Travis Makes Money

Travis sits down with blockchain VC and founder Harvey Liu, a China-born computer science grad turned global investor who has backed and built in crypto since the early 2010s. Harvey shares how early bets on Apple, Google, Tesla, and Bitcoin shaped his philosophy, why he now builds long-term in his own exchange, and how everyday investors can navigate crypto volatility with less emotion and more strategy. On this episode we talk about: Harvey’s journey from gaming-obsessed kid in China to computer scientist, MBA, and venture capitalist in Beijing’s early crypto scene Early wins and regrets: buying Apple, Google, Tesla, and Bitcoin early—and selling far too soon Core lessons about long-term thinking, missing “basic financial knowledge,” and why he builds for durability instead of quick flips Why he’s still bullish on Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and government money-printing, despite current bearish price action Practical strategies like dollar-cost averaging, avoiding over-leverage, and how AI, CBDCs, and stablecoins may shape crypto’s future Top 3 Takeaways Spotting disruptive tech early is powerful, but without deep understanding and a long-term framework, it’s easy to sell too soon and miss the biggest upside. In a highly leveraged, volatile market like crypto, simple principles—no over-leverage, clear profit targets, and dollar-cost averaging—matter more than chasing the perfect entry. Bitcoin increasingly functions as “digital gold” and a hedge against inflation and fiat debasement, while stablecoins and CBDCs show how blockchain rails will power everyday money movement in the future. Notable Quotes "Taking profit at your set goals is never wrong—you don’t go bankrupt by taking profit, you go bankrupt by over-leveraging." "Bitcoin started as a gamble when nobody understood it, but with institutions in the game it has become a long-term hedge against inflation and money printing." "In volatile markets, DCA and risk control beat trying to time the top or bottom—especially if you believe the asset will be here in 10 or 20 years." Connect with Harvey Liu: X: https://x.com/harveylevex levex.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Travis and producer Eric riff on the labels entrepreneurs use—CEO, founder, business owner, freelancer—and why most of that title‑drama is more about ego than impact. They dig into the real difference between owning a business and just owning your job, what it means to be a “wantrepreneur” versus an entrepreneur, and how to finally pull the trigger on the business you keep talking about starting. On this episode we talk about:   Why Travis doesn’t care what people call themselves—CEO, founder, entrepreneur—and why titles rarely matter if you’re doing the work   The practical difference between owning a true business and simply owning a job that can’t run without you   How privilege and status games show up when people mock small business owners for using “big” titles   The idea of the “wantrepreneur” (someone who only reads, talks, and dreams about business but never starts)   How to set a deadline, ship something, and stop waiting for the mythical “perfect time” to launch Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Titles are mostly a distraction; what matters is whether the business can operate, produce value, and cash flow with or without you.2.  If your business completely depends on you to function, you don’t yet own a business—you own a job, and you’re still trading time for money.3.  If you know you want to be in business, set a clear launch date for a specific offer and execute; every month you delay is costing you time, money, and momentum. Notable Quotes   "Call yourself whatever you want—just do the work required to actually fill that role in the business."   "If your business can’t run without you, you don’t really own a business; you just own your job."   "You’ve got to be a wantrepreneur for a minute to think it through, but once you know this is your path, every month you don’t act is just another month you’re falling behind." ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Michael Housman is the founder and CEO of AI-ccelerator and the author of Future Proof: Transform Your Business with AI or Get Left Behind, where he helps organizations harness artificial intelligence to make better, faster, and less biased decisions. With a PhD in Applied Economics and Managerial Science from Wharton and an A.B. from Harvard, he has spent over 15 years architecting AI platforms across hiring, fraud detection, customer communications, and real estate lending—all while translating complex AI concepts into practical playbooks for business leaders. His work has been featured in major outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and The Atlantic, making him a rare blend of deep technical expertise and real-world business impact.​ On this episode we talk about: Why traditional hiring processes are riddled with bias, how data-driven models outperform “gut feel,” and surprising predictors of performance like browser choice and employment history patterns.​ How business owners can start using AI today to buy back time, automate repetitive work, personalize outreach at scale, and treat AI as a strategic thought partner instead of just a better search box.