Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

August 22INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building a Referral-Driven Interior Design Business with Maya Moghadam
Maya Moghadam is an interior designer and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience spanning high-end residential, hospitality, commercial, and healthcare projects. After building her first company in Iran at age 24, Maya moved to the United States to earn her second master’s degree at SCAD and later launched Maya’s Design Studio. Her approach centers on educating clients, leading with service, and building relationships that turn into long-term referrals.
On this episode we talk about:
How Maya’s early exposure to art, architecture, and hands-on materials shaped her interior design career

Why she left an established business in Iran to pursue a second master’s degree in the United States

The transition from employee to business owner—and why clients encouraged her to start her own studio

How educating clients instead of pressuring them to buy creates stronger sales and repeat business

Building a design firm that works across residential, hospitality, commercial, healthcare, and senior-living projects

The immigrant entrepreneur mindset, overcoming assumptions, and creating professional connections from scratch

Why thoughtful interior design can support functionality, well-being, and mental health
Top 3 Takeaways
Sell through service, not pressure. Maya’s client-first process starts with learning how someone lives and what they need—not with pushing the most expensive product. That trust creates referrals that can last for years.

Your broad experience can become your differentiator. Rather than limiting her firm to one design niche, Maya combines experience across hospitality, healthcare, commercial, and residential work to offer a more versatile perspective.

Relationships outlast transactions. Clients may forget a name or a particular purchase, but they remember how you made them feel. Being transparent, accountable, and genuinely helpful creates durable business relationships.
Notable Quotes
“I don’t want to sell the item. I want to completely [make sure] they understand what they pick and what’s the reason.”

“I’m going to spend exactly the same amount of time for someone who wants to purchase a whole home or just one small piece of five hundred dollars.”

“People remember when they feel trust and [you] be genuine and transparent.”

“We live ninety percent of our time indoors. It matters how is our environment.”
Connect with Maya Moghadam:
Website: https://mayasdesignstudio.com/ — book a complimentary consultation

Other: Follow Maya’s Design Studio for interior-design education, project insights, and design services
A Word from Our Sponsors:
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22 min
August 22SOLO | Make Money by Becoming a Better Friend, part 2
In this solo episode, Travis continues the conversation about the growing loneliness epidemic and why meaningful friendships are essential for a successful and fulfilling life. Travis shares personal experiences—from navigating a difficult season in business to recovering from cancer surgery—and explains how those moments reshaped the way he prioritizes relationships.
Instead of focusing purely on business or money strategies, Travis dives into the overlooked reality that strong friendships are one of the biggest contributors to long-term happiness, health, and even professional success. He breaks down practical ways to become a better friend, how to intentionally create shared experiences, and why ambitious people often need to be extra careful not to sacrifice relationships in pursuit of achievement.
On this episode we talk about:
Why the modern loneliness epidemic is affecting people—especially men—more than ever

How creating shared experiences is one of the best ways to strengthen friendships

Why ambitious people often sacrifice friendships for work (and why that’s dangerous)

How to prioritize friendships alongside work, family, and personal goals

The power of asking deeper questions to build genuine connection
Top 3 Takeaways
If you want better friendships, become a better friend first. Strong relationships rarely happen by accident—you often need to be the person who organizes the hangouts, plans the trips, and brings people together.

Don’t sacrifice friendships for ambition. Work and success matter, but neglecting meaningful relationships can lead to long-term regret. Scheduling time with friends is just as important as scheduling work.

Deeper connection comes after trust—not before. Small talk isn’t pointless; it builds the foundation that allows deeper conversations and stronger friendships to develop.
Notable Quotes
“Your life will be a collection of the decisions you make—and one of the most important is whether you prioritize your friendships.”

“Most friend groups don’t fall apart because people don’t want to hang out… it’s because nobody takes the time to plan anything.”

“We don’t build trust by offering help—we build trust by asking for help.”
Connect with Travis:
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell⁠

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

Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@travischappellclips⁠

Other: ⁠https://travischappell.com

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22 min
August 21CO-HOST | Make Money by Protecting Your Digital Legacy
In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric explore a topic that most creators and entrepreneurs rarely think about: what happens to your digital business when you die? From podcasts and YouTube channels to sponsorship agreements, subscriptions, intellectual property, and online communities, today's creators can build valuable businesses that don't fit neatly into traditional estate-planning frameworks. Travis and Eric discuss the importance of documenting account access, determining who controls digital assets, protecting valuable content, and thinking intentionally about what kind of legacy you want to leave behind.
On this episode we talk about:
Why creators and entrepreneurs need to think about estate planning for their digital businesses

What happens to podcasts, YouTube channels, royalties, sponsorships, subscriptions, and other digital assets after someone dies

The legal and financial questions creators should ask about ownership, account access, intellectual property, and transferring digital businesses

Why writing a book can serve as a permanent time capsule for your ideas, experiences, and lessons

How to think about your content as a legacy and decide what should be preserved, passed down, repurposed, or deleted
Top 3 Takeaways
Your digital business is an asset, so treat it like one. If your content generates revenue or has significant commercial value, make sure someone you trust can legally access and manage it if you're no longer able to.

