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Travis Makes Money
Travis Makes Money episodes
- CO-HOST | Make Money by Letting the Market Define Your Product
In the final installment of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski discuss why product-market fit matters more than purity, preference, or appearances. From Panda Express’s unapologetically American Chinese positioning to the debate over meat substitutes and alternative foods, they explore how businesses win when they meet real demand, communicate honestly, and avoid forcing customers into products they do not genuinely want.
On this episode we talk about:
- Why people’s food preferences are often shaped by taste, texture, preparation, and familiarity
- The difference between disliking an ingredient and refusing to try a food prepared well
- How expanding your palate can create new experiences and opportunities
- Why great preparation can change people’s minds about foods such as sushi, oysters, escargot, frog legs, and alligator
- The value of product positioning that is clear, honest, and aligned with customer expectations
- Panda Express’s broader lesson: businesses do not get to dictate what customers value
- Why consumers may prefer familiar, satisfying products over healthier alternatives that feel like compromises
- How brands can avoid disappointment by creating a distinct category rather than trying to imitate a product customers already know and love
- A producer’s lawsuit involving the hit film Obsession and the importance of clear compensation agreements
- Why creative collaborators should define profit participation, credit, responsibilities, and decision-making authority before a project succeeds
- The new extended-format experiment across Travis Makes Friends and Travis Makes Money
Top 3 Takeaways
- Make products customers genuinely want—not products you think they should want. Demand is proven through real behavior: purchases, repeat customers, recommendations, and willingness to choose your product over alternatives.
- Clear agreements matter most when success is uncertain. Before creative work begins, document who owns what, who receives credit, what each person is responsible for, and how profits or upside will be shared if the project exceeds expectations.
- Stay open-minded, but be honest about the experience you offer. People can discover they enjoy unfamiliar things when they are prepared well, but a brand should not overpromise that a substitute will be exactly the same as the original.
Notable Quotes
- “All food can be good if it’s prepared the right way.”
- “I like anything that’s good.”
- “If it’s truly what happened, then she deserves 33 and a third percent of that money.”
- “People decide.”
- “People have lost a lot of money creating things that people should want.”
- “Money only solves your money problems, and it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/
- Website: https://travischappell.com/
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 min - INTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning an Idea Into a $90 Million Product Empire with Tim Leatherman
Tim Leatherman is the inventor of the iconic Leatherman multi-tool and the co-founder, owner, and chairman of Leatherman Tool Group. What started as a simple idea during a nine-month road trip through Europe took eight years to become a reality, including three years of building prototypes by hand, countless rejections, and a decision to manufacture the product himself. Today, more than 90 million Leatherman tools have been sold in over 70 countries. In this episode, Tim shares the lessons he learned from building a product from scratch, persevering through rejection, creating his own manufacturing operation, and using the wealth he created to build a life he loves.
On this episode we talk about:
How a nine-month trip through Europe inspired the idea for the original Leatherman tool
Why entrepreneurs should build their own prototypes and learn the skills they need along the way
The eight-year journey from initial idea to the first customer
How rejection from knife and tool manufacturers forced Tim to start his own company
The importance of finding the right business partner and combining complementary skills
How listening to customers helped simplify the product and make it more marketable
How Leatherman went from hoping to sell 4,000 tools in its first year to selling 30,000
Building and scaling manufacturing operations from a garage to a major facility
Why perseverance and learning as you go are essential to entrepreneurship
Using money as a tool to create an enjoyable and meaningful life
Top 3 Takeaways
Build the prototype yourself. Tim believes that if you have a creative idea, especially for a physical product, you should do the work yourself. Building his own prototypes helped him understand the product and develop the skills necessary to bring it to life.
Persevere, but be willing to change. Tim spent years pursuing his original vision, but ultimately had to simplify the tool after listening to feedback from potential customers. Persistence doesn't mean refusing to adapt.
Money is a means, not the end. Tim has maintained a modest lifestyle while using the success of Leatherman to create jobs, spend time with family, and pursue experiences and activities he enjoys.
Notable Quotes
“If you have an idea for anything creative, that you do the work yourself.”
“Start with a goal and then persevere and especially learn what you need to know as you go along.”
“My philosophy on money is that I don't deny myself any needs, but my needs are very modest.”
Connect with Tim Leatherman:
Book: The Leatherman Book, launching October 6 and available wherever books are sold
Company: Leatherman Tool Group
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 min - CO-HOST | Make Money by Giving Customers What They Actually Want
In part four of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and Eric Skwarczynski use Panda Express, vegan tacos, and protein-food substitutes to unpack a practical business truth: customers—not founders—ultimately decide what wins. The conversation explores why Panda Express embraced “American Chinese” food rather than chasing a narrow definition of authenticity, and why businesses often struggle when they try to sell people what they should want instead of delivering an experience they genuinely enjoy.
