Serial entrepreneur Andrew Andrawes has been working his way into the influencer marketing industry. Since the beginning of his latest start-up Thundrr, Andrawes and his skillful team are on a mission to foster authentic connections between brands and social media influencers.
Thundrr not only focuses on campaign strategy but talent management, content creation, and it’s newest developing PR services. From the vast network Andrawes had acquired post-graduation from USC, he was able to launch the agency at a time when more businesses started utilizing influencers in their marketing.
“We create unique content strategies to achieve awareness aiming for what we call ‘a viral thundrr effect’ on social media,” he says.
The agency is based out of Los Angeles, CA, where Andrawes has resided for over 13 years. His love for the city goes beyond the sunny days and palm trees. Since moving to LA, the entrepreneur shares that he has experienced a great deal of personal growth impacted by meeting new people and being presented with exciting opportunities every day. Settling down roots in The City of Angels has allowed Andrawes to pursue his passions in a place that thrives on uniqueness and creativity.
“The culture is so diverse out here, you can meet people from different parts of the world. There is so much to see, people to meet and lessons to be learned,” Andrawes says.
Although the pandemic has hit many companies hard, Thundrr has managed to pull through stronger than ever. The quickly growing start-up manages roughly 50 influencers and has a working relationship with six to seven brands at any given time. With an extended network of over 5,000 influencers spanning North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, you’ve probably come across branded content or influencers Thundrr has worked with.
However successful Thundrr is becoming, Andrawes wasn’t always set on working in influencer marketing. After acquiring a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2012, he realized that he could pursue his many passions and interests through serial entrepreneurship. Although free to invest in different opportunities, he warns others that this career path also comes with ample risks.
“Where do I begin… starting and running a successful company takes a lot of wisdom and trial & error,” he says.
To run any brand or business it takes someone who not only possesses leadership skills but promotes a healthy, collaborative environment. Sometimes opportunities fall through but it’s important to continue looking ahead to new investments that will be beneficial long term.
“As I reap the fruits from investments made in the past, I have been increasingly diligent about the type of investments and companies I’m involved in.”
Apart from Thundrr, Andrawes also dedicates his time towards Forma, an innovative CBD brand with the goal to ease the lives of users. The company draws in athletes, yoga instructors, wellness advocates, and business owners as their primary consumers and aims to provide alternative substances that differ from traditional medical treatments.
With studies surfacing showing the positive effects that CBD can have on the body, Forma hopes to equip individuals with the tools they need to navigate their day-to-day lives, whether that means relieving chronic pain or potentially reducing anxiety.
“Forma has come with multiple obstacles, but with every problem, there is a solution. Fortunately, with a good trustworthy team anything is possible,” he says.
The ambitious 31-year-old shares that no matter where life takes you or what opportunities you seek, it’s important to surround yourself with good people. Andrawes’ friends, family, and business partners continue to create a healthy support system that celebrates his successes and stands with him through his failures. He works to recreate a similar environment in his start-ups that promotes team players and mutual respect.
In a constantly changing economy and business world, an entrepreneur never knows what tomorrow holds but Andrawes believes all things happen for a reason.
“The world works in mysterious ways – you will find that as soon as you walk away from a certain situation, more doors will open for you.”
