Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

May 25CO-HOST | Make Money Faster with These Beginner-Friendly Business Models
In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down different ways to make your first $100,000 and rank them based on speed, scalability, and difficulty. From freelancing and niche agencies to content creation, sales jobs, and flipping products, Travis shares candid insights from his own entrepreneurial journey—including what worked, what didn’t, and which opportunities offer the fastest path to real income. The conversation also dives into the psychology of sales, building valuable skills, and why service businesses are still one of the best places to start.
On this episode we talk about:
Ranking business models for making your first $100K

Why niche agencies and high-ticket service businesses are S-tier opportunities

The realities of building a business through content creation

How freelancing can evolve into a scalable agency

Why sales remains one of the highest leverage skills for making money
Top 3 Takeaways
Selling a clear result is often easier — and faster — than selling a promise or coaching offer.

Freelancing and service businesses can generate cash flow quickly while teaching valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Sales is one of the best foundational skills you can learn because it allows you to earn without carrying the operational burden of running a full business.
Notable Quotes
“When you do stuff done-for-you, it makes up in offer strength what you lack in sales skills.”

“You eat what you kill.”

“Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems when you got some money in the bank.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: Instagram

Website: Travis Chappell Official Website
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- Are you ready to start your own creator
journey and make it big? Visit
www.fanvue.com today and launch your
career!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney
-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.
Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.
Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

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24 min
May 25INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building Products People Actually Want with Adrian Salamunovic
In this episode, Travis sits down with serial entrepreneur Adrian Salamunovic to talk about building, scaling, and exiting companies. Adrian shares lessons from launching multiple successful startups — including CanvasPop, which sold for over $30 million — and explains why the future belongs to founders who deeply understand product, customer experience, and community. The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, product-market fit, networking, and Adrian’s newest venture, DexaCam.
On this episode we talk about:
How Adrian built and exited multiple successful startups

Why the best products often come from solving your own problems

The relationship between product, marketing, and sales

How entrepreneurs can find product-market fit faster

Why surrounding yourself with ambitious founders changes your trajectory
Top 3 Takeaways
Great products are often created by founders solving problems they personally care about.

Speed matters in business, but craftsmanship and customer experience are becoming even more valuable in the AI era.

The people you surround yourself with can dramatically reshape what you believe is possible.
Notable Quotes
“If you create a remarkable product that’s inherently viral, your job to sell it becomes a lot easier.”

“Overnight successes take 10 years.”

“When you deliver enormous value to people, you’ll make money — almost whether you want to or not.”
Connect with Adrian Salamunovic:
LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Instagram: Instagram

Website: DexaCam
A Word from Our Sponsors:
- Are you ready to start your own creator
journey and make it big? Visit
www.fanvue.com today and launch your
career!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney
-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.
Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.
Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
May 25SOLO | Make Money by Ignoring the Odds - Lessons from my Jack Carr interview
In this solo episode, Travis breaks down his conversation with bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr. From building elite discipline in the SEAL teams to creating a blockbuster book franchise adapted into an Amazon series starring Chris Pratt, Jack’s story is packed with lessons on focus, generosity, preparation, and pursuing ambitious goals without letting the odds stop you. Travis shares the biggest takeaways from their conversation and explains how these principles apply to entrepreneurship, creativity, and life.
On this episode we talk about:
Why obsessively consuming great work is a form of training

The importance of making a physical and psychological break during major life transitions

How generosity and helping others can create life-changing opportunities

Why singular focus and full commitment matter when pursuing big goals

Jack Carr’s “never pay attention to the odds” philosophy and how it applies to business and life
Top 3 Takeaways
The things you naturally love consuming may point directly toward the work you’re meant to do.

Major growth often requires changing your environment so you can fully step into a new identity.

Big dreams only become reality when preparation meets opportunity — and when you stop focusing on how unlikely success seems.
Notable Quotes
“The education wasn’t separate from the enjoyment. It was the enjoyment.”

“You can’t build a new chapter in your life while you’re still living inside the set design of the old one.”

“Never pay attention to the odds.”
Connect with Jack Carr:
Books: The Terminal List Series

Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell

Website: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:

- Are you ready to start your own creator
journey and make it big? Visit
www.fanvue.com today and launch your
career!- To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go tohttps://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney
-Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.
Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.
Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
18 min
May 24CO-HOST | Make Money with Creator Monetization Strategies That Actually Work
In this episode, Travis Chappell and his producer, Eric, break down the real-world pros and cons of different creator monetization methods. From sponsorships and coaching to affiliate marketing and live events, Travis shares candid insights from years of building content businesses, working with clients, and growing revenue streams online. The conversation blends humor with practical advice for creators trying to decide where to focus their time and energy in today’s digital landscape.
On this episode we talk about:
Why sponsorships and brand deals are still one of the best monetization methods for creators

The hidden downside of launching merch too early without a large audience

How one-on-one coaching helps creators build scalable offers and frameworks

Why communities and memberships are becoming increasingly valuable

The difference between sponsorship ads and programmatic podcast advertising

How affiliate marketing can sharpen valuable business and traffic-generation skills

Why live events and in-person experiences may become even more important in the AI era

The growing shift back toward analog habits, physical media, and human connection

How creators should think about audience size before choosing monetization strategies

Why digital products are still effective, even as AI makes information more accessible
Top Quotes:
“High ticket is better than low ticket when you’re starting online.”

