Travis Makes Money

Travis and his producer Eric dive deep into one of the most common (and misleading) debates in entrepreneurship: is it actually smarter to buy an existing business, or should you build one from zero? Travis brings candid perspective, real stories, and actionable advice—covering who’s really ready for acquisition, when it’s a disguised risk, and why the right answer depends entirely on your background, skills, and life stage.

On this episode we talk about:

The hidden risks “business buying” gurus don’t tell you about online

Why Wall Street MBAs and local blue-collar workers face VERY different realities in business acquisition

The true story behind seller financing, ownership transitions, and the “great wealth transfer” from retiring boomers

The pitfalls of buying a company with zero operational experience—especially with employees depending on you

How to develop entrepreneurial skills the right way: from humble beginnings, mentorship, or free resources like Alex and Layla Hormozi’s content

The value of real-world learning, local partnerships, and being brutally honest about risk when families and finances are on the line

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Buying a business is viable for those with real operational, financial, or sector experience—but is highly risky for novices with no background or mentorship.
2.  Free educational content (like what’s offered by the Hormozis) and relationships with local business owners offer low-risk ways to get business skills—don’t shortcut this step.
3.  Every path is unique: don’t get swept up in romanticized social media pitches. Assess your own knowledge, resources, and risk tolerance before making a major entrepreneurial leap.

Notable Quotes

"Don’t fall into the trap of social media dreams—what worked for a Wharton MBA may be disastrous for an aspiring entrepreneur in small-town America."

"There are multiple ways to win at this game, but skipping the humility and the homework is the fastest way to lose."

"If the deal looks too good to be true, ask more questions—and remember, you owe your employees and your family your best preparation."

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Dr. Catharine Arnston is the founder and CEO of ENERGYbits®, a Boston-based wellness company pioneering spirulina and chlorella products for energy, recovery, and whole-body health. After a long career in corporate and entrepreneurship, Catharine was inspired to launch her venture when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and advised to adopt an alkaline, plant-based diet. Discovering algae as a nutrition powerhouse—backed by decades of research—Catharine became a thought leader and relentless educator, bringing algae tablets to the U.S. market and appearing on Shark Tank, countless podcasts, and industry stages. Her journey exemplifies perseverance, self-funding, and the power of education-first business.

On this episode we talk about:

How Catharine’s sister’s cancer diagnosis led to researching plant-based, alkaline nutrition—and discovering algae as a science-backed superfood

The challenging early days: bootstrapping, self-funding, and learning every skill from scratch (including packaging design)

Building a brand vs. just selling products: patience, persistence, and showing up for years before the breakthrough

Her Shark Tank story—and why she never wanted VC money, only greater visibility

How COVID shifted wellness priorities and fueled explosive business growth for ENERGYbits

The “grind” of entrepreneurship: everyday lessons, constant pivots, and learning when (and how) to hire up

Practical financing insight: leveraging working capital lines and e-commerce partners for growth, not just outside investors

Her vision for algae on every kitchen counter—and advice for founders on feedback, pivoting, and longevity

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  “Patient, persistent, passionate”—lasting success comes from loving the mission, grinding through the setbacks, and adapting with curiosity every step of the way.
2.  The best brands lead with education and trust; ENERGYbits’ podcast-driven growth and science-first focus attracted a loyal, informed audience.
3.  Capital grows best from customers and careful borrowing; self-funding, small working capital loans, and disciplined re-investment enabled Catharine to maintain control even as the business scaled.

Notable Quotes

"Success is just a waiting game. Stick with it. Stay with it—you have to keep your costs low and just not give up."

"Patient and persistent and passionate—those are the three P's that are really critical."

"If something’s not working, feedback is a gift. Pivot on market, product, or team and keep moving forward."

"Learning comes from doing and applying yourself and being curious—curiosity is the key."

