Travis Hasse: From A $10,000 Bar To Nearly 400 Employees, A Liquor Exit, And 1,000 Apartment Units

Send us Fan Mail Travis Hasse put $10,000 down on a 1940 Wisconsin tavern with no bar experience and closed the loan in 48 hours. Behind that bar, he started pouring his dad’s apple pie recipe. In 2008, it became Travis Hasse’s Apple Pie Liqueur, which he grew for 12 years without outside investors before selling. He planned to take a year off after the sale. He lasted two months. Today his Amazon delivery companies move about 15,000 packages a day, he expects to be close to 400 employees by year’s end, every manager started as a driver, and he’s a partner in about 1,000 apartment units. In this conversation, Josh Kosnick and Travis talk about the 48-hour close, getting paid up front by his distributor when the first run sold out in two days, why boring businesses win, the note from mentor Tom Maas that still sits in his nightstand, the grief that comes after an exit, faith and design, and the Ray Dalio rule that took out 98% of the problems coming to him. His hiring philosophy fits in one sentence: “I never hire based on skill. I always hire the person.” Follow Travis on Instagram at @travishasse and on YouTube at Travis Hasse. Rate and review Spartan Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. It helps the next operator find the show. Remember, the good and great are the enemies of possible. Lead like a Spartan today. CONNECT WITH ME HERE: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter TikTok YouTube SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube