# Josh Richards: From TikTok Star to Multi-Faceted Entrepreneur
In this captivating episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Josh Richards, who transformed from a small-town Canadian teen into a digital media powerhouse and successful entrepreneur. Born in Toronto and raised in Cobourg, Ontario, Josh's path to success began at just thirteen when a viral video with his sister sparked his content creation career.
Discover how Josh built his empire from the ground up - growing his TikTok following to over 25 million, co-founding the influential Sway House, and expanding beyond social media into music with Warner Records and acting alongside Hollywood stars like Nicolas Cage.
We delve into Josh's impressive business ventures, including founding TalentX management company, Ani Energy drinks, CrossCheck Studios production company, and Animal Capital venture fund. Learn how he balances his role as Chief Strategy Officer at Triller and co-host of the hit BFFs podcast with David Portnoy while continuing to innovate across industries.
This episode offers valuable insights into how persistence, adaptability, and strategic vision have made Josh Richards a symbol of Gen Z entrepreneurship and a blueprint for turning digital influence into real-world success.
#JoshRichards #DigitalEntrepreneur #SocialMediaSuccess #GenZBusiness #ContentCreator
Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3Qs
For more check out http://www.quietplease.ai
In this captivating episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Josh Richards, who transformed from a small-town Canadian teen into a digital media powerhouse and successful entrepreneur. Born in Toronto and raised in Cobourg, Ontario, Josh's path to success began at just thirteen when a viral video with his sister sparked his content creation career.
Discover how Josh built his empire from the ground up - growing his TikTok following to over 25 million, co-founding the influential Sway House, and expanding beyond social media into music with Warner Records and acting alongside Hollywood stars like Nicolas Cage.
We delve into Josh's impressive business ventures, including founding TalentX management company, Ani Energy drinks, CrossCheck Studios production company, and Animal Capital venture fund. Learn how he balances his role as Chief Strategy Officer at Triller and co-host of the hit BFFs podcast with David Portnoy while continuing to innovate across industries.
This episode offers valuable insights into how persistence, adaptability, and strategic vision have made Josh Richards a symbol of Gen Z entrepreneurship and a blueprint for turning digital influence into real-world success.
#JoshRichards #DigitalEntrepreneur #SocialMediaSuccess #GenZBusiness #ContentCreator
Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3Qs
For more check out http://www.quietplease.ai
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Josh Richards born Joshua Kenneth Richards on January thirty first,
two thousand two in Toronto, Canada is a pioneering force
in the world of digital media and entrepreneuria. Raised in
the small town of Cobol on Carrier, Josh spent his
early childhood enjoying the typical experiences of youth with an
affinity for sports and performance. From a young age, those
(00:22):
closest to him observed an early sparkle of charisma that
would later become his greatest professional asset. Josh has two
younger siblings, William and Olivia, who remained a part of
his private world while he developed a very public persona.
His journey from smalltown Canadian teen to global social media
icon began with a modest, yet fateful cameo at age thirteen,
(00:46):
when his sister encouraged him to join her video on
the app musical dot lye. The video quickly went viral,
spurring Josh to make his own account and outline ambitious
goals for building a following. He poured himself into content creation,
consistently posting multiple times a day and engaging for hours
in live broadcasts that further cultivated a fan base by
(01:09):
age fourteen, His success as a content creator was evident,
as he amassed over seven hundred thousand followers on musical
dol I, a platform that had later become tik tok.
He networked with other emerging creators, participated in social media events,
and even went on promotional tours which helped him surpass
(01:30):
one million followers before deciding to relocate to Los Angeles
to pursue greater opportunities. Once in La, Josh became a
founding member of Sway House, a content collective that allowed
him to collaborate with other influential names and further boost
his profile in the influencer community. According to a profile
(01:50):
in Bello mag Josh not only achieved popularity through his
act social media prowess, but also paired his rapid digital
success with the discs sciplined aspirations of an entrepreneur. He
refers to social media not just as an outlet for
his storytelling, but also as a launch pad for his
various business ventures and broader ambitions. Josh's tittok presence proved
(02:13):
to be the cornerstone of his digital empire, with his
blend of humor, dance, and relatable sketches, he attracted a
staggering number of followers, over twenty five million by some counts,
making him one of the most recognized creators on the platform.