Connect with Dr. Catharine Arnston:

Website: energybits.com (use code TRAVISC for 20% off)

Instagram: @catharinearnston

LinkedIn: Catharine Arnston, PhD

Speaking/author: catharinearnston.com

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Travis teams up with his producer Eric for an actionable episode on budgeting you’ll actually stick to. Forget the generic advice and unrealistic expectations—this episode tackles the real-life habits, tools, and mental shifts that help you put (and keep) more money in the bank. Travis breaks down the parallels between honest financial tracking and fitness, shares how his own family discovered hidden cash leaks, and discusses proven apps and systems that make saving automatic and attainable at any income level.

On this episode we talk about:

Why “eyeballing” your budget is like trying to lose weight without tracking calories

The surprising expenses (bites, licks, tastes… and subscriptions) that sabotage your savings

Lessons Travis learned from catching years of double-billed HOA fees

How to identify (and cut) spending that doesn’t actually make life better

Hands-on reviews of apps and systems like EveryDollar and Rocket Money, with tips for making them work for you

The value of splitting money into separate savings accounts and “paying yourself first”

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Tracking every dollar for even just a couple months will instantly highlight where money is leaking out—and where painless cuts can add up fast.
2.  Use budgeting apps (EveryDollar, Rocket Money, or similar) to create intentional systems, not just wishful thinking, and to automate savings for major goals.
3.  Developing focus around spending is as important as optimizing income—and the discipline you build budgeting will serve every other area of your financial life.

Notable Quotes

"If you haven’t tracked every dollar for multiple months, you can’t say you have a real budget—eyeballing always misses key details."

"You'll be surprised what you see after looking at the data. Suddenly, it’s obvious what to cut and what to keep.”

"Budgeting is about being honest with yourself—a few months of real tracking creates lasting habits and real surplus."

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Mara Dorne is a powerhouse entrepreneur, Fortune 500 sales veteran, and the bold voice behind the BILF (Boss I’d Like to Follow) Podcast. After building a billion-dollar sales career and becoming a self-made millionaire before 40, Mara shifted her focus to empowering others—especially women—to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. Now leading a nationwide team of more than 1,500 health insurance agents, Mara is on a mission to make health care more affordable, redefine ethical sales, and open the door for a new generation of ambitious professionals. Her story is one of resilience, authenticity, and unwavering determination.

On this episode we talk about:

Mara’s beginnings: working from age 10, early lessons in money and independence

How the 2008 recession and life’s curveballs led her unintentionally into health insurance sales

Why health insurance sales is a meritocracy and how perseverance beats pedigree

The massive earning potential in health insurance—and what sets it apart from other insurance fields

How Mara helped diversify and revolutionize a “pale, male, and stale” industry with ethical, customer-focused sales

The critical role of focus, work ethic, and people skills for today’s young agents in a world of endless distraction

Her advice on whether young people should attend college or dive into real-world work experience

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  The insurance industry can offer life-changing, long-term income and rewards true persistence, ethical sales, and the ability to build relationships—not background or pedigree.
2.  Leading with value and customer needs, rather than chasing short-term commissions, is the secret to long-term business and referral success in insurance.
3.  For young people, developing people skills and focus—through door-to-door sales, phones, or social media—is more important and profitable than ever in the digital age.

Notable Quotes

"Perseverance and authenticity shaped my life and became the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey."

"There’s no shortcut. You still have to grind it out. The real win is in helping the customer and playing the long game."

"It’s not about the struggles you face; it’s about how you overcome them."

Connect with Mara Dorne:

Instagram: @maradorne

Website: maradorne.com

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In this episode, Travis is joined by his producer, Eric, to explore one of the most difficult questions in business, creative work, and personal finance: is it time to double down or to walk away? Using viral memes, classic motivational stories, and plenty of real-world examples, Travis breaks down the difference between grit and the sunk cost fallacy. If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to keep going or to cut your losses, this conversation gives you actionable strategies—and permission—to make your next decision with confidence.

On this episode we talk about:

The “three feet from gold” story and why it’s not always as motivational as it seems

Distinguishing persistence from stubbornness in business and creative pursuits

The sunk cost fallacy and how it can keep you on the wrong path for too long

Timing, luck, technology, and other factors that determine real success

The importance of intuition and asking honest questions when deciding to persist or pivot

Annie Duke’s book "Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away" and actionable frameworks for tough decisions

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Legendary persistence stories are rare because so few people actually strike gold—sometimes quitting is the healthiest, wealthiest move.