​ The core ideas behind Future Proof—why most AI content is too technical, how Michael translates it for non-technical leaders, and why ignoring AI now is like refusing to build a website or adopt social media 10–15 years ago.​​ How AI-ccelerator uses live keynotes and hands-on workshops to help teams build real outputs—like pitch decks and go-to-market plans—in 90 minutes instead of weeks.​ Where AI is headed next, how it will disrupt agencies and creative work, and why founders should imagine how a brand-new “AI-native” competitor would rebuild their business model from scratch.​ Top 3 Takeaways AI isn’t just a tool for writing emails or posts; used correctly, it becomes a data-driven board member that helps you make sharper strategic decisions and challenge your own thinking.​ Companies that delay AI adoption risk being blindsided by AI-native competitors who use automation, synthetic data, and smarter decision systems to deliver better results at lower cost.​ The biggest barrier is not the technology but people—getting teams to experiment, build literacy, and embed AI into workflows so it actually drives revenue and efficiency.​ Notable Quotes “Algorithms, when designed correctly, don’t care where you went to school or who you play squash with—they care whether you’re actually the right fit for the job.”​ “Most leaders are using AI like a fancy spell-checker for emails when they should be treating it like a strategic thought partner sitting at the boardroom table.”​ “If you were starting your business from scratch today as an AI-native company, you’d design it completely differently—and that imaginary competitor is exactly who’s coming for your lunch.”​ Connect with Dr. Michael Housman: Website: https://michaelhousman.com​ AI-ccelerator (consulting & education): https://ai-ccelerator.com​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down how to think about pricing across products and services so you stop guessing, undercharging, or racing competitors to the bottom. They walk through how to find a healthy price point, when to go premium instead of cheap, and why your rates should reflect the value and outcomes you deliver—not how long the work takes. On this episode we talk about: Why “charge what you’re worth” is useless advice without understanding perceived value, buyer outcomes, and your actual close rate. How to think about pricing physical products, when to follow the market, and when to intentionally position yourself as the premium option. Using close-rate percentages as a feedback loop to know when you’re underpriced, fairly priced, or simply bad at sales and positioning. Why hourly billing traps service providers and creatives, and how to shift into offer-based, results-based pricing instead. The importance of early testing, discounted beta clients, and iterating your prices up as demand and proof-of-results increase. Top 3 Takeaways Stop tying your prices to hours and start tying them to outcomes; clients pay for a result, not your calendar time. Use your sales close rate as a live diagnostic: very high close rates usually mean you’re underpriced, not “amazing at sales.” Early on, treat your pricing as a test—get paying clients, prove the result, then ratchet prices up until you encounter meaningful resistance. Notable Quotes “There’s no prize for being the second-cheapest option, but there is a real advantage to being the most expensive with a better offer.” “It doesn’t matter if it takes you 30 minutes or three months—the value is the value, and the client is paying for the result.” “Selling your time by the hour lets people rent you; selling offers and outcomes is what eventually buys your time freedom.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filmmaker and tech founder Drew Schettler shares how he went from a strictly ministerial college path and church media work to running a production company and building Atlas, a modern all‑in‑one workspace for filmmakers. He talks about learning business the hard way as a creative, navigating burnout and feast‑or‑famine freelance cycles, and then spending seven months using AI and no‑code tools to ship a real SaaS product for his own industry. On this episode we talk about:   Growing up in a ministry “bubble” and how Drew slowly leaned into photography and filmmaking   Building a freelance video business serving churches, nonprofits, and commercial clients   Discovering AI/no‑code app tools and deciding to build Atlas for filmmakers   Product–market fit, MVPs, and iterating based on user feedback instead of over‑polishing   Why creators need to think like entrepreneurs and how to escape the freelance hamster wheel Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Creatives who want to go full‑time have to think in systems, margins, and client outcomes—not just in terms of making beautiful work.2.  You do not need a massive dev team to validate a software idea; a scrappy, AI‑assisted MVP is enough to start selling and get real feedback.3.  The most sustainable path is often using your high‑ticket services as a cash‑flow engine while you build scalable products that can eventually overtake client work. Notable Quotes   "You have to lead with how you’re solving the client’s problem, not just how good your video looks."   "If everyone has the cheat codes with AI, it stops being cheating—it’s just who executes better and faster."   "Most creatives are trying to impress other creatives instead of building something that actually moves the needle for a client." Connect with Drew Schettler: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drew.schettler/  https://atlasfilm.io/ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis and producer Eric break down the real skills behind meaningful networking, from first impressions and handshakes to group text intros and double opt-ins. They explore how to treat “networking” like making real friends, why bad introductions can damage trust, and how to thoughtfully connect people in a way that actually adds value. This episode is a tactical, relatable guide to becoming someone others are genuinely glad to meet and be introduced to. On this episode we talk about: Why basic body language, eye contact, and a simple “Hi, I’m Travis” beat over-rehearsed pitches when you meet someone new. How to navigate handshakes, daps, and hugs without creating awkward moments (or accidental crotch-hand sandwiches). Why networking events feel sleazy when you treat them like in‑person cold calling and how to shift into genuine curiosity and friendship-building. The right way to stay in touch—why business cards usually suck, and why Instagram or phone numbers are better for real follow‑up. How to make introductions the right way using “double opt‑in” intros, proper context, and thoughtful framing so both people feel respected and excited. Top 3 Takeaways Great first impressions are mostly about energy, body language, and making people feel good—not delivering the perfect elevator pitch. Treat networking like making friends: ask genuine questions, listen closely, look for common ground, and resist the urge to immediately pitch or sell. Introductions are powerful value-adds only when you get consent from both sides and frame the connection with context that makes each person look like the best version of themselves. Notable Quotes “People won’t remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel after meeting you.” “Going to events and treating every human like a prospect is the fastest way to make sure nobody actually wants to talk to you.” “Always get the double opt‑in on intros—otherwise you’re not adding value, you’re just creating awkward obligations for your friends.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmy Rex is a top-producing former real estate agent who closed over 400 transactions in his final year in the business and built a portfolio of more than 50 investment properties. He now runs “We Are The They,” a men’s mastermind and leadership group focused on helping high-performing entrepreneurs build better lives, not just bigger businesses, through experiences, coaching, and community. Jimmy is known for his relentless work ethic, his willingness to say what others won’t, and his ability to both make money and put it to work through disciplined investing.​ On this episode we talk about: Growing up broke, getting the entrepreneurial itch early, and how selling lemonade and T‑shirts as a kid shaped Jimmy’s sales mindset.​ Using a Mormon mission and door‑to‑door meat sales as “the world’s greatest sales training program” and how that translated into real estate success.​ The exact prospecting systems, scripts, and daily routines that took Jimmy from a few closings to 60–98 homes per year and 400+ annual transactions with his team.​ Why most agents and entrepreneurs hide in “creative avoidance,” how to fall in love with boring consistency, and why a ruthless 3‑hour daily prospecting block changes everything.​ Lessons from losing big in private deals, why Jimmy now favors index funds and real estate over chasing “sexy” investments, and how he’d rebuild from zero in 2–3 years through sales.​ Top 3 Takeaways Boring, consistent effort beats talent; a simple plan executed every day—like 3 hours of focused prospecting—will outperform almost everyone who won’t do the work.​ Sales is the most portable money-making skill; if you can sell and you’re willing to outwork others, you can rebuild your life in any market or industry.​ For most people, slow and steady investing in real estate and broad index funds will outperform gambling on private deals, meme coins, or “hot” opportunities driven by FOMO.​ Notable Quotes “Successful people have merely learned to do the things that unsuccessful people don’t want to do.”​ “Fall in love with the monotonous routine; the grind itself has to be the win, not just the outcome.”​ “If you’re not making at least 200 grand a year, your best investment isn’t the stock market—it’s your own skills and your network.”​ Connect with Jimmy Rex: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyrex​ Twitter/X: https://x.com/JimmyRex​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjimmyrex​​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis sits down with his producer Eric for a fun, practical breakdown of whether speaking at events is actually worth it for entrepreneurs and creators. From horror-movie cold opens to hard-nosed math on time, travel, and ROI, this episode digs into when to say yes to a stage, when to walk away, and how to think about “paid to speak” vs “pay to speak” opportunities in a sane, strategic way. On this episode we talk about: Whether speaking at events is a vanity play or a real growth lever for your business How your goals (professional speaker vs business owner vs personal brand builder) change the calculus on saying yes