who I was it popped back into my head and I was like what if I really did like try other people's jobs and so that's kind of like how it came to be so how do you go about trying jobs now

8:40Daniel Robbins:like do you call people and say hey I want to try your like I want to try your job and then they're like hang up the phone or you have to like well I always wonder when I watch your videos does the company? Do they have to approve it? Like, how did what's the I imagine there could be a complex process with being able to like, work, you know, follow someone around, you have cameras, that whole process there. It's, it's way simpler than I think a lot of people imagine, and often starts with me just DMing somebody, I use the internet to my advantage in this way. So I'll think of a job or I'll be in a conversation with someone and they're like, Have you ever done a plumber before, you know, and I'm like, Oh, no, I never done a plumber, like, let me find one.

9:20And so I'll go on TikTok or YouTube shorts or Instagram. And depending on the location, I'll type in like New York City plumber, and I'll find someone who's making videos about their career. And in this way, even if they have no following, which is usually like better. I know that this person is comfortable being on camera. I know that they either are maybe trying to get a little exposure for their business, or they're trying to educate an audience on why their industry is important. And so I find that those people are really great candidates to be on an episode. And that's like really where I start.

9:56And if I can't find someone in that way, then I like, go outside and I start like researching or like, going through my external network trying to find like someone who works in a specific position. But really, it just like starts with a cold DM.

10:09Daniel Robbins:And isn't it crazy how connected I was thinking about this this morning, I messaged somebody on LinkedIn. And I was like, I can't believe I messaged this person on LinkedIn. If it was 20 years ago, there'd be no way I can get a like nobody would allow me get in touch with this person, right? there's always some sort of gatekeeper somewhere but the fact that you could just dm somebody and you get in i mean what a what a time is tell me about an experience that you've had outside the u.s because obviously there's really unique jobs in the u.s but what about outside the u.s what what is a really fascinating experience you had so i went to man there's so many so far i've been to the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Mexico.

10:52So those are like the international episodes that I've been able to film. And I've had so many great experiences like through all of those. One that really sticks out to me is in Indonesia, I went to work cleaning some of the dirtiest rivers in the world. And we were like in the rivers every day, you know, water up to here, you're in a wetsuit, you got the boots on, you got the gloves on, and you're just like cleaning trash and it's like this this experience like in my memory to this it goes way beyond like just making a video it goes like into impact and like you know we know that there's a trash problem we know that there's plastic problems but until you like are actually there and like can experience it for yourself i don't think most people understand the depth of the problem and so that's just like an episode that really stands out to me because i was like able to put myself in a place where it was just very eye-opening um and uh i was excited to try to bring more awareness to that cause through through that video which it did it did really it did really well

11:54Daniel Robbins:yeah it's it's weird we live in a bubble in a sense that you don't know really what happens outside the bubble until you travel which is why i love to travel let's talk about the philippines because that has a special place in my heart i frequent to the philippines what was one of the jobs there? Yeah. So the job that is, it doesn't just live in my head, it lives in my heart, is with a basket weaver. Her name's Jocelyn. And she weaves products out of local grass, Benig. I think it's pronounced Benig. And she works in a cave. And it's like this local community of women who like work in this cave because it's a natural like temperature, it just neutralizes the temperature throughout colder times or warmer times.

12:42It just kind of like stays, you know, a very similar temperature. So they weave these products in this cave. And, you know, a part of what I ask people is how much money they make just to bring awareness to, to what you can make in all these industries and in these places. And she made significantly less than we had expected. And like, it's backbreaking work. Like you're you're like sitting like crouched over every day, you're working with your hands with your feet. And you're just making products for 10 plus hours a day. And they take ages to make and they're it's very intricate. And it's it's it's an art and it's beautiful.

13:24So I did this, this video with this woman, Jocelyn, and we gave her some money and it was very like heartfelt and then we put it out for the world to see and then it took on just an entirely new life of its own and like the world like accepted her with like open arms and we raised a bunch of money for her and we were able to buy out her entire inventory of product and then also like plus additional like thousands of dollars on top of it to help her and her family. And she just had a son. She has a little son. And I believe she just had another child recently. They were able to like just buy like basic things that they needed.

