While most Monmouth College seniors were busy tackling capstone projects and planning post-graduate life, business majors Jackson Bergren and Kyler Pessman found themselves with something else on their hands: time. With Bergren finishing his Fighting Scots football career and both friends entering their final semester, they began filling the void in an unconventional way – by making funny videos.
“We started making videos consistently in February,” said Pessman. “We were just having a ton of fun with it, and when some of them started to blow up, we decided to really commit. We’ve been posting almost every day since.”
Their social media journey wasn’t born out of a grand business plan. Rather, it started with something much simpler – boredom. But it quickly turned into something much bigger.
“I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I liked the idea of owning my own business someday,” said Bergren, who graduated summa cum laude. He added a marketing minor, which fed directly into the content creation efforts. “Content creation is all about marketing, whether that’s yourself or a product.”
Bergren credits professors such as Tom Prince, Dick Johnston, Mike Connell and Jen Braun with helping shape his academic and personal growth, praising the clear role that Monmouth’s environment played. “The smaller class sizes really allow you to build relationships with your professors,” he said. “That’s one of the best parts about Monmouth.”
Pessman and Bergren were roommates and best friends throughout all four years of college, but their content collaboration didn’t begin until their senior year, said Bergren.
“One day, we just decided we were capable of making funny skits. It turned out we really enjoyed it.”
The comedic chemistry
Often drawn from everyday experiences, their videos – usually short, punchy skits – are heavily humorous.
“Comedy is really the center of it all,” said Pessman. “We laugh at ourselves during filming and just have fun with it. Humor fits our personalities naturally, so we don’t feel like we’re acting too much.”
Their creative process is refreshingly organic.
“We’ll either sit in the CSB until someone thinks of something funny, or we’ll see a video online and put our own twist on it,” Pessman explained. “We often just start filming and figure out the rest on the fly.”
Roles and responsibilities are fluid. Sometimes Bergren films while Pessman acts, and vice versa. With other friends joining in, casting is usually spontaneous. “There’s no set rule. Whoever volunteers or fits the role best just does it,” said Pessman, a magna cum laude business graduate.
Bergren typically handles editing and uploading the videos, with the pair aiming to post daily, often around 9 a.m. – a time they found to be particularly effective during the school year.
They focus primarily on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube – platforms well-suited to short-form comedic content. TikTok and Instagram have brought them the most success, including some unexpected viral moments.
“Our most viewed video was on Instagram,” said Pessman, laughing. “It’s about if humans threw up like dogs. It’s dumb, but people really related to it. It got nearly 38 million views and over 9 million on TikTok.”
Another surprise came from an earlier video about hide-and-seek, which Bergren initially didn’t even like. “It ended up getting over 13 million views on TikTok and was reposted by Barstool Sports,” he said. “That was a real moment for us.”
Even more surreal were interactions with big-name brands and celebrities. In addition to Barstool, Jason Derulo, ESPN and House of Highlights have reposted their videos. While they’ve yet to receive large payments, the attention has opened doors, especially on Instagram, where brands have begun reaching out for potential collaborations.
“YouTube hasn’t been as kind to us,” Pessman admitted, “but if we can hit a few million more views, we could get monetized there, too. That’d be a big deal.”
The bigger picture
The duo’s journey into the digital spotlight also brought unexpected personal growth. For Bergren, content creation helped overcome insecurities. “I used to care too much about what others thought of me. Posting videos made me realize most people are focused on their own lives. You might as well do what you enjoy.”
Pessman echoed the sentiment. “Our biggest advice? Don’t care what people think. Just post. Be yourself, be consistent and don’t be afraid of looking stupid. That’s often where the best content comes from.”
They also emphasize the importance of consistency for any aspiring creator. “Most people fail because they don’t keep up with it,” Bergren noted. “Consistency is the number one factor in building a following.”
Their story is not just about comedy, algorithms or chasing views. It’s also a testament to the power of creativity, friendship and the freedom to take risks.
As Bergren heads into the post-college world with both a degree and a growing social media presence, he sees the overlap clearly. “My academic background in marketing definitely helps. Content creation is a business. Branding, strategy, knowing your audience – it’s all connected.”
Whether or not their videos become a full-time gig, they’ve already achieved something many students only dream of – reaching millions, getting paid to do what they love, and learning a little more about themselves along the way.
***Courtesy of Barry McNamara, Monmouth College***
