We recently connected with AV Pires and have shared our conversation below.

AV, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I’ve been able to make a full-time living from my creative work — though it’s definitely been a journey with both high peaks and some challenging dips.

I left corporate America to pursue legal content creation on YouTube full-time, and it’s become my passion. I now run a channel dedicated to breaking down high-profile court cases, translating complex legal proceedings into compelling, accessible content for everyday viewers. It’s a lot of work — but it’s also a lot of fun.

My journey started somewhat like an apprenticeship. While I was still a law student, I connected with a seasoned attorney and YouTuber who had been building his channel for years and had already amassed hundreds of thousands of subscribers. He gained widespread attention for his coverage of the Johnny Depp trial, and eventually, he invited me to co-host some of his livestreams. That turned into a two-and-a-half-year run as his co-host, where I got to learn firsthand from one of the most successful legal streamers on the platform.

During that time, I quietly began building my own channel. Once I saw enough momentum — both in growth and in the opportunity to build a truly independent voice — I made the leap. I stepped away from practicing law and became a full-time YouTuber.

And honestly? I have no regrets.

Looking back, are there things I could’ve done differently to speed up the process? Maybe. But the learning curve, the mentorship, and even the setbacks all helped shape the creative and business foundation I have now. I wouldn’t trade that.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a legal content creator through and through — and while it’s still a relatively new space, I absolutely love it. The ability to connect with and educate thousands of people through YouTube far exceeds what I could’ve done day in and day out in a courtroom.

Before going full-time on YouTube, I spent over a decade in corporate communications, most recently supporting the CEO and CLO of Wells Fargo. During that same period, I was also attending law school part-time. After completing my program, I made a big decision: I chose not to practice law traditionally. Instead, I followed a creative pull that led me to YouTube — and I haven’t looked back since.

On my channel, I break down high-profile court cases, making complex legal issues accessible for everyday viewers. I also offer consultations for aspiring legal creators, as well as business coaching for entrepreneurs navigating the content space. My goal is to make legal education relatable, clear, and engaging — not just for law students, but for everyday people who are invested in the stories unfolding in courtrooms across the country.

What sets me apart is my passion for sharing what I’ve learned in a practical, no-nonsense way — and my deep understanding of both the legal system and the creator economy. I’ve experienced the highs of viral success and the lows of slow seasons. Because of that, I don’t judge anyone’s path, and I think it makes my work — and the way I show up for my audience — that much more meaningful.

I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made by helping people feel empowered to understand the justice system, ask smarter questions, and even launch their own creative paths. Whether you’re tuning in for a livestream, booking a consultation, or reading a legal breakdown on my Substack — I want you to walk away feeling informed, not overwhelmed.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Coming from corporate America, I always believed deeply in the power of teamwork. But when I transitioned into solo entrepreneurship, I quickly realized that while collaboration is still important, small business owners also need to be strategically selfish — and I mean that in the best way.

When you’re running lean with a small, nimble team, every decision has to serve the mission. That means asking hard questions like: How do we save on expenses? How do we provide the most value? Who on the team is best equipped to execute this? You learn to get laser-focused on outcomes.

One of the biggest mindset shifts for me was learning to stop giving away so much of my intel, knowledge, and strategy for free. In corporate settings, “talking shop” was second nature — but once I entered the creator economy, I realized how valuable my insights really were. Charging for that value wasn’t just about business — it was about protecting my time, energy, and expertise.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I actually got my start as a co-host on someone else’s platform — and while I’m grateful for that experience, it was also humbling. It taught me the importance of owning your voice. When someone else controls the mic, they often control the message too.

Once I decided to go out on my own, everything shifted. My audience got to see parts of me they hadn’t before — my humor, my strategy, my raw reactions. I was finally free to show up fully as myself, and that authenticity helped me grow faster than any formula could’ve.

For anyone just starting out: start on your own. Collaborate, yes — but don’t rely on collabs to define you or sustain you. Post often. Post consistently. And when that spark of creativity hits — act on it. Some of my best-performing videos were born from unplanned moments when I followed my instincts instead of overthinking it.

Trust your voice. Protect it. And let it evolve with you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://avtothe7thpower.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/av7official/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/avtothe7thpower

Image Credits

Anselme Photography, Boston, MA