20-year-old AUS student and young entrepreneur Aaron James Arquero started his career as early as 2015.
By Salma Atta
SHARJAH– At the age of 14, James started his career at “Archer Creative” as a Business Strategy and Branding Consultant where he developed online marketing campaigns for over 90 clients from 20 countries and gave consultation and advice to startups for three years. Simultaneously, James has excelled in his time at Gems Wellington Academy with a membership of the exclusive GEMS Honors Program and as President of The Student Council from 2017 to 2019. He also shelfs several academic awards.
Becoming an AUS Student
James is studying a bachelor’s of science at the School of Business Administration at the American University of Sharjah. During his time at AUS, James has achieved the “Chancellor’s List Award” and the “Dean’s List Award” in Spring 2020, and the competitive “Sharakah Scholarship Award” in 2019. Additionally, his activities and contributions on campus are heavily influenced by his finance major. James started his tenure with Finance Executives as a marketing and outreach coordinator, and then as the vice president. His accomplishments and tasks in FiEx included contacting businesses for sponsorships and partnerships and developing a website. While on campus, James has interned off campus and worked with “Tabby” and “Majid Al Futtaim” in business-related functions.
According to the AUS official website, James was named one of the top 100 competitors in CEO’S 2020 Virtual Global Pitch competition for his startup “Formflair,” which is a sustainable fashion marketplace.
When it comes to balancing personal life with work life, many students find it stressful.
James finds it hard as well, but he says, “I think it is all about priorities. When you know what you value most, everything falls into place almost naturally.”
James also contributes to activities that are not related to his major. Starting from Fall 2021, he became a host at the official AUS student podcast Tea-With-Gen-Z along with other AUS students. The podcast gives voice to AUS students by discussing Generation Z issues such as imposter syndrome, third culture kids, body positivity and other campus-related issues.
Background and personal life
James moved to Sharjah from Pasig, his hometown in the Philippines. Being an expat comes with many privileges and downsides, especially when some communities are less privileged than others.
“I think, oftentimes, we tend to focus on our limitations and what we lack; but the truth is, we are so much more capable than what we give ourselves credit for. Gender, nationality, age, experience should never be barriers to our goals,” James says.
Anyone who knows James knows that his family and friends are a top priority in his life. Through his public Instagram account, he shares his special memories and moments with his friends and family via photos and videos.
Like most young adults, he enjoys reading books, listening to good music and binge-watching Netflix shows. He also dedicates an Instagram account to share his personal poetry journal.
James also helps others with his project “Made for Excellence,” which is a motivational self-development website and blog that aims to empower and motivate people.
Aaron James continues to seek more challenges and new experiences as he hopes to maintain his success after graduating in spring 2023.
He says, “I love constantly challenging myself and pushing my limits so, truthfully, many of my initiatives were the result of following impulses and curiosities and figuring it out along the way.”
