Why are we trying to be the biggest fish in the pond?

I’m new here and to affiliate marketing in general so I really don’t know what I’m talking about at all but I’ve been reading nonstop and absolutely loving the angles and freedom of creativity in this industry. It fascinates me. But I have one question that’s really bugging at me. Why are we working so hard building other peoples businesses? You guys make more than I could ever dream of with my current life as a freshly 21yr old waiting tables so don’t take this as an “I’m smarter than you” type of thing and I’m surely not the first person to think this just very curious. Clearly these affiliate program offers are making much more money than they are paying the marketers otherwise they wouldn’t be there. So what’s the point in paying hundreds to thousands in tests and advertisements for someone else’s product, building their brand, customer base and em ...