This generation Z young man dropped out of college and became a millionaire through sales on TikTok

Like previous generations, generation Z also seeks models of professional success. But instead of wanting to follow in their parents’ footsteps into traditional corporate careers, many young people are setting their sights on the growing digital influencer industry. And, as the content creator economy continues to expand its reach and profitability, creators like Logan Walter are proving, in practice, the value of this market.

Walter already achieved millionaire status at the age of 21, just two years after starting selling lifestyle products on the TikTok Shop and six years after publishing his first video on the platform. What started as a creative form of expression for a 15-year-old teenager ended up turning into an extremely profitable story.

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The popular short-video app, used by 150 million Americans, is now as fertile for economic opportunities as it is for entertainment. And with just a cell phone with a camera and a decent internet connection, it’s never been easier to jump on the creator economy bandwagon.

“When the pandemic started, I downloaded TikTok because I needed something to feel creative,” Walter told Fortune. “I started posting videos trying to bring a little lightness to people. Honestly, I even tried doing those funny dances. It was all for fun. I never imagined what I was starting to build at 15.”

Walter’s personal project grew into a real career in February 2024, when he realized the potential of selling through TikTok Shop, the platform’s marketplace where users can buy products shown in the videos. Today, he earns more than many peers of the same age selling beauty products on the platform.

The Gen Z influencer earns tens of thousands of dollars a month promoting Medicube and Neutrogena products to his more than 250,000 followers. Over the past two years, he has amassed well over $1 million from product reviews, advertising, and brand partnerships.

Dropping out of college and taking advantage of the potential of the TikTok Shop

Walter quickly realized that producing content for TikTok Shop was an accelerated path to following his true passion: entrepreneurship.

The content creator, who lives in Washington, DC, already had around 100,000 followers on TikTok when he started selling products using the platform’s shopping feature.

At the time, he was in his first year of college, having been studying his bachelor’s degree in person for less than a year, when he started selling beauty and lifestyle products.

And the young generation Z quickly gained fame on social media with content about skin care. His videos promoting Dr. Millex products have racked up tens of millions of views, and he has become one of the brand’s top sellers.

Finding his niche as one of TikTok Shop’s largest male beauty and self-care affiliates in a female-dominated space paved the way for his success in the competitive influencer economy.

“I spent years on this acne journey… so I was always testing skincare products,” says the 21-year-old. “A lot of people say I brought a YouTube vibe to TikTok. I would add background music and sound effects, but keep it authentic. A lot of people sound too salesy, but what I realized is that you need to be authentic and talk about something you might be dealing with personally, and connect that to the product.”

In the first month selling through TikTok Shop, in 2024, Walter earned US$3,000. When the American summer arrived, a video in which he promoted a regatta went viral and reached millions of views. Shortly after, the entrepreneur was already earning more than US$20,000 per month, all while juggling the routine of being a full-time university student.

“I hardly slept,” recalls Walter. “I would wake up, do my classes for the day, try to complete the assignments, and then move on to the more business part of my routine… until I thought, ‘Why am I doing this? I should keep building my business.’”

In February 2024, he abandoned the in-person course and began studying online at a local university to have more free time, running his own business from his childhood bedroom. But the call of entrepreneurship — along with his impressive income — turned out to be too strong to ignore.

Walter decided to abandon virtual studies for good in May 2025, after completing his second year of college, just as his business was exploding. The content creator began to sign fixed contracts, work with big brands and sign monthly video packages. Your commission almost tripled.

Since then, the Gen Z youngster has built an impressive portfolio of clients, including big brands like Pacsun, Gap, Under Armour, Steve Madden and Cerave.

He claims to earn five figures a month from the app’s shopping feature and from partnerships with American and Korean companies, managing the entire business operation alone. And, at the first edition of this year’s Goli Gala — a TikTok Shop gala event organized by Goli Nutrition — he was nominated for the best sketch creator award.

Walter’s advice for other aspiring influencers

Despite the strangeness of older generations, young digital natives have been proving that social networks can be a path to financial success. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok have boosted million-dollar careers like those of Jimmy Donaldson (“MrBeast”), Addison Rae, Charli D’Amelio and Alex Warren.

And the next generation of workers follows these trajectories with enthusiasm. More than 30% of Generation Alpha children between the ages of 12 and 15 said they want a career on YouTube, while 21% said they dream of becoming creators on TikTok, according to a 2025 report from Whop.

Luckily for them — and other aspiring influencers — Walter says that the barrier to entry in the sector is quite low: all you need is a cell phone with a camera and an “authentic personality”.

Creators can invest in equipment like a lighting ring or tripod to improve production, but none of this is mandatory to start building a personal brand. Still, the self-care influencer warns newbies to temper expectations of quick success.

“It’s complicated, because I think a lot of people don’t necessarily see the results that other people share”, says the creator, explaining that many end up getting discouraged with few views and stop publishing content regularly.

“But you just have to keep showing up… It’s a 24/7 job, but no one can be 100% every day. Even on the hardest days, you still have to show up for yourself.”

Walter recommends that budding creators carefully analyze their data when a video goes viral — and warns not to celebrate too soon. If people quickly abandon your video, it might be time to change your strategy. Walter recommends starting videos with a “triple hook” to create a “cycle of curiosity” and capture the audience’s attention.

But, above all, he advises anyone who wants to achieve the same success to remain authentic. The Gen Z influencer believes the next big transformation of social media will be the move away from the “age of flamboyant influencers” as people seek more authenticity — and that could represent a competitive advantage.

“People need to find their competitive advantage,” says Walter. “Everyone has things they are passionate about or interested in, and it makes it easier to share products or experiences that really resonate with you.”