INTERVIEW | Make Money by Thinking Like an Entrepreneur

What separates entrepreneurs who build lasting companies from those who never make it past the idea stage? In this compilation episode, Travis Chappell highlights conversations with three founders who built wildly successful businesses by solving overlooked problems, embracing strategic pivots, and executing with relentless focus. Featuring Tom Szaky of TerraCycle, Eric Huberman of Hawk Media, and Brian Keller of Auro Water, this episode is packed with practical lessons on scaling businesses, validating ideas, raising capital, and creating products people genuinely want. On this episode we talk about: How Tom Szaky transformed TerraCycle from a niche fertilizer business into a global recycling company by completely reinventing its business model. Why Eric Huberman believes understanding customer value is more important than charging based on your own assumptions. How Brian Keller identified a gap in the water filtration market and built a premium direct-to-consumer brand from the ground up. The importance of validating demand, building an audience before launch, and creating products that solve real problems. Why successful entrepreneurs aren't afraid to pivot when they discover a better opportunity. Top 3 Takeaways Great entrepreneurs stay committed to solving the problem—not necessarily to their original business model. Your pricing should reflect the value you create for customers, not simply the time or effort you invest. Building demand before launching a product can dramatically accelerate growth and reduce risk once you go to market. Notable Quotes "We realized we weren't in the fertilizer business—we were in the business of solving waste." "You can't bring your preconceived notions of what value means to somebody else." "If we make it beautiful, simple to use, and solve a real problem, people will naturally want to share it." Connect with the Guests: Tom Szaky LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomszaky/ Website: https://www.terracycle.com/ Eric Huberman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erichuberman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erichuberman/ Website: https://hawkmedia.com/ Brian Keller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankeller/ Company: https://www.aurowater.com/ A Word from Our Sponsors: - Visit DrinkAG1.com/TMM to get a free AG1 Travel Case with 7 free AG1Travel Packs in your Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order while supplieslast.  - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through July 12, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney -Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices