Aaron Marino—founder of the internet’s largest men’s lifestyle brand and two-time Shark Tank alum—became a millionaire and didn’t just build a dream house. He built a blueprint. In a recent video, he shares the three investments that turned his life around after bankruptcy: investing in himself, in people, and in real estate. This article breaks down each one with practical insights you can apply today—whether you’re still side hustling, launching your business, or planning your next move. Real talk, real numbers, real takeaways.
Every now and then, you hear a story that makes you stop scrolling—and start building.
Aaron Marino’s is one of them.
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In a recent YouTube video titled “The 3 Investments That Make Me A Millionaire (DO THIS ASAP),” Aaron—also known as Alpha M.—takes viewers inside his dream home. But the real wealth isn’t in the picturesque view of the new construction. It’s in the strategy he laid out.
Aaron didn’t start rich. In fact, he filed for bankruptcy in 2006. Today, he’s the face behind a YouTube empire with over 6 million subscribers, and the founder of multiple 7-figure brands—from grooming and skincare to an advertising agency and sunglasses company. He’s even been on Shark Tank. Twice.
But according to him, his success comes down to three game-changing investments—ones you can make too.
Here’s what I took away. And how you can apply it to your own journey.
#1: Invest in Yourself (First and Always)
Aaron calls this the best investment he’s ever made—and it’s not hard to see why.
Back in college, he split tuition costs with his parents and worked every semester. He even took summer classes to graduate early. Later, as a broke student, he scraped together $350 for a personal trainer certification. Failed it the first time. Passed it the second. That one credential opened up a new income stream. But more importantly, it taught him something deeper:
Skills stack.
The more you learn, the more you earn—not just because of what you know, but because of what you can do. Aaron’s now turned decades of trial and error into a platform called The White Label Empire, helping others launch businesses without wasting years figuring it out alone.
[TAKEAWAY] Ask yourself: What skill would give me the most leverage right now? That’s your next investment. It doesn’t need to cost thousands. But it should challenge you and move you closer to self-sufficiency.
#2: Invest in People (The Right Ones)
Aaron admits it: he used to do everything himself. But once his brand Pete and Pedro took off, he realized the only way to scale was to hire help. That meant trusting others, paying them well, and building a culture where everyone wins.
During COVID-19, when sales dipped, he promised his team: no one’s getting laid off.
Why? Because he had fortunately saved for the storm, and because loyalty isn’t built during the good times. It’s built when things get shaky.
This isn’t just leadership talk. It’s strategy. When people feel safe, they show up differently. They think bigger. Work harder. Stick around longer.
[TAKEAWAY] Even if you’re not ready to hire full-time staff, look for ways to bring in help—freelancers, contractors, or collaborators. Focus on relationship over transaction. And when you can, pay people well. It’s not charity; it’s compounding value
#3: Invest in Real Estate (Start Where You Are)
Real estate changed the game for Aaron—but not because he got lucky. Because he got smart.
He paid cash for every property. No mortgages. No high-interest loans. Why? Because after filing bankruptcy, he swore off debt and focused on assets that could grow quietly in the background.
Some of his wins:
- Built a home for $1.2M. Sold it for $2.1M five years later.
- Bought a salon space for $750K, invested $1.2M in renovations—now worth over $3M and generates $120K/year in rent.
- Office buildings bought under market value, now worth triple.
He’s not chasing hype. He’s building assets that pay him while he sleeps.
[TAKEAWAY] You don’t have to buy a building tomorrow. But you can start researching. House-hack. Invest with a partner. Or find a niche—like storage units or rental rooms. The key is to look for stable, appreciating assets that work for you long-term.
Bonus: Retirement, Reimagined
One underrated tip Aaron shared? A defined benefit plan—essentially a self-made pension for business owners. It allows you to save significant amounts for retirement in a tax-advantaged way, and it’s something many entrepreneurs overlook.
[TAKEAWAY] If you’re self-employed or running a small business, ask your accountant about defined benefit plans. It could be a smarter long-term play than the typical Roth IRA.
Final Thoughts: This Is the Framework
Aaron’s story isn’t about overnight success. It’s about direction. Discipline. Decisions made when nobody’s watching. You don’t need a million dollars to start building your future. You just need a blueprint. And that’s what this is:
- Invest in your skillset.
- Invest in people who make the vision better.
- Invest in assets that don’t need you to hustle forever.
What struck me most wasn’t the financials. It was the clarity. Aaron knows who he is, what he values, and what he’s building.
And you can have that, too.
Start where you are. Apply what you know. Stack the skills. Build the team. Plant the seed.
Let compound returns do the rest.