“You can’t fix who you are while staying in the environment that created you.”

“If you have the impressions and can sell sponsorships, it’s basically mailbox money.”

“We’re all still human, and we still crave in-person connection.”

“Affiliate marketing teaches you how to get traffic and sell before you take on business risk.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 min
May 24INTERVIEW | Make Money with AI Automation and Digital Leverage with Tal Navarro
Tal Navarro is a Forbes 40 Under 40 honoree, AI strategist, and CEO of Social Lady who has spent more than 20 years helping businesses scale using digital media, automation, and online communities. From building a kite surfing business online before social media really existed to launching Israel’s first social media college and empowering women through tech, Tal has been at the forefront of nearly every major digital shift of the last two decades. In this episode, she breaks down how entrepreneurs, creators, and side hustlers can use AI tools, automation systems, and community-building strategies to create scalable businesses in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
On this episode we talk about:
How Tal built an online kite surfing business in the Caribbean before Facebook and YouTube became mainstream

Why community building is the most valuable skill in the digital economy

How AI is changing marketing, automation, and online business forever

The overlooked ways entrepreneurs can use AI beyond simple chatbot prompts

AI tools and platforms Tal uses daily, including Claude Code, Perplexity, HeyGen, Higgsfield, and more

Why building trust and delivering value is essential before trying to sell anything online

Practical advice for beginners who want to start learning AI and monetize their skills

How automation can save time, reduce costs, and scale content creation systems

Why creators should focus on understanding their audience before building products

The future of digital business, AI agents, and human connection in an AI-driven world
Top 3 Takeaways
Community is the foundation of every successful online business. Building trust and genuine relationships creates long-term opportunities and makes monetization much easier later on.

AI is far more powerful than just a search tool. Entrepreneurs can use AI for automation, content systems, lead generation, customer support, newsletters, websites, and much more.

The best way to learn AI is by diving in and mastering one tool deeply. Consistent use and experimentation create a huge advantage as AI becomes integrated into every industry.
Notable Quotes
“Community, it’s basics for every platform, for every brand, for every person.”
“When you bring value to someone and you build trust, that’s when you can really sell anything you want.”
“AI is coming right into our lives. It doesn’t matter if you want to know or not.”
Connect with Tal Navarro
Website: Social Lady

Instagram: Tal Navarro on Instagram

LinkedIn: Tal Navarro on LinkedIn
A Word from Our Sponsors:

Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney
- Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
22 min
May 24SOLO | Make Money by Building a Life That Matters - Lessons from my Scott Harrison interview
Scott Harrison is the founder of Charity: Water, one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations in the world focused on solving the global clean water crisis. Over the last 20 years, charity: water has raised more than a billion dollars and helped bring clean drinking water to more than 20 million people around the globe. But before becoming one of the most respected voices in philanthropy, Scott spent a decade as a top nightclub promoter in New York City living a life fueled by status, excess, and addiction. In this solo episode, Travis breaks down some of the biggest lessons and takeaways from his recent conversation with Scott, including what it really takes to reinvent your life, why environment matters more than willpower, and how radical transparency became charity: water’s greatest competitive advantage.
On this episode we talk about:
How Scott Harrison went from elite nightclub promoter to founder of a global nonprofit

Why sometimes you have to hit the bottom of the wrong life before building the right one

The power of changing your environment to change your identity

How asking “What’s the opposite of my life?” can lead to transformation

Why charity: water’s radical transparency model changed the nonprofit industry

The hidden problem with chasing status, wealth, and external validation

Why clean water is one of the world’s most solvable humanitarian crises

How Scott leveraged his marketing and promotional skills for meaningful impact

What most people misunderstand about “rock bottom” moments

The importance of honesty when reinventing yourself and your purpose

Key Takeaways
Sometimes the “wrong life” has to fully collapse before the right one can emerge

Your environment shapes your future more than motivation does

Radical transparency builds trust faster than persuasion

The skills you developed in your old life can become tools for your new purpose
Notable Quotes
“Sometimes you have to go all the way to the bottom of the wrong life before you can build the right life.”
“The environment is the intervention.”
“What would the opposite of my life look like?”
“More won’t fix it.”

Connect with Travis:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
May 23CO-HOST | Make Money by Mastering Podcasting and Protecting Your Time
In this episode, Travis and producer Eric pull back the curtain on the realities of podcasting after thousands of interviews and hundreds of episodes. From nightmare guest appearances and awkward interviews to lessons on professionalism, preparation, and setting boundaries, this conversation is packed with honest insights about what separates great podcasters from everyone else. Travis also shares the standards he now uses before agreeing to appear on other shows and why consistency is the true key to longevity in podcasting.
On this episode we talk about:
The worst podcast guest and host experiences Travis and Eric have encountered

Why preparation and professionalism matter in podcasting

How to handle difficult guests and off-the-rails conversations

The importance of consistency and making it past the first 50 episodes

Why Travis became far more selective about appearing on podcasts

Lessons learned from interviewing high-profile personalities like Grant Cardone
Top 3 Takeaways
Most podcasts fail early, which is why consistency alone already puts creators ahead of the majority of people who start.

