By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Mike "Rooster" McConaughey, Matthew's older brother, chews on a cigar at the Omni Hotel in a flannel-design shirt, looking every bit the blue-collar man You'd never guess he was a multi-millionaire as well.
Ditto with his best friend and oil pipe businessman competitor Butch Gilliam. But the pair's casual hometown Texas drawls bely a competitive spirit and a moral code.
Their comfortable chemistry helps make the CNBC show "West Texas Investors Club" click. Season two just began. It's "Shark Tank" minus the suits and its heavy focus on profits and growth.
"We wanted to make a TV show that could make a difference," Butch said. "We're not trying to do this to get rich or make money for the sake of making money. We were never obsessed with getting filthy rich. We work hard and do right by other people. That's what we are trying to do with this show. If you come on the show and say you have an idea and want to get rich overnight, you came to the wrong place. We don't know how to do that."
Indeed, they have invested close to $2 million in various businesses season one and have not earned back anything.
"We're trying to preach a doctrine of commitment," Rooster said. "And doing the right thing and waiting for the payoff."
Butch said they've reached a point in their lives that it's not just about the Benjamins. "We're realizing that maybe that treasure isn't at the end of the destination but what you did along the way. That's the real payoff. I had happy days along the way. I did good things. People think a lot of us. We've got a good reputation."
Sometimes, they tell people to not take on investors.
Butch: "Partnerships are difficult. Rooster and I partner in a lot of things but we are like minded. We have the same objectives."
Often, they see people who have been knocked down. They try to life their spirits.
"If we can make that impact on someone’s life and help them get on track, that's the best investment he and I could make," Butch said. That’s the best investment he and I could make."
And they like to warn entrepreneurs: "The biggest crooks in the world wear nice suits and ties and wear pretty dresses," he said.
Rooster was a salesman at age 22 and became a millionaire by age 30. But then the oil business crashed and he had to file for bankruptcy protection and start all over again. He rebuilt his business successful on humble pie. Vendors he owed money to trusted him and he paid them back in full, he said.
He said his Oscar-winning brother has been encouraging to him about the show but purposely has stayed out of it. "He didn't want to piggyback on this," Rooster said. "He said, 'For your protection, this is for you, brother.' Else, it takes away from what we're trying to make."
Here is info on their appearance tonight:
Atlanta, GA - June 21st - Stats Sports Bar (300 Marietta St. NW) | 6-8p
Stars of the CNBC's hit series WEST TEXAS INVESTORS CLUB are coming to Atlanta! Come on down to Stats Sports Bar at 300 Marietta St. Tuesday. Meet millionaire investors Butch Gilliam and Rooster McConoughey and get the inside scoop on how to get on the show and what it takes to get a deal! And don't miss the WEST TEXAS INVESTORS CLUB - Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on CNBC! Visit CNBCPrime.com for more information
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