Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

April 20CO-HOST | Make Money By Becoming the Brand (Not Just the Ad Space)
On this episode, host Travis Chappell is joined in-studio by his producer Eric for a candid breakdown of how influencer marketing has evolved from wild-west swipe-up deals to long-term brand partnerships and creator-led product companies. They unpack why “buying trust” is the real asset behind celebrity endorsements, how brands and creators both burned themselves in the first big influencer bubble, and what actually works now if you’re trying to monetize an audience.
On this episode we talk about:
Why brands pay celebrities and athletes: they’re not buying reach, they’re buying trust with an audience.

How early influencer deals (like Kardashians promoting tea) turned pennies into multi-six-figure revenue and sparked an overspending bubble.

Why follower count alone no longer converts, and why alignment between creator, product, and audience matters more than raw views.

The shift from big celebrity endorsements to UGC and niche influencers as brands take traffic “in-house” and cut costs.

How creators can move beyond one-off sponsorships into equity, co-branded products, and launching their own brands (MrBeast x Jack Link’s, Prime, Sour Strips, etc.).
Top 3 Takeaways
The real leverage in influencer marketing is audience trust, not just attention; views without trust rarely translate into sales anymore.

Both brands and creators need to evolve past short-term sponsored posts toward deeper, longer-term partnerships or creator-owned products with actually good R&D-backed offerings.

If you’re a creator, your most valuable asset is your built-in test group of loyal fans—use it to launch or co-create products instead of relying solely on unpredictable ad deals.
Notable Quotes
“They’re not buying followers; they’re buying trust. That’s why Nike spends tens of billions on athletes—they’re literally paying to borrow the relationship those people already have with their audience.”

“Your brand will get people to try something once, but it will never make up for a bad product—if the product sucks, trust erodes and the sales die.”

“Influencer marketing isn’t dead; it just graduated. If you want to make real money now, you can’t just be the ad space—you have to become part of the brand.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

Other (Website): https://travischappell.com
Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the all-in-one sales and 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
32 min
April 20INTERVIEW | Make Money Buying & Scaling Online Businesses with Mike Swigunski
Mike Swigunski is an entrepreneur, investor, and bestselling author focused on helping people earn from anywhere in the world. As an early team member at Empire Flippers, he helped facilitate over $120M in online business acquisitions. Now, as the founder of Global Career and Dividends Capital, Mike is building platforms that allow everyday investors to access passive income through established online businesses. Having traveled to over 100 countries and built multiple remote companies, he brings a truly global perspective on making money online.
On this episode we talk about:
How Mike got started flipping furniture and discovered arbitrage

The reality of buying online businesses vs. starting from scratch

What makes a “good” acquisition (and what to avoid)

How to structure deals using seller financing and reduce risk

Using AI to scale and optimize existing businesses
Top 3 Takeaways
Buying a business can accelerate your path to income—but only if you understand what to look for and have the right support.

Recurring revenue businesses with strong margins and simple operations offer the best risk-adjusted opportunities.

The real upside in acquisitions comes from improving conversion, marketing, and operations—not just buying growth.
Notable Quotes
"I was making more money flipping furniture than I was working on the trading floor."

"The broker is not representing you—you need someone on your side."

"I’m not trying to find the rocket ship—I’m looking for the flat line I can scale."
Connect with Mike Swigunski:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeswigunski

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

Webiste: https://mikeswigunski.com/

Other: https://globalcareerbook.com

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
32 min
April 20SOLO | Make Money by Avoiding Life’s Biggest Regrets, part 1
In this solo episode, Travis reflects on powerful lessons from end-of-life regrets and how they connect directly to money, career decisions, and personal fulfillment. Drawing from research by a palliative care nurse and his own life experiences, he challenges listeners to rethink playing it safe, working too much, and letting fear dictate their path—while offering a more intentional approach to building a life (and income) that actually aligns with what matters most.
On this episode we talk about:
The top regrets people have at the end of their lives—and why they matter now

Choosing authenticity over expectations from family, society, or authority figures

The hidden cost of overworking and missing life’s most meaningful moments

How fear drives decision-making and keeps people from pursuing big opportunities

Building a money strategy that supports your ideal life—not just your bank account
Top 3 Takeaways
The biggest regret people have isn’t financial—it’s not living a life true to themselves.

