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544. Free Money and the Heart of Success
There’s a world of free resources and government support waiting to be claimed and Matthew Lesko is on a mission to help you find it. In this episode, Lesley Logan chats with the iconic author and endearing personality to explore how anyone can access funding, assistance, and programs already available to them. Lesko’s unfiltered advice, contagious energy,
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at [email protected] mailto:[email protected].
And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.
In this episode you will learn about:
- How Matthew Lesko followed his heart to create a mission-driven career.
- Why helping others became more meaningful than making millions.
- The mindset shifts from chasing success to creating an impact.
- Where to find real programs offering free financial aid and support.
- How to access small business and government contracting support.
Episode References/Links:
- Matthew Lesko Help Free Membership - www.beitpod.com/leskohelp
- Find Local Help for Basic Needs – www.findhelp.org
- Small Business Support (SBA Local Assistance) – www.sba.gov/local-assistance
- Government Contracting Support (Apex Accelerators) – www.apexaccelerators.us
- Career & Job Training Help – www.careeronestop.org
- Free Financial & Debt Counseling (HUD) – www.hud.gov/housingcounseling
Guest Bio:
Matthew Lesko is a nationally recognized author, researcher, and consumer advocate known for helping people access free government money and resources. For over 40 years, he’s made it his mission to show everyday Americans how to find funding for education, business, debt relief, housing, and more. With over 100 books published, Lesko has turned complex government programs into easy-to-use guides that empower individuals to take control of their financial future. His work has been featured on major platforms like Oprah, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America, where he’s become known for his energetic style and signature question-mark suit.
Lesko’s passion goes beyond publishing. He leads a community of over 15,000 members who support each other in navigating hidden funding opportunities. Through this platform, he also gives back—distributing monthly grants to help others get started. At the core of his work is a simple belief: you don’t need to be wealthy to get support—you just need to know where to look. Lesko’s tools, research, and heart-centered approach have helped thousands unlock resources they didn’t even know existed
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Episode Transcript:
Matthew Lesko 0:00
My rule of thumb is your heart is smarter than your brain. You got to trust that more than anything. And sometimes you can't get there until you fail your ass
Lesley Logan 0:13
Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started.
Lesley Logan 0:56
Be It babe, this is for you. This episode is for you. I mean, they're all for you, but this one I've been waiting for since the day I met this man. I was like, no way, no freaking way. This is real. And it is real because, and the reason I know is because I, before I met this guy, have been trying to do this with my business and going through some of the hoops that do it. And I think he just made it even easier. So Matthew Lesko is our guest. He is a wonderful, brilliant, hilariously honest man with so much love, and he is all the websites, all the keys, all the kingdom to helping you get the money assistance you need, like free money. But then He even tells you how you can get better money. So I know that that can sound like an infomercial. I know that they can sound like it's too good to be true. I promise you that, like, you do have some hoops to jump through, but I want you to get I want you to have everything you need. And I know some of you have debt that's holding you back, or you need money to make this idea happen, or you need the job training to make this idea happen. And literally, in this episode, he's gonna give you URLs that could help you do that. And if you want accountability community, he has that for you as well. So Matthew Lesko is our guest. You're gonna, you're gonna want to have a pen and paper for when he starts doing these, but we'll have the links in the show notes, so just check the show notes. All right, thank you, Matthew Lesko, you're amazing. Y'all, here he is.
Lesley Logan 2:14
All right, Be It, babe. I am super excited. First of all, if you're not watching this on YouTube, you're gonna want to see the man that's in front of me, because he has never let me down the two times I've seen him. He has the best suits on, the best glasses on, the most gorgeous hair. Matthew Lesko, can you tell everyone who you are and what you rock at?
Matthew Lesko 2:36
Matthew Lesko, what I rock at? Boy, I just struggle. That's what rocking is. Man, it takes work to get through this shit, you know, everybody thinks there's some formula. No, there's no formula. You're guessing your ass off every day and hoping something works. The only thing you need is energy to do stuff, because the more stuff you do, because any, any that you get some plan about what to do in life, and that's not going to work, don't worry about it. But you could try maybe a little bit there you could do, but you got to figure your own shit out. And, but help could help you, just at least get you a little bit on the way. But, yeah, that's what it is. We all struggle and the experts want to make a lot of money to try to convince you they know the secret to life. Now they don't know what the fuck to do with their own life, you know. And so maybe you can claim little items to open your mind a little bit more. But really, life is trying something and failing. It's, it's like, if you're going to do something new in life, that's like learning to walk, you know, or learning to ride a bike, you're going to fall on your ass a lot. That's, what I think here is your loved ones are your worst enemy, because they say, don't do that. You're going to fail. Yes, you are. You're going to run into big bumps in the road. You're going to fail at something, and you just keep fucking going because you want to do that. So that's why key in life is not knowing exactly what to do, because nobody really knows, and you have to figure that out. That's a trial and error. And what you have to do is you use your brain as little as possible. Follow your heart as much as you can. I mean, you got to have the brain part, you know, so you don't fall off a cliff and do something really fucking stupid. But the way to get anything done is your heart has to be in it. I mean, whether it's professional life or personal life, man, if your heart and soul is not there, you're not going to make it happen, because it's going to be a pain in the ass, and you're going to leave on the second time it's a pain in the ass, or maybe the third.
Lesley Logan 4:45
Yeah or some people the first time because they think it should be easier. Or, like, I've heard people say, oh, this is a sign I'm not supposed to do it. It's like, no.
Matthew Lesko 4:55
That's a sign you're human.
Lesley Logan 4:56
Yeah. I mean, like, like, everyone has obstacles. I really appreciate this honesty. Thank you so much, because it's true. Like, you know, while we're doing this, my husband's actually talking to some business owners that we're hoping to coach, and we tell them, they're like, okay, well, what's the template like? In six weeks how much money am I going to make? And then we're like, anyone who's telling you that there's a template (inaudible) yeah, like this, because they've had so many good business coaches tell them, oh, follow this plan, you'll have 100k launch. You'll have this da-da-da but like that doesn't that's not how it works, because the amount of time you can put into this brilliant idea that you're passionate about is very different than the person next to you. The amount of money you're coming into this brilliant idea with is very different, and then also the life that's around you, or if you have an audience for this idea already, or you have to build it first, like, you can't, don't, I was, like, the quickest thing to know that someone's lying to you is if they have a plan. Because, like, like, I what's the thing? Like, you have a plan and God laughs, or something like that. Like, like, you know, it's just, but it doesn't mean that there's not options or ideas or good things that are out there. It's just that, I think people think, if I buy the plan, and that's going to be the thing, that's going to get me there, as opposed to starting with what you said, which is, like, do you really want to do it? Are you that passionate about it that you'll do it even if you fail?
Matthew Lesko 6:18
Right, because you are going to fail. I mean, there are going to be bumps in the road, reasons to not go forward, and that's when people quit, and then they try something else and they try something else, and that's why, even on a, personally, for your heart, I mean, my rule of thumb is your heart is smarter than your brain. You got to trust that more than anything. And, and sometimes you can't get there until you fail your ass off, then there's nothing left. And, and you know that you're special, but you have to find out what you're special in. That's the problem. We go to classes and experts and, and tell us, they're just giving you a clue they don't know, because we're all so different. I mean, you're a rose and I'm a petunia, you know? And how are you going to make a petunia into a rose?
