Andrew Draayer is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and family man based in Chandler, Arizona. He grew up in a large military family as the ninth of ten children. His father was a Colonel in the Air Force, and his mother worked as a nurse. From a young age, Andrew learned the value of discipline, hard work, and staying positive through challenges.
He attended Hamilton High School, where he won a state championship in football and was named the school’s first-ever Mr. HHS. After high school, Andrew took a one-way bus ride across the country to start a job in door-to-door sales. That move would shape the rest of his career.
Over the next several years, he knocked on doors in 41 states, selling security systems and satellite TV. He became a top sales rep in a company of over 400 people. After starting a family, Andrew shifted into real estate, using the same skills—communication, trust, and persistence—to build a new business helping homeowners.An
Today, he focuses on residential real estate investing, while also giving back through charities like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Chandler Compadres. He’s donated over $78,000 to support kids and families in need.
Andrew Draayer is a husband, a father of three, and an active member of his community. He enjoys golf, men’s league basketball, and teaching his kids the same lessons that helped him grow—from sports to business to life. His story is about showing up, doing the work, and staying true to who you are.
Q&A with Andrew Draayer: Real-World Thoughts on Success
What does success mean to you today compared to earlier in your career?
Early on, I thought success was all about numbers—sales closed, money made, ranks earned. Back then, I was knocking on doors in cities I’d never been to, trying to prove myself. I measured success by how well I performed against others. But that changed after I became a dad.
Now, success is about consistency. It’s about showing up, doing what I said I would do, and being present for my wife and kids. I still want to win in business, but I also want to win at home. If I can be good at both—and not lose myself in the process—that’s success to me.
You’ve worked in door-to-door sales across 41 states. How did that shape your views on success?
That job taught me more than anything else. I was on the road, living out of hotel rooms, sometimes eating dinner out of gas stations. And every day I had to walk up to strangers’ doors and earn their trust in under 30 seconds.
It didn’t always go well. I had doors slammed in my face, people cuss me out, dogs chase me down the driveway. But over time, I learned how to read people. I started listening more. I realized that success wasn’t about the sale—it was about how I handled the rejection, how I bounced back.
If I knocked 100 doors and only closed one deal, but kept my energy up and treated everyone with respect, that was still a win. That experience trained my mindset.
What habits or routines have helped you stay consistent through different phases of your career?
One of the simplest but most helpful habits is preparing the night before. I’ve always been big on reviewing my next day in advance—what appointments I have, who I need to follow up with, what decisions I need to make.
When I was doing door-to-door sales, I would map out my route and go over my pitch variations depending on who I was likely to meet—families, retirees, people in apartments, etc. Now, in real estate, I prep my conversations the same way.
Also, I don’t skip the basics. Making my bed, eating before leaving the house, staying hydrated—those things seem small, but they give you structure when things feel chaotic.
What’s something people misunderstand about success, especially when it comes to sales or entrepreneurship?
That you need to have everything figured out before you start. I had no clue what I was doing when I started in sales. I had no real plan when I moved into real estate. I just kept showing up.
People spend too much time trying to perfect things. They spend months building a brand or a pitch deck, but never talk to a single customer. I learned more knocking on 20 doors than I ever could from reading 20 business books.
Starting before you’re ready is often the smartest move, because real clarity only comes once you’re in motion.
Can you share a time when a failure taught you something crucial about success?
Absolutely. One of the biggest mistakes I made early in real estate was hesitating on a deal. A homeowner was ready to sell, and I had a good feeling about the property. But I overanalyzed it—called two other investors for opinions, rechecked comps three times—and someone else swooped in and closed it.
That deal turned out to be a solid flip for the guy who got it. It taught me that success often rewards speed and decisiveness, especially when you’ve already done the homework.
After that, I changed how I handled opportunities. I still do my due diligence, but I trust my instincts more.
How do you talk to your kids about success?
I try not to tie success to outcomes when I talk to them. Instead, I focus on effort, attitude, and consistency. My daughter might say, “I didn’t score a goal today,” and I’ll ask, “Did you give your best effort? Did you support your teammates?” That’s what matters.
I want them to understand that failure isn’t something to avoid—it’s something to learn from. I tell them stories from my sales days. Like the time I knocked on 150 doors and got nothing until the last one. That’s when I landed a sale that made the entire week worth it.
They don’t need to win every time. But they do need to keep going.
What’s one thing that’s underrated when it comes to building long-term success?
Follow-up. Most people drop the ball there. Whether it’s sales, partnerships, or even friendships—if you don’t follow up, you lose momentum.
When I was knocking doors, I’d write down the addresses of people who said “maybe” or “come back later.” Most reps ignored those and just moved on. I made them a priority. I followed up within 24 hours. That small extra step made a huge difference in my numbers.
Now in real estate, I do the same. If someone says they’re not ready to sell, I check in a few weeks later. That consistency builds trust—and trust builds opportunity.
Final thoughts: What’s one truth about success you wish more people understood?
It’s not glamorous. It’s boring 80% of the time. It’s repetition, rejection, problem-solving, and showing up when you don’t feel like it. But if you can learn to enjoy that process, success becomes a lot more attainable—and sustainable.