Off-Camera Lessons from People Who Reach Millions

When Dorian presented to the business students at UTC, one of them asked, "What do you want to achieve next?" After a thoughtful pause, he said: "I really want to grow D-Max Merch beyond Maine."

As part of making that dream a reality, we connected with two social media rockstars - who reach millions with a single post. But here’s the first surprise: they don’t like being called “influencers.”

They prefer collaborators.

Because what they’re doing isn’t about shouting louder than the rest of us—it’s about building meaningful connections and being super intentional about who they work with. And despite their huge followings, they’re not chasing fame or fortune. In fact, they’re some of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met.

Here are a few things that really stood out:

• They’re humble. Despite the numbers, they’re not walking around like mini-celebrities. They talk more about community than clicks. Yes, they get asked for photos—and people recognize them everywhere—but they stay grounded. You’d never know from talking to them just how far their reach goes.

• They want to help. Their content is rooted in sharing, teaching, encouraging—not selling.

• They’re not in it to get rich. Money happens because they’re authentic, not because they’re trying to be viral.

• They show the mess. The imperfections, the bad days, the real life behind the filtered posts—that’s what people connect with.

• They’re curious. Always exploring, learning something new, and passing that knowledge on. Their creativity is fueled by a love of the world, not just the algorithm.

• They get negative comments—and they don’t let it shake them. They know their worth, their message, and understand that negativity says more about the commenter than about them. Instead of wasting energy on haters, they double down on gratitude—thanking their community and deepening relationships with those who matter.

  
  

One of the biggest lessons? It takes time. Like years to get where they are. Another? Don’t give up on your dreams!

And maybe the most eye-opening takeaway: To build something bigger, you have to think differently than your friends.The entrepreneurs we spoke with were refreshingly honest—not just about the highs, but also the cons of reaching that level of success.

So if you’ve ever thought the creator world is all about ring lights, product placements, and choreographed dance videos—think again. The future of influence looks a lot more like your neighbor with a camera, a purpose, and a story to tell.

And if you’re thinking about sharing your own story? Maybe it’s time. The world doesn’t need perfect—it just needs you.

And me? For now, I’m going to keep the camera off and just write. There’s something powerful in that too.