Travis Makes Money

Neri Karra Sillaman joins Travis to unpack why immigrant entrepreneurs are disproportionately likely to build enduring, billion‑dollar businesses. Drawing on her journey from refugee child expelled from Bulgaria, to founder of a 25‑year‑old leather goods company, to PhD and entrepreneurship expert at Oxford University, Neri shares the eight principles from her book Pioneers: Eight Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs and how any founder can apply them. On this episode we talk about: Neri’s family being expelled from Bulgaria with two suitcases, becoming refugees in Turkey, and how that shaped her obsession with education as a path to a better life Coming to the University of Miami at 18, discovering that the Intel chip in the computer lab was created by a refugee, and how that reframed her identity as an immigrant Launching a sustainable leather goods brand by repurposing surplus luxury Italian leather, and eventually manufacturing for houses like Prada and Miu Miu Why nearly half of Fortune 500 companies and the vast majority of billion‑dollar startups have immigrant founders or executives, and what she calls the eight “pioneer” principles behind that success How cross‑cultural bridging, future‑back vision, deep community orientation, humility, and a lack of entitlement help immigrant entrepreneurs spot opportunities and build companies that last Top 3 Takeaways Immigrant founders often win because they blend cultures, see problems from multiple vantage points, and design solutions informed by their past while building toward a very clear future vision. A strong sense of non‑entitlement—expecting to earn every opportunity—and humility in leadership (inviting employees, suppliers, and communities into the solution) are core to long‑term business resilience. Treating your company as part of an ecosystem, not the center of the universe, leads to healthier relationships with suppliers, employees, institutions, and even the environment, which supports business longevity. Notable Quotes “Being an immigrant is not something to hide; it can be the very source of the ideas and resilience that build great companies.” “You are not a star operating alone—your company is only as healthy as the ecosystem it’s a part of.” “You can’t have ego in this game; you can’t take rejection personally when you’re building something that matters.” Connect with Neri Karra Sillaman: https://nerispeaks.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

Eric and Travis react to a clip of Riaz Meghji. Riaz breaks down the craft of powerful conversations, drawing on his two decades as a TV host, human connection keynote speaker, and author of Every Conversation Counts. Known for helping leaders build meaningful relationships in a distracted, digital-first world, Riaz shares practical frameworks any creator, entrepreneur, or interviewer can use to unlock deeper stories and stronger trust with guests, clients, and audiences.​ On this episode we talk about: Why Riaz lost his first MTV Canada hosting job, what imposter syndrome looked like on camera, and how not burning bridges brought him back to the network later The mindset shift from “how do I look?” to “how do I light up the person watching?” and why focusing on the audience changes everything about how you show up How to “overprepare to improvise” so research gives you confidence, but listening and curiosity drive the actual conversation Simple phrasing shifts—like “tell me about,” “take me back,” and “set the scene”—that turn flat Q&A into emotional, story-rich dialogue Practical ways to ask for stories you “can’t Google,” especially with highly interviewed guests, and how that leads to more memorable content and relationships Top 3 Takeaways The best interviews prioritize the audience and the guest, not the host’s ego; your job is to unlock stories and insights that genuinely serve the listener. Overpreparation plus improvisation is the winning combo: know your guest’s world deeply, then be willing to drop the script when something more alive shows up. Asking for specific moments and stories instead of abstract answers creates emotional connection, builds trust faster, and makes your content stand out. Notable Quotes “The opportunity to unlock something unique, personal, and something you can’t Google is always there—but only if you stop obsessing over how you look on camera.” “Overprepare to improvise: do the work beforehand, then lean into listening so you can follow what actually matters in the room.” “Emotion is what connects us; when you ask for a story, people don’t just hear information—they feel like they’re living the moment with you.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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 tackle one of the most common questions in personal finance and self‑help: can money really buy happiness? They dig into research on income and life satisfaction, talk through how money affects freedom and options, and explore cautionary tales of wealthy people who became slaves to greed. The conversation ultimately reframes money as a powerful tool—one that can remove money problems and expand your choices, but can’t fix who you are on the inside. On this episode we talk about: What happiness research actually says about income thresholds and why the happiness “boost” from more money flattens out once basic needs and comfort are met How money amplifies your character—making generous people more generous and greedy people more dangerous—and why being broke or rich can both turn you into a slave