Eric Wei established Karat Financial to help creators navigate the financial side of their careers, but his aspirations reached beyond that. After working with clients like Ludwig, Alex Botez, and Wendover Productions, Wei took the leap into content creation himself. On The Karat Podcast, he engages with creators, many of whom are clients of Karat, exploring their journeys to success. Notable guests have included chess streamer akaNemsko and Patreon CEO Jack Conte. Additionally, Wei partnered with co-host Chloe Shih to launch The Joy of Missing Out podcast, delving into life in their 30s after years working for others, or as Wei describes it, to “just yap.”

We met him at VidCon 2025 to uncover the tools he employs to produce content, run Karat, and achieve balance.

Rode Wireless Microphones

As a host of a podcast, Wei prioritizes high-quality audio. “You can manage with subpar video — but good audio is a must, and having backups is essential,” he mentioned. The Rode Wireless Pro system comes with two Lavalier microphones, a receiver, a timecode system for audio and video synchronization, and 32GB of storage for up to 40 hours of recording.

A Professional-Level Camera from Sony

Wei started off with an iPhone but later switched to a Sony camera to boost the professionalism of his content. “You don’t have to have the most advanced cameras,” Wei pointed out. “For me, it’s about the realization that I wanted to seem more legitimate.” The Sony camera delivers professional-grade footage and adaptability, ideal for both vlogging and advanced setups.

His Karat Credit Card

Wei introduced the Karat credit card to tackle the hurdles creators encounter when trying to establish business accounts with conventional banks. “As a creator, it’s enjoyable to produce content, but eventually, you need to think about things like, how do I pay my taxes? How do I monitor my earnings? How do I identify my tax write-offs?” Wei explained. Karat tailors its offerings specifically for creators.

On-the-Go Protein

“I always keep a protein drink in my bag,” Wei recounted. “I’m a strong advocate that you can only possess a healthy mind and be inspired when your body is healthy.” He illustrated this by retrieving an empty Core Power protein shake bottle from his bag.

Mashable was live at the Anaheim Convention Center last week, reporting on VidCon 2025. Explore our coverage of your favorite creators, the newest trends, and how creators are expanding their audiences, influence, and making a living online at Mashable.com.