I look at that photo on the left & I barely recognize that kid.

Sitting in my college dorm room with my lofted bed above me, earbuds in, filming tech review videos on a YouTube channel I'd been growing since High School called AppFind. I had big dreams but honestly had no idea how any of it was going to play out.

All I knew was that I wanted to build something bigger.

Something meaningful. Something to make an impact.

In 2016, I had started experimenting with YouTube Ads & decided to run them for a few of the mobile app developers who were sponsoring my YouTube videos. It took off – and it took off fast enough that I got a lucrative Silicon Valley job offer to drop out of college & join a venture-backed company full time.

I turned it down.

Instead, I decided to bet on myself & launch AdOutreach.

Shortly after, I joined my first Mastermind – investing more than I had in my entire time in college & taking the leap into the full business world.

I didn't know what was going to happen. But I had a dream & I set out to make that dream a reality.

Fast forward to 2026 & AdOutreach is nearing a decade in business (this July!)

We've helped over 3,000+ businesses leverage the power of YouTube Ads & Video Marketing to get clients for their businesses. We landed on the INC 5000 list 3 years in a row, most notably #60 in 2022.

And that brings us to Today…

I just released my first book, Video Authority: The Art & Science of Converting Viewers into Clients on Amazon

And it's already become a #1 Amazon Best Seller!

While I've been writing the book for the last 3 years, it's really 10 years in the making – a decade of helping businesses with YouTube Ads & video marketing.

I poured everything I've learned into this book.

This past week, I had a book launch party & as I looked around the room at over 70 amazing Austin entrepreneurs & friends celebrating together, I was struck by how deeply grateful I am for these past 10 years.

The highs, the challenges, the wins, the learning lessons – it's truly been an incredible journey & a blessing.

I have a quote that hangs in our office – “The Journey is the Reward” – and looking at these two photos side by side, I feel that more than ever.

To everyone who has been a part of this journey – thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

And I am so excited for what the next 10 years have in store! 🚀 😁

-Aleric

P.S. Video Authority is on sale for a limited time (as close to at-cost pricing as we could do on Amazon) & you can get it using this link: https://amzn.to/4bXmLAq