On this episode we talk about:
- Panda Express’s position as an American Chinese food brand rather than a traditional Chinese restaurant
- Why “authenticity” can be a less useful business metric than customer demand and satisfaction
- The origin and popularity of Panda Express orange chicken
- How Panda Express built a category-defining quick-service restaurant brand
- Why consumers sometimes view brands such as Panda Express, Taco Bell, and In-N-Out as unique food categories—not merely substitutes for a broader cuisine
- The danger of opening a business around what customers “should” want instead of what they repeatedly choose to buy
- Why health-focused concepts can struggle when the taste, value, or overall experience does not meet customer expectations
- The difference between creating a distinct product and imitating an established product category
- Why some protein and plant-based alternatives work while others feel like an unsatisfying compromise
- The importance of honest positioning: make something good on its own terms rather than pretending it is identical to something else
Top 3 Takeaways
- Let the market decide. Businesses can have a strong point of view, but customers ultimately determine whether a product has demand through their attention, repeat purchases, and willingness to recommend it.
- Build a category people want to return to. Panda Express succeeds not because everyone considers it traditional Chinese cuisine, but because it has a recognizable taste, convenient format, and a product people actively crave.
- Do not rely on imitation when differentiation is possible. If a plant-based, protein-focused, or health-conscious product cannot satisfy the expectations created by a familiar category, position it honestly and create an experience customers value for itself.
Notable Quotes
- “I don’t know what authenticity is because there’s so many cuisines out there.”
- “We don’t make that decision. Our guests make that decision.”
- “Panda is a genre of food all to itself.”
- “People have lost a lot of money creating things that people should want.”
- “Just make your own stuff. Don’t try to compete in the same categories.”
- “I don’t cut my steak into the shape of broccoli.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/
- Website: https://travischappell.com/
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min - INTERVIEW | Make Money with Purpose, Venture Philanthropy, and the Power of Hope with Jim Bildner
Jim Bildner is the CEO of Draper Richards Kaplan (DRK), one of the world’s largest venture philanthropy firms. With experience across the private sector, government, and philanthropy, Jim has spent his career helping mission-driven organizations create meaningful change. In this episode, he explains how venture capital principles can be applied to philanthropy, why financial discipline is essential for nonprofits, and how purpose—not money—can be the foundation for a fulfilling life. He also shares the deeply personal experience that changed the direction of his life and inspired his new book, A Matter of Hope.
On this episode we talk about:
What venture philanthropy is and how DRK applies venture capital principles to the social sector
Why nonprofits need strong financial controls and business fundamentals just like for-profit companies
How the loss of Jim’s son became a pivotal moment that led him to pursue a greater purpose
Why Jim believes hope is a verb and something we actively do rather than simply feel
The importance of purpose and why chasing money for its own sake can be an empty pursuit
How to build a deep, meaningful network based on trust rather than simply collecting contacts
What Jim looks for when evaluating entrepreneurs, including coachability, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the problem
Why successful entrepreneurs need to fall in love with solving the problem—not their initial solution
How DRK identifies and supports organizations working to address inequity in health, education, housing, employment, and social justice
Jim’s new book, A Matter of Hope, and the stories of entrepreneurs creating meaningful change
Top 3 Takeaways
Purpose is more powerful than money. Jim argues that money itself is not the ticket to happiness or success. The happiest people he knows are driven by a meaningful purpose and use their resources to improve the lives of others.
Fall in love with the problem, not the solution. Jim says the initial solution is wrong 90% of the time. The best entrepreneurs listen to feedback, remain coachable, and constantly adapt their approach based on what their customers and beneficiaries need.
Hope requires action. Jim defines hope as a verb rather than a noun. Having hope means believing that a different future is possible and then taking action to create it.
Notable Quotes
"Hope is a verb. It's not a noun."
"You have to be intellectually honest."
"If you have a purpose in your life, that's the ticket to happiness."
Connect with Jim Bildner:
Foundation: https://www.drkfoundation.org/team-member/jim-bildner/
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bildner
Other: A Matter of Hope is available now
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min - CO-HOST | Make Money by Building a Business You Don’t Need to Escape
In part three of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and Eric Skwarczynski expand on a key creator-economy principle: follower count is not financial security. Through examples ranging from a pizza-maker creator who embraces his day job to Surreal’s clever low-budget celebrity marketing, they explore why meaningful work, owned audiences, repeatable customer acquisition, and resourceful creativity matter more than hype.