to money if you’re not careful Stories of investors and executives who risked everything for “one more” big win, versus those who hit their number and chose time, relationships, and impact over endless accumulation The idea that money only solves money problems—and why removing financial stress can free up mental and emotional bandwidth to work on purpose, relationships, health, and fulfillment Practical encouragement to pursue wealth unapologetically while simultaneously working on your mindset, values, and skills so you can handle money well when it arrives Top 3 Takeaways Money doesn’t directly buy happiness beyond a certain baseline, but it absolutely buys options, time, and stress relief—all of which make it easier to pursue the things that do drive long‑term happiness. You can be equally enslaved to money whether you have none or have a lot; the difference is whether you control money as a tool or let it control your decisions, identity, and integrity. The healthiest path is to grow your character and your net worth at the same time—so that when you do become wealthy, you’re the kind of person who uses that wealth to improve life for yourself and others. Notable Quotes "If you’re going to be unhappy, you’d rather be unhappy with money than without it—but the real win is using money to remove money problems so you can focus on everything else." "Money is just an amplifier; if you’re a crappy person, money will make you a crappier person. If you’re a good person, money will make you a better version of yourself." "Unapologetically pursue money, but don’t worship it—treat it as a tool to buy back your time, support the people you love, and fund the impact you want to have." ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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

Keith Yackey joins Travis to talk about the surprising overlap between making more money and having a thriving marriage. A former contractor, pastor, and real estate investor who built a seven‑figure online business in 14 months, Keith now runs Married Game, where he helps men become the most attractive version of themselves for themselves—and, as a byproduct, for their wives. From proof‑of‑funds tools in real estate to high‑ticket relationship coaching, Keith has consistently turned conviction, collaboration, and personal transformation into serious income.​ On this episode we talk about: How Keith turned a painful separation from his wife Jessi into the foundation for Married Game and a business built on leading from what he actually lives​ The real estate proof‑of‑funds service that became his “easiest $2 million” and what it taught him about solving specific problems for existing audiences​ Why he believes being rich can be one of the most spiritual journeys you can pursue, especially if you grew up with “money is evil” messaging in church culture​ The mindset shift from needing to impress others to simply doing what you say you’ll do, paying people fast, and becoming radically non‑needy in business and relationships​ How surrounding himself with wealthier friends, adopting a white‑belt mentality, and paying off a 14‑year‑old $50k debt at a doorstep full of family changed his internal peace and external opportunities​ Top 3 Takeaways The same skills that make you good at business—having a great product, serving people well, taking responsibility—also make you good at marriage; most men simply refuse to apply them at home.​ Money is a neutral amplifier and a scoreboard for value at scale; mastering it lets you contribute more to the causes and people you care about, instead of being a lifelong slave to financial stress.​ Non‑neediness is a cheat code: when you keep your word, pay people quickly, and detach from impressing others, you become more attractive to high‑level partners, clients, and friends.​ Notable Quotes “If you believed about business what most people believe about marriage—that it just gets worse after a couple of years—you’d never invest a dime in a company.”​ “Being rich might be one of the most spiritual journeys you can go on, because it forces you to become more valuable to the people around you.”​ “Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it, without fault—that one rule has built my reputation and set me free.”​ Connect with Keith Yackey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithyackey​ Married Game: https://marriedgame.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

Travis and producer Eric break down how “lifestyle creep” quietly traps people in careers and businesses they don’t even like. Using Travis’s own journey—from upgrading houses and stuffing the biggest U‑Haul available, to downsizing into an 800 sq ft apartment with his brother‑in‑law so he could rebuild—this episode shows how controlling lifestyle and expenses can buy the freedom to switch careers, start a business, and actually enjoy the process. On this episode we talk about: How innocently “just upgrading a little” turns into bigger houses, pools, and piles of stuff that quietly dictate your career choices The story of walking away from a big Vegas house, throwing away and selling most possessions, and moving into a tiny apartment to make room for a new business chapter The real cost of “nice things” like backyard pools—and how ongoing utilities, maintenance, and repairs add up far beyond the install price Why most people use money from work they dislike to finance a lifestyle they don’t really care about, locking themselves into golden handcuffs Practical ways to improve your lifestyle without killing