This Q&A episode features Travis and his producer Eric, digging into modern realities around wages and the importance (and possibilities) of side hustles in 2025. Drawing on real-world examples and listener questions, Travis breaks down practical steps for anyone—whether stuck at minimum wage, looking to upskill, or considering taking a side gig full time. The conversation debunks common myths, highlights actionable pathways, and injects a healthy dose of tough love and encouragement.

On this episode we talk about:

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  Why minimum wage jobs alone aren’t enough to thrive in today’s economy

  
  


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  How to pick a side hustle that fits your schedule, skills, and goals

  
  


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  Building skills that pay: sales, arbitrage, creative freelancing, and more

  
  


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  When (and if) to turn your side gig into your full-time work

  
  


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  The mindset shifts required to get out of the “employee only” mentality

  
  

Top 3 Takeaways

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   Skills are the ultimate wealth-building lever—don’t just trade time for dollars, constantly invest in learning and improving high-value abilities.

   
   


2. 
   

   Action brings clarity: Try several small side hustles or projects, analyze the results, and double down on what works and what you enjoy.

   
   


3. 
   

   You don’t have to quit your job unless you want to—side hustles can supplement income, fund investments, or become your main gig if they outpace your current job.

   
   

Notable Quotes

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  "Stop thinking like a 1980s employee and start thinking like a 2025 gig economy expert."

  
  


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  "Work on building a skill stack that gives you an unfair advantage in the marketplace."

  
  


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  "You have to be willing to do things without making money at first—work so much it becomes unreasonable for you to not be successful."

  
  

Connect with Travis:

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  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

  
  


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  Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell/

  
  


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  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traviscchappell

  
  


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  Website: https://www.travischappell.com/podcast/

  
  

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