Stars Find New Income Stream During COVID-19 on Starsona.com

Written by Renee Hart

Working from home has become the “new normal” for thousands around the country. The financial impact of COVID-19 left many wondering what the next steps were. Entertainment has become creative in how we connect with each other. Starsona has created a platform so that fans can stay connected to the entertainers and influencers they love.

Starsona is a digital platform that enables Stars – anyone, who has fans or followers – to have their own storefront for personalized content, goods, and experiences. Personalized experiences include commercial requests, customized merchandise, video shoutouts for life events, encouragement, announcements, Q&A, 1:1 interaction to chat, and Fun Stuff. Fun Stuff are personalized offerings set by the Star. This can include a playlist, techniques and tips, critiques on fan work, and the list goes on. Starsona has nearly 1500 Stars, including Perez Hilton, Andy Dick, T-Boz, Tori Spelling, Rick Pitino, Kawhi Leonard, and Terrell Owens.

Randy Kessler, a lawyer, saw the need for this platform when he noticed how fans wanted to connect with some of the celebrities he represented wherever they were spotted. Of course, it is not easy to just grab the attention of a celebrity, especially with security detail. The idea was brought to the attention of three tech executives, Peter Karpas, Matt Martin, and Ren Menon, who also believed that fans should be connected with their favorite Stars in a safe way. Unbeknownst to them, Starsona would impact hundreds of celebrities during one of the most challenging times in history.

Starsona makes it easy for Stars to connect with fans, create joy, and make money. Stars personalized storefront allows them to maintain ownership of their brand. It is also safe and simple. Stars create a profile, select what interactions and products they would like to add to their storefront, market themselves to their fan base on social media platforms, and prepare for the requests from fans. The company also offers concierge service to help with their storefront. This is exciting for fans because connecting with a Star has become more accessible. The personal level of communication creates more than income for the Stars but an intimate connection from their loyal supporters. More opportunities for community development will stem from this platform.

Celebrities are not the only ones who can benefit from this platform. Anyone with a following or fan base are encouraged to create their own storefront as another source of income or as a one-stop-shop to connect and market their brand. This is perfect for local entertainers and influencers who are not tech-savvy and want to get their name out there.

"We’re moving away from simply being an app for video greetings to becoming a platform for all fan-to-star interactions, intermediary services, and engagement." -Matt Martin, founder and Head of Operations of Starsona.

The rise of Starsona will continue to give fans an authentic star-fan relationship post COVID-19. Accessibility to Stars has become easier from sliding in the DM. As we move in phases of the “new normal”, Starsona projects that in years to come they will be able to expand abroad.