to a stage The tradeoffs between local, niche rooms and big stages with thousands of people Hidden costs of speaking—travel, lost work time, opportunity cost—and how to factor them in When it can actually make sense to pay to be on stage and how to evaluate those offers like ad spend Top 3 Takeaways Speaking is almost always valuable if it aligns with a clear goal—professional speaking, lead gen, or brand building—but not every stage is worth your time. Quality of the room (who’s in the audience, who’s hosting, who’s backstage) beats quantity of people; a small room of serious buyers can outperform a crowd of thousands. Paying to be on stage isn’t inherently a scam—it’s a marketing decision; you need clear numbers, clear expectations, and a plan to work the room and follow up afterward. Notable Quotes "It depends on your goal—if you want to be a professional speaker, you should be on any stage that’ll have you." "Sometimes 22 multi-millionaires in a small room are a better use of time than 2,000 random people in an arena." "Once you’re paying to speak, it’s not magic anymore—it’s just ad spend, and you’ve got to treat it like a marketing channel." ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veena Jetti is the founding partner of Vive Funds, an innovative commercial real estate firm specializing in conservative investment opportunities. With over $1 billion in real estate transactions and a dynamic career that spans education, community building, and thought leadership, Veena brings a unique blend of deep market expertise and a passion for empowering new investors. As a multifamily syndicator, philanthropist, and Forbes Council Member, her story stands out for its hard-earned lessons, focus on abundance, and drive to create financial independence—especially for women.​​ On this episode we talk about: How Veena transitioned from single-family to multifamily real estate Mindset shifts required for successful investing The importance of joining networks and communities for growth Building wealth with limited capital and practical entry points Empowering women to build financial independence and legacy​​ Top 3 Takeaways Community and mentorship are the "easy button" for real estate success—being in the right rooms saves money and accelerates growth.​​ Mindset is the most significant barrier; overcoming analysis paralysis lets you take action and build wealth. Multifamily real estate is accessible to non-billionaires—start somewhere, build the right network, and leverage free educational resources.​​ Notable Quotes “The biggest problem with getting started in multifamily isn’t money or knowledge—it’s mindset. Overcoming overwhelm is key.”​ “Multifamily is a team sport. You need a community; doing deals alone is just riskier and slower.”​ “My focus for 2026 is teaching women how to achieve financial independence—money as power, not the end goal.”​ Connect with Veena Jetti: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veenajetti​ Twitter/X: https://x.com/veenajetti​ Instagram: https://instagram.com/veenajetti​ Website: https://vivefunds.com​ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo-style episode, Travis sits down with his producer Eric for an introspective conversation using the “rocking chair test,” a thought experiment where you imagine advice from your much older self at the end of your life. Instead of featuring an external guest, this episode turns the spotlight on Travis’s own mindset around regret, failure, and what he wishes he’d stop (and keep) doing in business and life. On this episode we talk about: How the “rocking chair test” helps you see your current life from the perspective of your 88–108-year-old self Why most people regret what they didn’t do more than what they did “wrong” Travis’s tendency to downplay wins, fixate on failures, and how that has held him back How his upbringing and internalized beliefs still shape his self-talk and response to criticism The story of building a 7-figure business, losing it, and struggling to own his successes afterward Why podcasting is the thing he’s most proud he stuck with, despite years of low direct financial return The tension between chasing novelty and doubling down on what you’re genuinely great at Using your future self as a filter to judge fears about embarrassment, judgment, and starting over How meditating on death and limited time can create urgency to take bigger swings now Top 3 Takeaways Your future self will almost always regret the risks you never took more than the attempts that didn’t work out. Fixating on failures while dismissing your wins can quietly cap your potential, even when you’ve built real results. Doubling down on your core strengths for income, while using side projects to satisfy curiosity and novelty, is a powerful way to build both wealth and fulfillment. Notable Quotes "I tend to significantly downplay the successes I’ve had and highlight the failures I’ve had, and that’s held me back in a lot of ways." "People on their deathbed usually regret the things they didn’t do far more than the things they did that didn’t work out." "Life is short, and in 200 years none of this will matter—so why not just go for it and take another big swing?" ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fernando Angelucci is a self-storage investor and syndicator who’s transacted on over $200M worth of self-storage facilities across dozens of states in just six years. After starting in house painting, flipping, and multifamily, he ditched the “three T’s” (tenants, toilets, trash) and went all-in on self storage, where he now specializes in wholesaling, value-add deals, and creative seller-financed structures—while spending most of the year living abroad.​ On this episode we talk about: Fernando’s journey from immigrant parents and a Fortune 50 corporate job to full-time real estate investor How he used 60 credit cards and $97K in high-interest debt to launch his flipping business (and why he doesn’t recommend it) Why he pivoted from flipping and rentals into self storage and what makes the asset class so attractive How to wholesale self-storage deals step-by-step, from building lists to skip tracing to talking with owners The key underwriting metrics he uses (supply index, price per square foot, occupancy, and competition) How he structures creative seller-financed deals (multiple offer structures, master lease options, and more) The importance of reps, rejection, accountability, and public goals in getting your first deal done Top 3 Takeaways Self storage is a powerful, scalable niche. With roughly two-thirds of facilities owned by mom-and-pop operators, there’s a massive opportunity to buy under-managed properties, modernize operations (web presence, pricing, tech), and quickly increase NOI. Wholesaling self storage is a low-capital way to start. By buying data, skip tracing owners, building relationships, and assigning contracts, you can generate large fees without taking title or raising huge amounts of capital—while learning the business from inside the deal flow. Creative financing unlocks deals banks won’t touch. By really listening to an owner’s “why” (retirement income, grandkids’ tuition, travel), you can craft seller-financed structures, second-position notes, and master leases that solve their problem and allow you to acquire cash-flowing assets with minimal money down. Notable Quotes “Once you get comfortable with people saying no and failure, then you just realize it’s reps. That’s all you gotta do—reps.” “If you’re always 100% full, that’s not a good thing in self storage. It means your rents are too low.” “Too many people rush to get a contract. Slow down and find the why behind the why—then structure the deal around that.” Connect with Fernando Angelucci: Website / Investing: https://ssse.com​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestoragestud​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is a bestselling author, top executive coach, and leadership professor at Loyola University New Orleans who specializes in connection-driven leadership. She’s the author of The Seismic Shift in Leadership and the new book The Seismic Shift in You, co-written with legendary coach Marshall Goldsmith, where she unpacks seven powerful shifts leaders must make to deepen connection and drive results in an AI-driven world.​ On this episode we talk about: Michelle’s first “real” dollar, early jobs at Fuddruckers and a cookie shop, and what they taught her about people and money Why high-volume, people-facing jobs (restaurants, sales, customer service) are underrated training grounds for success The core ideas behind The Seismic Shift in Leadership and The Seismic Shift in You How AI and digital overload are changing leadership—and why “productivity without connection equals emptiness” The loneliness epidemic, why entrepreneurs (especially men) are so isolated, and how to intentionally build community Practical ways leaders can rewire meetings, calendars, and priorities around connection The concept of “connection dinners” and why entrepreneurs should curate rooms where people actually get real Top 3 Takeaways Connection is the new competitive advantage. Old-school command-and-control leadership no longer works; leaders who build cultures of connection outperform by creating trust, psychological safety, and real loyalty.​ You must connect with yourself first. If your own cup is empty—no self-care, no boundaries, no time on your calendar for what matters—you won’t have the energy or presence to build meaningful relationships at work or at home.​ Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely. By intentionally building community—through curated spaces, small-group dinners, and regular in-person connection—entrepreneurs can combat isolation and create the kind of support that fuels both impact and income.​ Notable Quotes "Productivity without connection equals emptiness." "You’re not good at connecting with anybody unless you first prioritize yourself." "If your most important relationships aren’t on your calendar, they’re not really your priorities." Connect with Dr. Michelle Johnston: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellekjohnston  Website: https://michellekjohnston.com​ Podcast: The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seismic-shift-with-michelle-k-johnston/id1625361801​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis is joined by his producer Eric for a rapid‑fire, no‑guest episode built around funny, candid questions about purchases, regrets, and money habits. Eric keeps Travis on his toes, pushing him to “bring the receipts” on everything from embarrassing Amazon orders to the masterminds and franchises he has invested in.