14:09You know, like they bought a refrigerator and they were able to like put a wall on their kitchen so their kitchen wasn't outside. And it was just it's a very touching story. and like being able to facilitate that, whether that was intentionally, not intentionally, like just the fact that that was able to come to fruition, like that's like a dream. That's a dream come true. And so that's a story from the - Hey, I'm Josh Spiegel, host of the podcast

14:38Daniel Robbins:Lunatic in the Newsroom. If you enjoy journalism that drifts into mild panic, wild overthinking, and a guaranteed nervous breakdown, Lunatic in the Newsroom is for you. It's news like you've never heard before. The only newsroom with a panic button. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and gasp in horror as the show spirals completely out of control. It's not just news, it's emotionally unstable. Lunatic in the newsroom. Listen today. Philippines that like, just like, you know, lives right here. I love that. I need to check out these baskets when I'm there. When you, what's the emotions that go over you when you watch a video like this?

15:18Daniel Robbins:you see what happens based on the reactions and then you realize that you're also living out your dream of being a content creator video creator so you're living out your dream you're doing what you're most passionate about you're helping somebody bring awareness and that awareness is also impacting them maybe for the rest of their life what emotions when you think about that like it's the coolest thing in the world and it's so special because it's like this is like this is what I want. This is everything I've always wanted. And I get to wake up and do this. And I'm like, just so privileged to have that opportunity to do that.

15:56And then hopefully help other people along the way. It's a, it's a dream. And like, sometimes it feels like that, you know, but it still feels like that. What am I saying? Like, yeah, it's the coolest thing in the world.

16:07Daniel Robbins:So you brought up something earlier about I, it's so interesting how you do ask people how much they make right i love because normally when people are doing that in shows it's always like people doing things and they're making millions or billions of dollars right like when's the first how old are you when you made your first million right like all those shows right so it's good to see like reality of most people not like the top zero zero one percent but as a content creator nowadays because i i think a lot of platforms unfortunately what we've seen is they do they pump out a lot of money in the beginning, they get everyone in it, and then they start to drop what you can make.

16:45Daniel Robbins:And then, you know, people need to diversify. What what are like content creators? What can they make nowadays? Yeah, absolutely. It's a very, it can be very lucrative, you know, if you're if you're doing if you find yourself in the right place. But I think there's a statistic that came out this year that like four to 6 % of only four to 6 % of content creators are going to make over$100 ,000. So, you know, the largest portion of creators aren't going to make$100 ,000. I am super lucky to be in that, you know, 4 % that does make over$100 ,000. But like that journey, that there was for sure, like a journey to get there.

17:26But it was kind of crazy how fast it did happen. Like I went from years of freelancing for other people, you know, where I was making$40 ,000,$50 ,000 a year. And then I was like working as a freelance director, maybe made like$50 ,000,$60 ,000 a year. And then my first full year as a creator, I made less than that. And then in my second year, I made more than$100 ,000. And then I've doubled it in my third year. And then hopefully we'll continue. you. I'm on track to do the same as I did last year, but hopefully we'll see an increase.

18:04Daniel Robbins:Where are people getting paid now? Is it brand deals? Is it from the platform? What do you think like the mixes are nowadays? It really is going to differ from like creators or creators. So like my one of my best friends who I worked for and lived with with for a long time, you know, he's a long form video creator. And so he has, you know, a good chunk of money that comes in every single month from his YouTube AdSense from people watching his videos. And at this point, his catalog is eight years old. You know, there's, there's eight years of videos that compound on each other. So that amount theoretically just grows and grows and grows over time.

18:39So, you know, he's making good money every month just from videos that are in his catalog. And then on top of that, he has brand partnerships, but for him, like, I believe that it's a little more even for me as a short form video creator, I do have a, you know, a lengthy catalog of videos, but the platforms definitely don't pay as much in terms of the, you know, dollar per thousand views. And it's, yeah, I mean, it's so insignificant. I would say like my monthly take home from videos is like 10%. So the other 90 % for me is coming from brand partnerships. And, you know, that can be a little stressful as a creator, because you need to continue to line up those brand partnerships and make sure that there's money that is still coming in month to month.

19:28And it's a little more, yeah, there's just some unexpected, it can be a little more unexpected. So you have to make sure that it's, everything is still flowing in that regard.