Don't wait until something happens to figure out your digital estate. Identify who owns your accounts, intellectual property, sponsorship agreements, subscriptions, and other assets, and talk with an attorney about how they should be handled.

Think intentionally about the legacy you're building. Whether it's a podcast, YouTube channel, or book, consider what you want to remain after you're gone—and document the ideas and lessons you want future generations to have access to.
Notable Quotes
"The point is to not like you don't have to already have all the answers to have written a book. It's just sort of like, here's what I've discovered so far."

"It's a time capsule to look into what I was thinking about at that time in my life."

"If you want to achieve some sort of extraordinary success, something that's beyond mediocre, beyond average, then you have to put in beyond average effort in order to be able to achieve beyond average results."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: instagram.com/travischappell

Other: travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
- 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!

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23 min
August 21INTERVIEW | Make Money Building Seven-Figure Businesses While Raising a Family
Beth Mazza and Victoria Sivrais are serial entrepreneurs, business partners, and the co-founders of Female Mavericks. Together, they have built and exited two successful professional services firms that advised S&P 500 leaders through high-stakes decisions. Now, as mothers of nine collectively, they're using everything they've learned to help more women build and scale seven-figure businesses. In this episode, they share how their partnership began, how they identified opportunities in underserved markets, why mentorship and proximity to smart people matter, and how they're now helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses without sacrificing the lives they want to live.
On this episode we talk about:
How Beth and Victoria went from corporate careers to building and exiting successful professional services firms

Why identifying gaps in an established market can create opportunities for new businesses

The importance of learning from mentors and spending time around people who have the results you want

How Beth and Victoria built a highly complementary business partnership based on different skill sets, shared values, and mutual trust

Why they're now focused on helping 10,000 women build seven-figure businesses while balancing entrepreneurship and family
Top 3 Takeaways
Prioritize learning over earning early in your career. Find the smartest person you can, get close to them, and absorb how they think, communicate, make decisions, and operate—not just what they know.

Look for opportunities where others aren't willing to compete. Beth identified an underserved market, offered a better-priced service, and challenged CEOs' thinking to win clients despite competing against much larger firms.

Choose business partners based on complementary strengths and shared values. Beth and Victoria's partnership worked because one naturally leaned toward strategy and vision while the other excelled at execution, while both shared the same ambition, purpose, and commitment to supporting each other.
Notable Quotes
"You get to decide if you're the person to build a business around the disruptive thing and if it's the right timing."

"I think my career would have been so different if I was at home fifty to seventy-five percent of the time."

"As long as you're not making a profit, you are not making money."
Connect with Beth Mazza & Victoria Sivrais:
Website: FemaleMavericks.com — female entrepreneurs can visit the site and connect with Beth and Victoria about their mentorship programs.

Book: Entrepreneur Like a Mother, releasing September 22 **use code Maverick25 code, so listeners can get the bundle.
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners
- 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!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
33 min
August 21SOLO | Make Money by Becoming a Better Friend
In this solo episode, Travis Chappell reflects on the importance of friendship and how meaningful relationships impact our health, happiness, and success. Inspired by a conversation between Simon Sinek and Trevor Noah, Travis shares personal lessons about how chasing business success and carrying burdens alone led him to unintentionally distance himself from friends. He explores the idea that friendship may be the ultimate “biohack” for a better life, dives into the famous Rat Park experiment on addiction and community, and explains why being a great friend is often the key to building deeper relationships.
On this episode we talk about:
Why Simon Sinek calls friendship the “ultimate biohack” for health, happiness, and longevity

The powerful lesson from the Rat Park experiment about community and addiction

Why refusing to share struggles with friends can actually damage relationships

The balance between vulnerability and becoming the constant “complainer” in a friend group

Practical ways to strengthen friendships by creating shared experiences and memories
Top 3 Takeaways
Friendship is one of the most powerful predictors of health and happiness. Meaningful relationships can impact everything from emotional well-being to long-term longevity.

Being a good friend means allowing others to show up for you. Refusing to share struggles can unintentionally rob your friends of the chance to support you.

Experiences create stronger friendships than conversation alone. Shared activities and memories build deeper trust and connection over time.
Notable Quotes
"Friendship is the ultimate biohack that literally fixes everything."

"If you don’t allow your friends to be there for you, you’re robbing them of the opportunity to be a good friend."