2.  Set clear metrics and timelines: if you’re not where you need to be by a set date, give yourself permission to step back and reassess.

3.  Intuition is a powerful guide, but so is honest self-inquiry; journaling and brutal self-questioning can reveal when it’s time to change lanes.

Notable Quotes

"Persistence is great advice—until it’s not. The sunk cost fallacy never made anybody wealthy."

"You have to be willing to pivot… sometimes persistence is just a fear of letting go and not knowing what comes next."

"Set up a metric in your mind… and then if you’re still banging your head against the wall at the end, you gotta be willing to pivot."

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Sarah Gregg and Jill Ritchie are the co-founders of the Intuitive Psychology Association, the world’s first and only fully accredited intuitive psychology coach training provider. They bring together modern psychology, rigorous accreditation, and deep intuitive wisdom to qualify coaches at the highest level globally. Their mission: transform the coaching industry from social media “certifications” to ethical, evidence-based methods that foster real, lasting personal growth. Sara and Jill’s programs are recognized for blending ancient insights with science, helping clients break repeating patterns and achieve deep-rooted change.

On this episode we talk about:

Sarah and Jill’s early hustles and lessons in work ethic

Why they created a rigorous, accredited intuitive psychology coaching curriculum

The pitfalls of unregulated coaching and why credentials matter

What intuitive psychology means—and how it transforms coaching and personal development

How limiting beliefs and a lack of self-worth sabotage earning potential

The role of unconditional belonging, safety, and self-acceptance in personal and financial growth

Their approach to business partnership and lessons learned in collaboration

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Intuitive psychology bridges evidence-based psychology with ancient wisdom to create real change—making unconscious patterns conscious for transformation.
2.  Limiting beliefs around money typically stem from deep-seated feelings of safety and worthiness; making more money starts with inner acceptance and rewriting root narratives.
3.  Open, honest communication is essential for successful business partnerships; shared vision, values, and willingness to confront issues lead to resilient collaboration.

Notable Quotes

"We work with intuition and the unconscious to break those repeating cycles—95% of behavior is driven by what’s beneath the surface."

"Worthiness is linked to conditional belonging… you have to dismantle the old rules and discover unconditional acceptance before true transformative growth."

"Entrepreneurship can be lonely, but partnership—with communication and shared vision—creates a bedrock for success."

Connect with Sarah Gregg & Jill Ritchie:

Website: intuitive-psychology.com

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Travis tackles one of the most practical but overlooked routes to building wealth: negotiation. Travis shares actionable strategies and mindset shifts for anyone looking to earn more—whether as an employee, freelancer, or business owner. Drawing on research, stats, and his personal journey, Travis offers a road map for boosting your income and unlocking your true earning potential.

On this episode we talk about:

Why the biggest mistake is simply not negotiating your salary or rates

Statistics showing how negotiating and job switching can add up to 18% or more to your earnings

The right way to tie your raise requests to proven value—not just desires

Key tactics: preparation, anchoring, and letting the employer speak first in negotiation

Understanding when it’s time to seek new opportunities versus remaining loyal

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Failing to negotiate or ask for raises can result in missing out on millions of dollars throughout your career.
2.  Demonstrating clear, data-backed value is essential—you must show how your work has saved or made the company real money.
3.  Negotiation skills like price anchoring, preparation, and being willing to walk away are crucial for achieving your true worth.

Notable Quotes

"The biggest mistake is that they don't do it… you're setting yourself up in the future to be missing out on a large percentage of potential income."

"You can't go in with demands rather than requests... do the proper research, come in with actual stats and figures, and then relate what you're asking for to the actual value that you provided."

"You do not get paid for your time. You get paid for the value that you bring to your organization."

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Vanessa Druskat is an associate professor at the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, and an internationally recognized expert in leadership and team performance. She has spent over 30 years studying what makes teams effective, pioneering the concept of team emotional intelligence. Vanessa’s research has transformed Fortune 500 companies, and her bestselling Harvard Business Review article, “Building the Emotional Intelligence of Groups,” is considered essential reading for leaders around the world. Her latest book, The Emotionally Intelligent Team, offers actionable insights on cultivating high-performing, collaborative, and resilient groups.