On this episode we talk about:
- Why no honest work should be dismissed as “not a real job”
- The value of maintaining work you enjoy while building toward larger goals
- How creators can use a day job as stability rather than seeing it as a limitation
- Why follower count alone does not make a creator business sustainable
- The importance of moving an audience from social platforms to assets you control, such as an email list, text list, or community
- How platform algorithm shifts and monetization changes can abruptly disrupt creator income
- Why traditional businesses also need a proven, repeatable customer-acquisition channel before going full time
- Surreal’s marketing campaign featuring ordinary people with celebrity names, including Ronaldo, Dwayne Johnson, Serena Williams, and Michael Jordan
- How a clever idea can earn attention without an expensive celebrity endorsement
- The tradeoff between healthier high-protein alternatives and food people genuinely enjoy
Top 3 Takeaways
- Respect work that creates value and moves you toward your goals. A job title, social status, or perceived prestige does not determine whether someone’s work is meaningful; consistent effort and how people treat others matter more.
- Build a business around controllable distribution and repeatable demand. Creators should develop owned channels—such as email, SMS, or a community—while businesses need a reliable acquisition method that is not limited to friends, referrals, or a single algorithm.
- Creativity can outperform budget. Surreal’s “official cereal of Ronaldo” concept demonstrates how a strong insight, precise wording, and a well-executed joke can generate attention that expensive celebrity marketing might otherwise buy.
Notable Quotes
- “You should never feel embarrassed about working hard for something. A title and a description doesn’t make you who you are.”
- “If you’re making money and working towards your goals, that’s all that matters.”
- “Follower count just does not matter at all.”
- “If it’s not up to you, you should be trying to move the audience over to something that you control.”
- “The brand didn’t buy attention, it earned it. A clever idea beat a celebrity-sized budget.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/
- Website: https://travischappell.com/
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 min - INTERVIEW | Make Money by Finding Opportunity in Bonds, Building a Newsletter, and Thinking for Yourself with Jared Dillian
Jared Dillian is a former Lehman Brothers trader, author of seven books, and the founder of Jared Dillian Money. He spent seven years at Lehman, where he was head of ETF trading, before building a successful market commentary and newsletter business. In this episode, Jared shares lessons from launching a newsletter during the 2008 financial crisis, explains why he believes bonds may offer one of the biggest investment opportunities today, and discusses the importance of having a strong voice and maintaining intellectual honesty when building an audience.
On this episode we talk about:
Why Jared believes bonds may be a better opportunity than stocks in today's market
How bonds work and why interest rates can create significant opportunities for investors
Jared's experience trading at Lehman Brothers and starting a newsletter during the 2008 financial crisis
What makes a successful newsletter, including the importance of having a compelling voice
The dangers of confirmation bias and why creators should remain intellectually honest
Why Jared avoids consuming other financial newsletters so he can maintain his own independent thinking
The challenges and benefits of building an infinitely scalable newsletter business
Jared's concerns about lofty valuations and expectations surrounding major IPOs like SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI
His new book, The Awesome Portfolio, and his approach to creating a lower-volatility investment portfolio
Top 3 Takeaways
Your voice can matter more than your accuracy. Jared believes that having a compelling perspective and making convincing arguments can be more important for a content business than simply being right all the time.
Think independently and be willing to change your mind. Jared emphasizes intellectual honesty and warns against becoming so attached to a particular viewpoint that you ignore evidence that contradicts it.
Look beyond what everyone else is doing. Jared's contrarian approach has led him to see bonds as a potentially attractive opportunity while much of the market focuses on stocks, inflation, and government deficits.
Notable Quotes
"You have to have something to say. You have to have a voice."
"You have to be intellectually honest."
"I don't want to bet against him. I want to bet on him. It's just the wrong price."
Connect with Jared Dillian:
Website: https://www.jareddillian.com/
Newsletters: The Daily Dirtnap and more
Other: The Awesome Portfolio is available wherever books are sold
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min - CO-HOST | Make Money Without Quitting Your Job Too Soon
In part two of this five-part series, Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski dig deeper into the creator economy, using Markiplier’s GoPro investment and Jordan “The Stallion” Howlett’s path from a pizza job to full-time creator as jumping-off points. Their core message: starting a creative business does not require reckless leaps—build momentum early, protect your downside, and leave your job only when the opportunity has enough stability to support you.