Working hard is valuable, but not when it comes at the expense of time with the people who matter most.

Letting fear dictate your decisions leads to a lifetime of “what ifs”—calculated risk is necessary for a fulfilling life.
Notable Quotes
"You’re the only one who has to wake up and look at yourself in the mirror every single day."

"Don’t spend 365 days living a life you don’t want just to impress people you see five days a year."

"Your kids won’t learn courage from what you say—they’ll learn it from what you do."
Connect with Travis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

Other: https://travischappell.com

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
17 min
April 19CO-HOST | Make Money with Unshakable Focus and Creative Conviction
In this episode, Travis sits down to debrief a powerful conversation with bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr. Known for his high-intensity thrillers and the hit series adaptation of The Terminal List, Jack’s journey from elite military service to fiction powerhouse is anything but typical. What makes him stand out isn’t just his background—it’s his unwavering certainty, disciplined focus, and refusal to compromise on the quality of his work.
On this episode we talk about:
The power of singular focus and committing fully to one path

Why “delusional belief” can be a competitive advantage

How Jack Carr transitioned from Navy SEAL to bestselling fiction author

The realities of adapting books into TV and film (and letting go of control)

Why quality and long-term thinking beat rushing to publish
Top 3 Takeaways
Absolute clarity and commitment to one goal can eliminate distractions and accelerate success.

Belief alone isn’t enough—but belief paired with consistent action changes how you show up and creates opportunities.

Taking the time to create exceptional work pays off more than rushing to meet deadlines or chasing quick wins.
Notable Quotes
"Why would I do it if I didn’t believe it would be this big?"

"You can’t just write it on a vision board—you have to act accordingly."

"I don’t want to put my name on something that isn’t the best it can be."
Connect with Travis:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell

Website: https://travischappell.com

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
35 min
April 19INTERVIEW | Make Money by Living Fully with Bill Perkins
Bill Perkins is a hedge fund manager, film producer, high-stakes poker player, and bestselling author of Die With Zero. Known for his unconventional philosophy on money and life, Bill challenges the traditional approach to saving and wealth-building by emphasizing fulfillment, intentional living, and maximizing life experiences. His perspective blends financial acumen with a deep focus on living a rich, meaningful life—not just accumulating wealth.
On this episode we talk about:
Bill’s early journey from a struggling clerk to hedge fund manager

The mindset shift that helped him believe wealth was possible

Why money is a tool—not the end goal

The concept of “memory dividends” and maximizing life experiences

How to balance saving, investing, and actually enjoying your life
Top 3 Takeaways
Money is only valuable when it’s used to create meaningful life experiences—don’t confuse wealth accumulation with fulfillment.

“Memory dividends” compound over time, making experiences often more valuable than delayed consumption.

You should align your spending and saving with different life stages—what you value (and can physically enjoy) changes over time.
Notable Quotes
"The money is just a tool for the life that you want."

"If you're not in the arena, you have no chance."

"When’s the party? What are you saving all this money for?"
Connect with Bill Perkins:
Twitter/X: https://x.com/bp22

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

Other: Die With Zero

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
31 min
April 18CO-HOST | Make Money Flying Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Tripod)
Producer Eric joins Travis in the newly rearranged studio to vent about a brutal budget-airline trip that destroyed camera gear, froze passengers on the tarmac, and turned a simple flight into a four‑and‑a‑half‑hour odyssey via Denver. Along the way, the two dig into how airlines design systems that feel impossible to navigate, and what tradeoffs are actually worth paying for when you travel a lot for business. This is a funny, highly relatable episode for anyone who flies budget carriers to save money but pays for it in time, stress, and broken equipment.
On this episode we talk about:
How Frontier destroyed their tripod and sent Joanna on an hour‑long customer service loop with zero resolution.

