Meet Joe Sutlive | Founder of OCmoneyhunt

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Sutlive and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It all started from this simple desire to make people’s day better. Around Christmas, when I’d get a decent bonus from work, I’d take a chunk of it and head to a local Walmart. I’d look for families with kids and just quietly hand them a $50 bill. No cameras, no announcements, just a small gesture to hopefully take a little weight off their shoulders.

That feeling stuck with me. I started thinking… what if I could do this on a bigger scale? What if I could find a way to not only give back, but make it fun and bring people together in the process? That’s where OC Money Hunt came in.

Now, most drops you’ll see nothing but smiling faces, even from people who didn’t win. It’s the energy, the excitement, the community vibe. I’ll never forget one drop where a mom and her two kids were searching together, and the kids ended up finding the money first. When they ran back to her, they all started cheering and hugging like they’d just won the lottery. It was such a small moment, but you could feel how much it meant.

And now that I’ve started teaming up with local businesses, I’m able to give away even more, while also giving those businesses some well-deserved exposure. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I run OC Money Hunt, a real-life scavenger hunt where I hide cash and prizes around Orange County and give out clues on Instagram for people to go find them. It started as just a fun way to give back, but it’s turned into this really cool community of people who get outside, explore, and connect over the thrill of the hunt.

What makes this different from anything else is the energy. It’s not just about free money… it’s about creating moments. Most of the people who show up to these drops don’t even know each other, but they’ll cheer each other on, laugh together, and celebrate even if they don’t win. That’s something you don’t see every day.

I’m honestly really proud of how far it’s come. I didn’t have some big plan or team behind me. It was just an idea I believed in and kept showing up for. I was working a full time job, trying to grow something on social media, and learning as I went. It definitely wasn’t easy. There were times I felt burnt out or wondered if it was even worth it. But every time I saw someone smile after a drop, it reminded me why I started.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to stay consistent and keep showing up. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve also grown a lot, and I’ve stayed focused on what matters… making people’s day a little better.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know, it’s that OC Money Hunt isn’t just about cash. It’s about bringing people together, giving them something to look forward to, and showing that there’s still fun and connection out there if you go looking for it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
All of Southern California is unreal. You really can’t go wrong whether you’re in San Diego, Orange County, LA, or anywhere in between. If my best friend came to visit, we’d hit the beach, grab some tacos, cruise the coast, and find a solid dive bar by the water. Honestly, one of the coolest parts of running OC Money Hunt is teaming up with local businesses, it’s opened my eyes to a bunch of restaurants and hidden gems I never would’ve found on my own. Some of the best spots I know now came from just connecting with people in the community.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve gotta give my shoutout to my parents. I am where I am today 100% because of them. Their support, their belief in me, and the way they raised me.

When I moved to California from Atlanta two years ago, I was having serious second thoughts. The idea of being so far from family was tough. I’ll never forget, right before I left, my dad took me out for a beer. He looked me in the eyes and said, “There’s no way you can fail by trying. You’ll always have your family to come back to. But if you don’t go, if you don’t even give it a shot… that’s when you fail.”

That moment gave me the courage to take the leap. And ever since, through every risk, every challenge, I’ve carried that mindset with me. Knowing I have that foundation behind me has made all the difference

Instagram: OCmoneyhunt