On this episode we talk about:
- Why Markiplier’s GoPro stake sparked speculation around creator influence, stock-price movement, and long-term product conviction
- The difference between investing in a company because you use its product and investing because you expect a quick return
- How smartphones have made high-quality photo and video production dramatically more accessible
- Why carrying extra camera gear can be difficult to justify when modern phones are already capable production tools
- Jordan “The Stallion” Howlett’s decision to keep working at a pizza shop despite having millions of TikTok followers
- Why a reliable paycheck can feel safer than volatile creator income—even when a creator’s audience is rapidly growing
- The risk of abandoning a job too early for platform-dependent income
- How creator funds, platform monetization programs, and distribution algorithms can change without warning
- The difference between waiting too long to start creating and waiting too long to quit a stable job
- How viral content can trap creators into making outrage-driven, negative, or misaligned content
Top 3 Takeaways
- Start before you feel fully ready, but do not confuse starting with quitting. You can publish consistently, build an audience, develop skills, and validate demand while keeping a stable income source.
- Treat creator income as volatile until it is diversified and repeatable. Brand deals, creator-fund payouts, and algorithm-driven reach can shift quickly, so build runway and avoid making one platform your only financial foundation.
- Protect your creative freedom. When financial pressure becomes too high, creators can feel forced to chase viral formats, controversy, or negativity rather than making the work they actually want to create.
Notable Quotes
- “There’s a difference between waiting too long to leave and waiting too long to start.”
- “If you are in a platform-dependent business and you have no control, or limited control, over the volume of impressions that you can serve to advertisers or brands, then that’s something that you need to hedge against.”
- “You also don’t want to be in a position where the new thing now becomes the stressful way that you’re trying to make money.”
- “You get pulled down these rabbit holes that are unproductive and… just sort of lazy.”
- “It’s gonna look different for everybody.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/
- Website: https://travischappell.com/
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 min - INTERVIEW | Make Money by Winning AI Search Without Venture Capital with Jon Mest
Jon Mest is a data scientist turned entrepreneur, CEO of both ChatRank and Just Reach Out, and a builder focused on helping companies get discovered in an AI-first world. After early roles in Wall Street and data analytics, Jon learned how enterprises buy, how to turn customer problems into products, and why bootstrapping can create more ownership and long-term flexibility. Today, he helps brands improve their visibility across AI answer engines such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI while earning the third-party credibility that drives both rankings and revenue.
On this episode we talk about:
- How Jon went from umpiring youth baseball games to Wall Street, enterprise data, sales, and entrepreneurship
- The sales lessons hidden inside customer data—and why the best product does not always win the deal
- Why Jon prefers bootstrapping businesses instead of relying on venture capital
- How ChatRank helps businesses understand and improve their visibility in AI-driven search results
- Why AI referrals can convert at a higher rate than traditional website traffic
- The growing connection between digital PR, external brand mentions, trust, and AI search visibility
- How businesses can become clearer and more authentic rather than trying to “hack” AI platforms
Top 3 Takeaways
- Solve the customer’s real problem—not the problem you assume they have. Even a product that can save a company millions will not sell if it creates political risk, conflicts with company culture, or fails to make the buyer look good internally.
- Bootstrapping creates pressure to build a sustainable business from day one. When revenue, customer retention, and product quality directly determine whether the company survives, founders often develop sharper sales discipline and retain more ownership at exit.
- AI search rewards clarity, proof, and brand credibility. Rather than hunting for temporary loopholes, businesses should clearly communicate what they do best, publish useful supporting content, and earn credible third-party mentions that validate their positioning.
Notable Quotes
- “Are you solving a real pain of theirs? Are you giving them something they don’t have that they actually need?”
- “When you’re selling something, you have to be realistic and thoughtful about what is the other person on the other side of the room thinking in that moment and how are you going to make their life better.”
- “You can’t cheat the system here… What you can do is be really intentional about your brand.”
Connect with Jon Mest:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathanmest
- ChatRank: chatrank.ai
- Just Reach Out: justreachout.io
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min - CO-HOST | Make Money by Turning Creative Obsessions Into Smart Investments
Travis Chappell and producer Eric Skwarczynski kick off the first episode of this five-part series with a funny, unfiltered conversation about sales, creator-led businesses, and the strange psychology of billionaires. From a brilliantly simple door-to-door pitch to Markiplier’s reported GoPro investment, Travis and Eric explore how creativity, attention, and conviction can turn unusual ideas into real business opportunities.
