Travis Makes Money

Devan Gonzalez is a mindset-driven entrepreneur, CEO of Strive 111 Fitness, host of the Mindset Cafe podcast, and best-selling author of Money Muscle Mindset: The Underground Playbook for Aspiring Gym Owners. As a leader and franchise visionary in the fitness industry, Devan has transformed Strive 111 Fitness into a thriving brand, helping aspiring gym owners turn their passion into profitable businesses. His journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of mindset, inspiring countless entrepreneurs to break through barriers and achieve lasting success.

On this episode we talk about:

– Devan’s entrepreneurial journey—from selling t-shirts in high school to launching a fitness franchise

– The decision-making process behind scaling Strive 111 Fitness through franchising

– Upsides and downsides of the fitness industry, and how to stand out in a saturated market

– The financial realities and risks of gym ownership

– Building a differentiated gym model and offer structure for profitability

– Essential skills for moving from personal trainer to business owner

– Balancing entrepreneurship with family and personal life

– Actionable advice for aspiring gym owners and trainers

Top 3 Takeaways

– Niche Down, But Build a Baseline First: Success in the fitness industry comes from first establishing a broad client base before niching down to your ideal clientele. This approach ensures steady revenue and adaptability in a crowded market.

– Differentiate Your Offer: Don’t copy big box gym models—create a unique value proposition, such as Strive 111’s no-class-time, bootcamp-style system, and personalized training modifications to stand out and command higher membership fees.

– Entrepreneurship Demands Sacrifice and Adaptability: Building a business requires relentless work and the ability to adapt to challenges. True success is about managing your time, delegating, and ensuring you don’t sacrifice family for ambition.

Notable Quotes

– “Starting any business is difficult. Creating extraordinary income for yourself is simple, but it’s not easy. If you don’t have some sort of desire or inner purpose, the first sign of an obstacle pops up and you’re done.”

– “You have to know what your gym is and what value you bring to the market. For us, it was exclusivity and a personal trainer-style workout at a group price.”

– “You’re not going to have the social life you think you’re going to have becoming an entrepreneur. You’re trading a 9-to-5 for a 24/7.”

Connect with Devan Gonzalez:

– https://www.instagram.com/devan.gonzalez

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Alex Strathdee is the founder of Shelf Life, a company he started at age 22 to fix the scam-filled book marketing world. Now 28, Alex leads a team of 17 from San Diego, generating over $1 million a year and working with top authors like Dan Heath, Nir Eyal, Lewis Howes, Reid Hoffman, and Carrie Bentley. After leaving a six-figure software job, Alex built Shelf Life into a go-to resource for authors seeking real results in book marketing. His unique journey, tech-forward approach, and deep understanding of both the publishing and marketing landscapes make him a standout guest for anyone interested in turning books into a thriving business.

On this episode we talk about:

How Alex started Shelf Life and transitioned from a six-figure tech job to entrepreneurship

The biggest challenges authors face in selling books after publishing

The evolution and current state of Amazon ads for book marketing

Leveraging podcasts as a powerful business development and networking tool

Creative strategies for landing high-profile clients and building credibility in a crowded market

Actionable book marketing tactics, including giving away free copies and building authentic relationships with readers

The importance of audiobooks and trends in book consumption

Why authors should focus on genuine marketing over vanity metrics like “bestseller” status

Top 3 Takeaways

Podcasting is a Trojan horse for business development: Hosting a podcast enabled Alex to build relationships with top authors, land major clients, and learn from industry leaders—all while growing his business organically.

Give value before asking for value: Offering free copies of a book to the right audience can turn readers into fans and generate authentic reviews, which is far more effective than focusing on paid bestseller campaigns or cold outreach.

Tech-forward thinking wins: Understanding technology—even at a basic level—helps entrepreneurs move faster, automate processes, and stay ahead of less agile competitors in marketing and publishing.

Notable Quotes

"It's way easier to get someone to come on and talk to you for 30-60 minutes during an interview than it is to be like, 'Hey, can I talk to you about marketing my books?'"