Lesley Logan 7:13
And then everyone tries to treat each other like they're a tulip, and no one wants to be taller than the other, right? But you're really a rose and a petunia in a tulip field. Okay, so you Matthew, I feel like you are like coming into our ears today and like giving us true honesty, but also like you clearly lived a life. You've got this gorgeous white hair, you lived this life and also, I don't think anyone like knows how to say this, the way that you're saying it, with so much honesty and love, unless you've, like, lived through lives like you've lived through. Because, you know, it takes time, it takes time to (inaudible) so tell, can you tell us all about how you got, like, what you did before you became a petunia who's bestowing us in all this honesty?
Matthew Lesko 8:00
I, god, I'm 81 years old. Can't remember that far, but I do it, really struggled, I mean, I was never good at anything. You know, that's why I just adore artists, because they know what the fuck they have to do, you know, but if you can't sing, dance or whatever, and you don't know what you're really supposed to do every day, and the rest of us have to figure that out. But the longer I do that, the more I see, yes, we all are artists like that is something we have to get up the morning, and there's something inside of us that possesses us to do something because you feel it's important, because you feel it's helping somebody, like now, at 81, I work harder now than ever before. It's not work. I haven't worked in 50 years, and part of, it's having fun in the process. So what I was doing, I was getting I am failing through college and all that kind of thing. When in Navy, I was a naval officer, ship driver, came back, that was Vietnam, and I got an MBA, started businesses that were failing. I had a software company in the 70s that was failing. I was, like, computer science professor, starting another business that failed, a bunch of failures. And I started looking, wow, I'm failing, not having fun, and I'm doing all this shit that maybe in 30, 40, years from now, I'll have fun, and that's crazy. I'm not having any fun, and I'm not successful at it. And so what I did is sort of finally flipped it around. Have fun today, because when you start having fun, you know that's a little contagious. Then also, if you're doing something that you feel you're having fun at, you'll work harder at. You hate playing basketball, but you love golf. You'll be on the golf course still, they have to drag you off, you know. And that's, so, that's what happened. That's how you really learn, that's how you really grow. You're into something you want to be there no matter what and then when I start doing that, then, and I think the other thing is, I find I had to, you have to look inside, you know, help may or may not be have outside, but you really have to be aware of what's inside you listen to that inside you, because that's really the important stuff that's going to come out, and it's hard to listen to it, because we don't, none of us know what the hell to do in life. We're all guessing you know and there's no empathy for that, because the people, coaches, you have to pretend, you know so you could charge a lot of money for what you're guessing about, you know, because that's what people want to hear. You know, unfortunately.
Lesley Logan 10:58
Yeah, I think, well, if people are afraid to take risks, because, I mean, you know, you know, you've lived a whole life. Like, if you take, if you are putting your own money into something as an idea and it fails, the the bills don't care, right? Like, they don't care. So, like, you know, like, something that I had someone say, like, there's like, six needs that we all have as humans, certainty and uncertainty.
Matthew Lesko 11:30
I thought you said sex needs.
Lesley Logan 11:31
Sex needs yes, yes, yes, yes. Six needs. Certainty, uncertainty, love and connection, I think one of them has to do with like, uh, significance, excuse me, it's like power, that you mean something, then we also need growth and contribution. The growth and contribution are more like choices. The other four you like, are like, really needs. And I think, like, a lot of us don't want to take a risk on the thing that's on our heart that we know we're supposed to do unless we have certainty that it won't fail, because this job over here that we hate is paying the bills.
Matthew Lesko 12:12
Well, to me, you have to do both. You have to be responsible to yourself and the bills and everything and then any waking hour extra you have is to concentrate on finding out what that is inside you. Because if you don't do that, you know it's just life is so much harder. And boy, 81, I am so fucking happy now. I can't believe it. And for I never do, like, live so long, and I didn't know maybe this time I'll have this much fun. I mean, I say, god, if I knew being 81 was this much fun, I would have gotten here a lot fucking earlier, man, why did I wait so long?
Lesley Logan 12:59
You are amazing. Because my dad is 72 and I'm like, oh, and he's like, now, like, older than any of the men in his family, right, that have ever lived. And so, like, where it was like, let's get him to 70 like, the whole like, let's get a 72 no one's ever made it to 72 like, let's see. And I was like, you're gonna live to 100 you better watch out. He goes, I don't want to live to 100 but, like, I think clearly the difference is attitude, like you were like, you had that idea, like, have fun today, and now, clearly, and being it till you see it of have fun today, you're having so much fun at 81 you're like, I should have gotten here faster.
Matthew Lesko 13:33
Well, another thing that's really happened just last few a years too, is that most of men and your dad's 10 years younger than me or whatever. At least my life, most of it was trying to get stronger, faster, smarter. Well, at 80, none of that shit is going to get better. All that's going downhill. But what I figured out just a couple years ago, more so, is that I could love harder. Now there's one thing I get harder at any age. I could just love harder. And in my generation, I don't know if your dad's the same way. I couldn't even say that word unless they married you.
Lesley Logan 14:14
Right, right. No, I think, literally, I don't think he says he loves anyone except for his kids right now.
Matthew Lesko 14:20
Never heard it from my family even. And you know what changed me a lot were lesbians. I live in an apartment building here, 70, a lot of cool people, younger people, usually. And there was a woman next to us (inaudible) we really got close and that she she's my gateway drug to saying I love you to a woman, it was safe.
Lesley Logan 14:44
Yeah, because it didn't mean anything, she didn't care, like she loved being loved, but didn't take it the wrong way. That's so funny. I know it's really true. Like I like one of my girlfriends, I just rung on the phone the other day, and she had, like, her father passed, and, you know, we end every phone call I love you. And like, you know, I think, yeah, yeah, well, we, you know, we can change it. I, okay. So you are full of so much information. So as far as like, I mean, you are giving us so many good gems, and we can all love harder, but you actually are, I think maybe, like, you actually are, like, the person who helps people. You are an expert in helping people get, get money. So how did, how did you get here? And what are we talking about? Because, like, I when I met you and you told me this, I was like, no freaking way. But then I said that about Pilates, and now I'm a Pilates instructor, so I it's my it's like my sign when I go, no fuck no way, no fucking way. That's like some be it. No way. No one can do that. So can you tell us a little about, like, what you do when you're not just loving on people?
Matthew Lesko 15:54
It is, by accident, again, my business has failed, and so what you do is become a consultant. So I have a consultant, like a researcher at the time, back in 70s, for Fortune 500 companies that wanted to do stuff, and I was in Washington, so they wanted to get money to start businesses and buy companies and find out the market for stuff. So I was in Washington, and I'd get I'd go around Washington and find help for them, and offices that give you money, offices that give you free reports on the markets for anything like I did one for Procter & Gamble on pasta, and I found a pasta expert in Washington who just spent a million dollars on some study on what's the good and bad about pasta business, and who makes money and where to get money. And so I take that stuff, and I take the government's name off of it, put my name on it, because nothing in the government is copyrighted, and I thank the department or whatever, and sell it to them for thousands of dollars. They loved it, millionaires, and that's why I saw I was making billionaires out of millionaires. I said, why does the average person know about it? Well I said I want to people. And that was my first successful business. So I was, you know, very happy with that. And but then to reach people on the street had to do with books. I couldn't charge $20,000 to do that. And so then to sell books and through publicity and doing talk shows and stuff like that. And I've been doing that for a long time, but what I see, see anybody can use it, the government, see, 40% of everything in our economy is our organizations that give you free money to solve a problem, whether it's you know, you need money to get out of debt. You need money to get rid of your your bills as an expense. You need money to start a business. You need money to get an education or get a better job. You need money to buy a house or fix up your house. You need money for I was anything you want. Is there health care, free, legal help? It's all in the government we I was finding government grant the other day for you want to buy out your boss. You know, $250,000 they'll give you in this is Colorado. To do that. Wisconsin will give you $250,000 just start a business as long as you stay there 15 years.
Lesley Logan 18:25
What? I didn't know about Oklahoma. I think there was like a thing where Oklahoma City was trying to get people to move there. So you would get, (inaudible) you got like, $20,000 put down on a place to live in Oaklahoma City and then they would give you $10,000 a year. And I was like, and you had to, and all you had to do was stay for two years, so and then you could rent the house out, or whatever. And I was like, two years, and I could own a property in Oklahoma City, then I could rent it out, like I work for myself. Am I interested? And like, going back to your heart, like my heart wasn't in it. So I was like, that sounds like it's not enough money for me. But like that, I did know about that, so I didn't realize, like, Okay, this is so cool. So, like, all these states have different stuff. You just have to know it exists. The government has this. I think we all just have to, like, can we just, like, take a brief moment we are recording this two months into a shit show. Is there still gonna be money for all of us.
Matthew Lesko 19:21
Absolutely, absolutely. Yeah, this is more show business that's going on for the average person. It's all still there. The downside, if all that still works, none of his stuff is legal yet. He just does it and wait till somebody stops him and but what's important is that, can you go online now? Let me show you something. Okay, okay, go on to findhelp.org.
Lesley Logan 19:52
findhelp.org okay.
Matthew Lesko 19:55
Right. Okay findhelp.org. Put in your zip code. I don't know what Vegas is, what's the OE on your hand?
Lesley Logan 20:04
Oh, it's part of my hand my other hand tattoo. The other half is my husband and and it, and it, he has the LV, so it's the love tatoo. He's from Philly. There we go. We're in. We're in. You're so smart Matthew. You're like, okay, it didn't like, it doesn't like a VPN. So everyone, when you go to this, turn off your VPN, which is kind of like Hulu, doesn't like your VPN either. Okay, so I put in my zip code. Okay, there are 2738 programs in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Matthew Lesko 20:38
So anyways, 2700 programs, those programs are all from nonprofit agencies or government offices. That means they all give you money or free help. None of them will never charge you a nickel for what they have. The government gives an average of $18,000 to every adult through programs like this every year, and that's me. And so you have, what, 1800 of them. And so, like, if you.
Lesley Logan 21:02
2700 of them, yes, yes.
Matthew Lesko 21:04
2700 yeah, incredible. I mean, and that's for anything. Look at the tabs on top.
Lesley Logan 21:13
Yeah, there's tabs for food. There's, uh, which, like, which, when you tab on that, it has, like, community gardens, emergency food, food pantries, meals, housing, there's 22 things in housing, goods, there's a ton of stuff in goods, transit, they'll help you buy bus passes, health, money.
Matthew Lesko 21:36
Oh, up in the there's the little search bar on the left hand side, on top, put in financial assistance.
Lesley Logan 21:44
Okay, here we go.
Matthew Lesko 21:45
How many you have there?
Lesley Logan 21:50
This? It's showing me 791 pages, and there's 10 listings on each page. That's 7000.
Matthew Lesko 22:02
Those people are there to give you free financial assistance. Most of us, well, we got to go to the bank, or we got to rob a 7/11 yeah and that's the options people don't know. That's why I think Google is ruining our country, because everyone's going to Google, and you can't find these in Google because they don't advertise.
Lesley Logan 22:24
Right and they're not doing the SEO game. They're not, they don't have time for that. So yeah. Thank you for explaining that because I was just thinking, like, oh, I just like, you know, a couple years ago, my husband and I were trying to get a business loan for our business to help grow it. And we, of course, went to our bank, and we banked with since the dawn of my business, and I've always made more money every year. And they're like, no, you don't get any money from us because you're so small we don't care about you. So then I Googled, like, small business and like, like, nothing, except for all these banks and credit you like, these people don't want me. I'm not banking with them. We had to, like, we actually went to a wee bank event, and that's how my husband found someone who wanted to, like, invest in our business. But, like, this is really cool. So this, like, okay, but like, really, Matthew, so, like, a lot of this, there's stuff for people, like, for housing, so well, I can, there's one I'm saying, like, for people who have babies in NICU, this is amazing. So like, can I find financial assistance for my idea, for my business idea, or is it like?
Matthew Lesko 23:26
No, not there, though, let me show you another website. Okay, okay, sba.gov/local-assistance.
Lesley Logan 23:38
I see it. Okay.
Matthew Lesko 23:41
Local hyphen assistance. You get there, after (inaudible) and there's a place (inaudible) your zip code.
Lesley Logan 23:49
Yes, there is. And you can put a distance. And I'm just going to keep it small. Let's see. (inaudible)
Matthew Lesko 23:54
Most of this stuff is remote anyway, so it doesn't matter where they are.
Lesley Logan 23:57
Yeah, there's, like, it's telling me about the main off, the Las Vegas this, like, the SBA of Las Vegas is, like, down the street from my house.
Matthew Lesko 23:59
Many other places that usually the non-SBA are better.
Lesley Logan 24:10
Okay, there's, yeah, there's a just in, in, in 25 miles. Looks like I have about 15 options to go through. So, and that's like, that's just like in the like, that's just like the county, yeah.
Matthew Lesko 24:25
Every one of them are people that are there to help you find money and help you need to start or expand anything. So the best way to do it, and the way you do this, to me, my advice is to call and make appointments with as many as you can. Everybody has different ideas about how to do things and whatever, and different sources and all that kind of stuff, but they're all there to help anybody who calls to start their business help you find money. Help you find technical help, legal help. Help you do your taxes, all for free, and it's or strategize for strategy. And one of the things I think is best, too, for someone like you, you're you're providing help to people as a service that see if the the government buys that service, what's better from the government is not a grant, is really a contract that you get a government contract, you know, to sell your services to the government, or from a what they do, they spend a lot of money teaching people how to start a business. So like at your what's called the career one-stop center. You go, that's another thing for getting a job or things like that, or even starting a business. And they, they, they pay people to train people to help start a business, so you could be a contractor for somebody like that. Contracting is better than any kind of grant, because you get that forever (inaudible).
Lesley Logan 26:01
Yeah, yeah. I am. We actually, in the last year, been working on certifying our business, because, like, there's some contracts that you're more likely to get if you're certified women-owned business or things like that. But like, I got to, like, look for some of these contracts, like websites for that, and it is insane how many, like, how many government contracts are wanting to use, like, they're like, we need like, like, the military is like, hey, we have a ton of people who want to do the military, and they are not in shape. So the military is looking for Pilates instructors or trainers or nutritionists to just help them with this problem they have. And like the truth is, is that most of us don't know these things exist, and we're the ones who's got the passion.
