How a 25-Year-Old YouTuber Built a $3.7M Affiliate Empire

Brian Jung’s Road to Seven Figures

In late 2018, at age 21, Brian Jung made a bold decision: he dropped out of college after his side-hustle e-commerce store was earning $200 per day. He convinced his immigrant parents to back him and shifted focus to his hobby YouTube channel. What started as gaming and fishing videos eventually became a personal finance platform that would transform his life.

From Low-Income Roots to Financial Freedom

Growing up in Silver Spring, Maryland, Brian’s family often struggled. His mother was a salon stylist, his father installed floors. Saving money was a household rule: clip coupons, skip dining out, watch every dollar. Brian never felt deprived. He fished with his dad on weekends and gamed with friends, but money lessons stuck. Deciding to go full-time as an entrepreneur was the result of years of budgeting practice.

Pivoting to Personal Finance on YouTube

Brian started posting on YouTube in 2013 but earned nothing. In 2018 he refocused his content on credit card reviews, side hustles and crypto. By Dec 2019 he was fully committed. With only 6,000 subscribers, he was making $200–$300 daily. Then came 2021: retail investors and a crypto bull run fueled a surge in interest. He gained 900,000 subscribers in under 12 months.

Monetization and Growth

Today Brian’s channel pulls in just over $300,000 per month through affiliate partnerships, ads, Patreon subscriptions and brand deals. He hired four full-time staff to film, edit and manage sponsorships. He also invested in a restaurant stake generating $5,500 monthly, boosting his annual haul to $3.7M in 2021.

Investing and Budgeting Like a Pro

Brian treats his business and personal finances separately. Each month he allocates about $50,000 into diversified investments—cryptocurrency, NFTs, collectibles and angel deals. He pays himself $33,000 per month for living expenses and gifts. His three-bedroom Rockville apartment doubles as an office, covered by his business.

Spending on Comfort and Growth

On average in March 2022 he budgeted $3,745 on rent, $2,534 on food, $3,350 on discretionary items and $2,478 to support his parents. He drives an Audi RS7 and bought a Lamborghini Huracán, making a $100,000 down payment. A $145,000 home down payment in a new development will become his permanent residence in 2023.

Looking Ahead

Brian aims to grow his subscriber base to become the largest crypto and personal finance channel on YouTube. He plans more property investments, an e-commerce clothing line and expanded restaurant holdings. His ultimate goal is a multigenerational legacy where no one worries about money again.