"A book from a no-name author is an undifferentiated product from someone with no reputation. You're not just asking for their money, you're asking for their time."

"The second you learn how to do something, you need to learn how not to do it—that's how you grow and scale."

Connect with Alex Strathdee:

Website: https://getshelflife.com

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Mosheh Oinounou is an Emmy, Murrow, and Webby Award-winning executive producer with a distinguished career leading teams at Fox News, Bloomberg TV, CNBC, and CBS. In 2020, he launched Mo News, a platform dedicated to delivering verified, balanced news without the sensationalism or heavy-handed opinion that dominates much of today’s media. Mosheh’s unique approach has quickly built a highly engaged following on Instagram, a successful podcast, and a newsletter—making him a trusted source for straightforward news in an era of polarized coverage.

On this episode we talk about:

The origins and rapid growth of Mo News, from an Instagram account for friends and family to a leading independent news platform

Why traditional media has become so sensationalized and the incentives driving negative, polarizing headlines

The challenges and opportunities of building a media business focused on trust, context, and nuance rather than clickbait

The impact of corporate ownership and advertising (including pharmaceutical ads) on news coverage and public trust

How younger audiences are shifting away from legacy media and supporting independent, subscription-based news sources

The importance of critical thinking, context, and empathy in consuming and sharing news today

Top 3 Takeaways

Build for Trust, Not Clicks: Success in media (and business) can come from focusing on what your audience truly wants—reliable, unbiased information—even if it means slower growth compared to sensationalized competitors.

Monetization Follows Value: By solving a real problem for his audience (curating trustworthy news), Mosheh was able to organically grow Mo News and monetize through sponsorships and subscriptions, proving that quality content can be sustainable.

Context Is Everything: In a world of viral clips and algorithmic echo chambers, providing context and resisting the urge to oversimplify or polarize is crucial for building credibility and helping audiences make informed decisions.

Connect with Mosheh Oinounou:

https://mo.news

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Jason Brown is a self-made millionaire, stock market expert, and founder of a leading online education platform for traders. Growing up in Detroit in challenging circumstances, Jason’s journey from selling candy at school to making $400,000 in a single trade is a testament to his resilience and financial acumen. He’s not just a trader—he’s an educator, author of The 5-Year Millionaire, and a powerful advocate for financial empowerment, especially for those starting with little.

On this episode we talk about:

Jason’s first entrepreneurial hustle selling candy in school and his evolution into a top options trader

Breaking down the basics: stocks, options, futures, and shorts—explained with real-life analogies

How Jason turned $2,000 in graduation money into a six-figure trading account, lost it all, and made it back

The mindset and tenacity needed to break generational cycles and turn disadvantages into advantages

Practical advice for parents on exposing kids to financial literacy and building generational wealth

Top 3 Takeaways

Your disadvantage can be your advantage: Jason’s story shows that challenging circumstances can fuel ambition and creativity, leading to unique paths for success.

Financial education is accessible: With the right mindset and education, anyone can learn to trade stocks and options—no finance degree required.

Exposure and accountability matter: Early exposure to positive financial habits and environments, plus having someone who cares, can change the trajectory for the next generation.

Connect with Jason Brown:

https://thebrownreport.com/

Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeRobin

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On this episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast, Travis sits down with Shaun Clark (CEO), Varun Vairavan (CTO), and Robin Alex (COO), the co-founders of HighLevel. These three entrepreneurs have transformed the digital marketing landscape by creating an all-in-one CRM and business automation platform now used by millions. Their unique approach empowers users not just to run their businesses more efficiently, but to launch entirely new income streams—whether as agency owners, SaaS founders, or affiliates. The HighLevel team’s story is a masterclass in product-market fit, community-driven growth, and building opportunities for others to make money.