Matthew Lesko 26:47
Let me show you the best place for that. Now you could use what I just gave you, and they would help you. There's a better place. It's called Apex Accelerators A-P-E-X and then I, I will screw it up if I try to spell accelerator.
Lesley Logan 27:04
It's okay Apex Accelerators I know, it's one of those words.
Matthew Lesko 27:06
Yeah, and then, but dot U-S.
Lesley Logan 27:09
Okay.
Matthew Lesko 27:10
Now that's, that's a free service that just specializes in helping people get contracts.
Lesley Logan 27:16
Wow. Well, that's even more fun because then I don't have to learn how to do it.
Matthew Lesko 27:21
Exactly, right.
Lesley Logan 27:23
Because it can be a lot, oh my gosh, this is insane. You guys, you could put your zip code in, okay, and it says, find an apex accelerator near you. And guess what? There is, there's, there's one like, it looks like it's right, oh my gosh. It's like down the street from my it's like down the street from my house. (inaudible) Yeah, make an appointment. Okay, so, okay, Matthew, this is amazing. First of all, you gave us more than I expected. Uh, how do you do this? What do you, why? But why, why help all of us?
Matthew Lesko 28:03
You just showed me why? Look at your excitement. Boy, if I could do that to somebody that is just the nicest feeling in the world, yeah, I mean, like, wow. I mean, to a human that could react to something I know, and that's like, you know, my pair of socks or something, I don't even think I know it, but when I see you and you see us, that joy and that smile, that that I could do that to human at 81 that's pretty special.
Lesley Logan 28:41
Wow. Well, then you're welcome. I promise you. Right now, Matthew, my husband, is listening to me, listening to this for the replay. So when he listens to that part, he's gonna he, that's what he's gonna say. He's gonna go my wife, and he's gonna shake his head, she's so humble. Okay, we're gonna take a brief break, and then we're gonna find out how people can work with you on this, because I have a feeling that, like there's ways like that they could work more with you on this.
Lesley Logan 29:09
All right, Matthew, because you just gave us, and this is really great, but I actually do think that, like, do you have a group or a place that people can get ongoing help? Because obviously you're not a recurring guest here, so they can re-listen to this episode for those, like, really amazing mantras you've given us. But like, how else can they get, can they work with you?
Matthew Lesko 29:40
A survey that, it took me many years to figure out how I could create income. I like paying for my own way, and after people start buying reference books with the computers and website, it took me a while, but and so I started a newsletter, and then what it turned into is a community. So I have a community now of 15,000 people that help each other get these programs. See, and I only charge $20 I didn't want to charge thousands like I did. I want to get the information to people who really need this. Otherwise, helping millionaires become billionaires was really boring. The millionaires aren't much fun. All they care about is money and not much of the heart is there, but people who really need it is more satisfying. So this is only $20 I charge for everything. Unlimited help for $20 because members help. Like today, we'll have four or five Zoom calls with members asking question as taking questions on how they got the money. So you have actually members how they got it, and they share it with you, and it became so profitable I can't really fathom too much is that we give out our own grants. We give out about 40% of all our money goes back to members and grants. So we give out like, $40,000, $70,000 every month back to members. Yeah, and four different kind of grants and, and that's, I mean, I really feel cool.
Lesley Logan 31:17
I mean, you're a badass, you're really cool, but you're like, a bad ass. You're like, you're like, it's like, not even Robin Hood, because you're not taking from bad people. You're like, actually, like, good people are paying in to help good people.
Matthew Lesko 31:30
Whatever it is. It seems like I thought you had to be Jeff Bezos or his ex-wife or something like that, to be able to do this, to give up, but it is and that's, I never thought I'd be able to do that. And that's really satisfying.
Lesley Logan 31:46
Well, this is, I mean, thank you. We're gonna put the links to your group and everything below, because the thing that I think keeps people from being it till they see it is oftentimes the affordability of it. Like they get stuck in that. As a business owner, I have always reinvested in my business, but like the ability to grow it required some capital, because you can't risk the savings account. And the IRS might not go after Jeff Bezos, but he certainly comes after me, so I have to pay my bill, you know, I can't go, oh, it's coming. I just, I'm doing a thing. I tried something new. So it when I had a bank go, hey, here is this with this really, really, mine's not even free money. But you, you're talking about free money. Like, I actually have been able to grow my business, and we haven't touched the money. Just like having it there meant that we could, like, be a little riskier, and it's paying off, you know, so, like, I just so I just know how impactful it's been for me. And, my goodness, if I knew this 10 years ago, like, I think we'd be in a different place. But I'm so grateful I got to meet you today. You have given us so much, some are great talks. But I love to end every episode with bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted steps people can take to be it till they see it. What do you have for us?
Matthew Lesko 33:00
Well, I mean is, if you want to do an idea, say, if you want to start a nonprofit, you want to start a business, you want to start a business at your home. You want to be a freelancer. You have an invention to work on, you go to that sba.gov/ and then local if an assistance, and you make an appointment. You make an appointment 1, 2, 3 or whatever, and you have to do that. Everybody wants to fill out an application and wait for the money. You can't do that because you don't know the application to fill out. You got to get experts and talk to experts who help people like you every day. And they're available for free, but they're not in Google. You can't use that. So you go, if it's for professional you go to sba.gov/localassistance. If it's for education or job training, you go to careeronestop.org that's another clearing house, and you put in your zip code to find a counselor to tell you about government money programs to help you train for a better job, so you want to get a skill to make better money, and things like that. They'll help you with that. Okay? And then if you have financial problems, you go to hud, hud.gov/counseling H-U-D for hud.gov/counseling and you put in your zip code there, and you get a free financial counselor sit down and work out your debts, your bills and all that stuff, so you don't carry that burden in the back of your head forever and get that, get that monkey off your back, And they'll do all that for free.
Lesley Logan 34:42
Oh, my God. Matthew Lesko, thank you. Thank you. I, like, I love, like, seven different people for each one of those email addresses. Like, it's in my, just in my, like, phone, my contacts, and so, um, you guys, I know you're gonna share this with a friend. I know you are because, like, I think what I do hear people going, it can't be that easy. It's not going to be easy. I'm sure you're going to have to fill out paperwork, you have to make these appointments, you have to get the steps. But it's there, it's there, and because so few people will take the steps and do the thing like you're you're not in a huge competition. So you know what, babe, share this with a friend who needs to hear it. Thank you, Matthew Lesko. Go check out his group. Go check out what he's doing, and then report back. Let us know what you were able to do with it. Let us know what, what, what grant you did or what website you did, or how it helped your friend. Because I think it'll make Matthew Lesko's day.
Matthew Lesko 35:37
Let me see a smile.
Lesley Logan 35:37
Yeah, y'all, you know what to do. Until next time, Be It Till You See It.
Lesley Logan 35:43
That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.
Brad Crowell 36:26
It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.
Lesley Logan 36:30
It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.
Brad Crowell 36:35
Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.
Lesley Logan 36:42
Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.
Brad Crowell 36:45
Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.