On this episode we talk about:
- Why a “no soliciting sign” can be one of the smartest—and funniest—door-to-door sales products
- The sales lesson behind matching a product to an immediate customer pain point
- The difference between being genuinely resilient and manufacturing hardship for status
- A new potential segment: “Billionaire: Badass or Batshit”
- Why creators are increasingly becoming investors, operators, and business owners
- Markiplier’s reported GoPro stake and what it could signal about creator-led investing
- How action cameras, smartphones, and creator tools have changed the video-production landscape
- Potential recurring show segments, including “Great Knockers,” “Billionaire: Badass or Batshit,” and “Creator Economy”
Top 3 Takeaways
- Great sales often start with an obvious, immediate problem. The no-soliciting-sign pitch works because it gives homeowners a simple solution to something actively bothering them: unexpected people knocking on their door.
- Don’t confuse unnecessary suffering with real resilience. Pushing through pain may make for a dramatic story, but meaningful adversity usually has real stakes, consequences, and a purpose beyond proving toughness.
- Creators can build wealth beyond content revenue by investing in the products, platforms, and companies that support their work. Understanding the tools you use can create opportunities to become more than just a customer.
Notable Quotes
- “If you have a double opening front door… they have money, and they have stacks of cash they just reach in and phew.”
- “I got something for everybody.”
- “He has to manufacture fear and pain in his own life because he’s insulated himself from reality.”
- “Creators [are] making some money moves.”
- “Markiplier isn’t just using the tools. He’s betting on the company making them.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/
- Website: https://travischappell.com/
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min - INTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks with Tim Storey
Tim Storey is an acclaimed author, speaker, executive coach, and the host of the Miracle Mentality podcast. Known as the “Original Comeback Coach,” Tim has spent more than four decades helping entrepreneurs, athletes, executives, celebrities, and people facing difficult circumstances turn adversity into forward momentum. His work centers on building the mindset, relationships, preparation, and practical support systems that allow people to move from being stuck to creating a meaningful comeback.
On this episode we talk about:
- How Tim developed his “setback to comeback” message and why it remains relevant for personal growth, career challenges, and finances
- The difference between being temporarily knocked down and becoming mentally “locked back” by a setback
- How Tim went from serving inner-city youth to working with NFL players, executives, and Hollywood talent
- Why every coach, consultant, and leader still needs wise mentors and coaches of their own
- Tim’s relationship with Robert Downey Jr. and the role preparation, accountability, and a strong support system play in a comeback
- Why purpose-led work can create financial opportunity without becoming purely money-driven
- How Tim began building wealth through real estate, private-company ownership, and strategic partnerships
- His upcoming “Walking Miracle” footwear collaboration with Syntilay
Top 3 Takeaways
- A setback does not have to become your identity. Tim defines a setback as becoming “locked back” in an old mindset, financial problem, family challenge, or limiting belief; the first step toward a comeback is refusing to settle there.
- Get help from people who have wisdom beyond your current experience. Tim credits longtime mentors and financial advisors with helping him strengthen his coaching framework, make better money decisions, and grow into new opportunities.
- Lead with service and build competence before chasing income. Tim’s career grew because he focused first on helping people, studying consistently, and producing real results; over time, speaking fees, equity opportunities, real estate, and business investments followed.
Notable Quotes
- “When most people have a setback, they usually sit in it or settle in it.”
- “Everybody needs a coach. I think it’s true.”
- “I always was wise enough to put people around me who knew things that I did not know.”
- “When I started off in this thing, I used to do so many things for free. I still do a lot of things for free.”
Connect with Tim Storey:
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timstoreyofficial
- Instagram: @timstoreyofficial
- Website: timstorey.com
- Podcast: Miracle Mentality with Tim Storey
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!
- Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
About Travis Makes Money
From the publisher's feed
You can't save your way to your dream life anymore. The truth is, you’re gonna need to learn to make more money. The Travis Makes Money Podcast is not your typical personal finance show. Rather than…
shaming you for buying a Starbucks coffee or pressuring you to become a billionaire, we focus on empowering you to make more money so you can enjoy life today while preparing for your future. You don’t have to cut back so much that you miss out on the present, and you don’t need to become the next Jeff Bezos either. Hosted by veteran podcaster Travis Chappell, each daily episode features interviews with regular people just like you – yes, you – who have learned how to make more money in unique and unconventional ways. From turning side hustles into an extra six figures to building massive business empires, these conversations dive into the mindset shifts, hard-earned lessons, and simple strategies that helped these individuals succeed. With over 1,000 podcast episodes under his belt, Travis has developed a unique ability to pull out inspiring stories and practical advice you can apply to your own financial journey that you just won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you’re looking for strategies on side hustles, skill building, investing, building generational wealth, or just motivation to take your next steps, this podcast is your resource. Tune in daily for insights, actionable tips, and inspiration from some of the most successful and interesting money-makers on the planet.
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