On this episode we talk about:

– How HighLevel grew to millions of users by empowering its community

– The three core ways to make money with HighLevel: agency-building, white-label SaaS, and affiliate marketing

– Practical steps for starting a digital agency using HighLevel’s tools—even with no prior experience

– How white-labeling HighLevel lets you create your own SaaS business without writing code

– The power of niche solutions and building IP on top of an existing platform

– HighLevel’s 40% recurring affiliate program and real-world success stories

– The dynamics of successful business partnerships and co-founder relationships

– The importance of radical honesty, mutual respect, and planning for the future in partnerships

Top 3 Takeaways

1. HighLevel isn’t just a software tool—it’s a business opportunity platform. You can build an agency, launch your own SaaS, or earn recurring revenue as an affiliate, all leveraging the same robust infrastructure.

2. Success comes from focusing on a single problem for a specific audience. The “riches are in the niches”—customize solutions for one market, and scale from there.

3. Strong partnerships are built on mutual respect, radical honesty, and clear upfront agreements. Prepare for the end at the beginning, and always keep the customer’s needs at the center of decisions.

Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeRobin

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Amanda Northcutt is a six-time executive with more than 20 years of experience building and optimizing recurring revenue businesses. After leaving her Silicon Valley executive role, Amanda founded Level Up Creators, where she helps consultants and coaches create sustainable, predictable income streams. In just 18 months, Amanda and her team scaled Level Up Creators to a multi-million dollar run rate with no outside funding. Her expertise in the creator economy, recurring revenue, and high-integrity business building makes her a must-listen for anyone serious about designing a business—and life—on their own terms.On this episode we talk about:– Amanda’s journey from Silicon Valley executive to founder of Level Up Creators– The power and potential of recurring revenue business models– How to transition your expertise into a scalable, high-ticket consulting or coaching business– The importance of product quality, retention, and long-term customer relationships over flashy marketing– The reality behind “overnight success” and the grit required to build a sustainable businessTop 3 Takeaways1. Recurring revenue is the holy grail for sustainable, lifestyle-friendly businesses—focus on delivering ongoing value, not just making the sale.2. Building a defensible business requires prioritizing product quality and retention, not just front-end marketing tactics.3. Success is rarely overnight; persistence, resilience, and a willingness to learn from failure are essential for long-term entrepreneurship.Connect with Amanda Northcutt:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandanorthcutt/Level Up Creators Website: https://www.levelupcreators.com/Level Up Creators Podcast: https://www.levelupcreators.com/podcastLevel Up Creators Newsletter: https://www.levelupcreators.com/newsletter

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Dave Asprey joins Travis on this episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast. Widely known as the "Father of Biohacking," Dave is a pioneering entrepreneur, four-time New York Times bestselling author, and the creator of Bulletproof Coffee. He’s built and scaled multiple brands—most notably in the health and longevity space—generating hundreds of millions in revenue. Dave’s unique approach blends Silicon Valley innovation with cutting-edge wellness, making him a leader in both business and personal transformation. His story of overcoming obesity and health issues by applying tech-driven “biohacks” to his own biology has inspired millions and helped launch a global movement.

On this episode we talk about:

The five primal drivers that shape human behavior and decision-making—especially for entrepreneurs

How Dave scaled Bulletproof Coffee and created entirely new wellness markets

The critical role of community and authentic friendship in business success and longevity

Why loneliness is a hidden epidemic among entrepreneurs and how to overcome it

Practical frameworks for choosing the right friends, business partners, and team members

The dangers of “category three” and “category four” personalities in your business and life

Top 3 Takeaways

Your body’s primal operating system drives most decisions—even in business. Learning to reprogram fear, hunger, and other instincts frees up energy and willpower for higher-level thinking and entrepreneurship.

Community is a massive lever for both personal well-being and business growth. Authentic connections with like-minded peers are essential for support, innovation, and navigating the unique challenges entrepreneurs face.

Choosing the right people is everything. Understanding the four categories of people (win-win, usually win-win, win-lose unknowingly, and win-lose knowingly) can save you millions and prevent emotional and financial setbacks.

Notable Quotes

"You think that you're in charge, but your body's in charge and it runs the operating system of all life on the planet."

"If you're allocating energy to anger, fear, loneliness, cravings, it just wastes all the energy that you ought to be putting into your mission, your family, your community."

