In downtown Seattle, The Union is giving creators the space, tools, and community to own their place in this $235B future.

The numbers don’t lie. In 2025, creators on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram will collectively generate more than $235 billion in ad revenue—with over $185 billion going straight to creators themselves.

That’s more than Hollywood, television, and print combined.

This isn’t just an industry milestone. It’s a cultural and economic revolution. And here in downtown Seattle, The Union is building the infrastructure to make sure our creators aren’t left behind.

What Is the Creator Economy?

The creator economy is the rapidly growing ecosystem of independent creators—YouTubers, podcasters, TikTok stars, streamers, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs—who earn income through digital platforms.

It includes everything from ad revenue and sponsorships to fan subscriptions, product sales, and IP ownership.

By 2027, analysts project the creator economy will reach $480 billion, and by 2033, it could surpass $1 trillion globally.

This isn’t a side hustle anymore. It’s the new backbone of media, commerce, and culture.

How Creators Overtook Hollywood

The rise of the creator economy vs. Hollywood is the result of three forces:

1. Platforms optimized for monetization. YouTube’s partner program, TikTok’s creator fund, and Instagram’s ad-sharing tools gave creators direct ways to earn. Add in AI-powered editing and distribution, and creators now scale faster than ever.

2. Creators became entrepreneurs. More than 60% of creators now work full-time, treating their platforms like businesses with multiple income streams.a

3. Capital followed culture. Venture capital and brands are investing heavily in creator-focused startups. By 2027, the market is expected to nearly double.

The bottom line: creators now set the terms.

Why This Shift Matters

When creators earn more than Hollywood, the balance of power shifts. No longer do executives decide which stories get told or who profits. Creators now own their narratives, their audiences, and their revenue streams.

For Black creators and communities of African descent, this change is historic. Our communities have always driven culture—music, art, fashion, language—but rarely owned the economic benefits.

The creator economy in 2025 represents a chance to align culture with capital, ensuring those who build culture also share in the wealth it generates.

This isn’t just about economics. It’s about dignity, ownership, and liberation.

The Union: Seattle’s Hub for the Creator Economy

This is exactly why we built The Union, right here in the heart of downtown Seattle.

Seattle has always been a hub for innovation and culture. It’s home to global tech giants and a vibrant arts scene that has shaped everything from music to design to storytelling.

Now, with the creator economy booming, Seattle is positioned to be a leading city where technology, entrepreneurship, and creativity converge.

The Union is where that convergence happens.

Membership provides:

• Studios and production equipment: Cinema-quality cameras, audio gear, and editing suites.

• High-speed digital infrastructure: Designed for live-streaming, podcasting, and professional editing.

• Community and networking: A diverse ecosystem of entrepreneurs, technologists, and artists collaborating on new ideas and opportunities.

At The Union, creators get access to an ecosystem designed to turn creativity into sustainable income and long-term impact.

The Future of the Creator Economy

The creator economy is no longer a side note. It’s the main stage. Independent voices, armed with nothing more than creativity, technology, and determination, are now earning more than the institutions that once defined culture.

This is not only about dollars; it’s about ownership. It’s about ensuring that the people who create culture also profit from it.

The Union was built for this moment. We’re not here to chase fleeting opportunities. We’re here to anchor a permanent space for creators in Seattle and beyond, a space where ideas grow into movements, where content becomes commerce, and where community drives culture.

Hollywood may have written the old rules, but today, creators are writing the new ones. And The Union in Seattle is making sure our community is not only part of that future, but leading it—economically, culturally, and collectively.

Ready to Build With Us?

The creator economy is rewriting the rules of culture and capital. The question is: will you watch from the sidelines, or take your seat at the table?

At The Union, we’ve built the studios, the tools, and most importantly, the community for creators to thrive.

Become a Union Member Today →

Because the future of culture isn’t out there. It’s right here, being built in Seattle, by creators like you.