Remi Bader has experienced a fair share of tough financial struggles as she’s built her career as a successful influencer.
During the Monday, November 3, episode of Jason Tartick’s “Trading Secrets” podcast, Bader, 30, recalled being short on funds earlier in her career while struggling with a binge eating disorder.
“When I started making videos, I did not have a following,” the TikToker, who makes content focused on fashion inclusivity and mental health, explained. “I lost my job. I had zero dollars in my bank account because I spent it all on food because I was binge eating at the time. Like, I was in a really bad place. And I literally just started making videos talking about me being in a bad place. That’s what happened.”
Bader also shared that she was fired from two jobs back to back, which took a toll on her in several ways.
“I remember literally looking at Forbes 30 under 30, crying when I was so unhappy with my job … when I was an assistant,” she said. She remembered thinking she would just “die” to have that accomplishment under her belt, telling Tartick, “I thought maybe one day, imagine I was in there as, like, a head of PR for something.”
She later made the prestige list in 2023 as a social media creator, which she referred to as a “full circle” experience. “I think that was actually one of the biggest moments for me,” she confessed.
Bader previously worked for Bravo, and then moved on to a role at Tidal that she “actually loved.”
“There was things I didn’t like to it, but I finally started enjoying my job and then got let go again,” she explained. “So I thought I was just, even though that was for a reason, I was like, ‘Oh wow, like I am not going to be successful’. Like, I thought something is literally wrong with me.”
Remi Bader Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images
What worked for Bader was connecting with others through TikTok by just being herself. Tartick, 37, pointed out that it’s “pretty cool” she built a career in the creator space by capitalizing on what made her different from other people, something that Bader also agreed with.
“And I agree with that because I always did feel, like, even more than my friends and stuff like I always felt a little bit bigger, like curvy or different,” she affirmed. “And I actually always … I wasn’t upset about that. I actually was like, ‘I’m special in a way.’”
Bader also detailed her financial success since finding her social media niche. She shared that she went from making $60,000 a year with Tidal before suddenly bringing in nearly one million dollars in 2021.
“I think throughout that year it started getting bigger and bigger,” she said. “I didn’t have a business manager at the time. I did sign with UTA, so that’s 10 percent I’m giving to them of every deal.” After that, she signed with a lawyer, who took another 5 percent of her income.
Social media influencer Bran Flakezz, real name Brandon Edelman, detailed how he made almost $800,000 in one year. Speaking on the Wednesday, March 5, episode of the “Networth and Chill” podcast, hosted by Vivian Tu, Flakezz said, “I grossed $768,000 in 2024,” before detailing how much was left in his pocket as a result of […]
“I did not have a manager at the time, I did it kind of backwards,” Bader added. “I feel like a lot of people get managers first. But that’s what I was giving away percentage wise and then you’re giving away a lot [in] taxes. So I don’t know, but I definitely was making a lot of money.”
If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, visit the National Eating Disorders (NEDA) website or call their hotline at (800) 931-2237 to get help.
