In the past few months, the internet has been buzzing with the phrase “Luckily I have purse,” which blew up online after a clip of “Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast” was posted on TikTok. Podcast co-host and UT alumnus Connor Wood has more than a purse, though. Since graduating in 2019, he has secured brand partnerships and a large social media platform. The Daily Texan sat down with Wood to discuss his most recent partnership with Uber One for students, which set up camp on Speedway today, as well as his time at UT and how that influenced him to — well, be an influencer.

The Daily Texan: How did your time at UT lead you to get into the influencer space?

Connor Wood: I was an advertising major. I worked at Bumble right out of school, which was based here in Austin. I did a lot of marketing for them. I didn’t plan for myself to be on the influencer side, but it was really helpful being here at UT while that industry was blossoming.

DT: How has the “Luckily I have purse” audio influenced your platform and getting more brand deals and partnerships?

CW: I got no brand deals or partnerships (but) every brand in the world did use that audio. It’s not something that we planned or wrote. It’s also been fun because I reached a full new audience with that (by) accident (and) introduced a different audience to my comedy as well. 

DT: Speaking of your comedy, you just went on your first tour. All of your Texas shows sold out. How was that for you?

CW: I was nervous about having friends from college, high school (or) family members come to shows. It was a big growth moment for me to rip the band-aid off. Everyone loved it. (I’m) pinching myself that I sold out all of these shows in Texas. 

DT: Tell me a bit about this project with Uber One.

CW: We are helping launch Uber One for students, a program that gives (students) access and discounts to brands. It’s brands people use a lot — Starbucks, Wendy’s, all of the Uber brands, Elf products, Lemme products (and more). I was invited to come back to UT to help launch this program here because I would have killed for this in college. 

DT: What’s next for you? Are you focusing primarily on live shows or on the influencer side of your career?

CW: Definitely focusing most of my efforts into comedy and touring, maybe a special down the road at some point. A lot of other projects too, it’s fun stuff.