Kevin O'Leary Gives His Best Advice For Investing And A Successful Career

Kevin O'Leary Gives His Best Advice For Investing And A Successful Career


July 9, 2023 | Eul Basa

Kevin O'Leary Gives His Best Advice For Investing And A Successful Career


Kevin O'Leary is most famously known for his role on ABC's Shark Tank, the television show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to investors in hopes that they will receive a life-changing offer. Not just anybody can be a 'Shark'—you need to have a keen eye for business, an expert understanding of the market, and, most importantly, the funds to make dreams come true.

O'Leary has it all. He built his fortune from founding SoftKey Software Products, which he later sold to Mattel. Now, he serves as chairman of O'Shares Investment Advisers and Beanstox. In an interview with Business Insider, O'Leary shared the one piece of financial advice that he has followed for years, and it came from none other than his own mom.

When he was young, she would tell him to always save 10% of his money, whether it was a gift from his grandparents or his earnings from mowing people's lawns or working at the ice cream shop. Despite being told this early on, O'Leary said it really stuck with him. In fact, he said continues that very saving habit today, and it has even influenced many of his major investment decisions.

"It's a mantra of mine, that everybody can save because there's just so much stuff you buy that you don't need. And if you put that money into the market, which generally is giving 6% to 8% a year for the last 100 years, you'll end up quite wealthy when you retire. It's the secret to success," O'Leary said.

With regards to Shark Tank, O'Leary's mother gave him another tip for success on the show: "Always tell the truth and you'll never remember what you said." He explained that people need to be told hard truths sometimes, no matter how difficult it is to be the bearer of those truths.

"They call me the mean shark, but that's not true. I'm the truthful shark."

Lastly, he ended the interview with his own nugget of wisdom. His best career advice for young individuals is to have a balance. While he agrees that it's important to focus on one's business and investments, a person can never live a balanced life if that's all he or she ever focuses on. Part of that balance involves making sure you take care of yourself.

"If you're healthy and energetic and you have balance in your life, you can live a long time. Great advice again from my mother, she really focused on that and taught me about food and exercise. And it's funny how you go back later in life and think, "I should have listened more to what she was saying because she was 100% right."


READ MORE

Common Features Of Great Cover Letters And What You Should Leave Out

Writing a winning cover letter is crucial for getting you in front of the hiring manager for a job interview. What you don't include in the letter is just as important as what you do include.
June 20, 2025 Jane O'Shea

Understanding Mortgage Prepayments

Find out the pros and cons to paying off your mortgage early, what other investments could benefit, how tax rates and interest rates play a part, and if prepayment is the best choice for you.
June 16, 2025 Allison Robertson

My friend inherited $80K, but instead of paying off his credit cards, he’s buying a Tesla Cybertruck. Is there a way to talk him out of this lunacy?

Inheriting $80,000 is a life-changing opportunity, but your friend’s decision to buy a Tesla Cybertruck while still owing money on high-interest credit cards could lead to long-term regret.
June 10, 2025 Peter Kinney

I make more money than my fiancée, but he refuses to contribute for basic things—despite working a 9-to-5 job and having "fun" money. What can I do?

Relationships are supposed to be about sharing financial burdens, but sometimes those scales can become unbalanced, throwing off the harmony and happiness in the relationship. Here's what to do if you think your relationship has become financially unbalanced.
June 26, 2025 Jack Hawkins
Google headquarters

America’s Biggest—And Most Despicable—Class Action Lawsuits

Americans have a reputation for being litigious. In 2024, class action settlements were well over $40 billion, which is low compared to previous years. Here are some of the biggest class action lawsuit settlements of all time.
July 3, 2025 Mark Schilling
Bill Gates

What Made Bill Gates So Successful? He Credits These Simple Lessons

Bill Gates is one of the most successful men on the planet—and now he’s got some easy lessons to help you meet your finance and career goals.
July 7, 2025 Ethan Vestby


Disclaimer

The information on MoneyMade.com is intended to support financial literacy and should not be considered tax or legal advice. It is not meant to serve as a forecast, research report, or investment recommendation, nor should it be taken as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or adopt any particular investment strategy. All financial, tax, and legal decisions should be made with the help of a qualified professional. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or outcomes associated with the use of this content.





Dear reader,


It’s true what they say: money makes the world go round. In order to succeed in this life, you need to have a good grasp of key financial concepts. That’s where Moneymade comes in. Our mission is to provide you with the best financial advice and information to help you navigate this ever-changing world. Sometimes, generating wealth just requires common sense. Don’t max out your credit card if you can’t afford the interest payments. Don’t overspend on Christmas shopping. When ordering gifts on Amazon, make sure you factor in taxes and shipping costs. If you need a new car, consider a model that’s easy to repair instead of an expensive BMW or Mercedes. Sometimes you dream vacation to Hawaii or the Bahamas just isn’t in the budget, but there may be more affordable all-inclusive hotels if you know where to look.


Looking for a new home? Make sure you get a mortgage rate that works for you. That means understanding the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Whether you’re looking to learn how to make money, save money, or invest your money, our well-researched and insightful content will set you on the path to financial success. Passionate about mortgage rates, real estate, investing, saving, or anything money-related? Looking to learn how to generate wealth? Improve your life today with Moneymade. If you have any feedback for the MoneyMade team, please reach out to [email protected]. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,

The Moneymade team