From Wall Street to South Hero
When Brok left Wall Street after just two years, he dove into a career that would span more than two decades of self-employment; from renovating distressed properties in Baltimore neighborhoods to launching a local currency in Denver. His entrepreneurial path has been anything but linear, but his journey speaks volumes to the kind of resilience and resourcefulness needed to build something from the ground up—and his latest chapter in Vermont is no exception. He came to South Hero a few years ago to be closer to family, and started working at the same time.
Brok is the definition of a serial entrepreneur, but his wisdom runs deeper than hustle. “To me... I don’t think I could do it any other way,” he says when describing leading his own business.
Example of a local currency Brok helped launch in Colorado.
The Vermont Advantage: Look Deeper
Brok leads three ventures: real estate development, geo-fencing advertising through the Billy Goat Group, and a his latest start-up called Out-to-Lunch—all while raising a family. Yet it’s not just the ultra-casual hustle that defines him. It’s his thoughtful insights into what it really takes to succeed as a founder, especially in a state like Vermont.
“My mantra when I moved to Vermont was ‘Look Deeper,’” Brok says. “There are so many people here who, if you took them at face value, you’d be entirely wrong about who they are and what they’re capable of.” He’s learned that the garden helper might actually be a Harvard-educated physicist—you just have to slow down and get to know people.
Hula, the Power of Proximity (and Lunch)
Brok found a natural home in Burlington’s Hula coworking space, which he describes as “the perfect Vermont blend” of style and substance. “I’ve seen coworking spaces that are all heart but no scale, or all VC but no soul,” he says. “Hula is the perfect Vermont blend, and full of people who genuinely care about one another.”
It’s also where Out-to-Lunch was born--Out-to-Lunch is a social connection app that helps folks within a defined community get out and grab lunch together. “Someone I met at Hula introduced me to another member… and eventually that turned into a completely new product idea that made way more sense than our original concept,” Brok explains. “And that wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t here.”
OutToLunch is currently in beta testing in a number of communities, including Hula, in Burlington
Advice for Founders: Bootstrap, Know Your Advantage, Earn Your Way
Brok doesn’t sugarcoat his entrepreneurial journey. At one early point of his career, he had to call his mom for $1,000 just to cover his mortgage. “That was painful,” he says, “but it reminded me that a lot of people don’t even have someone to call.” Startups often chase investors, but Brok believes learning to bootstrap is invaluable. “My brother once asked me, ‘Do you deserve to start this business at this point in your life?’” he recalls. That question shaped his thinking. “If you can’t get the resources to start something big, start something smaller and learn as you go...bootstrapping is a great skill”
His advice to founders is clear and hard-won: “Know your advantage. You have to have or create something that others don’t—and be sure you’re not fooling yourself.”
He also warns against rushing into partnerships. “You have to earn your way into a startup. Vesting is so important, even with your best friend. Otherwise, someone can work two days and walk away with half the company.”
And choose industries wisely: “Some businesses, if you do them mediocre, they still make money. Others lose money even when you do them well.”
Final Thought:
In Vermont, success doesn’t come from chasing clout—it comes from paying deep attention. As Brok puts it, “Ask people their stories. Then be patient.” Because behind every handshake and hallway chat, there’s a chance to build something great. Something inspiring to remember the next time any of us is brewing coffee in the Hula kitchen, or bumping into someone new in the Channel.
