Sabrina Ko: Moms Building the Creator Economy
A mom & founder who is creating a platform for creators to authentically share and monetize product and brand recommendations.
Welcome to Moms Building the Creator Economy — where we spotlight the powerhouse moms not just in the creator economy, but building it. From behind-the-scenes innovators to founders of the tools, platforms, and services creators rely on, we’re sharing the stories of the women reshaping this space for good.
This week: Sabrina Ko
Sabrina Ko is the founder of Audenticity, a platform that connects authentic creators with quality brands through referrals, affiliate programs, and influencer marketing. With over 20 years in tech product development, including roles in e-commerce intelligence at Rakuten and as head of Product and Growth at an edTech unicorn where she built successful referral programs, Sabrina brings deep expertise to the creator economy. After becoming a mom in 2016, she experienced firsthand the power of parent-to-parent recommendations while navigating baby products, inspiring her to create a platform that rewards authentic word-of-mouth marketing. She combines her extensive tech background with her personal journey as a mom to help creators monetize their voices and brands grow through genuine connections.
Tell me about your company and why you started it.
Audenticity was born from two converging experiences. When my daughter was born in 2016, I found myself overwhelmed by product decisions as a new working mom. The most valuable recommendations came from other parents - we were passing around Google Sheets with 200 rows of product recommendations from one mom to another.
I knew there had to be a better way for people to share authentic recommendations and get rewarded for it. Professionally, as former head of Product and Growth at an edTech unicorn, I'd seen referral programs drive 10% sales uplift at one-third the acquisition cost.
Audenticity connects authentic voices with quality brands through referrals, affiliate programs, and influencer marketing. We make it easy for creators to monetize their recommendations while helping brands grow through trusted word-of-mouth - creating a win-win ecosystem where everyone benefits from genuine connections.
What challenges do you see mom creators facing right now — and how does your work help solve or ease them?
The biggest challenge is the complexity and exclusivity of existing platforms. Most affiliate networks have lengthy signup processes requiring established websites and domain emails - major barriers for busy moms building their creator presence.
We've simplified everything. Our signup is fast, and once you're in, you get immediate access to all brands without individual approvals. We handle payments, tax docs, and tracking so creators can focus on content creation. Our technology actually works - creators get credited properly and earn the commissions they deserve, which is why established creators have switched to us from bigger networks.
How has being a mom shaped the way you show up in the creator economy or serve creators?
Being a mom made me hyper-aware of how precious time is. When you're juggling kids and trying to build a business, every minute counts. This influenced everything about Audenticity - we prioritize simplicity and efficiency.
Being a new mom also gave me firsthand experience with authentic recommendations. Your best friend is whoever had a baby 3 months earlier - she's up at night sharing what actually works. That genuine, experience-based sharing is exactly what we reward through our platform. I understand the power of a mom's authentic voice because I've lived it.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a mom creator based on your area of expertise?
Think beyond Instagram and TikTok. Blogs and YouTube content convert repeatedly over months, building deeper trust. MIT research shows nano-influencers often deliver better returns than macro-influencers - your engaged audience, even if smaller, is incredibly valuable. You don't need millions of followers to make meaningful income as a creator.
Can you share a moment or win that made you think, “This is why I do what I do”?
A small brand founder reached out to thank us because our platform helped her connect with creators who genuinely loved her product. She said it wasn't just about sales - it was about finding her tribe of advocates who understood her mission.
That's when it clicked. We're not just providing tools; we're creating authentic connections between brands with great products and people who genuinely benefit from them. Seeing creators earn meaningful income while sharing products they actually use, and watching small brands grow through these partnerships - that's the magic that keeps me motivated.
What’s one misconception you wish more people understood about moms working in the creator economy?
That creator work isn't "less than" traditional employment because it's flexible or home-based. The creator economy requires real business skills - content creation, audience development, brand partnerships, financial management. Many mom creators run sophisticated operations while managing households and families.
There's also a misconception that influencer partnerships are less legitimate than traditional advertising. People trust recommendations from real people far more than ads. What mom creators do - sharing authentic experiences and building trust - is incredibly valuable professional work that deserves respect.
Join Audenticity today and start monetizing your recommendations!
