# ICYMI... HIBT Lab! Babish Culinary Universe: Andrew Rea

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-12-01
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea

## Summary

Andrew Rea, founder of the Babish Culinary Universe, explains how he pivoted from a career in visual effects to creating the YouTube channel Binging with Babish after a period of depression and creative defeat. He details the viral success of his 'Moist Maker' video, the strategic use of Reddit for distribution, and the transition from hobbyist to full-time creator supported by Patreon and brand integrations. Rea also discusses scaling the business into a lean, six-person company with a unique revenue-sharing model for creators, while maintaining a focus on mental health and positive content.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea#t=0) Introduction: Andrew Rea and Babish Culinary Universe
- [2:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea#t=142) Early Life, Filmmaking Career, and Creative Burnout
- [13:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea#t=832) The Origin of Binging with Babish and the First Video
- [21:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea#t=1290) Viral Growth via Reddit and the 'Moist Maker' Video
- [26:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea#t=1612) Monetization Strategy: Patreon, Ads, and Integrations
- [33:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea#t=2030) Scaling the Business and Fair Compensation Model
- [40:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea#t=2405) Mental Health, Burnout, and Future Vision

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Binging with Babish (product)
- Babish Culinary Universe (company)
- Parks and Recreation (product)
- Reddit (other)
- Patreon (other)
- Squarespace (company)
- Basics with Babish (product)
- Bon Appétit (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 316: The Bubble](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-07-30-episode-316-the-bubble) (Making It)
- [How to Build an Industrial Automation YouTube Channel with Tim Wilborne](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-01-17-how-to-build-an-industrial-automation-youtube-channel-with-tim-wilborne) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [416: Ichabod’s Big Boy Pants](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-10-27-416-ichabods-big-boy-pants) (Making It)
- [Episode 050: Good Days](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-12-18-episode-050-good-days) (Making It)
- [Episode 043: Tell us how you really feel, Jimmy..](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-10-30-episode-043-tell-us-how-you-really-feel-jimmy) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-12-01-icymi-hibt-lab-babish-culinary-universe-andrew-rea. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.