Because engagement rate with followers remained among the highest, reinforcing
his influential status within the social media sphere as detailed
(02:35):
by influencer analytics platforms. Beyond content creation, Josh extended his
influence into music, film, and entrepreneurship. In twenty twenty, he
signed a recording contract with Warner Records, further validating his
position as more than just a social media personality. He
pursued acting as well, lending roles in feature films like
(02:57):
Summertime Dropouts and Brothers Keeper, and even set to appear
alongside major Hollywood figures such as Nicholas Cage and Noah
Centenaio in the upcoming Dream Scenario. Josh's business acumen was
equally remarkable. At age thirteen, he had already founded his
first company, Berzerk Hockey, which sold hockey merchandise, reflecting his
(03:18):
early interest in blending personal passions with enterprise. He went
on to co found the influential management company talent X,
which focused on representing the next generation of content creators,
demonstrating his appetite for innovation and calculated risks. Josh also
established Aunie Energy, an energy drink company, and later partnered
(03:39):
with the legendary Snoop Dogg in developing a premium dog
Plan food brand. Josh's efforts were recognized beyond viral fame.
Forbes placed him among the highest earning tik Tok stars,
reporting that in twenty twenty one row he earned approximately
five million dollars through sponsorships and business deals. He took
(04:00):
on the role of chief strategy officer for Triller, a
competitor app to TikTok, and helped launch Animal Capital, a
venture capital fund targeting gen Z led companies with fifteen
million dollars in assets under management. In striving to balance
his digital persona with real world experience, Josh co founded
Crosschech Studios, a Los Angeles based production company aimed at
(04:24):
amplifying young creative voices. He is currently its chief executive officer,
and the company has struck notable first loop deals, including
a partnership with Amazon to develop new digital content. Cross
Check Studios has become a hub for gen Z talent,
providing both production capabilities and industry access and highlighting Josh's
(04:45):
ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for youth in entertainment and
What's that great book that keeps You Learned? In another
creative move, Josh became the face and voice of the
bff's podcast, produced by bar Stool's Sports and co hosted
with the popular media personality David Portnoy. The podcast quickly
(05:06):
became a hit for its candid take on pop culture,
influencer drama, and the inside world of social media personalities.
The bff's podcast gave Josh a new platform for unscripted
engagement with fans and extended his influence into the podcast space. Persistence, adaptability,
and strategic vision define Josh Richard's ongoing career. As the
(05:30):
landscape of social media and influencer culture involves, Josh continues
to diversify his portfolio, investing not only in his image,
but in companies and initiatives that align with the interests
of his generation. According to Toronto Life and other reputable
media outlets, he remains acute to the pressures and fleeting
nature of Internet fame, working tirelessly to maintain relevance beyond
(05:54):
the novelty of virality despite commissioning his adolescence and young
adoluted to the labor intensive work of content creation, Josh's
drive to innovate and his capacity to pivot across mediums
and industries have proven to be the keys to his
sustained success in twenty twenty five and beyond. Josh Richards
stands at the intersection of media business and youth culture,
(06:17):
a symbol of both the opportunities and challenges of modern celebrity.
He remains single and continues to invest in the projects
he is passionate about, from startup ventures to entertainment production,
constantly searching for the next viral moment or untapped niche.
His openness about his experiences, including managing his ADHD, adds
(06:39):
relatability to his public image and encourages young followers to
pursue their ambitions despite obstacles. As of today, Josh Richards
is more than a TikTok megastar. He is a cross
platform entrepreneur, a Hollywood up and comer, a venture capitalist,
and a poster child for Generation z's enterprising spirit. Eive
(07:00):
serve as a blueprint for what is possible in the
digital age, demonstrating how online charisma, diligence, and calculated risk
can lead to extraordinary real world impact.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to return
each week for new updates on what has been happening
with Josh Richards. Remember to subscribe. And this has been
a Quiet Please production. For more information, check out Quiet
Please dot Ai.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Thanks for listening
Josh Richards born Joshua Kenneth Richards on January thirty first,
two thousand two in Toronto, Canada is a pioneering force
in the world of digital media and entrepreneuria. Raised in
the small town of Cobol on Carrier, Josh spent his
early childhood enjoying the typical experiences of youth with an
affinity for sports and performance. From a young age, those
(00:22):
closest to him observed an early sparkle of charisma that
would later become his greatest professional asset. Josh has two
younger siblings, William and Olivia, who remained a part of
his private world while he developed a very public persona.
His journey from smalltown Canadian teen to global social media
icon began with a modest, yet fateful cameo at age thirteen,
(00:46):
when his sister encouraged him to join her video on
the app musical dot lye. The video quickly went viral,
spurring Josh to make his own account and outline ambitious
goals for building a following. He poured himself into content creation,
consistently posting multiple times a day and engaging for hours
in live broadcasts that further cultivated a fan base by
(01:09):
age fourteen, His success as a content creator was evident,
as he amassed over seven hundred thousand followers on musical
dol I, a platform that had later become tik tok.
He networked with other emerging creators, participated in social media events,
and even went on promotional tours which helped him surpass
(01:30):
one million followers before deciding to relocate to Los Angeles
to pursue greater opportunities. Once in La, Josh became a
founding member of Sway House, a content collective that allowed
him to collaborate with other influential names and further boost
his profile in the influencer community. According to a profile
(01:50):
in Bello mag Josh not only achieved popularity through his
act social media prowess, but also paired his rapid digital
success with the discs sciplined aspirations of an entrepreneur. He
refers to social media not just as an outlet for
his storytelling, but also as a launch pad for his
various business ventures and broader ambitions. Josh's tittok presence proved
(02:13):
to be the cornerstone of his digital empire, with his
blend of humor, dance, and relatable sketches, he attracted a
staggering number of followers, over twenty five million by some counts,
making him one of the most recognized creators on the platform.
Because engagement rate with followers remained among the highest, reinforcing
his influential status within the social media sphere as detailed
(02:35):
by influencer analytics platforms. Beyond content creation, Josh extended his
influence into music, film, and entrepreneurship. In twenty twenty, he
signed a recording contract with Warner Records, further validating his
position as more than just a social media personality. He
pursued acting as well, lending roles in feature films like
(02:57):
Summertime Dropouts and Brothers Keeper, and even set to appear
alongside major Hollywood figures such as Nicholas Cage and Noah
Centenaio in the upcoming Dream Scenario. Josh's business acumen was
equally remarkable. At age thirteen, he had already founded his
first company, Berzerk Hockey, which sold hockey merchandise, reflecting his
(03:18):
early interest in blending personal passions with enterprise. He went
on to co found the influential management company talent X,
which focused on representing the next generation of content creators,
demonstrating his appetite for innovation and calculated risks. Josh also
established Aunie Energy, an energy drink company, and later partnered
(03:39):
with the legendary Snoop Dogg in developing a premium dog
Plan food brand. Josh's efforts were recognized beyond viral fame.
Forbes placed him among the highest earning tik Tok stars,
reporting that in twenty twenty one row he earned approximately
five million dollars through sponsorships and business deals. He took
(04:00):
on the role of chief strategy officer for Triller, a
competitor app to TikTok, and helped launch Animal Capital, a
venture capital fund targeting gen Z led companies with fifteen
million dollars in assets under management. In striving to balance
his digital persona with real world experience, Josh co founded
Crosschech Studios, a Los Angeles based production company aimed at
(04:24):
amplifying young creative voices. He is currently its chief executive officer,
and the company has struck notable first loop deals, including
a partnership with Amazon to develop new digital content. Cross
Check Studios has become a hub for gen Z talent,
providing both production capabilities and industry access and highlighting Josh's
(04:45):
ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities for youth in entertainment and
What's that great book that keeps You Learned? In another
creative move, Josh became the face and voice of the
bff's podcast, produced by bar Stool's Sports and co hosted
with the popular media personality David Portnoy. The podcast quickly
(05:06):
became a hit for its candid take on pop culture,
influencer drama, and the inside world of social media personalities.
The bff's podcast gave Josh a new platform for unscripted
engagement with fans and extended his influence into the podcast space. Persistence, adaptability,
and strategic vision define Josh Richard's ongoing career. As the
(05:30):
landscape of social media and influencer culture involves, Josh continues
to diversify his portfolio, investing not only in his image,
but in companies and initiatives that align with the interests
of his generation. According to Toronto Life and other reputable
media outlets, he remains acute to the pressures and fleeting
nature of Internet fame, working tirelessly to maintain relevance beyond
(05:54):
the novelty of virality despite commissioning his adolescence and young
adoluted to the labor intensive work of content creation, Josh's
drive to innovate and his capacity to pivot across mediums
and industries have proven to be the keys to his
sustained success in twenty twenty five and beyond. Josh Richards
stands at the intersection of media business and youth culture,
(06:17):
a symbol of both the opportunities and challenges of modern celebrity.
He remains single and continues to invest in the projects
he is passionate about, from startup ventures to entertainment production,
constantly searching for the next viral moment or untapped niche.
His openness about his experiences, including managing his ADHD, adds
(06:39):
relatability to his public image and encourages young followers to
pursue their ambitions despite obstacles. As of today, Josh Richards
is more than a TikTok megastar. He is a cross
platform entrepreneur, a Hollywood up and comer, a venture capitalist,
and a poster child for Generation z's enterprising spirit. Eive
(07:00):
serve as a blueprint for what is possible in the
digital age, demonstrating how online charisma, diligence, and calculated risk
can lead to extraordinary real world impact.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to return
each week for new updates on what has been happening
with Josh Richards. Remember to subscribe. And this has been
a Quiet Please production. For more information, check out Quiet
Please dot Ai.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Thanks for listening
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!