"Community is how I made biohacking into a $63 billion industry... I don't think you can do the advanced personal development practices by yourself. It does not work."

Connect with Dave Asprey:

LinkedIn: Dave Asprey6

Twitter/X: @daveasprey

Instagram: @dave.asprey

Website: daveasprey.com7

Danger Coffee: [dangercoffee.com]

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Alex is the COO and co-founder of GoHighLevel, a billion-dollar marketing and CRM platform that has transformed how agencies and local businesses operate. With a background in tech and entrepreneurship, Robin’s journey spans from running a game server company in college to leading one of the fastest-growing SaaS companies in the world. His unique blend of technical expertise, agency experience, and people-first leadership has made him a respected figure in the SaaS and marketing automation space.

On this episode we talk about:

Robin’s path from tech-savvy entrepreneur to GoHighLevel co-founder

How GoHighLevel scaled to 3-4 million users and 1,800+ employees in under seven years

The impact of AI on business operations, jobs, and new opportunities like prompt engineering

The critical role of soft skills-leadership, communication, persuasion-in an AI-driven world

The difference between running an agency as a job versus building a scalable business

Bootstrapping GoHighLevel and the power of organic, product-led growth

Balancing family, priorities, and founder life

Top 3 Takeaways

Embracing AI and new technology can multiply your team’s impact, but leveraging soft skills like leadership and communication remains irreplaceable.

Building a scalable business requires moving beyond “just a job”-focus on systems, recurring revenue, and solving real customer problems.

Organic growth, strong partnerships, and listening to your customers are key drivers for sustainable SaaS success

Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeRobin

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Jess Burgio is a podcast mentor, business coach, and the host of "Unscripted," a top 1.5% podcast where she shares raw insights on business strategy, personal growth, and audience expansion. With a background in the beauty industry as a salon owner and hair/makeup artist, Jess has successfully pivoted to helping creators build authentic personal brands and launch their own podcasts. Her unique blend of creative entrepreneurship and practical coaching makes her a standout guest for anyone looking to leverage podcasting for both personal and financial growth.

On this episode we talk about:

– How Jess transitioned from the beauty industry to podcasting and coaching

– The mindset shifts required to break income ceilings in creative industries

– Why podcasting is a powerful tool for building personal brands and authority-even with a small audience

– Creative ways to monetize a podcast, from sponsorships to selling your own offers

– The importance of networking, relationship capital, and the unexpected opportunities that come from podcasting

Top 3 Takeaways

1. Podcasting accelerates personal branding and authority: Even if you have a small audience, consistently showing up with a well-produced podcast positions you as an expert and opens doors to new opportunities.

2. Monetization is multi-faceted: Income from podcasting can come directly (sponsorships, free products, guest monetization) or indirectly (selling coaching, courses, or masterminds to listeners who trust you).

3. The real ROI is in relationships and discovery: Podcasting helps you build a powerful network, learn from diverse guests, and uncover new business opportunities you might never have considered.

Connect with Jess Burgio:

Website: https://www.jessicaburgio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaburgio/

Podcast: https://www.jessicaburgio.com/podcast

Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge

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Visit GoHighLevel.com/Travis to try the ultimate all-in-one CRM platform.

Varun Vairavan is the co-founder and CTO of GoHighLevel, a leading SaaS platform empowering marketing agencies and businesses to automate and scale their operations. With over a decade of experience in software engineering and product development, Varun’s journey began as a computer whiz in his school years and evolved through roles at Plivo and Adaptavant Technology Solutions before he co-founded GoHighLevel in 2018.

Driven by a passion for practical problem-solving and a vision to help small and medium businesses succeed, Varun played a pivotal role in building GoHighLevel from the ground up, focusing on innovative solutions for web directory listings, reputation management, appointment booking, and multi-channel customer engagement. His technical leadership and commitment to customer feedback have been instrumental in transforming GoHighLevel into a global platform serving thousands of agencies and businesses.

Based in Qatar, Varun continues to lead GoHighLevel’s engineering and product teams, championing a remote-first culture and pushing the boundaries of CRM and AI-driven business automation.

Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge

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