Startup Originals Team
Gary Vaynerchuk, known globally as Gary Vee, is a Belarusian-American entrepreneur celebrated for his tireless work ethic and unrivaled talent for spotting where consumer attention is heading. Rising from immigrant roots and a humble start in New Jersey, Gary Vee’s journey is a prime example of grit, innovation, and the power of hustle.
Humble Beginnings:
Born in Belarus in 1975, Gary immigrated to the United States with his family at age three, living in a small Queens apartment before relocating to New Jersey. Even as a child, Gary demonstrated an entrepreneurial edge, running lemonade stands and selling baseball cards and toys, making tens of thousands of dollars throughout high school.
Taking Over the Family Business:
At fourteen, Gary joined his family’s local liquor store, bagging ice for $2 an hour. He soon realized the internet’s untapped potential in the late 1990s and transformed his father’s small shop into one of the nation’s first e-commerce liquor stores, rebranding it as Wine Library. Leveraging email marketing, content creation, and Google AdWords, he rocketed the business from $4 million to $60 million in yearly sales.
Becoming a Content Pioneer:
In 2006, Gary launched WineLibraryTV, among the earliest long-form business shows on YouTube. His engaging personality and love of community helped him reach national television, including appearances with Ellen DeGeneres and Conan O’Brien. He attributes much of his early success to capturing “underpriced attention”-finding and using new platforms where his target audience was spending time.
Building VaynerMedia:
Gary’s keynote at Web 2.0 in 2008 snowballed into a $1 million, ten-book deal, with “Crush It!” becoming an international bestseller and establishing his reputation for digital marketing and branding. In 2009, together with his brother AJ, he founded VaynerMedia, beginning in a borrowed conference room. Refusing external funding, they built the company from scratch into a global agency with over 800 employees within nine years, serving heavyweight brands like PepsiCo, GE, and Johnson & Johnson.
Expanding the Empire:
VaynerMedia quickly evolved beyond creative advertising, building expertise in influencer marketing, eCommerce, voice, IoT, personal branding, and business consulting. In 2017, it acquired PureWow, entering digital publishing as Gallery Media Group and subsequently restructuring under the VaynerX holding company.
Angel Investing and Ventures:
Alongside scaling his own ventures, Gary became an early investor in industry-changing companies like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Uber, Snap, and Venmo. His success comes from acting on his convictions, often moving into new spaces before they become crowded. He co-founded other enterprises, such as VaynerSports and Resy (sold to American Express), and launched his NFT project, VeeFriends.
Personal Brand and Media Presence:
Gary Vee pioneered the concept of a documented personal brand, producing shows like #AskGaryVee, DailyVee, and one of the world’s most popular business podcasts, The GaryVee Audio Experience. He has authored multiple New York Times bestsellers and speaks globally, inspiring millions with practical advice on work ethic, patience, and smart risk-taking.
Secrets to Success:
- Hard Work Over Luck: Gary spent his twenties working endlessly, sacrificing leisure to grow his family’s business, repeatedly stressing that there are no shortcuts to real achievement.
- Self-Awareness: He urges aspiring entrepreneurs to honestly assess their strengths and passions rather than following trends for approval or money.
- Early Adoption: Gary invests his time and resources where consumer attention is shifting, whether in Google Ads, Facebook, YouTube, or NFTs, often entering before mainstream adopters.
- Ignore the Critics: He makes bold decisions based on his own research and conviction, warning that those who criticize will not be there to shoulder one’s failures.
- Giving Back: Through his massive social following, he consistently provides free, practical guidance to new entrepreneurs.
Legacy and Ambitions:
Today, Gary Vaynerchuk is the CEO of VaynerX and boasts a social media following of over 44 million. He has collaborated with brands like K-Swiss for signature sneakers, remains active in emerging tech, and dreams of one day buying the New York Jets. His story motivates countless others to “go where the attention is,” work tirelessly, and never compromise authenticity.
Gary Vee’s journey proves that relentless hustle, strategic foresight, and self-belief can turn humble beginnings into global impact.
