Travis Braulick grew up in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, where community, sports, and responsibility shaped his early years. He played football, baseball, and hockey in high school, learning discipline, patience, and teamwork along the way. Those lessons stayed with him well beyond the field.
After graduating from Sleepy Eye Public High School in 2004, Braulick set his sights on building a career centered on helping others. He entered the financial services industry in 2014, knowing the road ahead would not be easy. The early years required persistence and belief, especially while building relationships from the ground up.
Through steady effort and clear goals, his career gained momentum. Between 2017 and 2023, he became a Top 25 Producer at Bankers Life and earned President and Honors Elite Member recognition. He was also named a Jackson National Stars Award winner from 2021 through 2024. Each milestone reflected consistency rather than shortcuts.
In 2024, Braulick joined Investment and Insurance Services Broker Dealer Calton, continuing his work as a financial advisor and Vice President of Investment and Insurance Services. He is known for being accessible, dependable, and committed to lifelong learning.
Outside of work, Braulick stays connected to his roots. He supports local athletic programs, enjoys golfing, and follows Minnesota sports. Time with family and community keeps him grounded and focused on what matters most.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts early. I review my calendar and my client list before anything else. That helps me focus on people, not tasks. I block time for client calls, follow-ups, and planning work. I try not to let my day get run by email. Productivity for me is knowing that the right conversations happened, not that every box got checked.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I keep ideas simple and tied to action. If an idea cannot turn into a clear next step, it stays an idea. I usually write things down and attach them to a weekly or monthly goal. That habit helped me early on when I was building my book from scratch and needed structure to stay consistent.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The shift toward more open and ongoing client conversations. People want clarity, not complexity. They want someone who explains things in plain language and stays engaged over time.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Setting weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. I have done this for years. It gives me direction when things get busy or unpredictable.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient. Progress takes longer than you think, but it lasts longer when you earn it.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe being available matters more than being flashy. Answering the phone builds more trust than any marketing message.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Follow up when you say you will. It sounds simple, but it separates people over time.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away. Golfing or watching a game helps reset my mind. Distance creates clarity.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Consistency. Early in my career at Bankers Life, I focused on putting in the daily effort even when results were slow. That consistency led to long-term growth and recognition.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I tried to do too much at once. I learned to slow down, prioritize, and build steadily. That changed everything.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a simple annual check-in process for clients that focuses on life changes, not just numbers.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
A CRM system. It helps me track conversations and follow-ups so nothing falls through the cracks.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Atomic Habits by James Clear. It reinforces the power of small, consistent actions.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Friday Night Lights. It reminds me of teamwork, discipline, and community.
Key learnings
- Consistency and availability build trust over time.
- Simple systems support long-term growth.
- Clear communication reduces stress and confusion.
- Balance outside of work supports better decisions.