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By Lesley Logan
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There’s a world of free resources and government support waiting to be claimed and Matthew Lesko is on a mission to help you find it. In this episode, Lesley Logan chats with the iconic author and endearing personality to explore how anyone can access funding, assistance, and programs already available to them. Lesko’s unfiltered advice, contagious energy,
If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at [email protected] mailto:[email protected].
And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.
In this episode you will learn about:
- How Matthew Lesko followed his heart to create a mission-driven career.
- Why helping others became more meaningful than making millions.
- The mindset shifts from chasing success to creating an impact.
- Where to find real programs offering free financial aid and support.
- How to access small business and government contracting support.
Episode References/Links:
- Matthew Lesko Help Free Membership - www.beitpod.com/leskohelp
- Find Local Help for Basic Needs – www.findhelp.org
- Small Business Support (SBA Local Assistance) – www.sba.gov/local-assistance
- Government Contracting Support (Apex Accelerators) – www.apexaccelerators.us
- Career & Job Training Help – www.careeronestop.org
- Free Financial & Debt Counseling (HUD) – www.hud.gov/housingcounseling
Guest Bio:
Matthew Lesko is a nationally recognized author, researcher, and consumer advocate known for helping people access free government money and resources. For over 40 years, he’s made it his mission to show everyday Americans how to find funding for education, business, debt relief, housing, and more. With over 100 books published, Lesko has turned complex government programs into easy-to-use guides that empower individuals to take control of their financial future. His work has been featured on major platforms like Oprah, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America, where he’s become known for his energetic style and signature question-mark suit.
Lesko’s passion goes beyond publishing. He leads a community of over 15,000 members who support each other in navigating hidden funding opportunities. Through this platform, he also gives back—distributing monthly grants to help others get started. At the core of his work is a simple belief: you don’t need to be wealthy to get support—you just need to know where to look. Lesko’s tools, research, and heart-centered approach have helped thousands unlock resources they didn’t even know existed
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Episode Transcript:
Matthew Lesko 0:00
My rule of thumb is your heart is smarter than your brain. You got to trust that more than anything. And sometimes you can't get there until you fail your ass
Lesley Logan 0:13
Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started.
Lesley Logan 0:56
Be It babe, this is for you. This episode is for you. I mean, they're all for you, but this one I've been waiting for since the day I met this man. I was like, no way, no freaking way. This is real. And it is real because, and the reason I know is because I, before I met this guy, have been trying to do this with my business and going through some of the hoops that do it. And I think he just made it even easier. So Matthew Lesko is our guest. He is a wonderful, brilliant, hilariously honest man with so much love, and he is all the websites, all the keys, all the kingdom to helping you get the money assistance you need, like free money. But then He even tells you how you can get better money. So I know that that can sound like an infomercial. I know that they can sound like it's too good to be true. I promise you that, like, you do have some hoops to jump through, but I want you to get I want you to have everything you need. And I know some of you have debt that's holding you back, or you need money to make this idea happen, or you need the job training to make this idea happen. And literally, in this episode, he's gonna give you URLs that could help you do that. And if you want accountability community, he has that for you as well. So Matthew Lesko is our guest. You're gonna, you're gonna want to have a pen and paper for when he starts doing these, but we'll have the links in the show notes, so just check the show notes. All right, thank you, Matthew Lesko, you're amazing. Y'all, here he is.
Lesley Logan 2:14
All right, Be It, babe. I am super excited. First of all, if you're not watching this on YouTube, you're gonna want to see the man that's in front of me, because he has never let me down the two times I've seen him. He has the best suits on, the best glasses on, the most gorgeous hair. Matthew Lesko, can you tell everyone who you are and what you rock at?
Matthew Lesko 2:36
Matthew Lesko, what I rock at? Boy, I just struggle. That's what rocking is. Man, it takes work to get through this shit, you know, everybody thinks there's some formula. No, there's no formula. You're guessing your ass off every day and hoping something works. The only thing you need is energy to do stuff, because the more stuff you do, because any, any that you get some plan about what to do in life, and that's not going to work, don't worry about it. But you could try maybe a little bit there you could do, but you got to figure your own shit out. And, but help could help you, just at least get you a little bit on the way. But, yeah, that's what it is. We all struggle and the experts want to make a lot of money to try to convince you they know the secret to life. Now they don't know what the fuck to do with their own life, you know. And so maybe you can claim little items to open your mind a little bit more. But really, life is trying something and failing. It's, it's like, if you're going to do something new in life, that's like learning to walk, you know, or learning to ride a bike, you're going to fall on your ass a lot. That's, what I think here is your loved ones are your worst enemy, because they say, don't do that. You're going to fail. Yes, you are. You're going to run into big bumps in the road. You're going to fail at something, and you just keep fucking going because you want to do that. So that's why key in life is not knowing exactly what to do, because nobody really knows, and you have to figure that out. That's a trial and error. And what you have to do is you use your brain as little as possible. Follow your heart as much as you can. I mean, you got to have the brain part, you know, so you don't fall off a cliff and do something really fucking stupid. But the way to get anything done is your heart has to be in it. I mean, whether it's professional life or personal life, man, if your heart and soul is not there, you're not going to make it happen, because it's going to be a pain in the ass, and you're going to leave on the second time it's a pain in the ass, or maybe the third.
Lesley Logan 4:45
Yeah or some people the first time because they think it should be easier. Or, like, I've heard people say, oh, this is a sign I'm not supposed to do it. It's like, no.
Matthew Lesko 4:55
That's a sign you're human.
Lesley Logan 4:56
Yeah. I mean, like, like, everyone has obstacles. I really appreciate this honesty. Thank you so much, because it's true. Like, you know, while we're doing this, my husband's actually talking to some business owners that we're hoping to coach, and we tell them, they're like, okay, well, what's the template like? In six weeks how much money am I going to make? And then we're like, anyone who's telling you that there's a template (inaudible) yeah, like this, because they've had so many good business coaches tell them, oh, follow this plan, you'll have 100k launch. You'll have this da-da-da but like that doesn't that's not how it works, because the amount of time you can put into this brilliant idea that you're passionate about is very different than the person next to you. The amount of money you're coming into this brilliant idea with is very different, and then also the life that's around you, or if you have an audience for this idea already, or you have to build it first, like, you can't, don't, I was, like, the quickest thing to know that someone's lying to you is if they have a plan. Because, like, like, I what's the thing? Like, you have a plan and God laughs, or something like that. Like, like, you know, it's just, but it doesn't mean that there's not options or ideas or good things that are out there. It's just that, I think people think, if I buy the plan, and that's going to be the thing, that's going to get me there, as opposed to starting with what you said, which is, like, do you really want to do it? Are you that passionate about it that you'll do it even if you fail?
Matthew Lesko 6:18
Right, because you are going to fail. I mean, there are going to be bumps in the road, reasons to not go forward, and that's when people quit, and then they try something else and they try something else, and that's why, even on a, personally, for your heart, I mean, my rule of thumb is your heart is smarter than your brain. You got to trust that more than anything. And, and sometimes you can't get there until you fail your ass off, then there's nothing left. And, and you know that you're special, but you have to find out what you're special in. That's the problem. We go to classes and experts and, and tell us, they're just giving you a clue they don't know, because we're all so different. I mean, you're a rose and I'm a petunia, you know? And how are you going to make a petunia into a rose?