​ On this episode we talk about: The most embarrassing Amazon purchases Travis would hate to see leaked. Under‑$50 buys (like “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant”) that genuinely improved his life.​ The pricey Vegas group dinner he barely ate at and instantly regretted. Subscriptions and trials (sports, streaming, live TV) that keep renewing long after they’re useful.​ “Boring” purchases like chargers, docks, and phone accessories that quietly deliver value every day. Early‑20s mistakes like buying a brand‑new car versus a lightly used one. How much money Travis has ultimately spent with past podcast guests through masterminds, investments, and franchises.​ Top 3 Takeaways Paying for experiences or group status you do not actually enjoy (like a late‑night Vegas dinner you barely touch) is one of the fastest ways to waste money and energy. The best purchases are often unsexy: books that change how you think, tech that reduces daily friction, and used cars that avoid the steepest depreciation curve.​ Recurring subscriptions and “free trials” can quietly drain thousands over time, so using reminders, assistants, or apps to cancel aggressively is a simple but powerful money move.​ Notable Quotes "It felt like I paid $100 a bite for that dinner—and I still left hungry." "I used to think eating out was a splurge; now the real flex is not wasting cash on stuff that doesn’t move the needle." "Money only solves your money problems, but it is a lot easier to solve everything else when you actually have some in the bank."​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.​ 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.​ 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Travis Chappell sits down with his producer Eric for a fun but revealing “check your contacts” game that exposes how much your network shapes your opportunities, decisions, and problem-solving capacity. Instead of focusing on tactics alone, they use real names from Travis’s phone to unpack what makes a relationship actually valuable beyond social proof or status.​ On this episode we talk about: The one professional contact Travis would keep if he had to delete everyone else from his phone Who he’d bet $1,000 will pick up the phone every time he calls Which friend he hasn’t talked to in years but knows would still show up if he needed help The first “celebrity” and first true household-name contact that made his network feel different Who he’d choose as his only coach if he had to start a new business tomorrow The worst “client” call of his career and the red flags it revealed The best call he’s ever received and how it turned into a defining podcast interview moment Why your network multiplies your ability to solve problems, Henry Ford–style Top 3 Takeaways A contact is only as valuable as their willingness to respond; reliability and generosity matter more than fame or follower count. Strong relationships built over years—even with long gaps in communication—can still be some of the most dependable when life or business goes sideways. Your network is a force multiplier: like Henry Ford and modern ultra-learners, you do not need to know everything yourself if you can quickly reach people who are true experts in their domains. Notable Quotes "Your contacts are only as good as the people who actually text back and pick up when it counts." "You can solve bigger and more complex problems when you know who to call, not just what to do." "Your contact list will largely dictate how successful and how helpful you are in life—so don’t neglect the work of building real relationships." ✖️✖ ✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.​ 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.​ 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse and Gabi Merl are a married power couple who rebuilt from bankruptcy and six-figure student loan debt to consistent multi–six-figure months through content, social selling, and smart investing. Jesse is a multi-exit tech entrepreneur turned YouTube creator behind “Jesse ON FIRE,” while Gabi is a hormone and cortisol-focused coach and social seller who built a thriving business from scratch using short-form content.​​ On this episode we talk about: How Jesse went from teen restaurant jobs to real estate, loans, a sports gaming startup, and ultimately a brutal acquisition that wiped out his stock and forced bankruptcy What it was like for Gabi to be pregnant with their third child, unable to practice acupuncture in a new state, and staring down six-figure student loans while deciding to jump into social selling How they rebuilt from absolute zero to over $140K/month in combined income by focusing on liquid wealth, real estate, and avoiding flashy lifestyle creep The content strategies behind “Jesse ON FIRE” and Gabi’s Instagram/TikTok growth: niche selection, volume, repelling to attract, and showing up as an amplified version of yourself on camera Why most creators fail because they underestimate the time horizon (at least a year) and posting volume required before platforms reward them with real reach Top 3 Takeaways Rebuilding from zero is possible if you’re willing to kill your ego, take the “soul-sucking” job when necessary, and then methodically build leverage through content and business again. Platforms reward consistency and volume; think in terms of posting multiple times per day for months, not a few posts per month, and