From College Dropout to Successful Pokémon Card Seller: The Journey of Andres Fernandez

Andres Fernandez made the decision to drop out of college to establish his own business, MintlyCollects, which specializes in selling Pokémon cards. In 2025, the company reported sales of $7.8 million, primarily through the live selling platform Whatnot.

Fernandez's journey began when he purchased Pokémon cards as a gift for his cousin, leading him to start collecting and creating content around the hobby. He initially worked at a croqueta bar while selling cards on Instagram Live before joining Whatnot in late 2020, where he became one of the platform's early Pokémon streamers.

Over the years, Fernandez expanded his operations, hiring friends and family to help manage the growing business. His sales figures increased significantly, with $3.7 million in 2024 and $7.8 million in 2025, and he anticipates reaching over $10 million in sales in the current year. Fernandez emphasizes the importance of gaining real-world experience and adapting to challenges in today's business landscape.