Lesley Logan 7:13
And then everyone tries to treat each other like they're a tulip, and no one wants to be taller than the other, right? But you're really a rose and a petunia in a tulip field. Okay, so you Matthew, I feel like you are like coming into our ears today and like giving us true honesty, but also like you clearly lived a life. You've got this gorgeous white hair, you lived this life and also, I don't think anyone like knows how to say this, the way that you're saying it, with so much honesty and love, unless you've, like, lived through lives like you've lived through. Because, you know, it takes time, it takes time to (inaudible) so tell, can you tell us all about how you got, like, what you did before you became a petunia who's bestowing us in all this honesty?
Matthew Lesko 8:00
I, god, I'm 81 years old. Can't remember that far, but I do it, really struggled, I mean, I was never good at anything. You know, that's why I just adore artists, because they know what the fuck they have to do, you know, but if you can't sing, dance or whatever, and you don't know what you're really supposed to do every day, and the rest of us have to figure that out. But the longer I do that, the more I see, yes, we all are artists like that is something we have to get up the morning, and there's something inside of us that possesses us to do something because you feel it's important, because you feel it's helping somebody, like now, at 81, I work harder now than ever before. It's not work. I haven't worked in 50 years, and part of, it's having fun in the process. So what I was doing, I was getting I am failing through college and all that kind of thing. When in Navy, I was a naval officer, ship driver, came back, that was Vietnam, and I got an MBA, started businesses that were failing. I had a software company in the 70s that was failing. I was, like, computer science professor, starting another business that failed, a bunch of failures. And I started looking, wow, I'm failing, not having fun, and I'm doing all this shit that maybe in 30, 40, years from now, I'll have fun, and that's crazy. I'm not having any fun, and I'm not successful at it. And so what I did is sort of finally flipped it around. Have fun today, because when you start having fun, you know that's a little contagious. Then also, if you're doing something that you feel you're having fun at, you'll work harder at. You hate playing basketball, but you love golf. You'll be on the golf course still, they have to drag you off, you know. And that's, so, that's what happened. That's how you really learn, that's how you really grow. You're into something you want to be there no matter what and then when I start doing that, then, and I think the other thing is, I find I had to, you have to look inside, you know, help may or may not be have outside, but you really have to be aware of what's inside you listen to that inside you, because that's really the important stuff that's going to come out, and it's hard to listen to it, because we don't, none of us know what the hell to do in life. We're all guessing you know and there's no empathy for that, because the people, coaches, you have to pretend, you know so you could charge a lot of money for what you're guessing about, you know, because that's what people want to hear. You know, unfortunately.
Lesley Logan 10:58
Yeah, I think, well, if people are afraid to take risks, because, I mean, you know, you know, you've lived a whole life. Like, if you take, if you are putting your own money into something as an idea and it fails, the the bills don't care, right? Like, they don't care. So, like, you know, like, something that I had someone say, like, there's like, six needs that we all have as humans, certainty and uncertainty.
Matthew Lesko 11:30
I thought you said sex needs.
Lesley Logan 11:31
Sex needs yes, yes, yes, yes. Six needs. Certainty, uncertainty, love and connection, I think one of them has to do with like, uh, significance, excuse me, it's like power, that you mean something, then we also need growth and contribution. The growth and contribution are more like choices. The other four you like, are like, really needs. And I think, like, a lot of us don't want to take a risk on the thing that's on our heart that we know we're supposed to do unless we have certainty that it won't fail, because this job over here that we hate is paying the bills.
Matthew Lesko 12:12
Well, to me, you have to do both. You have to be responsible to yourself and the bills and everything and then any waking hour extra you have is to concentrate on finding out what that is inside you. Because if you don't do that, you know it's just life is so much harder. And boy, 81, I am so fucking happy now. I can't believe it. And for I never do, like, live so long, and I didn't know maybe this time I'll have this much fun. I mean, I say, god, if I knew being 81 was this much fun, I would have gotten here a lot fucking earlier, man, why did I wait so long?
Lesley Logan 12:59
You are amazing. Because my dad is 72 and I'm like, oh, and he's like, now, like, older than any of the men in his family, right, that have ever lived. And so, like, where it was like, let's get him to 70 like, the whole like, let's get a 72 no one's ever made it to 72 like, let's see. And I was like, you're gonna live to 100 you better watch out. He goes, I don't want to live to 100 but, like, I think clearly the difference is attitude, like you were like, you had that idea, like, have fun today, and now, clearly, and being it till you see it of have fun today, you're having so much fun at 81 you're like, I should have gotten here faster.
Matthew Lesko 13:33
Well, another thing that's really happened just last few a years too, is that most of men and your dad's 10 years younger than me or whatever. At least my life, most of it was trying to get stronger, faster, smarter. Well, at 80, none of that shit is going to get better. All that's going downhill. But what I figured out just a couple years ago, more so, is that I could love harder. Now there's one thing I get harder at any age. I could just love harder. And in my generation, I don't know if your dad's the same way. I couldn't even say that word unless they married you.
Lesley Logan 14:14
Right, right. No, I think, literally, I don't think he says he loves anyone except for his kids right now.
Matthew Lesko 14:20
Never heard it from my family even. And you know what changed me a lot were lesbians. I live in an apartment building here, 70, a lot of cool people, younger people, usually. And there was a woman next to us (inaudible) we really got close and that she she's my gateway drug to saying I love you to a woman, it was safe.
Lesley Logan 14:44
Yeah, because it didn't mean anything, she didn't care, like she loved being loved, but didn't take it the wrong way. That's so funny. I know it's really true. Like I like one of my girlfriends, I just rung on the phone the other day, and she had, like, her father passed, and, you know, we end every phone call I love you. And like, you know, I think, yeah, yeah, well, we, you know, we can change it. I, okay. So you are full of so much information. So as far as like, I mean, you are giving us so many good gems, and we can all love harder, but you actually are, I think maybe, like, you actually are, like, the person who helps people. You are an expert in helping people get, get money. So how did, how did you get here? And what are we talking about? Because, like, I when I met you and you told me this, I was like, no freaking way. But then I said that about Pilates, and now I'm a Pilates instructor, so I it's my it's like my sign when I go, no fuck no way, no fucking way. That's like some be it. No way. No one can do that. So can you tell us a little about, like, what you do when you're not just loving on people?
