We were lucky to catch up with Captain Cash recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Captain, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
A risk I took that truly changed my life started with a simple idea and a $500 withdrawal from my bank account. I had seen a few people in cities like Atlanta and Las Vegas hide cash around their city, creating a buzz and bringing people together. So, I thought, why not try it in Albuquerque? I started by hiding $50 at a time in random spots, not really knowing what to expect. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and doubt—was this just “throwing money away”? Would anyone care enough to watch and follow along?
I put my energy into creating the most captivating videos I could, showcasing the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of finding hidden cash. I had no idea if it would work, but I just went for it, hoping to create something special. To my surprise, the buzz grew quickly. People started to get excited about the next drop, and soon enough, a community formed around the game. Local businesses took notice, and sponsorships started to roll in. That risk I took—placing my own cash around the city—paid off. Now, we’re building on that success and expanding the game into other cities, turning what started as a small experiment into a growing brand.
It all started as Get The Cash ABQ, but as we gained momentum, I realized it was time to evolve. We made the shift to Captain Cash—a name that transcends cities and represents a lifestyle. Now, it’s not just about cash drops; it’s about inspiring a lifestyle of excitement, aspiration, and luxury. We’re expanding far beyond Albuquerque, creating a brand that reflects the thrill of the hunt and the fun of finding hidden treasures, all while building a presence as a lifestyle influencer too.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Matt, the creator of Captain Cash, a unique brand that started in Albuquerque with a simple idea: hide cash around the city, turn it into a game, and watch the community come alive. It all began when I saw similar scavenger hunts in cities like Atlanta and Las Vegas and decided to take a risk by doing it here. I took out $500 from my bank account and started hiding $50 at a time, documenting each drop on social media. At first, it was just an experiment to see if I could create a buzz, but it quickly grew into something much bigger. What sets Captain Cash apart is the thrill, the lifestyle, and the way we’ve built a community that’s excited to participate and engage with each drop.
My business has since evolved into a multi-faceted brand. Besides the cash drops, which have now expanded to other cities, I work as a lifestyle influencer, showcasing the excitement and luxury that comes with the Captain Cash persona. We provide an experience that blends entertainment, adventure, and the possibility of rewards. It’s about creating a sense of excitement for my followers while helping local businesses by giving them a platform to promote their brands. My team and I also manage referrals, offer sponsorship opportunities, and maximize efficiency using automated systems to ensure every campaign runs smoothly.
What I’m most proud of is taking the leap to build this brand from the ground up, starting with that first cash drop in Albuquerque. It wasn’t easy or guaranteed to succeed, but seeing how it’s grown into a recognized brand has been incredible. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that Captain Cash is more than just a scavenger hunt. It’s about living a lifestyle of excitement, aspiration, and fun. Whether we’re dropping cash or exploring luxury experiences, we’re all about creating moments that everyone can be a part of. And we’re just getting started—Captain Cash is expanding globally, bringing the thrill to more cities and building a brand that’s both aspirational and accessible.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the instinct to be frugal with money. Like most people, I grew up thinking that you needed to save every penny you earned and keep a tight grip on your finances. But I realized that holding on too tightly can limit growth, especially in the world of social media, where going viral often requires a bit of craziness, spontaneity, and risk.
When I first started the cash drop game, I was hesitant. I kept thinking, “Is giving away my hard-earned money really the right move?” I mean, it felt counterintuitive—99.9% of people cling to their money because we’re taught to value it so highly. But after that initial $500 risk, it clicked: sometimes, you have to give more to get more. By hiding cash around Albuquerque, I not only created excitement but built a community and a brand that far exceeded any of my initial expectations.
The lesson I had to unlearn was that spending money, even giving it away, can be a powerful investment in your future. It goes against the conventional wisdom of saving and being frugal, but in my case, taking that leap allowed me to grow exponentially. Social media thrives on bold, unexpected moves. Once I embraced that mindset, things started to change. People were drawn to the wild nature of my cash drops, and businesses began reaching out, wanting to be part of the movement. In a world where playing it safe rarely gets you noticed, letting go of the fear of “wasting money” opened doors I didn’t even know existed. It was a big mental shift, but it’s one of the key reasons Captain Cash became what it is today.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
One resource I wish I had understood the value of earlier in my journey is a strong, supportive community. When I first started managing my cash drop game, I wasn’t an expert—I was just figuring things out as I went. I quickly realized there were others out there who were much further along in the cash drop world and had valuable insights. But to tap into that value, I needed to give something in return.
I decided to focus on mastering a specific skill that I could offer to others: using AI voices and on-screen AI-generated captions to create engaging videos. I got really good at it and then put together an instruction manual on how to make videos like mine. Armed with that, I reached out to every cash dropper I could find and invited them to join a private community with me and fellow creators. I also gave them my manual, hoping it would provide value and show that I wasn’t just there to take. This approach helped me build friendships in the industry, and I gained a ton of insight from those connections.
Now, I continue to help other cash droppers in that community because giving back is a big part of what I enjoy doing. By building and being part of this community, I’ve learned that growth isn’t just about individual effort—it’s also about creating a network where everyone lifts each other up.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @captain.cash.official
- Other: TikTok: @captain.cash.official
