From Mr. Goodlife to a Pioneer of Web 3 and Decentralized Media
Farrokh, a familiar name in the world of digital media and Web 3, became passionate about modern technologies from a young age. His journey, from succeeding on Instagram under the name “Mr. Goodlife” to founding “Rug Radio,” one of the most prominent decentralized media platforms in the cryptocurrency space, showcases his ability to adapt and leverage emerging technologies. This story serves as an inspiration for digital entrepreneurs and creators active in the Web 3 space.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Instagram Success
Farrokh Sarmad Tehrani, born in 1994 in Québec City, Canada, displayed an interest in digital platforms from his teenage years. At the age of 13, he began exploring social media, and by 18, he had launched his first business—a marketing agency focused on luxury brands on Instagram. In 2011, he started a luxury blog on Instagram that quickly gained over 10 million followers within two years, earning him the moniker “Mr. Goodlife.”
His business, Goodlife Media & Communications, founded in 2015, became one of the most successful digital marketing agencies, achieving over 250 million monthly social impressions. He quickly emerged as a top expert in personal branding, influencer marketing, and leveraging Instagram to grow businesses.
Farrokh’s Instagram Success and Its Impact on Personal Branding
By focusing on Instagram-based digital marketing and creating a luxury brand in 2011, Farrokh was able to attract over 10 million followers. This achievement highlights how Instagram became one of the most critical platforms for building personal brands in the 2010s. As Instagram’s emphasis on visual content and imagery grew, Farrokh utilized it as a tool to draw attention to luxury lifestyles and promote luxury brands. Influencer marketing, one of the most prominent trends of that era, was effectively implemented by Farokh in his business.
Mastering Instagram as a marketing tool required a thorough understanding of the platform’s algorithms, audience behavior, and rapid market changes. With a focus on high-quality content production, Farrokh elevated his personal brand to a global level.
The Pandemic and the Rise of Social Audio Platforms
Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, many businesses faced significant changes. During this time, social audio platforms like Clubhouse emerged.
Clubhouse, which gained popularity in early 2020, allowed users to engage in virtual rooms for live discussions. During the quarantine period, it gained widespread acceptance as people sought new ways to connect. Audio, as an interactive medium, enables the direct exchange of ideas without the need for text or video.
Farrokh, like many other digital entrepreneurs, joined this platform and used Clubhouse to network and develop new ideas for entering the Web 3 and cryptocurrency world. This marked a turning point in his professional life, ultimately leading to his focus on NFTs and blockchain.
NFTs and the Emergence of Web 3 Technologies
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), a blockchain-based technology, revolutionized the digital world. NFTs enable ownership and exchange of unique digital assets, offering artists, content creators, and even companies the opportunity to sell authentic and tamper-proof digital assets such as images, videos, and music.
Farrokh became familiar with NFTs by joining Clubhouse discussions about them in February 2021. At that time, many people still lacked a comprehensive understanding of NFTs, but Farrokh recognized the potential of this technology and quickly entered the field. By accurately grasping the value of NFTs, he utilized them as a tool to create a new media platform.
Transition to Web 3 and the Birth of Rug Radio
Like many entrepreneurs, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Farrokh’s business. He spent more time on social audio platforms like Clubhouse, and in February 2021, during one of these NFT sessions, his interest in blockchain technology was sparked. At that time, NFTs were at the peak of popularity, and Farrokh, with his deep understanding of digital communities, realized the potential of this emerging technology.
Shortly thereafter, Farrokh made a crucial decision: he discontinued his Instagram media business and fully shifted his focus to Web 3. This decision led to the creation of Rug Radio in September 2021. The name “Rug Radio” originated from a long session on Twitter Spaces and is a wordplay on “rug pull,” a term in cryptocurrency that refers to scams. By choosing this name, Farrokh symbolized transparency and a creator-owned media model.
Building the Rug Radio Ecosystem
Rug Radio is a decentralized media platform where content creators, fans, and the community share ownership and decision-making power. The platform operates as a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO), meaning key decisions are made through voting by token holders.
Creators on the platform produce content across various channels such as YouTube, Instagram, and podcasts, with a primary focus on Web 3 and NFTs.
The launch of the Genesis NFT collection in early 2022, comprising 20,000 access passes, marked a significant milestone for Rug Radio. This collection offered holders future benefits and access to various features within the Rug Radio ecosystem. Farrokh’s goal in creating the platform was to empower creators and provide resources for content production without taking ownership of their content—a common issue on traditional platforms like Instagram or YouTube.
Challenges and Success During a Bear Market
Creating Rug Radio during the 2022 bear market was not without challenges. Volatility in the cryptocurrency market and public skepticism toward NFTs and decentralized technologies were hurdles Farrokh had to overcome. Despite these challenges, Rug Radio expanded its community and established itself as a leading media platform in the Web 3 space.
Currently, Rug Radio has grown into a network with over 70 content creators producing diverse content ranging from NFT education to broader discussions on decentralization, finance, and culture.
Collaboration with Donald Trump
In a historic moment for both the crypto world and decentralized media, Rug Radio recently hosted a live session featuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, who released a video with the Rug Radio logo. This collaboration was a significant milestone for Farrokh and his platform, further solidifying Rug Radio’s position as a powerful media entity in the Web 3 space.
Conclusion
Farrokh has transformed from an Instagram influencer into a leading figure in Web 3 media. His success with Rug Radio demonstrates the potential of community-owned platforms that empower creators and challenge traditional media ownership models. Farrokh’s story is far from over, and as Web 3 continues to evolve, watching his next achievements as Mr. Goodlife will be exciting. His vision for decentralized and creator-owned media is already having a profound impact, and the continued growth of Rug Radio highlights the bright future of this innovative media ownership model.
Farrokh’s journey is a testament to what happens when passion, creativity, and an open-minded approach to new technologies converge. By leveraging the potential of Web 3 and NFTs, he has transformed Rug Radio into a leading platform that not only rewards creators but also redefines traditional media ownership. Rug Radio remains a symbol of what the Web 3 movement represents: community, ownership, and a shared vision for a more inclusive digital future.
