Complex's

Idea Generation

How Hot Ones’ Sean Evans Turned Fear into an $82M Empire

Shop exclusive releases and sign up for updates at Complex Shop https://cmplx.it/42euFjz In 2015, a pop culture-obsessed journalist from suburban Chicago had an idea. While anchoring for Complex News, Sean Evans was tapped by First We Feast founder Chris Schonberger to host Hot Ones, a YouTube talk show with a ridiculous premise that would soon find even more ridiculous success. Applying new media savvy to old media formats, Evans and Schonberger took a deceptively simple idea and gave it depth with rigorous research, sharp editing, and an undeniable respect for the classic interview format. In 10 years, Hot Ones has amassed over a billion views on YouTube and spawned a cottage industry of spice-centric products. But the ride to the top came with its own heat. The latest door to open led to their biggest move yet, when Sean and Chris partnered with the Soros Fund to buy First We Feast and Hot Ones from Buzzfeed for $82.5 million. And it all started with one idea…