Matthew Lesko 15:54
It is, by accident, again, my business has failed, and so what you do is become a consultant. So I have a consultant, like a researcher at the time, back in 70s, for Fortune 500 companies that wanted to do stuff, and I was in Washington, so they wanted to get money to start businesses and buy companies and find out the market for stuff. So I was in Washington, and I'd get I'd go around Washington and find help for them, and offices that give you money, offices that give you free reports on the markets for anything like I did one for Procter & Gamble on pasta, and I found a pasta expert in Washington who just spent a million dollars on some study on what's the good and bad about pasta business, and who makes money and where to get money. And so I take that stuff, and I take the government's name off of it, put my name on it, because nothing in the government is copyrighted, and I thank the department or whatever, and sell it to them for thousands of dollars. They loved it, millionaires, and that's why I saw I was making billionaires out of millionaires. I said, why does the average person know about it? Well I said I want to people. And that was my first successful business. So I was, you know, very happy with that. And but then to reach people on the street had to do with books. I couldn't charge $20,000 to do that. And so then to sell books and through publicity and doing talk shows and stuff like that. And I've been doing that for a long time, but what I see, see anybody can use it, the government, see, 40% of everything in our economy is our organizations that give you free money to solve a problem, whether it's you know, you need money to get out of debt. You need money to get rid of your your bills as an expense. You need money to start a business. You need money to get an education or get a better job. You need money to buy a house or fix up your house. You need money for I was anything you want. Is there health care, free, legal help? It's all in the government we I was finding government grant the other day for you want to buy out your boss. You know, $250,000 they'll give you in this is Colorado. To do that. Wisconsin will give you $250,000 just start a business as long as you stay there 15 years.
Lesley Logan 18:25
What? I didn't know about Oklahoma. I think there was like a thing where Oklahoma City was trying to get people to move there. So you would get, (inaudible) you got like, $20,000 put down on a place to live in Oaklahoma City and then they would give you $10,000 a year. And I was like, and you had to, and all you had to do was stay for two years, so and then you could rent the house out, or whatever. And I was like, two years, and I could own a property in Oklahoma City, then I could rent it out, like I work for myself. Am I interested? And like, going back to your heart, like my heart wasn't in it. So I was like, that sounds like it's not enough money for me. But like that, I did know about that, so I didn't realize, like, Okay, this is so cool. So, like, all these states have different stuff. You just have to know it exists. The government has this. I think we all just have to, like, can we just, like, take a brief moment we are recording this two months into a shit show. Is there still gonna be money for all of us.
Matthew Lesko 19:21
Absolutely, absolutely. Yeah, this is more show business that's going on for the average person. It's all still there. The downside, if all that still works, none of his stuff is legal yet. He just does it and wait till somebody stops him and but what's important is that, can you go online now? Let me show you something. Okay, okay, go on to findhelp.org.
Lesley Logan 19:52
findhelp.org okay.
Matthew Lesko 19:55
Right. Okay findhelp.org. Put in your zip code. I don't know what Vegas is, what's the OE on your hand?
Lesley Logan 20:04
Oh, it's part of my hand my other hand tattoo. The other half is my husband and and it, and it, he has the LV, so it's the love tatoo. He's from Philly. There we go. We're in. We're in. You're so smart Matthew. You're like, okay, it didn't like, it doesn't like a VPN. So everyone, when you go to this, turn off your VPN, which is kind of like Hulu, doesn't like your VPN either. Okay, so I put in my zip code. Okay, there are 2738 programs in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Matthew Lesko 20:38
So anyways, 2700 programs, those programs are all from nonprofit agencies or government offices. That means they all give you money or free help. None of them will never charge you a nickel for what they have. The government gives an average of $18,000 to every adult through programs like this every year, and that's me. And so you have, what, 1800 of them. And so, like, if you.
Lesley Logan 21:02
2700 of them, yes, yes.
Matthew Lesko 21:04
2700 yeah, incredible. I mean, and that's for anything. Look at the tabs on top.
Lesley Logan 21:13
Yeah, there's tabs for food. There's, uh, which, like, which, when you tab on that, it has, like, community gardens, emergency food, food pantries, meals, housing, there's 22 things in housing, goods, there's a ton of stuff in goods, transit, they'll help you buy bus passes, health, money.
Matthew Lesko 21:36
Oh, up in the there's the little search bar on the left hand side, on top, put in financial assistance.
Lesley Logan 21:44
Okay, here we go.
Matthew Lesko 21:45
How many you have there?
Lesley Logan 21:50
This? It's showing me 791 pages, and there's 10 listings on each page. That's 7000.
Matthew Lesko 22:02
Those people are there to give you free financial assistance. Most of us, well, we got to go to the bank, or we got to rob a 7/11 yeah and that's the options people don't know. That's why I think Google is ruining our country, because everyone's going to Google, and you can't find these in Google because they don't advertise.
Lesley Logan 22:24
Right and they're not doing the SEO game. They're not, they don't have time for that. So yeah. Thank you for explaining that because I was just thinking, like, oh, I just like, you know, a couple years ago, my husband and I were trying to get a business loan for our business to help grow it. And we, of course, went to our bank, and we banked with since the dawn of my business, and I've always made more money every year. And they're like, no, you don't get any money from us because you're so small we don't care about you. So then I Googled, like, small business and like, like, nothing, except for all these banks and credit you like, these people don't want me. I'm not banking with them. We had to, like, we actually went to a wee bank event, and that's how my husband found someone who wanted to, like, invest in our business. But, like, this is really cool. So this, like, okay, but like, really, Matthew, so, like, a lot of this, there's stuff for people, like, for housing, so well, I can, there's one I'm saying, like, for people who have babies in NICU, this is amazing. So like, can I find financial assistance for my idea, for my business idea, or is it like?
Matthew Lesko 23:26
No, not there, though, let me show you another website. Okay, okay, sba.gov/local-assistance.
Lesley Logan 23:38
I see it. Okay.
Matthew Lesko 23:41
Local hyphen assistance. You get there, after (inaudible) and there's a place (inaudible) your zip code.
Lesley Logan 23:49
Yes, there is. And you can put a distance. And I'm just going to keep it small. Let's see. (inaudible)
Matthew Lesko 23:54
Most of this stuff is remote anyway, so it doesn't matter where they are.
Lesley Logan 23:57
Yeah, there's, like, it's telling me about the main off, the Las Vegas this, like, the SBA of Las Vegas is, like, down the street from my house.
Matthew Lesko 23:59
Many other places that usually the non-SBA are better.
Lesley Logan 24:10
Okay, there's, yeah, there's a just in, in, in 25 miles. Looks like I have about 15 options to go through. So, and that's like, that's just like in the like, that's just like the county, yeah.
Matthew Lesko 24:25
Every one of them are people that are there to help you find money and help you need to start or expand anything. So the best way to do it, and the way you do this, to me, my advice is to call and make appointments with as many as you can. Everybody has different ideas about how to do things and whatever, and different sources and all that kind of stuff, but they're all there to help anybody who calls to start their business help you find money. Help you find technical help, legal help. Help you do your taxes, all for free, and it's or strategize for strategy. And one of the things I think is best, too, for someone like you, you're you're providing help to people as a service that see if the the government buys that service, what's better from the government is not a grant, is really a contract that you get a government contract, you know, to sell your services to the government, or from a what they do, they spend a lot of money teaching people how to start a business. So like at your what's called the career one-stop center. You go, that's another thing for getting a job or things like that, or even starting a business. And they, they, they pay people to train people to help start a business, so you could be a contractor for somebody like that. Contracting is better than any kind of grant, because you get that forever (inaudible).
Lesley Logan 26:01
Yeah, yeah. I am. We actually, in the last year, been working on certifying our business, because, like, there's some contracts that you're more likely to get if you're certified women-owned business or things like that. But like, I got to, like, look for some of these contracts, like websites for that, and it is insane how many, like, how many government contracts are wanting to use, like, they're like, we need like, like, the military is like, hey, we have a ton of people who want to do the military, and they are not in shape. So the military is looking for Pilates instructors or trainers or nutritionists to just help them with this problem they have. And like the truth is, is that most of us don't know these things exist, and we're the ones who's got the passion.