"Stop asking how to make friends and start asking how to become a great friend."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Website: ⁠https://travischappell.com⁠

Podcast: ⁠https://travischappell.com/podcast⁠

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

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

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18 min
August 20CO-HOST | Make Money... With Nicotine? Does It Actually Make You More Productive?
In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric dive into an unexpected question: can nicotine actually help you perform better in sales, content creation, and other demanding work? After seeing clips from business influencers discussing nicotine pouches, the two explore the potential benefits, risks, addictive nature, and diminishing returns of using nicotine as a productivity aid. Travis also shares his own experience using nicotine during intense sales and podcasting schedules, while emphasizing the importance of moderation, self-awareness, and putting guardrails around potentially addictive habits.
On this episode we talk about:
Why nicotine has become increasingly popular among salespeople, entrepreneurs, and other high performers

Whether nicotine can actually improve focus, energy, and performance during sales calls and creative work

The difference between nicotine being genuinely helpful and simply becoming an addictive habit

How tolerance, overuse, and timing can create diminishing returns and negatively affect sleep and overall well-being

Why people should be cautious about jumping straight into addictive substances and consider less risky nootropics and productivity tools first
Top 3 Takeaways
Productivity benefits don't eliminate the risks. Nicotine may provide short-term focus and energy, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea for everyone or that more is better.

Watch for signs that a tool has become a dependency. If you can't stop using something tomorrow, it's worth stepping back and evaluating how much control you actually have over the habit.

Start with the lowest-risk option that works. Before experimenting with addictive substances, consider alternatives such as better sleep, mindfulness, or non-addictive nootropics—and if you do use nicotine, establish boundaries around how and when you use it.
Notable Quotes
"There's always a point of diminishing returns in any vice."

"I'm very cautious against advising people to go start using an addictive substance."

"If you can't stop something tomorrow, then maybe stop it just for a little bit and double check that you can."
Connect with Travis Chappell:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell

Other: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 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
27 min
August 20INTERVIEW | Make Money Through Disruption: How AI Is Changing Business, Careers, and Opportunity
Jeffrey Cole is one of the world’s leading voices on media, technology, and the digital future. He founded the World Internet Project, the longest-running global study of online behavior, and has spent more than three decades studying how major technological shifts reshape society and business. He also directs the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School and has taught more than 35,000 students. In this episode, Jeffrey shares his perspective on why AI could be the most disruptive technology in history, where new opportunities are emerging, and how entrepreneurs and workers can thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
On this episode we talk about:
Why the internet, COVID, and AI represent an unprecedented period of disruption—and how AI could be the most disruptive technology yet

The difference between innovation and true disruption, and how disruption can completely reshape or eliminate entire industries

How AI may transform the job market and why careers centered around human connection, creativity, caregiving, and hands-on skills could become increasingly valuable

Why the trades and apprenticeship models may be better positioned for the future than traditional four-year college pathways

How technology has leveled the playing field for entrepreneurs, making it possible to build businesses and creative projects with dramatically lower costs and overhead
Top 3 Takeaways
Look for opportunity in disruption. When industries are being transformed, entire new niches and business models emerge. Instead of resisting change, entrepreneurs can look for the opportunities created by it.

Develop skills that are difficult to automate. Human connection, caregiving, creativity, and hands-on skills may become increasingly valuable as AI and automation replace more routine jobs.

Keep overhead low and surround yourself with smart people. Technology has dramatically reduced the cost of starting businesses and creating products, giving individuals and small teams opportunities that once required massive amounts of capital.
Notable Quotes
"All of this chaos creates incredible opportunities to find new niches, to really build new businesses."

"AI has the potential to be the most disruptive technology of all time."

"The best single thing you can do is be around smart people with low overhead."
Connect with Jeffrey Cole:
Book: Disrupters at the Gate
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 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
August 20SOLO | Make Money by Mastering Focus: Why Distraction Is the Real Enemy of Success
In this solo episode, Travis Chappell breaks down why most people aren’t actually lost — they’re just distracted. Drawing from over 1,500 podcast episodes, hundreds of guest appearances, and years of studying high performers, Travis shares hard-earned lessons on focus, responsibility, and building momentum in a noisy world. This episode is a straight-talk deep dive into why focus is the new superpower — and how simplifying your path can radically change your results.
On this episode we talk about:
Why distraction — not lack of opportunity — is holding most people back

Taking responsibility for your life instead of blaming circumstances

The “rider, elephant, and path” framework for building better habits

How shiny object syndrome sabotages entrepreneurs

Why doing less (but better) creates bigger results
Top 3 Takeaways
Focus is the ultimate competitive advantage. In a world full of noise, the ability to concentrate on one thing until it succeeds is a superpower.