commit to at least a year before expecting meaningful traction. The fastest way to stand out is to be specific: know your avatar, be willing to repel the wrong audience to attract the right one, and tell your story like you’re talking to close friends—just slightly amplified for the camera. Notable Quotes "You have to repel to attract; if no one is a little mad, no one is truly magnetized to you." "The platforms are testing if you’re going to be a consistent creator before they give you reach." "Content is just building relationships at scale—one story, one reaction, one video at a time." Connect with Jesse & Gabi Merl: YouTube (Jesse): https://www.youtube.com/@RealJesseONFIRE​ Twitter/X (Jesse): https://twitter.com/realjesseonfire​ Instagram (Jesse): https://www.instagram.com/realjesseonfire​ Instagram (Gabi): https://www.instagram.com/gabriellecarolyn​ TikTok (Gabi): https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellecarolyn​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.​ 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.​ 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and his producer Eric react to a hot take by John Gafford. John Gafford is a highly successful entrepreneur in the Las Vegas metropolitan area and a recognized authority in the real estate industry. Before venturing into real estate, he carved out a remarkable path as an entrepreneur, leaving a lasting impact across various industries including hospitality, insurance, and technology. His extensive experience and visionary leadership in real estate have made him a popular podcast host and he is frequently called upon as a contributor, speaker, and consultant, sharing his wealth of knowledge and insights with others in the industry. ✖️ ✖️ ✖️ ✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

French-Canadian real estate investor, designer, and developer Natalie Cloutier shares how she and her husband Rob went from broke 20-year-olds in a basement condo to building 50+ rental units and a multimillion-dollar portfolio using a no-money-down build-to-rent strategy. With a background in architectural technology and a focus on new construction, Natalie has turned sweat equity and creative financing into a full-time business, and recently distilled her approach into her book, “The Build-to-Rent Strategy: A Guide to a Successful Rental Property Construction.”​ On this episode we talk about: How Natalie and Rob built their first home and basement rental suite with essentially $0 down using sweat equity and construction financing The mechanics of build-to-rent/“BRRR 2.0”: Build, Rent, Refinance, Repeat—and how it differs from the traditional BRRR strategy What work they took on themselves vs. what they always hired out (electrical, drywall, finishes vs. structural, foundation, and plumbing) Why they prefer smaller infill projects like six-plexes instead of large, high-risk developments with heavy permitting costs How they manage leverage, cash flow targets per door, and why they’re choosing to pause, de-stress, and reassess what “enough” looks like after a decade of grinding Top 3 Takeaways You do not always need 20% down to get into real estate—using construction-to-perm style loans, sweat equity, and smart design, you can create deals by building rather than competing for existing inventory. Staying intentionally underleveraged and focusing on real cash flow per unit is often safer than chasing maximum refinancing or unit count, especially in volatile interest-rate environments. Your portfolio should support your life, not the other way around; periodically pausing to evaluate stress, health, and family priorities is just as important as growing doors or equity. Notable Quotes "We didn’t have money, so instead of buying someone else’s house, we built our own and used our work as the down payment." "BRRR 2.0 is the same idea as BRRR, but instead of ‘Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat,’ it’s ‘Build, Rent, Refinance, Repeat.’" "It’s not about how many units you own; it’s about how much money those properties actually make and whether the grind is worth it for your life." Connect with Natalie Cloutier: linktr.ee/thenewbuildcouple ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric react to a viral video from Vivian Tu (“Your Rich BFF”) breaking down three popular “get rich quick” strategies that actually cost most people money: whole life insurance as an investment, day trading, and “passive” side hustles like wholesale real estate, Amazon dropshipping, and affiliate marketing. They use the clip as a springboard to talk about discipline, risk, and why most people should stick to simple, boring money moves instead of gambling their future on complex schemes they barely understand.​ Top 3 Takeaways For most people, the simplest play—buy term life insurance for protection and invest consistently in diversified, long-term stock market holdings—beats complicated insurance and trading schemes. Day trading is statistically stacked against you; unless you treat it like gambling with true “play money,” your odds of long-term success are far worse than just buying and holding quality assets. “Passive income” buzzwords around real estate, dropshipping, and affiliate marketing hide the reality that these are real businesses requiring time, effort, and often capital—especially when you’re just getting started. Notable Quotes "If you’re just starting out, whole life and infinite banking shouldn’t even be on your radar—it’s a distraction sold hard because the commissions are huge." "Don’t pretend you’re an expert trader when even the best hedge fund managers in the world tell you not to time the market." "People keep looking at these advanced strategies as the thing that’ll make them rich, instead of realizing they only really make sense once you’re already rich."​ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at https://gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Zaslansky Sheer and Lori Zuker Briller are the co-founders of The Grapevine, a premier corporate and domestic staffing firm known for placing top-tier talent with high-profile executives, households, and leading companies. With 20+ years of recruiting experience across entertainment, tech, finance, real estate, fashion, and more, they’ve built a referral-driven “job matchmaking” agency and recently coauthored “Straight From the Grapevine: How to Crush Your Job Search,” a practical guide to modern career strategy and job hunting. Their backgrounds as former entertainment assistants and development executives give them a rare, inside-out view of both sides of the hiring table—what makes candidates stand out and what employers actually need.​ Top 3 Takeaways Early, “small” jobs matter: they build work ethic, professionalism, and people skills that compound into better opportunities, references, and confidence later in your career. Great candidates treat every role like it matters—showing up with excellence, initiative, and a good attitude—because that’s how you get noticed, recruited, and referred into the dream jobs you actually want. In today’s noisy job market, understanding how recruiting really works, presenting a sharp résumé, and mastering basic etiquette (clear emails, context, professionalism) are major unfair advantages. Connect with Rachel & Lori (The Grapevine): ​https://www.thegrapevineagency.com/ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at https://gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric dive into breaking sports media news: ESPN and Penn Entertainment unwinding their $2 billion, 10-year ESPN Bet partnership just two years after launch and pivoting into a new multi-year deal with DraftKings. They unpack what this says about ESPN’s fading dominance, DraftKings’ position as the default sportsbook brand, and how Barstool founder Dave Portnoy continues to land on his feet after Penn sold Barstool back to him and rebranded to ESPN Bet. Along the way, they draw parallels to Disney’s evolving “family-friendly” branding strategy, the broader shift from legacy TV to social-first sports media, and why product quality and user behavior matter more than just a big name.​​ On this episode we talk about: The stunning early termination of the ESPN–Penn Entertainment $2B, 10-year ESPN Bet deal, effective December 1, 2025, after ESPN Bet failed to crack meaningful market share.​ Why ESPN Bet reportedly struggled to get above ~5% market share and never hit “top three” sportsbook status despite ESPN’s massive brand and distribution.​ Penn’s prior Barstool Sports era, regulatory pushback tied to Portnoy’s persona, and how Penn sold Barstool back to Dave Portnoy as it pivoted to the ESPN Bet rebrand.​​ Portnoy’s reaction on his own show, why he thinks time will tell if this is a good move for DraftKings, and his hint that Disney CEO Bob Iger made unflattering comments about Barstool behind the scenes.​ How Disney’s move from “no R-rated content” on Disney+ to hosting edgier, R-rated films via the Hulu integration shows a slow but real shift away from a strictly squeaky-clean image.​ Why even a giant like ESPN can’t just slap its logo on a product and win—especially when users already love DraftKings and other established betting apps.​ The rise of social-native sports brands like House of Highlights and Barstool Sports, and how short-form content has replaced traditional SportsCenter viewing for many fans.​​ Jake Paul’s “Betr” (Better) and other creator-led betting and media plays, and how having the ear of younger fans changes the balance of power in sports media.​ Why product quality, UX, and habit lock-in often beat legacy branding, even when legacy outlets still dominate live rights and TV distribution.​ A quick detour into the best sports movies of all time—Hoosiers, Remember the Titans, Warrior, Rocky, Moneyball, and more—and what they reveal about the nostalgia we still attach to sports storytelling. Top 3 Takeaways Big legacy brands like ESPN and Disney can no longer rely on their name alone; in crowded categories like sports betting, sticky products and fan-favorite platforms like DraftKings are extremely hard to displace.​ Controversial personalities like Dave Portnoy can create regulatory and brand headaches, but they also build cult followings and resilient IP—Barstool’s rebound and Portnoy’s “$1 buyback” remain a masterclass in leverage.​​ The future of sports attention is social-first and creator-driven: fans increasingly get their highlights, hot takes, and sometimes even betting cues from digital-native brands rather than traditional TV networks.​​ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🚀 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at https://gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices