Rejection is the best thing that ever happened to Mamrie Hart and Grace Helbig.
When their YouTube show “This Might Get” was abruptly canceled in 2018, the longtime BFFs and comedic collaborators decided to take matters into their own hands. Today, they’re at the helm of their own media empire, complete with a wildly popular weekly podcast, “This Might Get Weird,” which boasts over 4,500 ratings and a glowing 5-stars on Apple Podcasts.
Below, Hart and Helbig open up to Create & Cultivate about how they overcame imposter syndrome, how they balance being BFFs and business partners, and what it takes to succeed in such a saturated space.
CREATE & CULTIVATE: How is your podcast “This Might Get Weird” different from others you've taken on in the past? What have you learned through the experience?
MAMRIE HART & GRACE HELBIG: The podcast is completely, authentically us. All of our work up until the podcast has, of course, been created in our voices, but the podcast is definitely the rawest, most unfiltered version of us. We get to have weekly conversations about the shenanigans and adventures we've gotten up to over the last week in the realest, silliest sense, which has been unbelievably freeing.
There is so much competition out there now, what makes you and your business stand out? How do you create a unique point of view?
As cliche as it sounds, we stay true to ourselves without trying to mimic or "put on" a persona. We also genuinely try to entertain each other and make each other laugh and by default encourage each other into new adventures and experiences.
“Imposter syndrome was a major challenge to get through, especially at the start of YouTube when most of the mainstream media didn’t take it seriously.”
You two are best friends and have worked closely together for years, how do you maintain a good working relationship? What tips do you have for working with a close friend? What happens when you disagree?
We've been friends and colleagues for over a decade, so we've unintentionally developed a system that really works for us. We give each other space (mental and physical) when needed, we listen and respect each other's ideas/opinions throughout the creative process, and we always share the toiletries that the other forgot to bring on the road.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you #FindNewRoads + switch gears to find success?
We're both a little bit in the midst of this currently. Thankfully, we have the opportunity to talk (and bitch) to each other and other close friends about it. We try to encourage each other, and ourselves, to try new things or relieve ourselves of the pressure of having to figure out the "next step" so quickly. We're also the types that try to keep a lot of pots on the stove to see if any of them boil over. The podcast has been a tremendous, consistent source of joyful content for us because it's uniquely ours, but still allows us the time to explore other creative endeavors. That helps a lot.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who have an idea but don’t know where to start to execute it?
Sometimes it helps to break a big idea down into smaller and smaller steps until you discover the first step that you know you can take. Take that step. If the next step doesn't present itself, do some research. Reach out to others you've seen do what you want to do. Ask LOTS of questions. Make mistakes. Try again, differently. And then continue to repeat all of these things in varying orders.
What is the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make professionally? And how did you get through it?
One of the biggest difficulties we face is visibly seeing numbers/views drop as algorithms change, but choosing to stay true to our personal POVs rather than play the algorithm game.
What traits do you need to succeed as an entrepreneur or founder in the competitive start-up environment?
The ability to see failure as opportunity.
What do you wish you could go back and tell yourself when you were first launching your business? Why?
You got this, and you deserve to go for this. Imposter syndrome was a major challenge to get through, especially at the start of YouTube when most of the mainstream media didn't take it seriously. And look at it now! Sheesh!
What's a mistake you made and what did you learn from it? How did you turn it into an opportunity?
When our series called "This Might Get" had its funding taken away, we took it on our own to turn it into a podcast called "This Might Get Weird." Fully owned and operated by us.
You both manage very busy schedules and juggle a lot of different projects. What advice do you have for prioritizing and managing so many commitments?
Get a planner! Both of us not only use Google Cal but also good old-fashioned paper planners. We're old ...school.
What do you wish more people knew about your job? What are the biggest misconceptions?
Things have changed a lot, but there's still a bit of a stigma about YouTube being a trivial form of entertainment. The medium changes so quickly, I wish more people knew how much work it takes to try and keep up with it after a decade of being part of it.
What is the #1 book you always recommend? Why?
Probably our own books, Mamrie's I've Got This Round and Grace's Guide. (Sorry, we had to get shameless plugs in.)
Photographer: Jenna Peffley
Hair: Styled by OGXpert & Celebrity Hairstylist Jillian Halouska
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