College Dropout Turns Pokémon Card Trading into Multi-Million Dollar Live-Stream Business

Andres Fernandez dropped out after one semester to focus on selling Pokémon cards, initially creating content on Instagram Live before joining Whatnot in late 2020 as one of its first Pokémon streamers. Recognizing the platform’s growth potential, he built a team that now includes his girlfriend, brother, and several friends, operating two accounts that stream dozens of hours each day. Early on he funded a large sealed-product purchase of $150,000, sharing profits with collaborators.

The business, MintlyCollects, generated $3.7 million in sales in 2024 and $7.8 million in 2025, and is on track to surpass $10 million this year. Fernandez emphasizes that real-world experience and persistence, rather than a traditional degree, drove his success.