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Varun, CEO/Co-Founder at Boring Stuff: Advize Career Interview
From film and political science to co-founding a company aimed at bringing order to the creator economy, this CEO's journey is a testament to adaptability and seizing unexpected opportunities.
At Boring Stuff, responsibilities span finances, operations, HR, and strategy, maximizing client reach in the rapidly evolving world of content creation.
Days are variable, but client servicing and networking are key, especially in an industry where so many are just "winging it," presenting ample opportunities to build infrastructure.
Success hinges on a willingness to get into the weeds, a constant dedication to learning, and the ability to handle unpredictability, all while seeing growth beyond social media.
Despite initial experiences in film and TV development, the content creator space provides unprecedented opportunities for South Asians and other underrepresented groups, with numerous successful examples of leaders in the field.
One learns the value of slowing down amidst the chaos and deliberately confronting weaknesses, ultimately making this path both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Varun Bhuchar
CEO/Co-Founder
Boring Stuff
Dartmouth
UCLA Anderson: MBA
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts, Political Science, American Studies
Professional Services
Consulting
Honors Student, Took Out Loans
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Career Path of a CEO and Co-Founder at Boring Stuff
After studying film and political science and interning in entertainment, a career professional began bookkeeping on the side, which led to an unexpected full-time role with a YouTube skateboarder during the pandemic, offering a granular view of creator businesses. This experience, combined with a part-time MBA and internships in management consulting and social strategy, ultimately led to a role managing operations for YouTube creators, culminating in co-founding a business aimed at "bring[ing] some order into the creator economy."
Main Responsibilities Of A CEO And Co Founder At Boring Stuff
Varun's main responsibilities as CEO/Co-Founder at Boring Stuff revolve around four key areas for clients, especially those in the creator economy: finances (bookkeeping and taxes), operations (ensuring smooth business processes), HR (hire, fire, retain), and general advisory/strategy, which is all about maximizing reach once the foundational elements are in place; particularly interesting because many people initially don't want to focus on strategy work. The company addresses crucial needs in this space, especially for creators who may quickly find themselves "with a lot of money that you didn't have before" and need help managing it effectively.
A Day In The Life Of A CEO And Co-Founder At Boring Stuff
Varun's days as CEO/Co-Founder of Boring Stuff are quite variable but generally involve heavy work on Mondays, client servicing, and networking through meetings and mixers. The company is "already revenue positive" without needing to raise capital, allowing for a less frantic pace compared to other founders.
Most Important Skills For A CEO Co-Founder At Boring Stuff
Varun, CEO/Co-Founder at Boring Stuff, highlights the importance of being willing to "get in the mud" and handle the tedious details of the work, such as bookkeeping, while also emphasizing a constant dedication to learning, adapting to new technologies and trends, and accepting that "you don't know everything". A person who can adopt these habits is much more likely to succeed not just in Varun's field, but generally in business.
Favorite Parts of Being a CEO and Co Founder at Boring Stuff
Varun enjoys the variety inherent in being a CEO/Co-Founder at Boring Stuff, stating that "no day is the same," and appreciates the freedom to structure the workday, "kind of do whatever [one] want[s]," and take vacations. This role, a culmination of their past experiences, allows for both flexibility and the opportunity to constantly engage with new and interesting tasks.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A CEO And Co Founder At Boring Stuff
Varun, CEO/Co-Founder at Boring Stuff, identifies the biggest challenge in their role as "unpredictability," describing days ranging from quiet to moments of crisis, such as suddenly needing to address unexpected tax bills or government inquiries; this requires a "firefighter" skillset that they had to learn. The unpredictable nature of the role and industry would likely be a struggle for anyone in the position, demanding the ability to adapt and "roll with" unexpected crises.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Creator Economy As A CEO And Co-Founder
Varun enjoys the "wild West" nature of the creator economy, seeing the lack of established processes as a significant opportunity to become a "trusted leader" and establish necessary infrastructure within the rapidly growing content creation and entertainment space. Varun recognizes that while the space is currently challenging with many people just "trying to wing it," this presents the chance to build a valuable, leading company by providing needed services.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Content Creation, According To A CEO At Boring Stuff
To thrive in the content creation industry, consistency is key, along with a willingness to experiment and "roll with the punches" to discover what resonates; furthermore, enduring success comes from having an "appetite" for growth beyond the platform, such as through brand deals or ventures like CPG products, which aligns with the speaker's business goal of helping creators establish a solid foundation for transcending social media.
What a CEO and Co-Founder at Boring Stuff Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Startup Industry
Varun wishes business school had exposed them to the existence of a more "elevated version" of the startup CEO role, as their prior experience was a "rough and tumble" environment, unlike the current position at Boring Stuff which appears to be a better fit. They express that knowing that there were companies who "actually needed somebody like me" would have been helpful in navigating career options.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring CEOs and Co-Founders
Varun suggests that while an accounting background is valuable for entry-level positions, demonstrating the ability to execute projects and a "hungry and willing to learn" attitude are even more crucial, stating that they can "teach you to do anything" if the work ethic is present, regardless of academic background. The CEO/Co-founder also mentions that experience executing hard projects in a consulting manner would also be very helpful.
Significant Career Lesson from a CEO and Co Founder at Boring Stuff
Varun, CEO/Co-Founder at Boring Stuff, learned the importance of slowing down amidst the perceived chaos of the job, emphasizing that "the consequences of acting quickly can actually be worse than not doing the doing." Prioritizing a moment to "stop and take a deep breath and really assess" situations has proven significant, allowing for better-informed decisions even when things feel like they are "collapsing."
College Experiences That Helped a CEO Co-Founder at Boring Stuff Succeed
Varun didn't feel their undergraduate studies directly translated to career success, but in business school, they deliberately focused on weaknesses, like taking "the hardest class ever" in business analytics with Excel, despite bombing the final, and some of it still rubbed off and became useful in their career. They suggest challenging yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone in a structured learning environment and even offering to work for free to gain experience, as they would "give that person a chance in a heartbeat."
How Identity Has Influenced a CEO and Co Founder at Boring Stuff's Career
Varun notes that while early career experiences in film and TV development during the Trump era saw a push for diversity, implementation felt limited. However, the content creator space provides unprecedented opportunities for South Asians and other underrepresented groups to "platform yourself, to platform your culture, to see yourself represented," highlighting the success of South Asian creators like Michelle Curray and the appointment of Neil Mohan as CEO of YouTube as evidence of progress.
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