Matthew Lesko 26:47
Let me show you the best place for that. Now you could use what I just gave you, and they would help you. There's a better place. It's called Apex Accelerators A-P-E-X and then I, I will screw it up if I try to spell accelerator.
Lesley Logan 27:04
It's okay Apex Accelerators I know, it's one of those words.
Matthew Lesko 27:06
Yeah, and then, but dot U-S.
Lesley Logan 27:09
Okay.
Matthew Lesko 27:10
Now that's, that's a free service that just specializes in helping people get contracts.
Lesley Logan 27:16
Wow. Well, that's even more fun because then I don't have to learn how to do it.
Matthew Lesko 27:21
Exactly, right.
Lesley Logan 27:23
Because it can be a lot, oh my gosh, this is insane. You guys, you could put your zip code in, okay, and it says, find an apex accelerator near you. And guess what? There is, there's, there's one like, it looks like it's right, oh my gosh. It's like down the street from my it's like down the street from my house. (inaudible) Yeah, make an appointment. Okay, so, okay, Matthew, this is amazing. First of all, you gave us more than I expected. Uh, how do you do this? What do you, why? But why, why help all of us?
Matthew Lesko 28:03
You just showed me why? Look at your excitement. Boy, if I could do that to somebody that is just the nicest feeling in the world, yeah, I mean, like, wow. I mean, to a human that could react to something I know, and that's like, you know, my pair of socks or something, I don't even think I know it, but when I see you and you see us, that joy and that smile, that that I could do that to human at 81 that's pretty special.
Lesley Logan 28:41
Wow. Well, then you're welcome. I promise you. Right now, Matthew, my husband, is listening to me, listening to this for the replay. So when he listens to that part, he's gonna he, that's what he's gonna say. He's gonna go my wife, and he's gonna shake his head, she's so humble. Okay, we're gonna take a brief break, and then we're gonna find out how people can work with you on this, because I have a feeling that, like there's ways like that they could work more with you on this.
Lesley Logan 29:09
All right, Matthew, because you just gave us, and this is really great, but I actually do think that, like, do you have a group or a place that people can get ongoing help? Because obviously you're not a recurring guest here, so they can re-listen to this episode for those, like, really amazing mantras you've given us. But like, how else can they get, can they work with you?
Matthew Lesko 29:40
A survey that, it took me many years to figure out how I could create income. I like paying for my own way, and after people start buying reference books with the computers and website, it took me a while, but and so I started a newsletter, and then what it turned into is a community. So I have a community now of 15,000 people that help each other get these programs. See, and I only charge $20 I didn't want to charge thousands like I did. I want to get the information to people who really need this. Otherwise, helping millionaires become billionaires was really boring. The millionaires aren't much fun. All they care about is money and not much of the heart is there, but people who really need it is more satisfying. So this is only $20 I charge for everything. Unlimited help for $20 because members help. Like today, we'll have four or five Zoom calls with members asking question as taking questions on how they got the money. So you have actually members how they got it, and they share it with you, and it became so profitable I can't really fathom too much is that we give out our own grants. We give out about 40% of all our money goes back to members and grants. So we give out like, $40,000, $70,000 every month back to members. Yeah, and four different kind of grants and, and that's, I mean, I really feel cool.
Lesley Logan 31:17
I mean, you're a badass, you're really cool, but you're like, a bad ass. You're like, you're like, it's like, not even Robin Hood, because you're not taking from bad people. You're like, actually, like, good people are paying in to help good people.
Matthew Lesko 31:30
Whatever it is. It seems like I thought you had to be Jeff Bezos or his ex-wife or something like that, to be able to do this, to give up, but it is and that's, I never thought I'd be able to do that. And that's really satisfying.
Lesley Logan 31:46
Well, this is, I mean, thank you. We're gonna put the links to your group and everything below, because the thing that I think keeps people from being it till they see it is oftentimes the affordability of it. Like they get stuck in that. As a business owner, I have always reinvested in my business, but like the ability to grow it required some capital, because you can't risk the savings account. And the IRS might not go after Jeff Bezos, but he certainly comes after me, so I have to pay my bill, you know, I can't go, oh, it's coming. I just, I'm doing a thing. I tried something new. So it when I had a bank go, hey, here is this with this really, really, mine's not even free money. But you, you're talking about free money. Like, I actually have been able to grow my business, and we haven't touched the money. Just like having it there meant that we could, like, be a little riskier, and it's paying off, you know, so, like, I just so I just know how impactful it's been for me. And, my goodness, if I knew this 10 years ago, like, I think we'd be in a different place. But I'm so grateful I got to meet you today. You have given us so much, some are great talks. But I love to end every episode with bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted steps people can take to be it till they see it. What do you have for us?
Matthew Lesko 33:00
Well, I mean is, if you want to do an idea, say, if you want to start a nonprofit, you want to start a business, you want to start a business at your home. You want to be a freelancer. You have an invention to work on, you go to that sba.gov/ and then local if an assistance, and you make an appointment. You make an appointment 1, 2, 3 or whatever, and you have to do that. Everybody wants to fill out an application and wait for the money. You can't do that because you don't know the application to fill out. You got to get experts and talk to experts who help people like you every day. And they're available for free, but they're not in Google. You can't use that. So you go, if it's for professional you go to sba.gov/localassistance. If it's for education or job training, you go to careeronestop.org that's another clearing house, and you put in your zip code to find a counselor to tell you about government money programs to help you train for a better job, so you want to get a skill to make better money, and things like that. They'll help you with that. Okay? And then if you have financial problems, you go to hud, hud.gov/counseling H-U-D for hud.gov/counseling and you put in your zip code there, and you get a free financial counselor sit down and work out your debts, your bills and all that stuff, so you don't carry that burden in the back of your head forever and get that, get that monkey off your back, And they'll do all that for free.
Lesley Logan 34:42
Oh, my God. Matthew Lesko, thank you. Thank you. I, like, I love, like, seven different people for each one of those email addresses. Like, it's in my, just in my, like, phone, my contacts, and so, um, you guys, I know you're gonna share this with a friend. I know you are because, like, I think what I do hear people going, it can't be that easy. It's not going to be easy. I'm sure you're going to have to fill out paperwork, you have to make these appointments, you have to get the steps. But it's there, it's there, and because so few people will take the steps and do the thing like you're you're not in a huge competition. So you know what, babe, share this with a friend who needs to hear it. Thank you, Matthew Lesko. Go check out his group. Go check out what he's doing, and then report back. Let us know what you were able to do with it. Let us know what, what, what grant you did or what website you did, or how it helped your friend. Because I think it'll make Matthew Lesko's day.
Matthew Lesko 35:37
Let me see a smile.
Lesley Logan 35:37
Yeah, y'all, you know what to do. Until next time, Be It Till You See It.
Lesley Logan 35:43
That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.
Brad Crowell 36:26
It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.
Lesley Logan 36:30
It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.
Brad Crowell 36:35
Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.
Lesley Logan 36:42
Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.
Brad Crowell 36:45
Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.
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