Travis Makes Money

By Travis ChappellBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement Investing Careers

Travis Makes Money episodes

March 27INTERVIEW | Make Money Building Million-Dollar Podcast Studios from Scratch, feat. Matt Alvarez
Matt Alvarez is the founder of SoundShed Studios, a rapidly growing turnkey design and build company specializing in high-end podcast studios and custom creative spaces. Starting with a background in music, AV, and IT, Matt’s entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly during the pandemic—when he landed his first major client: Joe Rogan. Since then, he’s scaled SoundShed into a multi-million dollar business serving top-tier creators, comedians, and brands, becoming a go-to name for fully automated, production-ready studio environments.
On this episode we talk about:
How Matt went from musician and IT worker to founder of a multi-million dollar company

Landing Joe Rogan as his very first client—and delivering under extreme pressure

Why podcast studios became a booming (and previously non-existent) industry

Building a turnkey, “one-button” content production system for creators

Expanding beyond studios into luxury gyms, saunas, and custom lifestyle spaces
Top 3 Takeaways
You don’t need a perfect plan—just say yes to the right opportunity and figure it out as you go.

Simplicity scales: the easier you make your product for the end user, the more valuable it becomes.

Your first big break can define your trajectory—if you deliver उत्कृष्ट results under pressure.
Notable Quotes
"It wasn’t this grand plan—I just said yes and figured it out."

"Most people don’t want complexity—they want to press one button and create."

"Right place, right time—but you still have to be the right person to execute."
Connect with Matt Alvarez:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-alvarez-0955179a/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundshedstudios

Other: https://soundshedav.com

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28 min
March 27SOLO | Make Money by Mastering Reaction Management with the BASS Method
Even though this is a solo episode, Travis steps in as your guide through one of the most underrated money-making skills: managing your reactions in a world engineered to keep you emotionally hijacked. Drawing from personal stories, psychology, and stoic philosophy, he walks through his BASS Method—Breathe, Ask, Solve, Share—to help you turn everyday frustrations into opportunities for growth, better relationships, and ultimately better decision-making in life and business.
On this episode we talk about:
How media and marketing are designed to make you feel lonely and “not enough”

Why negativity bias makes certain ads and headlines so effective

The Victoria’s Secret body positivity example and what it reveals about identity and marketing

The BASS Method: Breathe, Ask, Solve, Share (Travis’s reaction management framework)

How to reframe “bad days” and emotional triggers into opportunities for connection and growth
Top 3 Takeaways
Your environment is saturated with negative messaging, but you can reclaim control by intentionally managing your reactions instead of letting emotions run your day.

The BASS Method—take three deep breaths, ask better questions about your feelings, solve from a calm, third-party perspective, and share the win with someone close—helps you build a stronger identity as someone who handles problems with composure.

Most events are neutral; your perception creates the story. Learning to interrogate your feelings in the middle of an emotional spike gives you more power, better relationships, and less unnecessary suffering.
Notable Quotes
“We have to become proficient at distracting ourselves from the distractions.”

“Most events are just events. We have the ability to control whether or not we perceive it to be a good or bad event.”

“Ultimately, nobody else has power over my emotional state except for me.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

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.

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22 min
March 26CO-HOST | Make Money Using Kevin O’Leary’s Mom’s 20% Rule
In this co-hosted episode, Travis is joined in studio by his producer Eric for a fun, fast-paced conversation about wealth-building, viral money clips, and what most people get wrong about “getting rich.” They react to Kevin O’Leary’s story about his mom quietly becoming wealthy by putting 20% of every paycheck into dividend-paying stocks and bonds for decades, riff on the clickbait culture around money advice, and then bring it back to Travis’s core philosophy: build wealth slowly and predictably, but don’t postpone your entire life until retirement. Along the way, they veer into Oscars memes, Macaulay Culkin’s ridiculous legal name change, and a hilarious thought experiment involving Kevin O’Leary, a ping pong paddle, and “how much would it take?”
On this episode we talk about:
Kevin O’Leary’s mom’s simple investing rules and how she quietly built serious wealth over 60+ years

