From Reels to Riches: How Creators Launched on Social Media and Became Big

And why your idea could be next.

Once upon a time, launching a business meant loans, shops, and stockpiles.
Today? It might just take an Instagram reel, a Pinterest pin, or a YouTube short.

Welcome to the era where content is capital and creators become entrepreneurs—with nothing more than a phone, an idea, and the guts to hit “Post.”

Here are some remarkable stories of Indian (and a few global) creators who built powerful brands from their social feeds. If you're a BackingBay creator, there's something to learn—and plenty to be inspired by.

👜 Alanna Naturally Beautiful: From DIY to D2C

Alanna Chumbak: The OG Social Seller

Before D2C was cool, Chumbak used Instagram and YouTube to build a global yoga brand from Chennai. Instead of just promoting classes, they created content ecosystems—from mindfulness tips to behind-the-scenes shots of celebrity backers like Malaika Arora and Jennifer Lopez.

Sarva is now a hybrid model with an app, global studios, and a thriving social media community.

All it takes is one post to begin.