your margin for growth, including setting income/expense targets and channeling surplus into skills, networks, and investments Top 3 Takeaways If you don’t consciously tell your money where to go, lifestyle creep will decide for you—there is always a nicer car, neighborhood, or upgrade waiting to absorb the raise you just got. Freedom comes from the gap between what you earn and what you spend; increasing income only helps if you keep your lifestyle intentionally below your means and invest the difference. You can have most of what you want—just not all of it right now; delaying some gratification to build skills, relationships, and assets can compress your timeline to real wealth by decades. Notable Quotes "If you don’t give your money a job, it will start doing whatever it wants—usually in the form of upgrades you didn’t actually need." "Most people are doing work they don’t like to pay for a lifestyle that doesn’t really matter to them, and that trade keeps them stuck." "Your attitude matters more than your circumstances; plenty of people with far less than you are far happier, because they’re not trying to impress anyone." ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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 entrepreneur and “CEO Whisperer” Charles Gaudet, founder and CEO of Predictable Profits, to unpack how real momentum—not just ideas—creates lasting success. From launching his first “business” at four years old to building a multimillion‑dollar company in his twenties and helping clients add over $100M in revenue, Charles explains why most owners cap out on hard work, how to think about setbacks, and why—if he started over today—he’d buy a business instead of starting from scratch. On this episode we talk about: Charles’s early exposure to entrepreneurship through his father, his first art “business” at age four, and the conviction it took to ignore college pressure to get a job Why entrepreneurship is a springboard—up, down, then higher up again—and how your peer group and spouse can either pull you back to “70 degrees” or push you into your next level The difference between treating setbacks as proof you should quit versus training yourself to ask, “Why could this be the best thing that’s happening to me right now?” How consistent, imperfect action and momentum beat “perfect strategies,” and why most owners stall when they rely only on hard work, word of mouth, and referrals Why Charles would buy a business today instead of starting one, what he looks for in acquisitions (recurring revenue, low owner dependency, scalable marketing), and how that compares to real estate’s capped returns Top 3 Takeaways Sustainable success is driven by momentum, not a single “genius idea”—showing up consistently, tracking what works, and compounding small wins eventually creates the “overnight” avalanche. Who you surround yourself with matters: if your circle sits at “70 degrees,” they will unconsciously pull you back whenever you try to cool off or heat up, so keep upgrading your peer group and protect your mindset. Buying a business can be a faster path to income and upside than starting from zero, especially when you acquire existing cash flow, systems, and recurring revenue that can be scaled rather than built from scratch. Notable Quotes "A business doesn’t succeed or fail because of a good idea or a bad idea—it lives or dies on momentum." "Consistent, imperfect execution beats a perfect strategy that never gets implemented—every single time." "If I were starting over today, I wouldn’t start a business—I’d buy one and then grow the momentum that’s already there." Connect with Charles Gaudet: Website: predictableprofits.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

Travis and Eric sit down for a candid conversation about how beginners should actually get started in real estate—without overthinking strategy or blindly trusting gurus. Drawing on Travis’s own “real estate dabbler” experience and recent insights from billion‑dollar multifamily operator Veena Jetti, they break down mindset, risk, education, and why doing a small, imperfect first deal usually beats sitting on the sidelines. On this episode we talk about: Why there’s so much conflicting advice on “where to start” (house hack, flip, small multifamily, or go straight to big apartments) Veena Jetti’s perspective on skipping single‑family and going directly into multifamily—and when that’s realistic versus paralyzing Creative ways to get into deals without being the one writing the big check, from finding and structuring deals to partnering and earning equity The risks of trusting operators you don’t understand, the importance of knowing how the deal makes money, and why “just give it to the expert” can backfire How Airbnb shifted from easy arbitrage to a hospitality business, and why hotels and experiential short‑term rentals may now have the edge Top 3 Takeaways The best “first strategy” is the one you will actually execute; do a real deal—any reasonable, understandable deal—rather than spending years trying to pick the perfect niche. Never invest in a deal you can’t clearly explain, especially when you’re handing money to an operator; understand how value is created, where it can break, and what your actual risk is. Real estate is a business, not a magic passive ATM: whether it’s multifamily, flips, or Airbnb, expect real work, real learning, and some paid tuition in the form of mistakes along the way. Notable Quotes "If you sit on the sidelines trying to decide your strategy for five years, you’re losing money and time—go do something." "Don’t assume that because someone knows more than you, they know everything; if you can’t explain how the deal makes money, you shouldn’t be wiring money into it." "Airbnb today is closer to running a hotel than owning a rental—it’s hospitality, not a set‑and‑forget investment. ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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 actor‑turned‑entrepreneur Ryan Rottman, cofounder of AthleteAgent.com, an IMDb‑style database for the sports world. From training as a business major and actor at Texas Tech to navigating constant rejection in Hollywood, Ryan shares how thick skin, relationships, and a love of sports led him to build the most extensive searchable sports database online, alongside partners like Aaron Rodgers and Nate Robb. On this episode we talk about: How Ryan’s early trading and acting work out of college built the financial runway and mindset he needed to pursue creative projects What acting teaches about rejection, resilience, and treating yourself as a business—and how those lessons transfer directly into startups and fundraising The origin story of AthleteAgent.com, modeled after IMDb but built to centralize athlete data, representation info, and off‑field opportunities Why most athletes beyond the top 1% are massively under‑monetized, and how better visibility can unlock endorsements, podcast bookings, investments, and partnerships The realities of building a tech platform from scratch—finding dev teams, talking to 100+ investors, and expanding from 10 sports toward a global, 50+ sport footprint Top 3 Takeaways Acting and entrepreneurship share the same core skill: moving from “no” to “no” without losing enthusiasm, while treating every experience as training for the next opportunity. Athletes are brands, and most are dramatically under‑leveraged off the field; centralized, accurate data and contact info unlocks deals for the other 99%, not just superstars. Long‑term success often comes from repurposing skills and networks—Ryan used his IMDb experience, sports relationships, and business training to spot an obvious gap and fill it with AthleteAgent.com. Notable Quotes "As an actor, you are your own business—rejection is daily, and your job is to keep showing up until the right role hits." "IMDb changed my acting career because people could actually find my reps; I realized nothing like that existed for athletes." "We didn’t build AthleteAgent for the top 1%—we built it so the other 99% can finally be found, booked, and paid." Connect with Ryan Rottman: Website (AthleteAgent): athleteagent.com Instagram: @ryanrottman ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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 catches up with his old friend Todd Lamb, founder of Pure Life Organics, a wellness brand that has generated over $100 million in gross revenue through direct response and DTC e‑commerce. Coming from nearly 20 years in policing—including K‑9, undercover surveillance, and leading a tactical team—Todd shares how a backyard “redneck margarita maker” on eBay pulled him into the online world, and how he navigated the evolution from info products and VSLs to a durable, compliant brand with repeat buyers and lean operations.​ On this episode we talk about: Todd’s path from young dad to military, commercial diving, policing, and eventually leading a SWAT (tactical) team before retiring into entrepreneurship​ The first spark: building a DIY margarita machine, selling the plans on eBay in 2003, and realizing the internet could be a real business engine​ Launching fitness and jiu-jitsu funnels, the breakout success of Alpha and flat-belly tea, and the shift from all-affiliate direct response to owning the traffic and the brand​ The difference between direct response and e‑commerce—emotional VSLs versus longer-tail, brand-led journeys—and what that means for refunds, customer quality, and compliance​ Why Todd transitioned early into e‑com, how affiliate abuse blew up his domain reputation, and what it took to rebuild as a white-glove, exit-ready brand run lean by a small, trusted team​ Top 3 Takeaways A “safe” career and lack of entrepreneurial pedigree do not disqualify you; Todd built a nine-figure track record starting as a young dad in the military and then a career cop who experimented online in his spare time.​ Direct response can scale fast, but it comes with higher refunds, compliance risk, volatile affiliate traffic, and brand damage; shifting to thoughtful e‑commerce with strong customer experience creates long-term value and optionality for exit.​ Building lean with people you trust, focusing on LTV, repeat customers, and careful email practices turns a cash-flow machine into an asset that works whether or not you ever decide to sell.​ Notable Quotes "No house with a swimming pool is complete without a margarita maker—and that little eBay experiment made me realize what was possible online." "Direct response is like turning a stranger into a buyer in one emotional shot; e‑com is a longer, more elegant and thoughtful journey." "We stopped emailing for everyone else’s offers; we only promote our own products because we want our customers to trust that when we show up, it’s actually for their benefit." Connect with Todd Lamb: Website (Brand): https://purelifeorganics.com/ Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followtoddlamb/?hl=en ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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 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