Why “a little bit of money over a long period of time” is the boring but reliable path to getting rich

The danger of panic-selling during market crashes and why Travis treats long-term investments as “gone”

The tension between saving aggressively for the future and actually enjoying your life in the present

How to think about increasing your income so 20% investing doesn’t mean 0% joy

Clickbait money culture, viral Diary of a CEO clips, and Macaulay Macaulay Culkin Culkin

A ridiculous (and very on-brand) segment about what it would take to let Mr. Wonderful spank you with a ping pong paddle
Top 3 Takeaways
Consistency beats complexity: Automatically investing a fixed percentage of your income into broad, dividend-paying markets and not touching the principal over decades is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth.

Your biggest enemy is usually your own behavior; panic-selling in downturns destroys long-term gains, which is why Travis mentally treats invested money as off-limits instead of “available cash.”

Don’t sacrifice your entire present for a hypothetical future—if 20% investing leaves you with nothing for experiences you care about, the real assignment is to raise your income so you can fund both your future and your current life.
Notable Quotes
“Once I invest the money, it’s gone. I shipped it overseas to go fight my war for me.”

“You’re purposefully choosing a worse life now for a better one later, which is usually good—but if you only ever do that, you never really enjoy the present.”

“If you think there’s no number, you’re lying to yourself. There’s always a number.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

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
24 min
March 26INTERVIEW | Make Money in “Unsexy” Industries, feat. David Royce
David Royce is a four-time founder and serial entrepreneur who has quietly built an empire in “unsexy” home services. Starting as a broke college kid who was terrible at sales, he turned door-to-door pest control into a personal masterclass—eventually founding and exiting multiple companies for a combined enterprise value approaching $200 million in his 30s, and later scaling Aptiv Environmental to over $500 million in annual revenue and 6,500 employees across 5,000 cities. He’s an expert at creating powerful sales engines, leveraging door-to-door in overlooked industries, and structuring exits so he can keep the “golden goose” that drives growth.
On this episode we talk about:
How David went from broke college student to top rookie in door-to-door pest control sales in a single summer

Why door-to-door sales is still one of the best training grounds for future entrepreneurs

The strategy behind building four pest control companies and repeatedly selling the “book of business” while keeping the sales engine

How he used culture, training, and transparent data to massively outperform competing sales programs

Smart compensation structures and retention tactics for commission-based sales teams

Why he finally exited Aptiv in 2025 and what he’s thinking about for his “post-money” chapter

The massive opportunity in blue-collar businesses and what excites him about AI and the coming “silver tsunami”
Top 3 Takeaways
You don’t have to be naturally gifted at sales to win; stubbornness, daily learning, and high-volume reps can turn you from zero deals in your first week into the top rookie in the company.

The real asset isn’t just the customers—it’s the growth engine. If you keep the sales systems, leadership, and culture in-house, you can sell the book of business, reload with capital, and build again on the same foundation.

Culture perks get people in the door, but elite training, clear data, and a high-performance environment are what actually keep great sales reps and drive outsized results over time.
Notable Quotes
“You can be killing it and dying at the same time if you don’t understand cash flow.”

“We’d sell the customers, but we’d never sell the growth engine. We kept the golden goose.”

“Door to door is one of the best educations you can give yourself—especially in a world where AI will automate so much. Those soft skills are going to win.”
Connect with David Royce:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-royce-22539425/

Other (Recruiting / Opportunities): https://www.aptiverecruiting.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

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31 min
March 26SOLO | Make Money by Being a Better Friend to Your Clients
In this solo episode, host Travis Chappell answers a listener question from Amber about how to set boundaries with clients who become friends—and how to build genuine friendships in entrepreneurship. Drawing from his own experiences in masterminds, coaching, and community-building, Travis breaks down the tension between “being helpful” and “being a doormat,” and offers a healthier, more sustainable way to think about fees, friendships, and long-term relationships in business. He also shares real stories of how transactional thinking destroys trust, while relational thinking creates more opportunity over time.
On this episode we talk about:
Why some experts preach “keep clients at arm’s length” and why that never sat right with Travis

