Apr 22, 2025
Not so long ago, Mario Kelly was homeless and sleeping in his van in Detroit, parked outside the kind of expensive homes he dreamed of owning one day.
Now the self-made millionaire lives in one of those homes, and was featured as 2024’s Entrepreneur of the Year in Beautiful + Machine Magazine.
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He tells his story — and how it all started with a $6,500 fixer-upper and $27 worth of cleaning supplies — in his book, The $27 Millionaire.
From homeless to high-value entrepreneur
Kelly shared his story with Fox 2 Detroit.
Once married with a job at Ford, Kelly eventually found himself divorced, unemployed and living in his van. He told Fox 2 that what kept him going was his belief in a better future.
One day, he noticed police placing an abatement notice on a run-down house, warning of hazards inside. Kelly learned more about problems with the home and believed he could tackle them himself.
He tracked down the owner and bought the home for $6,500. Room by room, he fixed it up, building skills along the way. He soon put those skills to work on a larger scale.
While touring a Shinola factory, Kelly overheard an employee complain about the poor job their current cleaning service was doing.
Seizing the moment, Kelly said he had a cleaning company. In fact, all he had was $27 worth of cleaning supplies. He landed the Shinola cleaning contract and 313 Cleaning was born.
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"I'm the cleaning guy," he said. "My whole journey started with cleaning, so let's show them where it started at, where the $27 started at."
In 2021, Kelly realized businesses were struggling to find workers. He launched Believe 313 Staffing, a company that gave second chances to people who, like him, were once down on their luck.
Now he’s venturing into AI, promoting an AI-powered personal assistant.
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Apply this self-made millionaire’s approach
Mario Kelly is sharing his story as a powerful reminder that anyone — regardless of background — can move toward financial independence with a combination of grit, self-confidence and resourcefulness.
Be open to new opportunities
Kelly didn’t wait to be “ready.” He leaned into opportunity, even if it meant figuring the details out later. New industries are opening up every day, for example in AI, e-commerce and content creation. If something sparks your interest, start learning and see where it leads.
Find ways to fill gaps in the market
The key to every business Kelly built? Solving someone else’s problem. He listened closely, noticed what was missing and then offered a solution. From poor cleaning services to companies struggling to hire, he turned unmet needs into new revenue. Look for ways you can fill gaps and solve other people's problems.
Focus on people, not perfection
Kelly hired those who often get overlooked — people who spent time in the criminal justice system, people with gaps in their work history — and built a team around shared values and work ethic. Business isn’t just about strategy; it’s about people. Whether you’re hiring, selling, or networking, treat others with empathy and respect.
Mario Kelly didn’t wait for the perfect moment. He made the most of the moment he had. His path wasn’t linear. He failed. He improvised. But he kept moving forward.
Whether you’re chasing financial freedom or simply looking to start something new, his story is proof that with belief, action and a little hustle, big change is possible.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
