We recently connected with Arielle Tate and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Arielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
I started my entrepreneurial journey at 17 while still in high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with the choice of attending school in person or virtually, I felt drawn to go virtual, even though I was unsure of what I wanted. I decided to take on two jobs, one in fast food and one in retail, to save money and prepare for the uncertain future after graduation. Balancing work with school was mentally, emotionally, and physically draining, and I often experienced panic attacks due to the stressful work environment and rude interactions.
Despite the challenges, the idea of starting my own business began to take shape. I had no clear plan, but I used my school computer to research how to start an online business. I invested my earnings into essential supplies, starting with shipping materials even before deciding on products to sell. Reflecting on this, it felt like a sign from God to prepare for future growth. I studied successful businesses, used them as inspiration, and sourced products through a third-party manufacturer, though my initial efforts led to wasted investments and no returns.
Finally, I changed my approach, concentrating on one unique product and its marketing rather than juggling several. This focused effort paid off. After months of hard work and being almost worn out, I had a major breakthrough when sales for my product suddenly took off overnight from a viral video, proving that my dedication and persistence had been worth it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Arielle, though I prefer to be called Ari. I reached my first six-figure income while still in high school, all from the comfort of my own home. My expertise encompasses E-Commerce, Marketing, Sales, and Mentoring, and I have successfully scaled multiple online dropshipping stores to six figures all in the comfort of my own home.
I developed a strategy that allows entrepreneurs to launch and sell products effectively without the risk of investing in bulk inventory upfront. While I work with both physical and digital products, I find that my faceless physical product businesses yield the most success.
In addition to my physical product ventures, I offer digital products where I guide clients through a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to replicate my success. This strategy has enabled many of my clients to scale their businesses and achieve passive income through organic marketing techniques that build their platforms.
What sets me apart is that a significant portion of my income comes from my physical product businesses, rather than relying solely on digital products, courses, or eBooks, which is common in today’s market.
I take great pride in my ability to persevere through various challenges and trials. I have developed a closer and more intimate relationship with God throughout this journey, and I now incorporate Him into all aspects of my work, giving Him the glory He deserves. My message to others is that it does get better and everything eventually falls into place. Challenges often serve as opportunities to slow down, build character, and prepare for greater achievements. Embrace the journey, as it could become your testimony to inspire and assist others. Remember that difficulties often have a purpose, and the outcome will be well worth the effort.

Have you ever had to pivot?
One significant moment where I had to pivot in my business was when Instagram and TikTok disabled my original accounts. These accounts were the foundation of my business; they contained all my reviews, audience, feedback, content, and opportunities. The issue arose when multiple imitation accounts were created, causing confusion among my customers. I had worked hard to build a following of over 100,000 on TikTok and more than 50,000 on Instagram, but both accounts were permanently deactivated.
This situation was a severe blow to my confidence, motivation, and mental well-being. Losing everything I had built was devastating. However, I decided to persevere. I reminded myself that if I had succeeded once, I could do it again. I had faith that with God’s help, I would be able to rebuild and even surpass my previous success.
And that’s exactly what happened. I started a new Instagram account and, within less than 30 days, grew it to over 30,000 followers organically. This new account quickly gained more recognition and engagement than the original. Many new supporters joined, and some who had followed me before were able to find my new account. The influx of hundreds of new reviews helped boost my social proof, and my sales grew to levels I had never experienced before.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I built and scaled my audience successfully by embracing originality and authenticity. Initially, I thought that copying successful businesses or creators would automatically lead to my own success. However, I quickly learned that wasn’t the case. What truly made a difference was investing time in creativity or outsourcing to talented content creators who could help my brand stand out and effectively reach the right audience.
My advice to anyone looking to build their social media presence is to focus on originality and perfect your content creation. Be consistent and create content that speaks directly to your specific target audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone. Once you identify your niche, tailor your content and engagement strategies to that group. Not everyone will fit into your target audience, but those who do are out there. Invest the time to find and serve them well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theaeuniversity.com/