The awkward tension when friends want free access to paid programs, coaching, or communities

How to intentionally set the culture in your groups so friends support each other’s businesses instead of asking for discounts

The importance of thinking like a therapist and separating “billable” time from pure friendship time

Why your Ascension model should allow clients to “graduate” from you without burning the relationship

Two contrasting mastermind experiences that show the difference between transactional vs. relational leaders

Why long-term business wins go to givers who view people as humans, not just as numbers or transactions
Top 3 Takeaways
As the leader, it’s your job to set the culture: real friends support each other’s businesses instead of always asking for free or discounted access.

Think like a therapist and maintain clear lines between paid, professional interactions and genuine, no-strings-attached friendship—even when you like and care about your clients.

Build an Ascension model that lets people “graduate” from your programs while still staying in relationship; when you treat people relationally instead of transactionally, you earn more trust, more referrals, and more opportunities over the long term.
Notable Quotes
“When you pay, you pay attention.”

“Don’t treat people like numbers, because people aren’t numbers.”

“You should want people to outgrow you—that means you actually helped them.”
Connect with Travis Chappell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell

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

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
22 min
March 25CO-HOST | Make Money by Rethinking College, Careers, and the Skilled Trades
In this co-hosted episode, Travis Chappell sits down with his producer Eric for a candid, humorous, and thought-provoking conversation about the modern job market. Using insights sparked by commentary from Mike Rowe, they break down why traditional career paths may no longer be the smartest route—and why skilled trades and alternative learning paths are becoming increasingly valuable in today’s economy.
On this episode we talk about:
The growing demand for skilled trades and the massive shortage of workers

Why college debt is becoming a riskier investment for many young people

How AI and automation are reshaping high-skill professions like law and medicine

The concept of “earning while you learn” through apprenticeships and hands-on work

How to evaluate career paths based on future demand, not outdated societal expectations
Top 3 Takeaways
Skilled trades are becoming some of the most in-demand and highest-paying opportunities due to a shrinking workforce.

Taking on massive student loan debt without a clear plan can delay wealth-building and limit future financial freedom.

The future job market will reward adaptability—hands-on skills and real-world experience may outperform traditional degrees.
Notable Quotes
"The job market works on supply and demand—if fewer people can do the job, it’s worth more."

"Getting into debt to figure out what you want to do is a pretty wild decision."

"Don’t undervalue the trades—that might be where the majority of money is made in the next decade."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
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
26 min
March 25INTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning Content Into a Real Business, feat. Jake Polino
Jake Polino is a content creator turned entrepreneur who built an audience through sneaker content and leveraged it into a scalable brand. Starting with viral TikToks and DIY sneaker customization, Jake learned firsthand that views don’t always equal income—leading him to co-found Kizo, a sneaker company built on the back of his audience and creative expertise.
On this episode we talk about:
Why going viral doesn’t mean you’re making money—and the reality of creator income

How Jake transitioned from sneaker content to building a real, scalable business

The biggest misconceptions about followers, views, and monetization

Why every creator should eventually build a product or brand they own

The step-by-step approach to growing on social media from zero today

Why consistency and volume are the real keys to going viral
Key Takeaways:
Jake’s journey highlights a critical truth in today’s creator economy: attention alone isn’t enough. Despite generating millions of views, he made little money directly from platforms, forcing him to think bigger about ownership and scalability.
Instead of relying on inconsistent brand deals or algorithm-driven income, Jake built Kizo to monetize his audience sustainably. By aligning his product with his passion (sneakers), he created something authentic that his audience actually wanted to buy.
The conversation also breaks down the modern content landscape—where followers matter less than ever, and each post acts as its own “lottery ticket.” Success comes from volume, iteration, and constantly improving your craft.
For anyone starting today, Jake emphasizes simplicity: use your phone, post consistently, and double down on what works. Over time, those reps compound into opportunities that can completely change your trajectory.
Connect with Jake Polino:
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakepolino/

Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kizokicks/

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jakepolino

Website: https://kizokicks.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
March 25SOLO | Make Money by Building Better Friendships
Aristotle, one of history’s greatest thinkers, explored the nature of friendship thousands of years ago—and his insights are more relevant today than ever. In this solo episode, Travis breaks down Aristotle’s three types of friendships and connects them to modern life, success, and even income. By understanding how your relationships shape your decisions, opportunities, and mindset, you can intentionally build a network—and a life—that actually moves you forward.
On this episode we talk about:
The three types of friendships: utility, pleasure, and virtue

Why mislabeling relationships leads to disappointment and frustration

How your friendships directly impact your income and life trajectory

The danger of outsourcing your values to groups or belief systems

Why friendships of virtue are rare—but the most important to cultivate
Top 3 Takeaways
Not all friendships are created equal—understanding the difference helps you set better expectations and avoid unnecessary disappointment.

Friendships of virtue (shared values and mutual growth) are the most meaningful and long-lasting, but they require intentional effort to build.

Your network isn’t just about proximity or shared interests—it's about alignment in values, and that alignment determines the quality of your life and success.
Notable Quotes
"If you don’t categorize your friendships, you’ll expect the wrong things from the wrong people."

"People will learn more from how you live than what you say—and the same goes for who you surround yourself with."

"It’s never a bad thing to have people in your life who are genuinely conspiring for your success."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
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
24 min
March 24CO-HOST | Make Money While Being Present at Home
In this candid co-host episode, Travis Chappell dives into one of the most difficult balancing acts in life—building a successful career while being a present parent. Sparked by a powerful clip from performance coach Tim Grover, Travis reflects on the tension between ambition and family, sharing personal stories, hard truths, and the mental frameworks he uses to navigate work, fatherhood, and long-term fulfillment.
On this episode we talk about:
The emotional trade-offs between building a career and being present with your kids

Why kids learn more from your actions than your words

The concept of “seasons” in work-life balance

How to think about regret when making career vs. family decisions

Practical ways to be fully present—whether you’re working or at home
Top 3 Takeaways
There is no perfect balance—life operates in seasons, and different periods require different priorities.

Your kids are always watching—modeling work ethic and purpose is just as important as spending time with them.

Wherever you are, be there—presence matters more than splitting your attention between work and family.
Notable Quotes
"Kids will always learn more through what they see than what you say to them."

"Wait till you get the bill from regret—and that bill is generational."

"If you're going to stay home, be home. If you're going to work, then work."
Connect with Travis Chappell:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell

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

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
25 min
March 24INTERVIEW | Make Money by Reinventing a Boring Industry, feat. Brynn MacLennan
Brynn MacLennan is a serial entrepreneur and product designer who’s been building businesses since she was just 13 years old. With a background in product design and experience working alongside the dental industry, Brynn co-founded an innovative electric flosser designed to make oral care easier, more effective, and actually enjoyable. Her journey spans everything from launching a bounce house company as a teenager to buying and scaling a dental practice—and now disrupting a legacy industry with a modern, dentist-backed product.
On this episode we talk about:
Why most people floss incorrectly—and how that impacts dental health

The process of designing and manufacturing a physical product from scratch

Buying, scaling, and selling a dental practice

The realities of launching via Kickstarter (and what she’d do differently)

Building a multi-channel business across DTC, Amazon, and retail (including Target)
Top 3 Takeaways
Making a “boring” habit easier (like flossing) can unlock massive business opportunities—simplicity drives adoption.

Big companies and internships can provide invaluable systems and process knowledge before starting your own business.

Distribution is everything—success in DTC, Amazon, or retail each comes with unique challenges, and none are “set it and forget it.”
Notable Quotes
"If we made flossing easy and effective, people wouldn’t hate going to the dentist."

"I know how to build a million-dollar company—but building a hundred-million-dollar company is a different game."

"Entrepreneurship is constant ups and downs—just when you feel on top, something changes."
Connect with Brynn MacLennan:
LinkedIn: Brynn MacLennan

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@slateflosser

Other: https://slateflosser.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
27 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…