Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary, popularly known as 'Mr. Wonderful,' recently lauded Elon Musk's execution abilities during an interview with Fox News. He posted a snippet of the interview on his Instagram handle on December 21, 2024, where he described Musk as an "extraordinary individual," O'Leary highlighted how the Tesla and SpaceX CEO consistently deliver on ambitious projects.
“Musk brings something to the table that many of [his peers] don't have. They've all been very successful. But Elon Musk is an extraordinary individual when it comes to executional skills,” O’Leary said.
He elaborated on Musk's knack for turning promises into results, whether in the private sector or tackling broader challenges, like government cost-saving initiatives.
“It’s hard to find a place where he hasn’t chosen a mandate and been successful at it,” he added.
The Shark Tank star expressed enthusiasm about Musk's involvement in cutting government expenses, stating that the SpaceX CEO's recommendations could be transformative.
What Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary said about Elon Musk
During the interview with Fox News, O'Leary pointed out the inefficiencies in government spending and noted that Musk's expertise in streamlining operations could yield tangible results.
“There’s a lot of fat in government. Everybody knows that, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican," O’Leary said.
He also emphasized the bipartisan appeal of Musk's approach to tackling inefficiencies. According to O'Leary, the Tesla CEO's focus on measurable outcomes could inspire confidence in his proposed reforms.
"I think some of these recommendations are going to be acknowledged by the president, who will give him executional ability to implement them," he remarked.
Who is Kevin O'Leary?
Kevin O'Leary, a household name on Shark Tank, has built a reputation for his sharp wit and focus on financially viable investments. A self-proclaimed "Eco-preneur," O'Leary often seeks environmentally friendly business opportunities while prioritizing returns on investment.
His entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of SoftKey Software Products, later renamed The Learning Company. His acquisition strategy helped consolidate the software industry, leading to the company's sale to Mattel for $4.2 billion in 1999.
Aside from his Shark Tank fame, O'Leary leads the O'Leary Financial Group, which includes ventures in wine, real estate, and investment funds. He is also an author with bestselling books like Cold Hard Truth on Family, Kids and Money
Known for his straightforward advice, O'Leary has a philosophy grounded in financial discipline.
"Don't cry about money, it never cries for you," he once famously said.
Financial tips from Kevin O'Leary
Kevin O'Leary frequently shares his financial wisdom on Shark Tank and social media, encouraging people to adopt disciplined strategies for long-term success. His core advice includes prioritizing investments that generate consistent income. On December 20, 2024, O'Leary posted on Instagram:
“Everything has to generate yield, whether it's a fixed-income position or an equity.”
One of O'Leary's fundamental principles, inspired by his mother, is to never spend the principal amount of investments. Instead, he advises living off the returns generated by assets. He shared:
"When I was seven and my brother was five, [my mother] would take us to the bank… She’d say to us, boys, never spend the principal, only the interest."
In the same video posted on Instagram, O'Leary also emphasized the importance of dividend-paying stocks, which he calls "chicken on a spit dripping cash." This strategy ensures consistent returns, even in volatile markets, and provides financial stability.
Another cornerstone of O'Leary's advice is to let investments work for you, reflecting his focus on building wealth without depleting resources.
"Every investment—stocks or real estate—should produce a consistent flow of revenue,” he stated.
Shark Tank airs every Friday at 8/7c on ABC.