We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Arujo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my storytime series during the pandemic when I noticed a lot of people my age struggling with anxiety and depression after being locked indoors for many months.

One night, I decided to go LIVE on social media, reading stories to my viewers, and it became an instant hit! Over the next few months, I grew to over 800,000 followers and 20,000-80,000 people joining my nightly streams. I’m incredibly thankful for the platform my viewers provided me so that I can continue making an impact on my community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What are you most proud of in your career? I would say I’m most proud of the positive impression I’ve made on my community and on the millions of people who consume my content each month. I constantly receive messages from my supporters, letting me know how my stories help them manage terminal illnesses such as cancer, family troubles, and even thoughts of suicide. Although I’m not personally saving lives as a doctor or a surgeon, I’m improving the mental health of young people worldwide through the pairing of innovative storytelling and content creation. The lasting effect a simple story can leave on an individual’s developing mind is the only impression that matters to me.

How did you get to where you are today? Was it easy?
Getting my start on social media was quite difficult, but I definitely believe there was a formula that led to my success. For starters, I jumped on TikTok in 2019 when the app was barely gaining traction. Back then, a single viral video could land you over 20,000 new followers because there were more people consuming content rather than creating content. Nowadays, a video with over 1 million views will earn you 1,000 new followers if you’re lucky.

Hopping on trends is a great way to get an influx of viewers instantly, but you won’t establish a loyal following. By finding a niche and sticking to it, your audience will discover you and your growth will remain consistent.

What is your biggest piece of advice for aspiring creators?

My biggest piece of advice for an aspiring creator is to look at content creation as a hobby, not a job. By pairing interesting content with a consistent posting schedule, you have the formula for success directly in your pocket. The numbers and views will come to you in time, you just have to get started on your journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would definitely start our mornings at Urth Caffé, grabbing coffee and pastries from one of my favorite breakfast spots in LA. From there, we would hit the coast and drive down PCH, taking in the amazing scenic views and blasting music out the windows. In the afternoon, I would definitely introduce you to the amazing shopping opportunities in LA. From luxury on Rodeo Drive to thrifting in the Melrose Trading Post, we have it all.

And to end our night, we would go to WeHo and find some spontaneous adventure. Whether it be a dinner reservation at CatchLA or a trip to the Comedy Store for a quick laugh, we would have a blast!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I attribute my success on social media to the many Community Managers at TikTok that have believed in me and supported me as a creator.

Back in October of 2021, I received my first email from TikTok, inviting me to participate in the Latinx Creator Community, #CasaTikTok. Here, I was granted opportunities to network with other creators, attend TikTok events, and have a point of contact that would guide me on my content creation journey.

Forming this relationship with TikTok has truly changed my life for the better, and I firmly believe that I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support. Special shoutout to Kayla, Harman, and Christen for making sure that every creator feels heard and valued.

Website: http://www.arujo.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josepharujo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josepharujo/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/josepharujo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/josepharujo

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatisjoseph

Image Credits
Charis Cheung

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.