A Detroit man who once lived in his van and showered at Planet Fitness has detailed exactly how he transformed his life using a mix of $27 cleaning supplies, 3 cents rubber bands and an unusual recruitment tactic.
Mario Kelly, 41, was at rock bottom when his marriage fell apart and he lost his job.
Today, he's a millionaire tech entrepreneur who built a business that gives others a second chance.
With just $1,500 to his name at his rock bottom, he moved into his car and started selling wristbands that cost him just 3 cents a piece.
The wristbands had the words Believe 313 printed on them, a reference to Detroit's area code and a message of hope.
'I came home to an empty house and a Dear John letter,' Kelly told DailyMail.com. 'My ex-wife had a $250,000 life insurance policy. She left me with $1,500. That was my rock bottom.'
But from that low point, Kelly started building—one rubber band at a time.
He now runs an AI company, published a book and has millions to his name—and he pays it forward by hiring ex cons in need of a second chance.
With just $1,500 to his name at his rock bottom, he moved into his car and started selling wristbands that cost just 3 cents a piece.
'I remembered the old 'What Would Jesus Do' wristbands, and thought, why not make my own?' Kelly said.
'I found a website in China selling wristbands for three cents each and had them printed with 'Believe 313.' I started walking up to strangers in downtown Detroit asking: 'Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe in this city?'
The gig started as a humble idea but it soon turned into something much bigger.
People donated $1, $5, even $20, for the rubber bands.
Then City council members shared them on social media, and soon, Kelly had built a following.
'In six months, I made $17,000 just from selling wristbands. Every dollar I earned, I stuffed into my spare tire,' he said. 'That was my bank.'
Kelly, who was originally from Detroit's east side, began driving to Rosedale Park, a neighborhood known for its luxurious homes.
He said it was there that he began manifesting his future.
'Every night, I'd park in front of a different house and say, 'This is my house. I'm gonna live here someday,'' he said.
One day, he noticed police posting abatement stickers on a neglected property.
'I asked what was up with the house, and the officer told me the owner had been getting ticketed for two years.'
Kelly tracked down the owner, made an offer of $6,500 cash, and closed the deal.
'They mentioned the room was dirty, and I just blurted out, 'I have a cleaning company.' I didn't. I had $27 worth of cleaning supplies'
It took him 9 months to clean the entire house himself. First, he got a bathroom working; then he tarped off the rest of the house and lived there with just an air mattress and a heater.
'I didn't want an apartment. I wanted something permanent, something real,' he said.
'I cleaned the house out myself. First thing I did was get a bathroom working; then I tarped off the rest of the house and lived there with just an air mattress and a heater.'
By early 2020, wristband sales had started to slow as the pandemic started.
But soon enough, another twist of fate launched Kelly's next chapter.
'I was touring the Shinola watch factory trying to pitch my wristbands,' he said.
'They mentioned the room was dirty and I just blurted out, 'I have a cleaning company.' I didn't; I had $27 worth of cleaning supplies.'
But Kelly landed the job and soon turned it into a booming business now called 313 Cleaning.
He studied CDC cleaning protocols for COVID-19, pitched dozens of companies via email, and eventually secured major contracts.
'My first cleaning job cost me $27 in supplies. I made $1,500. Then that job led to another and another. In just two jobs, I made $4,500,' he said.
'That's when I said, 'I'm not going back. This is my future.'
As demand for his services grew, Kelly saw an opportunity not just to make money but to make a difference.
In 2021, he launched Believe 313 Staffing to help fill pandemic-era labor shortages by hiring people often overlooked.
'I went to halfway houses; shelters; anywhere people needed a second chance,' he said. 'I've hired over 2,000 returning citizens. One of them; Willie Bass; was serving three life sentences. He got out after 40 years and couldn't even get a job shoveling manure. I hired him.'
Kelly said his name became known in Michigan's prisons.
'Guys would tell me; 'As soon as I get out; I want to work for Believe 313.' That's why I wrote a book—for them. To give them motivation.'
By 2022, Kelly's cleaning and staffing empire was serving major sports arenas in Detroit; Houston; and Seattle—and it was still expanding.
During a business conference; he met a tech entrepreneur who introduced him to AI.
The result was his latest venture called Believe in AI; featuring 'Emily;' a custom-built virtual assistant that answers business calls; schedules meetings; and handles customer service.
'Every call center I've seen in corporate America is slow; understaffed; and outdated,' Kelly said.
'Emily can handle it all—fast; polite; accurate. She even has emotional intelligence; so she stays calm no matter what you throw at her.'
By 2022, Kelly's cleaning and staffing empire was serving major sports arenas in Detroit; Houston; and Seattle—and it was still expanding.
In 2021; he launched Believe 313 Staffing to help fill pandemic-era labor shortages—by hiring people often overlooked.
Kelly; now a millionaire; has most recently launched his latest venture 'Believe in AI' which features an artificial assistant named 'Emily' that handles business calls and scheduling.
He believes AI will change the world—and he wants to be at the forefront.
'This is Windows 95 right now,' he said. 'AI is just getting started. But in 10 years, it's going to run everything.'
Aside from his go-getter attitude and relentless grit; Ford credits his success to the mentors who guided him; as well as the discipline instilled in him by his mother.
'My mentor's name was Horatio Williams,' he said. 'He ended up telling me, 'Hey, you should ask for a FOIA.' So what I did, Freedom of Information Act, he said you should ask for the contract for the previous company.'
Ford also attributes much of his work ethic to his childhood.
'My mother; I had chores... so before I could go outside; I had to make sure I did my chores. On the refrigerator; like maybe on Mondays was the bathroom; Tuesdays was the living room,' he recalled. 'I've been a professional cleaner since seven years old.'
'If I didn't do my chores right by the time my mama came home-oh; you gonna feel it,' he said. 'You gonna get your butt whooped in the middle of the night. ‘Get your ass up; get your ass up; get your chores done.’
He also credits his knowledge and approach to AI to his teacher and Believe in AI co-founder Gabe Wilson—a field he dove into after meeting him.
'I believe in hiring the best people for each position. My co-founder at Believe in AI isn't just an AI developer - he's a genius,' Ford said. 'When we teamed up; I started studying hard. He really taught me everything: how to code; how ChatGPT works; OpenAI; I studied it all.'
'Gabe Wilson is his name; and I give him all the credit when it comes to AI. He's the mastermind. I met him through InvestFest.'
Aside from his go-getter attitude and relentless grit; Ford credits his success to the mentors who guided him; as well as the discipline instilled in him by his mother.
During a business conference; he met a tech entrepreneur who introduced him to AI.
The result was his latest venture called Believe in AI; featuring 'Emily;' a custom-built virtual assistant that answers business calls; schedules meetings; and handles customer service.
From living in a van and showering at the gym to owning a company that spans states and a home he once dreamed of; Mario Kelly embodies the 'Detroit grit', faith; and hustle that defines his birthplace.
Despite his millions; Kelly isn't focused on the money.
'I don't chase numbers. I build. I help. That's my purpose,' he said.
He still wears a 'Believe 313' wristband every day; and hands them out whenever he can.
'My story isn't about luck,' he said. 'It's about belief. If you believe in yourself; you can change your life. I'm living proof.'
From living in a van and showering at the gym to owning a company that spans states and a home he once dreamed of; Mario Kelly embodies the 'Detroit grit', faith; and hustle that defines his birthplace.
'Believe in yourself. Even if no one else does,' he said. 'That's how it all starts.'