Aaron Marino is a Marietta resident who has lived here since 2008, Mr. Marino has cultivated his lifestyle to align with the participatory nature that Marietta community is based upon. This is primarily seen through his contribution to the business landscape. Pete & Pedro, created in 2015 and Tiege Hanley, established in 2016, are each online businesses centered around providing simple and effective hair and skincare. With each of these businesses allowing him to appear on Shark Tank twice, the tangible manifestation of these appears in the form of Salon Posta. Located just off the Marietta Square. Salon Posta opened in 2020 and since has been extremely successful. Marino was an investor in opening the salon.
“For me, I love big projects. and so whenever something is finished, I look for something else to do,” Marino said.
An outlet Marino discovered to fill this need has come in the form of an successful Youtube channel. Reflecting on his journey, Marino recalls his initial resistance to the idea of creating content for the internet.
“If you would have told me back then that I’d be making videos and posting stupid stuff online. I would have punched you in the face because to me that was not what success looks like. But what I ended up realizing was that it really impacted my life in that it makes me feel valuable,” Marino said.
However, over time, he came to realize that the path he had taken was more fulfilling than he could have imagined. The feeling of being valued that he found for himself is now shared with his 6.8 million followers that have viewed his posts over 1 billion times.
Utilizing this platform, Marino has recently promoted the significance of the Georgia Peach Program with a partnership at Marietta City Schools. The PEACH Education Tax Credit is an initiative that allows individuals and organizations to redirect a portion of their Georgia state income taxes to support public education. By joining, taxpayers may directly contribute to improving educational options in their communities, especially Marietta City Schools.
Marino found motivation for supporting the program due to understanding the needs of the Marietta community.
“I’d love to designate my tax dollars to Marietta where it can be used. What I’ve come to realize after living here and being involved, there’s so much need in this community,” Marino said.
His words reflect an understanding of the challenges faced by local schools and a commitment to addressing them by ensuring that funds are allocated where they can make a significant difference. Through his advocacy, Marino emphasizes how the PEACH program serves as a powerful tool for individuals to take an active role in shaping the future of education in their community.
When asked to share any advice, Marino offered this: “There is no barrier to entry. It doesn’t matter how old you are, it doesn’t matter if you’re white, you’re black, you’re brown, it doesn’t matter if you’re a woman, a man.”
Although this advice is regarding Marino’s opinions on the pursuit of becoming an influencer, it is also applicable to the nature of the Marietta community as well. Marietta creates an environment in which residents like Marino can give back and remain involved.
Marino’s entrepreneurial initiatives, including Pete & Pedro, Tiege Hanley, and Salon Posta, illustrate his commitment to the community’s development and prosperity. His YouTube account, an unexpected but rewarding outlet, has enabled him to connect with a larger audience while also contributing to a healthy and inclusive local environment. Marino’s support for the Georgia Peach Program continues to have a significant impact on Marietta, inspiring others to invest in their community’s educational future. Marino’s story demonstrates that true success is not only about personal achievement but also about leveraging that success to uplift others, ensuring that Marietta is a place where both individuals and the community as a whole can flourish.
Always remember, as according to the advice given by our local celebrity “just be you, there’s only one, and nobody can replicate that.”
