Some people follow trends. But by the time they’re actually “trends,” everyone else is copying the same playbook and chasing the same formula. That begs the question: who actually builds the playbook? Who blazes the trails? Who drafted the formula? It’s self-starters like Gary Vaynerchuk. They study consumer behavior, watch for subtle culture shifts, and have the conviction to move when no one else is paying attention.
Gary Vaynerchuk (AKA Gary Vee) is one of the most influential figures in digital marketing and personal branding. He’s not just a master of someone else’s strategy; he’s a pattern recognizer, early adopter, and calculated risk-taker. This approach has made him wildly successful, with several thriving businesses and millions of loyal followers.
Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential was also quick to adopt many of the same platforms and trends that fueled Gary’s rise. In fact, Gary was an early guest on the Him & Her Show and has now appeared three times. In each interview, Lauryn, Michael, and Gary talk about the internet, social media, latest tech advancements, and what’s coming next in the business world.
You can listen to the most recent Gary Vaynerchuk podcast with TSC below. But if you’re not sure who this marketing mastermind is, we’ll give you a brief overview. We’ll tell you who Gary Vee is and why he’s such an influential force in modern marketing and entrepreneurship today.
Who Is Gary Vee? How He Built His Brand and Marketing Empire
Gary Vaynerchuk (better known as Gary Vee) is an American entrepreneur, investor, author, and influencer known for his innovative approach to business and marketing. He first gained attention after helping scale his family’s wine store through e-commerce and online videos in the mid-2000s—when digital marketing was basically unheard of.
Over time, he became an industry leader in marketing, pioneering social media strategy, personal branding tactics, and modern entrepreneurship principles. He is now the CEO of VaynerMedia, a global marketing agency. Gary has also invested in and built several other successful businesses and maintains a massive online following.
Across his platforms, he shares high-energy motivational content centered on work ethic, hustle culture, long-term brand building, and emerging tech trends. As a result, he’s one of the most recognizable faces in the digital marketing and online business scene.
What Is Gary Vee Known For?
- Early adoption of social media marketing and building brands on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram
- Scaling his family liquor business, Wine Library, through e-commerce and video content
- Founding the global digital agency VaynerMedia
- Motivational and informative entrepreneurship content
- Investing early in major tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Uber
- Launching the NFT and character brand VeeFriends
- Writing bestselling books on business, branding, and hustle culture
- Speaking internationally on entrepreneurship, branding, and the future of digital media
How Did Gary Vee Become Famous?
Late 1990s–Early 2000s: Took His Family’s Business Online
When digital marketing and e-commerce were still in their infancy, Gary took his family’s liquor store, Wine Library, online. At a time when many people still thought the internet was a fad, Gary was maximizing profits through online sales.
2006: Started “Wine Library TV” on YouTube
Just a year after YouTube was founded, Gary launched “Wine Library TV.” There, he posted daily vlogs about wine. As one of the first daily creators on YouTube, he built a major online following and furthered his family’s business through content marketing.
You can hear more about Gary’s views on digital marketing in this interview with TSC, where he discusses the importance of organic social media.
2009: Published His First Bestselling Book, “Crush It”
As a pioneer of digital marketing, Gary wrote and published his first book, Crush It, in 2009. It argued that anyone can monetize what they love to do by using the right strategies. And, those strategies just happened to be leveraging social media platforms, creating consistent content, and providing value to an audience.
The book was a New York Times bestseller and established Gary Vee as a major thought-leader in modern entrepreneurship and personal branding.
If you’re curious about his and Lauryn’s strategies, read this guide on how to build a personal brand. Oh, and of course, our post on how to brand your business.
2009–2010: Co-Founded VaynerMedia
Since Gary had proven himself a skilled digital marketer, it only made sense that he’d help other companies. More specifically, though, he was helping them achieve similar online success. To do this, he co-founded VaynerMedia. It’s a global digital marketing agency that works with major brands to develop social media strategy, paid advertising, creative content, and long-term brand growth.
Early 2010s: Invested in Facebook, Twitter, and Uber
When Facebook, Twitter, and Uber were still in their infancy, Gary contributed major early investments. Unlike many others in the space, he could see where digital marketing and modern tech were heading. He knew these companies would reshape the way people communicate, consume content, and do business. And, clearly, he was right.
Mid–Late 2010s: Grew in Popularity Through Motivational Business Content
As social media platforms exploded in popularity, Gary leaned fully into content. He posted videos daily across Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and later TikTok. His high-energy, undeniable insight, and actionable advice resonated with entrepreneurs, creators, and young professionals looking to build something of their own.
Want more motivational business content? Listen to the episode of the Him & Her Show featuring renowned life coach and entrepreneur Tony Robbins next!
2021: Launched VeeFriends
As tech and online spaces evolved, so did Gary. In 2021, Gary entered the Web3 space with the launch of his NFT project, VeeFriends. The project combined digital collectibles with real-world access, events, and long-term intellectual property development.
While many saw NFTs as a short-term trend, Gary positioned VeeFriends as a multi-decade brand play built around characters, storytelling, and community.
If you’re still trying to understand the Web3 space, here’s Gary discussing VeeFriends and intellectual property.
2023: Became an Early Advocate for AI in Business
Gary was there for the rise of the internet, then social media, and later Web3. He could see how each would reshape business and consumer behavior. The next big shift? Artificial intelligence (AI). Gary has been an outspoken advocate for embracing and utilizing AI to streamline operations, enhance creativity, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital economy.
What Does Gary Vee Actually Do?
Creates Daily Business Content
Gary Vee is best known as a business content creator who shares advice, updates, and strategies for modern entrepreneurs. He’s active on all major social platforms and hosts three major vlog and podcast series:
- The GaryVee Audio Experience: A podcast that discusses entrepreneurship, investing, and personal branding through interviews and keynote speakers.
- The #AskGaryVee Show: A YouTube series where he answers audience questions about business, social media, and building a brand.
- DailyVee: A YouTube vlog that shows his daily life as a CEO, investor, and content creator, offering a behind-the-scenes look at meetings, travel, and major business decisions.
Speaks at Conferences and Corporate Events
As a leader in the entrepreneurship space, Gary’s regularly invited to conferences and corporate events. There, he delivers keynote speeches on business, marketing, AI, and digital innovation. More specifically, Gary’s big on “marketing in the era you live in,” sharing actionable insights for long-term success.
Writes Books on Business and Branding
Gary has multiple bestselling books on building a business and personal brand in today’s digital economy. Here’s a complete list of his books so far:
- Crush It! (2009): A guide to turning your passion into a personal brand and online business using social media.
- The Thank You Economy (2011): Explains how businesses must prioritize genuine customer relationships in the age of social media.
- Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook (2013): A marketing playbook that teaches how to provide value first (“jabs”) before making an ask (“right hook”) on social platforms.
- #AskGaryVee (2016): Based on his Q&A show, this book covers entrepreneurship, leadership, and social media strategy through direct audience questions.
- Crushing It! (2018): A follow-up to Crush It! featuring case studies of people who built successful personal brands using modern platforms.
- Twelve and a Half (2021): Focuses on emotional intelligence traits he believes are essential for business success. This includes patience, empathy, and accountability.
- Day Trading Attention (2024): Centers on understanding consumer attention shifts and leveraging emerging platforms to stay ahead in marketing and media.
Runs a Global Marketing Agency
Through his VaynerMedia company, Gary helps major brands achieve massive online success. He advises on things like advertising, creative direction, and, of course, digital marketing strategy.
Invests in Startups and Emerging Technology
As mentioned, Gary invested earlier in Facebook, Twitter, and Uber. He continues to make calculated investments in startups and emerging tech like Coinbase, Venmo, and other rising social platforms.
Builds Intellectual Property and Consumer Brands
Gary actively builds and expands VeeFriends, a character-driven brand he launched in 2021. He oversees its growth across digital collectibles, live events, merchandise, and long-term intellectual property development.
Key Ventures and Brands Founded or Co-Founded by Gary Vee
- VaynerMedia: His flagship global digital marketing agency, widely recognized in the advertising and business world.
- VeeFriends: His NFT and character-driven entertainment brand that gained major visibility during the Web3 boom.
- VaynerSports: A prominent sports agency representing professional athletes across major leagues.
- Wine Library: The family wine business that launched his career and built his early personal brand.
- Empathy Wines: A modern direct-to-consumer wine brand that received attention after its acquisition.
- Resy: A well-known restaurant reservation platform where he was an early investor and partner.
- Gallery Media Group: His media holding company that operates lifestyle digital brands.
- PureWow: A women-focused lifestyle publication under Gallery Media Group.
- VaynerX: The parent company that oversees his broader portfolio.
- Sasha Group: A VaynerX subsidiary focused on providing marketing services to small and mid-sized businesses.
Gary Vee is a marketing expert who sees trends before anyone else is even looking.
At the end of the day, Gary Vee’s success comes down to timing, consistency, and a willingness to adapt. From the early days of e-commerce to today’s conversations around AI, he has consistently paid attention to where culture and technology are heading next.
Whether you follow his content daily or just discovered him through this post, one thing is clear: Gary Vee has built his brand by staying ahead of the curve and helping others do the same.