A young entrepreneur who left college to chase his ambitions has revealed jaw-dropping insights into his extravagant, money-driven lifestyle.
At just 24 years old, Trey Colley has already lived a life brimming with experiences many can only dream of.
By the time he turned 21, Trey, an influencer with a following of over 600,000, was living in a sprawling 7,000-square-foot mansion in Las Vegas, where he kept exotic jungle cats that cost a staggering £15,000 each.
His lavish lifestyle extended to driving a £115,000 BMW i8 and rubbing shoulders with celebrities like rapper Famous Dex, as well as models and actresses such as Sarah Snyder and Mel Maia at exclusive events.
This opulent existence marks a significant departure from Trey’s roots in Virginia, USA. Growing up, he was a farm boy and captain of his high school soccer team, seemingly destined for a conventional career path. But that all changed when he decided to take a risk on the world of social media.
“I observed that those who seemed to be living their best lives—achieving their dreams—were often celebrities and influencers,”
Trey explained. “They had wealth, connections, freedom, and the opportunity to travel the world while getting paid for it. I realized that if I could immerse myself in that world, I could carve out a similar future.”
Trey threw himself into learning how to grow brands online, and soon he wasn’t just an influencer himself, but was also helping others achieve the same status. “As my platform expanded, so did the money,” he said.
This new venture was a stark contrast to his earlier life, where he would rise early to feed chickens and horses before making the 45-minute drive to school. As time went on, Trey grew increasingly restless, longing for a life filled with excitement.
At 20, despite holding a college scholarship, Trey made the bold decision to drop out and pursue his digital aspirations. “I had a full scholarship, was the soccer team captain, and maintained a 4.0 GPA, but I still chose to leave it all behind to follow my dreams,” he said.
Trey quickly became one of the most successful young self-made individuals from his hometown of Virginia Beach.
He owned his dream car, split his time between LA and Las Vegas, and was even eyeing an oceanfront property.
“Living with exotic cats in mansions, attending parties with influencers and beautiful women, having the freedom to travel the globe, and never worrying about dining out or shopping—it felt like living in a movie,” he recalled.
Although his father was supportive, others in his family thought he was making a mistake, as he was the first not to attend college. “I always felt I had something to prove,” Trey admitted. “Going all-in on my dreams was the ultimate test, and it paid off.”
For a while, Trey enjoyed the highs of being a successful influencer, but then reality hit hard. “I could make money from anywhere in the world with just my phone, but being young and successful, I was naive—I thought the good times would last forever,” he said. “But I was about to face a harsh reality.”
In 2023, Trey encountered a significant setback when his social media accounts went down just as he finalized the purchase of his oceanfront home. This forced him to start over from scratch, all while dealing with the pressure of a hefty mortgage.
This experience taught Trey the importance of diversification. He responded by launching his own business, Brandosaur, which helps clients worldwide build their brands. “Initially, it felt like a decade of hard work had been lost,” Trey said. “But I managed to rebuild my brand with a stronger foundation.”
Trey also turned to YouTube, documenting his journey and sharing his experiences. “Today’s youth are eager to leave their mark on the world, and I’m passionate about helping them achieve their dreams, just like I have,” he shared.
He is now chronicling his journey in a YouTube series titled ‘$0 to $1m in 365 days,’ offering a transparent look at how he built his PR firm and encouraging others to persist in their dreams. “Anyone can create an online business with determination and consistency,”
Trey said. “I want to be honest and show both the ups and downs of building a business because most entrepreneurs only highlight the positives. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it in the long run.”
Looking ahead, Trey plans to savor the rewards of his hard work but with a new focus on creating experiences and memories rather than accumulating material possessions.
His travels are taking him far and wide—he recently attended a business event in Amsterdam and has plans to visit Croatia, Prague, and the Czech Republic before the year ends.
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