19:37Daniel Robbins:It's entrepreneurship. One month, you're really high. Next month, you got zero. Then the other month, you're 10X. And then you're negative 50. It's - That's a biggest, that's one of the biggest learnings that I've had is like, I call it brand deal season. like November, December is the best month, best months of the year for I think all creators, because it's when all of the advertising dollars are being spent around the holidays. So it's very, it can be very easy to fall into a trap of like, Oh, my gosh, like, I just landed all in all this money, like I'm good. But then January, like really, like the first half of the year is a lot slower.

20:15So you have to like, my first year where I made like over 100k, I got like four months into the year and I was like, oh my gosh, like, am I going to have to go back to freelancing? You know, there was a moment where like I thought that that could happen. So I had to learn like it comes it comes and goes and you have to make sure that it lasts if you want this to be a lasting thing. Never said better.

20:36Daniel Robbins:It comes and then it goes and then it goes back. It's it is the roller coaster. So let's talk about stage. I think there's a big push right now for people that are content creators because they don't want to rely on only brand deals or partnerships and then payments from the platforms. But then they also see huge value in building something on their own that maybe they could sell exit. Maybe they could do something with that. That might even be way bigger than all the other stuff. And you're leveraging your audience and community. What are you doing there? Yeah, so Staj is a company that I'm starting that is started, it's launched, it's public, that is a job shadowing marketplace.

21:20And so it allows people to book a job shadowing experience in an industry that they're interested in. And it's a baby of my videos. It's from feedback that I've seen from my audience of saying like, how do I get into that industry? Like, how do I even get started? How do I find a career? How do I pivot in my career? And then it's also informed from my time in trade school and I was like what if I could create that a similar experience to that's a little less formal than um going to back to school and so the idea is that you can job shadow you know lots of different industries on your way to finding a career or pivoting in your career and um it was what I decided to go into in terms of like a business for for me and for my content instead of you know creating a physical product or merch or anything stuff like that like I just had no interest in in doing that sure that would be way easier I promise you like building a business that's never been done before is way harder than making videos but I I do believe in like the long-term you know benefits of that both hopefully for myself and for the people who use Stosh I

22:33Daniel Robbins:think the biggest mistake that people make is they create something that they think the world needs but then the world reacts and doesn't need it and we see this a lot of creators celebrities they come out with like a skincare brand that is not really needed there's a million just because they think they slap their name on something so it's great that you listen to the audience you listen to the community and then you went into something that you're known for versus like you said if you launched a t-shirt brand or you know something that you people don't really resonate with it's almost like you're you're you're creating a business that your audience doesn't really want or need yeah versus this i love the idea that i mean that's awesome i got i want to go thank you i might use it so i can film myself shadowing like i want to i really i really want to go through the interview process i feel like i want to i was the worst interviewer like i was the worst interviewees i didn't get jobs because i would like to go and like go to the grocery store and act like I want a job and get interviewed.

23:32Daniel Robbins:And I want to see it up, set it up. We can help set it up. You and I, I want to do a job with you. I'm very much building stage in public and we are working on like what our business model is. Like we offer a direct to consumer, um, option. So like you could go on and book a stage directly, but really like that's not going to be our growth model. And we need to, this year we're focusing on like not getting rid of that like we'll always have that option but really we need to focus on like how we grow this thing i love building in public but i hate building in public you ever do you ever have the fear like you're about to push the upload button or who someone on your team is going to press the upload button and you're like i don't want to do this i mean always like always it's it's hard to be vulnerable or like ask for help or put out something that's unpolished.

24:25But I over time, like I've learned that done is better than perfect. You just have to you just have to it moves the needle more than like being stuck in analysis paralysis.

24:35Daniel Robbins:I like that done is better than perfect. Final question. So I wrote we wrote this book, my wife and I called unlimited possibilities. It's about breaking through barriers that you didn't think were possible. I imagine you've talked about a few today. But you know, what's the first thing that stands out in your mind when you think about a barrier in your in your life that you were able to break through? I mean, I think I've always had like a little bit of a delusional optimism around my career and going after what I wanted. And I was, I put my mind to it, you know, I was like, there's, there's no way that this doesn't work.