How Travis Schwab's father inspired his entrepreneurial journey

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Travis Schwab didn’t need to look far for an entrepreneurial influence. His father Mike opened insurance businesses in Lincoln, Nebraska in the 1970s. Travis started working at the Anchor Insurance Agency at age 13, walking over to the office after classes at Pound Junior High School (now Pound Middle School). It was a technology-forward role for the times, working on mailing lists and databases – “green-screen stuff,” as Travis describes it. “I saw very early on what it was like to start and own your own business and a creator of something,” Travis said. “I saw that example of what you could do and how you craft your life around that.” Travis considers himself more risk averse than his dad, and it took him a while to get comfortable with the idea of being an entrepreneur. He started his career at CME Group in 1995 and worked in technology sales, clearing operations, and as the CEO of a broker-dealer for 20 years before founding trade-surveillance provider Eventus in 2015. The road hasn’t been all smooth – Travis recalled a six-month period early on where money was tight and all staff had to be put on minimum wage. But the company pulled through and now has 70 employees and about 120 clients globally, including Tier 1 banks, broker-dealers, and futures commission merchants. He heaps praise on Eventus staff for their loyalty, energy and focus over the years. Travis’s blueprint for entrepreneurial success boils down to attitude and effort. Control what you can control; be willing and able to outwork everyone else; and keep a positive attitude when challenges arise.  He offers a parting piece of advice for founders: hold on to equity in the business “like your last breath.”  Meanwhile Mike Schwab is still doing his own thing. Now in his late 70s, he owns Bay B Boomers Bar & Grill in Laguna Vista, Texas, near South Padre Island. The restaurant has 4.5 stars on Google and is known for its fish tacos and laid-back atmosphere. “You know you've found a good place when the locals walk in and greet the staff by name,” one Google reviewer said. (This is the second of a series of profiles of capital markets business founders in honor of National Entrepreneurship Month. Photo courtesy of Eventus.)

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I met Travis when he first started this business and have had the privilege of working with him and Eventus for over 5 years now. His blueprint for success also includes pulling his team along with him, demanding the same work ethic and positive attitude and creating an environment where we all succeed together. I have learned so much. It’s been an awesome ride and looking forward to what the future holds. Way to go Travis Schwab !

Great summary of my longtime client, Travis Schwab's entrepreneurial philosophy and commitment to excellence as well as dedication to working at least as hard as anyone in the company at Eventus.

Congrats, Travis! Keep crushin' it!

Congrats, Travis. Nice article!!

Travis Schwab has given me good advice as I founded and grew my business, Tölt Strategies Bay be boomers bar is on my schedule for next Texas trip,

Good stuff Travis. I sill remember first meeting you on the CME floor when the eMini S&P contract first launched on Globex right next to the open outcry pit. Enjoyed reading this story. Hope all is well.

I guess we have to wait for you to retire before Gen X Ers opens up.

Looking great Travis Schwab! I very much enjoyed working with you and the team at Eventus and look forward to your future succeses 🎉👏🏾

An incredible mind and an even better dude!!!!

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