Andrew James found his calling in entrepreneurship while studying abroad in Australia. Inspired to ditch the traditional workplace and travel the world instead, Andrew worked his way up in the affiliate marketing world to become a super affiliate. He then started Oasis, a marketplace that connects top affiliates with the highest quality products online.
What inspired you to start travelling?
I traveled quite a bit with my family when I was a kid. Every time I went to a new country, my horizons broadened. I’d hear other languages, see other cultures, and get to learn about other people in a way I couldn’t otherwise. I’m from a very small beach town in New York, so leaving my little bubble was really eye-opening.
So when I had the chance to study abroad at age 19, I jumped on it. I left for a semester in Australia. I felt so free with this new way of life. At the time I was headed towards an engineering job that I wasn’t really into. I was just going for that nine-to-five job that’d get me six figures. That’s what I felt like I was supposed to be doing. But I met an entrepreneur in Australia who had a brand-new Audi and a beautiful apartment. And he was so happy with his life. I was like, “How is he doing that? He’s so young.” I knew right then that that was exactly what I wanted out of life. I got to know him over the next few months. When it was time for me to go back to the US, he offered me the opportunity to stay and work with him. My friends and family back home thought I was crazy. But I spent a year in Australia learning how to be an entrepreneur. Then, I started travelling the world full-time.
What are some of the biggest sacrifices you’ve made to get to where you are today?
I had to sacrifice what everyone else thought of me. Telling my parents that I was dropping out of college to become an entrepreneur was tough. I had to give up my college friends, my fraternity, and time with my family. And I had to navigate the judgement that comes with making a decision like that. Truly, I had to sacrifice my old life and my old self. I had to reinvent myself from scratch.
What surprised you most about getting to where you are today?
Your mindset is everything. If you improve your mindset, you improve your business. In the same vein, the more you help others, the more income you bring in. Everything is interconnected.
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