A great podcast host knows how to guide conversations, redirect guests, and create value even when interviews become difficult.

Protecting your time matters — saying “no” to opportunities that waste energy or lack professionalism is essential for long-term success.
Notable Quotes
“If you’re going to invite me on the show, don’t waste my time.”

“The tighter your process, the better your conversations become.”

“Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems when you’ve got money in the bank.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34 min
May 23INTERVIEW | Make Money by Overcoming Friction with Eric Corey Freed
Eric Corey Freed is an award-winning architect, author, global speaker, and the Principal and Director of Sustainability for CanonDesign, where he helps lead healthcare, education, and commercial teams toward low-carbon, regenerative buildings across more than 30 million square feet annually. In this episode, Eric shares lessons from decades of entrepreneurship, architecture, and innovation while diving into the ideas behind his new book, Frictionless. The conversation explores fear, innovation, financial literacy, multiple income streams, and why so many great ideas get shut down before they ever begin.
On this episode we talk about:
Why innovation is often rejected out of fear rather than logic

The neuroscience behind resistance to change and new ideas

Building multiple streams of income for financial resilience

Following passion while still learning how to make money

How relationships and mentorship shaped Eric’s career path

The framework behind Eric’s new book, Frictionless
Top 3 Takeaways
Innovation is often stopped by fear and uncertainty long before ideas are properly evaluated.

Building multiple revenue streams creates financial resilience and reduces dependence on any single source of income.

Success comes from being intentional about opportunities, relationships, and the type of work you say “yes” to.
Notable Quotes
“The amount of money you make is not tied to the amount of work that you do.”

“Every yes is a no to everything else.”

“We always have the option to shut the idea down later — but first, let’s explore it.”
Connect with Eric Corey Freed:
LinkedIn: Eric Corey Freed

Other: Frictionless Book

Other: CanonDesign
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
30 min
May 23SOLO | Make Money by Letting Go of Ego - Lessons from my Josh Peck interview
In this solo episode, Travis breaks down some of the biggest lessons from his conversation with Josh Peck — actor, creator, author, and former Nickelodeon star best known for Drake & Josh. Travis dives into Josh’s journey from child stardom to reinventing himself as a modern creator, including the struggles, rejection, ego death, and vulnerability that helped him stay relevant in Hollywood and online. The episode explores how authenticity, resilience, and embracing uncertainty can open the door to long-term success.
On this episode we talk about:
Why vulnerability and authenticity are critical for creators and entrepreneurs

How ego can block growth and reinvention

Josh Peck’s transition from child actor to creator and Hollywood actor

Why sharing your story before “making it” can create deeper impact

The real meaning of money: freedom, flexibility, and options

Learning to focus only on what you can control
Top 3 Takeaways
Vulnerability is not weakness — authenticity builds trust, connection, and longevity in both business and content creation.

Reinvention requires ego death. Growth often means letting go of old identities, habits, and assumptions about yourself.

Money is most valuable when it creates options and freedom, not just status or material possessions.
Notable Quotes
“You cannot get to the next version of yourself without shedding the prior version of yourself.”

“Do the work, show up, and let the outcome be someone else’s problem.”

“Money is options, not things.”
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: @travischappell

Other: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
19 min
May 22CO-HOST | Make Money with the Best Side Hustles Ranked
In this fun and fast-paced episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast, Travis Chappell and producer Eric break down and rank some of the most popular side hustles in today’s economy—from freelance copywriting and media buying to dropshipping, reselling, and drone businesses. Along the way, they swap hilarious gym stories, debate hustle culture, and dive deep into which side hustles actually build valuable long-term skills versus which ones are becoming obsolete. Travis also shares why drones may be one of the most underrated opportunities in business right now.
On this episode we talk about:
Why copywriting and paid ads are still high-value skills despite the rise of AI

The problems with dropshipping and why margins are shrinking

How reselling and flipping can teach valuable negotiation and arbitrage skills

Why drone businesses could become one of the best modern side hustles

The difference between side hustles that build transferable skills and ones that don’t scale
Top 3 Takeaways
The best side hustles teach skills that can transfer into larger business opportunities, like persuasion, marketing, and customer acquisition.

AI is rapidly changing industries like copywriting and media buying, but skilled operators still have a major advantage today.

Drone services are a surprisingly strong business opportunity because the startup costs are relatively low while the applications continue expanding into real estate, inspections, agriculture, and filmmaking.
Notable Quotes
“Copywriting is essentially the written language of persuasion.”

“If you’re not pushing it, then what are you doing there?”

“Amazon is a logistics company fronting as a commerce company.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: @travischappell

LinkedIn: Travis Chappell

Website: https://travischappell.com
A Word from Our Sponsors:
Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit Fanvue today and launch your career!

To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to Mode Mobile Investments

Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at HighLevel for Travis Makes Money Listeners

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
29 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…