How James Afante Made 27 Million In Just 4 Hours Of Live Selling in TikTok | Toni Talks

Summary

James, born in 1999, shares his entrepreneurial journey starting at a young age, influenced by his Chinese stepfather's business acumen. He ventured into selling t-shirts and collecting bottles, eventually entering the world of networking at 14, which led to significant earnings and self-education at FEU. Despite not pursuing college, his business ventures flourished, including a sneaker care service and e-commerce with a focus on electronics. James overcame setbacks like theft by his manager and used TikTok to revolutionize his sales, achieving record-breaking gross sales. His story is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of digital platforms in modern entrepreneurship.

Takeaways

• 😀 James was born on November 4, 1999, and was influenced by his parents' teachings to earn what he wanted.
• 💼 He started his entrepreneurial journey early by selling t-shirts and collecting bottles to sell to a junk shop.
• 🔗 His Chinese stepfather, a former toy supplier, played a significant role in shaping his business mindset.
• 🎓 James didn't pursue college because he was already earning a substantial income from his businesses.
• 💰 At 18 or 19, he was earning half a million pesos a month and bought his first car at 16.
• 📉 He experienced a downfall due to complacency and arrogance, which led to the loss of his income and trust from his downlines.
• 👟 James founded JameSneaker Care in 2017, a sneaker care business, and later expanded to selling electronics.
• 📈 He created multiple online shops, which led to a perceived monopoly in the electronics category and a large number of resellers.
• 🏆 At 19, he earned his first million through electronics sales, aiming to inspire his peers to achieve financial success.
• 🎥 James entered the livestreaming space on TikTok, where he used entertainment to sell products and became a top seller.
• 💡 He emphasizes the importance of living for oneself, learning from mistakes, and having a positive attitude towards work and life.

Q & A

What year was James born and what significant event is associated with his birth year?

James was born in 1999, and he is referred to as 'almost a millennium baby' because he was born just before the year 2000.

How did James' upbringing influence his entrepreneurial spirit?

James was trained by his parents from a young age that if he wanted something, he needed to earn it or pay for it with his own money, which instilled an entrepreneurial mindset in him.

What was James' first business venture and how did it work?

James' first business venture was selling t-shirts and jackets from a clearbook catalogue to his classmates in school.

Who influenced James to become business-minded and how?

James' Chinese stepfather, who formerly supplied toys to all of the Gaizano malls, influenced him to become business-minded.

At what age did James realize the importance of stepping up as the only man in his family?

James realized the importance of stepping up as the only man in his family when he was 10 years old, after his stepfather passed away.

What significant advice did James receive from his mentors that influenced his success?

James was advised by his mentors to 'Live what you do' and to always have his business as his mindset, which he followed diligently.

What was the biggest earning James experienced that left a lasting impression on him?

The biggest earning that surprised James was when he earned 15,000 after just taking a shower, which he described as an 'awesome' moment.

How did James manage to send himself to school and what was the impact of networking on his education?

James was able to send himself to school at FEU through his earnings from networking, which allowed him to reach Grade 12.

What business did James start after identifying a gap in the market for sneaker care in the Philippines?

James started JameSneaker Care, a business that provided cleaning services for shoes, after noticing there was no sneaker care business in the Philippines at the time.

How did James expand his business and what strategies did he use to increase sales?

James expanded his business by selling his own brand of shoe cleaner on e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada, and later by selling electronics. He also created multiple online shops to create a sort of monopoly in the category and had a large network of resellers.

What was the turning point for James in his business when he started using TikTok, and what was the outcome?

The turning point for James was when he started using TikTok to sell his products live, which led to record-breaking sales. He reached a gross sale of 21 million pesos in just four hours, and later achieved 27 million pesos within two weeks.

What is James' philosophy on life and work, and how does he view the importance of enjoying what one does?

James believes that everything happens for a reason and that it's better to try than not try at all. He emphasizes the importance of living for oneself, enjoying what one does, and not becoming toxic in the work environment.