# Complexly: Hank and John Green

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-01-16
- Length: 1h 24m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green

## Summary

Hank and John Green, the brothers behind Complexly and the Vlogbrothers channel, explain how they transformed a personal video diary into a sprawling media empire including Crash Course, VidCon, and DFTBA. They discuss the strategic decision to keep all educational content free, relying on advertising, crowdfunding, and grants rather than subscriptions, while maintaining profitability through bootstrapping. The brothers detail their journey from early YouTube experiments to launching major ventures like the educational platform Crash Course with a $450,000 investment from YouTube, and the merchandising company DFTBA, which supports other creators. They also reflect on the cultural impact of their work, the importance of earnestness in community building, and their commitment to donating profits to charity while keeping their salaries modest.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=0) Introduction: Hank and John Green and the rise of Complexly
- [5:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=353) John Green's early life, anxiety, and path to writing
- [24:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=1478) The origin of Vlogbrothers and early YouTube experiments
- [36:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=2210) From ad revenue to business: DFTBA and the failed Scientific American deal
- [48:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=2895) Founding VidCon and building the creator community
- [54:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=3298) Launching Crash Course with YouTube funding and John's literary success
- [1:05:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=3911) Complexly's business model: Free content, ads, and crowdfunding
- [1:10:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=4254) The creator economy, Subbable, and supporting mid-tier creators
- [1:18:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-16-complexly-hank-and-john-green#t=4683) Future of Complexly, leadership, and the role of luck

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Complexly (company)
- Vlogbrothers (product)
- Crash Course (product)
- VidCon (product)
- DFTBA (company)
- Scientific American (company)
- Patreon (company)
- The Fault in Our Stars (product)

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- [Mike Burroughs (Founder / Creator, Stanceworks)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-08-26-mike-burroughs-founder-creator-stanceworks) (Just Gonna Send It)
- [397: The Gift Curtain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-05-05-397-the-gift-curtain) (Making It)
- [376: This one only has four utters](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-11-04-376-this-one-only-has-four-utters) (Making It)
- [#179 - Bootstrap Heroes: Hazard's Hop Water, SWAIR, Gourmend Foods](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-01-21-179-bootstrap-heroes-hazards-hop-water-swair-gourmend-foods) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [134: Kevin Kelly Remains Undefeated](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2026-06-24-134-kevin-kelly-remains-undefeated) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

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