You can’t control everything — but you can control your environment. Design your “path” to remove distractions so better decisions become automatic.

Progress comes from commitment, not novelty. Whether in business or life, jumping paths feels exciting — but staying the course is what actually produces results.
Notable Quotes
“Most people aren’t lost — they’re just distracted.”

“Distraction is the enemy of progress, and focus is the competitive advantage.”

“Don’t do more. Do less — but do it better.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell⁠

Twitter/X: ⁠https://twitter.com/TravisChappell⁠

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

Other: ⁠https://travischappell.com⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
18 min
August 19CO-HOST | Make Money by Embracing Experimentation and Finding Your Content Format
In this episode of the Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric dive into how traditional media is adapting to changing audience behavior, using Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show as a case study. They discuss the rise of microdramas, why audiences increasingly prefer clips and unfiltered long-form content, and what creators and business owners can learn from media companies experimenting with new formats. They also explore the tension between polished production and authenticity—and why there may not be one “right” approach to creating content.
On this episode we talk about:
Why Jimmy Fallon and traditional media companies are experimenting with microdramas and vertical content

How shrinking attention spans and fragmented audiences are changing the entertainment industry

Why podcasts and long-form content can succeed despite the rise of short-form media

The difference between highly produced content and more spontaneous, authentic content

How creators and businesses can experiment with different formats to discover what works

Why businesses should consider creating their own recurring “microdramas” or shows instead of relying solely on traditional advertising

What creators can learn from The Tonight Show constantly testing new ideas
Top 3 Takeaways
Find your format by experimenting. There isn't one universally correct approach to content. Some creators succeed with highly scripted, heavily produced videos while others thrive with spontaneous, low-production content. The key is to keep testing until you find what works for your audience.

Don't be afraid to try things that might fail. One of the biggest advantages creators and entrepreneurs have today is the ability to experiment quickly and cheaply. You can try a three-hour episode, a two-minute microdrama, a new series, or an entirely different format without needing a massive corporate approval process.

Turn your content into an asset for your business. Businesses can create their own recurring content series that entertains or educates without being a traditional advertisement. When the business naturally becomes part of the setting or story, the content can build awareness while still giving the audience something they actually want to watch.
Notable Quotes
"There's a reason why the audience is going to these other places."

"Can you find your format and your footing? Do people like the content? Are they gonna continue to follow?"

"Just get in the creator chair and try whatever you can try because you never know what's going to be the thing that actually takes off and works."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: Travis Chappell
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners

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29 min
August 19INTERVIEW | Make Money Through Lifestyle Investing with Justin Donald
Justin Donald, known as the “Warren Buffett of Lifestyle Investing,” is the bestselling author of The Lifestyle Investor: The Ten Commandments of Cashflow Investing for Passive Income and Financial Freedom and founder of The Lifestyle Investor. He specializes in low-risk cash flow investing and helping entrepreneurs and executives build wealth without creating another job. In this episode, Justin shares how learning sales as a seventh grader shaped his confidence and approach to risk, how he built a portfolio of cash-flowing real estate and businesses, and the investing principles he uses to create more freedom, flexibility, and financial independence.
On this episode we talk about:
Why learning sales early can build confidence and give you a valuable financial safety net

How Justin went from selling newspaper subscriptions as a seventh grader to building and leading sales organizations

Building businesses and using cash flow to acquire income-producing assets

Why Justin prioritizes investments that generate cash flow from day one

How wealthy families use alternative investments and asset allocation to build and preserve wealth

Justin's approach to evaluating real estate opportunities and managing concentration risk

Which real estate sectors Justin currently finds attractive and why he moved away from multifamily

The debate between buying and renting your primary residence
Top 3 Takeaways
Learn how to sell. Sales isn't just a career skill—it builds confidence, teaches you how to handle rejection, and gives you the ability to generate cash when you need it. That foundation can make it easier to take risks and pursue new opportunities.

Focus on cash flow and diversification. Justin's investing philosophy centers on acquiring assets that generate cash flow and spreading capital across different investments rather than relying heavily on a single asset or investment vehicle.

Create an investment criteria before you invest. Know what you're looking for, what makes an investment a “yes” or “no,” and how much concentration risk you're willing to accept. Justin avoids putting more than 5% of his net worth into a single deal and generally no more than 10% with any single investment group.
Notable Quotes
"The riskiest thing is like going to some stranger and having them say no and slam the door in your face."

"The wealthiest people have over half of their net worth in alternative investments."

"I don't really buy real estate unless it cash flows day one. That's just kind of my rule."
Connect with Justin Donald:
Instagram: Justin Donald

Other: LifestyleInvestor.com

Free Strategy Session: Lifestyle Investor Consultation
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners

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31 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…