On this episode we talk about:

Vanessa’s early lessons about money and work ethic growing up in a family of educators

Her career path from farm work to psychology and team leadership expertise

The three core emotional needs every team member has—and why meeting them drives success

How entrepreneurs and small business owners can foster strong team culture without big budgets

What to do when “bad apples” threaten team culture—and how to know when to let them go

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  The raw performance of a team depends more on shared emotional intelligence and clear behavioral norms than individual talent alone.
2.  Meeting core social needs—belonging, shared purpose, and sense of control—drives trust, motivation, and collaboration across all generations and settings.
3.  Even persistent team problems can be transformed; most “problem people” change when given voice and respect, but lasting non-participation means it’s time for tough decisions.

Notable Quotes

"The biggest impediment to building great teams is the perspective that these are all adults in the room."

"When people feel like they belong and have some control, they're more motivated to contribute."

"You can create the environment you want—you're not stuck with an environment."

Connect with Vanessa Druskat:

LinkedIn: Vanessa Druskat

Website: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/

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This episode features Travis and producer Eric in a wide-ranging, practical talk about what it really takes to build wealth in real estate, busting through common myths and offering clear, non-hype advice for buyers in 2025. Whether you’re scared of becoming a “Money Pit” homeowner, unsure about Grant Cardone’s “asset for asses” line, or just wondering how to buy smarter and flexibly, this one’s packed with lessons from real-world experience.

On this episode we talk about:

– The “Money Pit” phenomenon—how to spot and avoid big real estate mistakes

– Is buying a house actually an investment, or a liability?

– Grant Cardone’s radical take on homeownership—and why context matters

– Creative buying strategies (house hacking, buying with “subject to,” etc.)

– Tips for first-time buyers (avoiding emotional decisions, maximizing flexibility, stress-testing your finances)

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Your house is not usually an investment; treat it as a home first, and focus on flexibility, smart terms, and the ability to hold long-term.

2. Don’t let emotion or lenders dictate your limits—set your own payment boundaries and shop patiently for deals.

3. Opportunities still exist via creative financing, multi-units, and focusing on acquiring and holding real estate for the long game—don’t wait to buy, buy and wait.

Notable Quotes

"Always be careful of advice that directly benefits the person who's giving you the advice."

"Don’t wait to buy real estate, buy real estate and wait."

"In real estate, the deal is what matters. Nothing else."

Connect with Travis Chappell:

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

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

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

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

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Jeff Seder is a Harvard-trained innovator who revolutionized the horse racing world with analytics, biomechanics, and data-driven insights. Founder of EQB (Equine Biomechanics & Exercise Physiology), Jeff spent over $7 million of his own money and four decades developing scientific methods—helping buyers select young, unraced thoroughbreds that become world champions. His work has led to landmark wins, including scouting the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, and proven you don’t need to be a billionaire to win big if you have the right expertise and technology.

On this episode we talk about:

The wild journey from Harvard Law to horse talent scouting

Scientific breakthroughs that changed how champions are picked—including heart scans, biomechanics, and slow-motion video

The economics and risk of investing in horse racing vs. traditional assets

How “Moneyball” thinking beats the old pedigree obsession

Changes in regulation, safety, and opportunity for newcomers and syndicate owners

Top 3 Takeaways

Success in horse racing is possible for non-billionaires—the right science, management, and data can beat million-dollar pedigrees.

Investing in racehorses is risky and complex, but partnering with experts (and avoiding emotional bets) greatly increases your odds.

Modern regulation and technology have made horse racing safer for horses and more open for smart new investors.

Notable Quotes

"I spent millions and 30 years proving that science and data—not pedigree—pick champions."

"Most people in horse racing lose money, but our clients make money because we combine tech with traditional expertise."

"Don’t go it alone; management matters as much as picking the horse—one mistake and you’re done."

Connect with Jeff Seder:

Website: https://www.eqb.fyi/

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

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🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.

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