Why airline support systems feel intentionally designed to avoid helping you (and how that shows up at baggage desks and hotlines).

Eric’s nightmare cold-weather boarding experience in Denver, with wheelchairs, crying kids, and 20 minutes freezing on the tarmac.

The real economics and ethics of ultra‑cheap flights, from standing‑room “saddle seats” to charging passengers to use the restroom.

Which travel “extras” are actually essential (TSA PreCheck, lounges) versus non‑essential depending on how often you fly.
Top 3 Takeaways
Budget airlines might save you money on the ticket, but they often cost you far more in broken gear, time delays, and emotional energy, especially if you fly for work.

Airline customer service loops are often structured to deflect responsibility, so if you choose ultra‑low‑cost carriers, you need to assume minimal support when things go wrong.

For frequent travelers, paying for things like TSA PreCheck and lounge access can be a worthwhile investment in comfort, productivity, and sanity—even if the base fare is higher.
Notable Quotes
“Basically you have built a system that is designed to not help anybody do anything.”

“I paid 78 bucks five years ago so I never have to go in the regular line.”

“I’ll pay the extra money for a better seat on Frontier just so I can get a direct flight—even though I know it’s not going to be a great experience.”
Connect with Travis:
• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell⁠
• Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/travischappell⁠
• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/travischappell⁠
• Other: ⁠https://travischappell.com⁠
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
April 18INTERVIEW | Make Money by Unlocking Creativity Through Play with Piera Gelardi
Piera Gelardi is a creative entrepreneur, speaker, and artist best known as the co-founder of Refinery29 and the visionary behind 29Rooms. Now the founder of NoomaLooma and author of The Playful Way, Piera helps individuals and organizations tap into creativity, connection, and joy through the power of play. Blending art, business, and personal development, she brings a fresh perspective on how play can be a serious advantage in both life and work.
On this episode we talk about:
Why play isn’t a reward for hard work—but the fuel behind it

How to integrate a “playful mindset” into your daily work and leadership style

The concept of “plork” and blending play with productivity

How Piera overcame burnout by reconnecting with her creative instincts

Balancing intuition with expert advice when scaling a business
Top 3 Takeaways
Play is not frivolous—it’s a powerful tool that enhances creativity, resilience, and problem-solving in both business and life.

You don’t need to separate work and play; adopting a playful mindset can transform even the most routine or high-pressure tasks.

Trust your intuition as a creator or leader, but use outside input as collaboration—not a replacement for your vision.
Notable Quotes
"Play is actually the fuel in your tank to do the hard work—and to do it with more creativity, connection, and joy."

"In any moment, we can choose the pressured way or the playful way."

"Why do you think you have to become a different person to get to the next level of success?"
Connect with Piera Gelardi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piera-luisa-gelardi-3493336/

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

Other: Website: https://www.pieragelardi.com

NoomaLooma App: Available for download

Book: The Playful Way

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
26 min
April 18SOLO | Make Money by Finally Starting Your First Business
On this solo episode, Travis breaks down the real first steps of starting a business without getting lost in legal paperwork, logos, and websites that do not actually bring in revenue. Drawing from his own journey and his clients’ experiences, Travis shows you how to validate an offer fast, get your first paying customers, and only then worry about formal structures like LLCs and bank accounts.
On this episode we talk about:
Why obsessing over LLCs, websites, logos, and merch keeps you from making your first dollar.

The only two things you truly need to start a business: something to sell and someone to sell it to.

How to pick a specific customer avatar, identify their real problems, and build a simple offer that solves them.

Why service-based offers are the fastest way to get started, even if you do not see yourself as “the best” in your niche.

How to price your first deals, raise your rates over your first 5–20 clients, and discover your true price ceiling.
Top 3 Takeaways:
Stop overcomplicating your first business. You do not need a perfect brand, LLC, or website to get started; you need a clear problem you can solve, a simple offer, and a few people willing to pay you for it.

Start with a scrappy sales-first approach. Use basic tools (even a personal PayPal account) to collect money, validate that people will pay for your solution, and then reinvest that cash into formalizing your business structure.

Earn your way into higher prices. For your first handful of clients, prioritize proof and results over profit, then gradually raise prices with each new customer until the market tells you where the ceiling is.
Notable Quotes:
“All you really need to get started is something to sell and people to sell it to. That is it.”

“You are putting all this extra work into an unproven concept, and it is literally preventing you from taking the first step.”

“The first money I ever made online was the most important money, because it proved to me that it was actually possible.”
Connect with Travis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

Website: https://www.travischappell.com
Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the all-in-one sales and 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
17 min
April 17CO-HOST | Make Money by Breaking Free from Ticketmaster, Monopolies, and Broken Review Platforms
On this episode, Travis and his producer Eric dive into the Live Nation/Ticketmaster antitrust verdict and what it really means for fans, artists, and everyday consumers trying to enjoy live events without getting gouged. They also draw parallels to platforms like Yelp and the Better Business Bureau, unpacking how pay‑to‑play review systems quietly hurt small businesses and distort trust online. This conversation blends current events with real small‑business experience, from running an Ever Bowl location to watching reviews disappear unless you pay for ads, and contrasts it all with fan‑first models like the Savannah Bananas.
On this episode we talk about:
The federal jury verdict that found Live Nation/Ticketmaster operated as a monopoly under federal and state antitrust laws

How Ticketmaster’s control of venues, promotion, and ticketing lets them stack fees and suppress competition

Why platforms like Yelp feel “mafia‑style” to small business owners and how their “not recommended” filters quietly bury real reviews

The exploding cost of live events like Coachella and why attending a “simple” festival now runs into the thousands

How fan‑first models like the Savannah Bananas show a different way to price tickets, remove junk fees, and build long‑term brand equity
Top 3 Takeaways
Monopolies don’t just mean higher prices; they often mean worse experiences, fewer choices, and bullying tactics behind the scenes for venues, artists, and fans.

If your business depends on platforms like Yelp, you’re playing in someone else’s sandbox, and their opaque algorithms and ad pressure can erase years of hard‑earned social proof overnight.

There is real opportunity for creators and companies who are willing to take short‑term profit hits—like eliminating junk fees or doing their own ticketing—to build massive trust and loyalty by putting fans and customers first.
Notable Quotes
“The only thing on this planet I hate more than Coffee Bean is Ticketmaster.”

“What’s even crazier is the volume of people who can’t afford to be doing that.”

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

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

Other: https://travischappell.com
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
28 min
April 17INTERVIEW | Make Money Using Leverage, Velocity, and Smart Wealth Strategies with George Antone
George Antone is the founder and CEO of Fynanc, a guided wealth technology company focused on helping individuals grow their money faster and more efficiently. With a background in math, technology, and years of experience at Intuit, George has developed innovative frameworks around leverage, velocity of money, and strategic investing that have helped over 10,000 people take control of their financial futures.
On this episode we talk about:
How George’s early exposure to entrepreneurship shaped his mindset around money

Why building skills first is critical before pursuing entrepreneurship

The difference between an “asset-first” vs. “finance-first” approach to wealth

How leverage, spread, reinvestment, and sequencing accelerate wealth building

Practical ways to increase income and use it to fuel long-term investments
Top 3 Takeaways
Wealth isn’t built by picking the “right” asset—it’s built by increasing the speed (velocity) at which your money grows.

Strategic use of leverage can accelerate wealth, but only when assets are stable, cash-flowing, and properly structured.

Focus the majority of your time on increasing income and skills—those are the true drivers that fuel long-term investing success.
Notable Quotes
"Don’t fall in love with an asset—fall in love with how you combine them."

"The speed at which you build wealth is more important than the asset itself."

"Spend 90% of your time on earning more—because you can only cut expenses to zero."
Connect with George Antone:
Website: https://fynanc.com

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

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…