Podcast Summary: Travis Makes Money

Episode: TMF PREVIEW | Make Friends with Mike Lazerow
Host: Travis Chappell
Guest: Mike Lazerow (Author/Entrepreneur) and Guest Investor
Date: February 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode offers a sneak peek into an upcoming episode of “Travis Makes Friends,” focusing on the intersection of creator-led businesses, the importance of relationships in entrepreneurship, and the unconventional paths people take to financial success. Travis sits down with author and entrepreneur Mike Lazerow, discussing the evolution of creator-driven brands, the role of luck and timing in business, and actionable lessons for building networks and giving back.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Creator-Led Businesses and the Power of Distribution

• The panel discusses the rare nature of raising venture capital for traditional consumer product brands and how creators can break that mold.
• Creator Passion: Mike emphasizes the necessity for creators to genuinely pour their passion into their businesses.
• Notable Examples:
  • “Something like Prime with Logan Paul KSI… there’s just no way that they were going to fail with that. They have way too many subscribers in two geographic locations.” (Guest Investor, 01:38)
  • The story of “Sour Strips” is highlighted, showing that even smaller creators can scale hugely successful brands.
• Mike Lazerow: “[W]hen you combine business with distribution and passion… there's no better place to find your purpose or your passion than like a company that you run.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 02:22)

2. Building Beyond Personality Brands

• Discussion shifts to “Liquid Death” water as a brand with its own ‘voice’, showing that the brand itself can be the creator, not necessarily a single person.
• “Liquid Death has a voice, correct?” (Author/Entrepreneur, 04:03)
• “That voice is like they spend ten grand on a video, but the idea is so good.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 04:10)

3. The Value of Building in Public and Networking

• Mike stresses building relationships, giving value, and sharing along the journey rather than operating in isolation.
• Advice to Entrepreneurs: “Not don’t just build your network, but build in public, connect with people, share, build distribution.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 04:46)
• The regret of not continuing public engagement after the sale of Buddy Media shows the importance of ongoing connection.

4. The Buddy Media Story and Importance of Timing

• Buddy Media’s growth as a social media management system is explained: “Software that lets you control all of your social media, from publishing to ads to analytics.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 05:32)
• Mike attributes the company’s massive success to both hard work and significant luck:
  • “It's a sprinkle of hard work, potatoes, and a fuck ton of luck.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 09:44)
• He credits the vision of Zuckerberg and early belief in Facebook when it was a riskier bet:
  • “We picked Facebook at a time that like MySpace, LinkedIn, Friendster were bigger than them. But we thought… Zuck’s vision for the social web was so compelling.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 09:44)

5. The Process and Purpose of Writing “Shoveling: A Love Story”

• The motivation to write their book came from Mike’s wife, Cass, and served as a way to capture their entrepreneurial lessons.
• “She really kind of outlined it. I did the writing. She tried to edit…” (Author/Entrepreneur, 11:21)
• The process was both cathartic and sometimes challenging for their marriage.
• The book was designed not just for high-profile entrepreneurs, but for small business owners:
  • “We wrote it for the pizza parlor owner, for someone who's running a salon. So it's written for the 5 million businesses started every year…” (Author/Entrepreneur, 12:44)

6. Focus, Content, and Giving Back

• Mike advocates for focusing efforts (“You can do anything, you can’t do everything”) and shares how he and Cass frequently reassess priorities.
• The couple is now focusing on content creation and legacy impact through investments, speaking, and helping other entrepreneurs.
• Podcasting and writing have brought them new, meaningful relationships:
  • “This whole process has done two things. One is I've learned who my friends are… If you want to know who really supports you, write a book.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 15:23)
  • “It just opens up opportunities. Like, we've met so many awesome people who we will do business with, like real people who are also hustling.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 15:55)

7. The Philosophy of Networking and Generosity

• Mike encourages young people and entrepreneurs to focus on helping others first:
  • “You may think you don’t have anything… but you know something, you know something about AI, you know something about sports betting… or you know someone who does.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 17:40)
• He shares how giving—whether it was giving Gary Vaynerchuk office space years ago—has created long-term, unexpected returns:
  • “Whatever you have, even if it's not a lot. Give. And we're in a time when, like, especially young men, like, don't have that mentality. It's like, they're very extractive. Like, what can I take?” (Author/Entrepreneur, 18:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On creator brands:
  • “Those are like conglomerates. I look at those as like the new P&Gs of the world.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 01:55)
• On luck in business:
  • “It's a sprinkle of hard work, potatoes and a fuck ton of luck.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 09:44)
• On networking and giving:
  • “So whatever you have, even if it's not a lot. Give.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 18:43)
• On focusing your efforts:
  • “You can do anything, you can't do everything.” (Author/Entrepreneur, 14:17)
• On creating relationships via podcasting:
  • “If you find yourself in the boat of lacking solid relationships, then just start a damn podcast.” (Guest Investor, 15:05)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:06: Mike Lazerow on creator-led businesses and the importance of passion
• 01:38: Guest Investor on the inevitability of creator success stories (Prime, Mr. Beast)
• 02:22: Author/Entrepreneur on the synergy of business, distribution, and passion
• 04:46: Advice to young entrepreneurs: Build in public and connect
• 05:28–05:53: Buddy Media’s core social media management product
• 09:13–10:42: The role of luck and timing; betting successfully on Facebook
• 11:21–12:44: Collaborative writing process and purpose of their book
• 14:01–15:23: Refocusing on content, building legacy, and relationships gained through podcasting and writing
• 17:03–18:43: Mike’s advice on generosity, building networks, and the lasting impact of giving

Conclusion

This episode delivers rich insights on how today’s moneymakers, whether creators, entrepreneurs, or small business owners, can leverage authentic relationships, public engagement, and a spirit of generosity to build businesses and networks that matter. Drawing from real stories and the lived experience of Mike Lazerow, listeners are reminded of the power of focus, resilience, lucky timing, and most importantly, giving back along the entrepreneurial journey.