Travis Makes Money

Nelson Repenning and Don Kieffer are longtime collaborators and professors at the MIT Sloan School of Management. With nearly 30 years of combined research, leadership experience, and hands-on work inside major organizations, they specialize in fixing broken systems, developing leaders, and helping teams operate at peak performance. They are co-authors of the new book There’s Got to Be a Better Way, a practical, field-tested guide to improving how people work.

On this episode we talk about:

How Nelson and Don each earned their very first dollar

Why early childhood experiences shape lifelong money habits

Practical ways parents can teach kids about money today

The surprising paths that led both professors into higher education

How a chance meeting at Harley-Davidson sparked a 30-year collaboration

Why fixing knowledge work is harder than fixing factory work

The origin story behind their new book and why it finally came together

What teaching leaders revealed about how people actually learn

Why improving work makes companies more profitable and people happier

Top 3 Takeaways

Improving work isn’t about grinding harder — it’s about designing systems that allow people to succeed.

Kids learn more from watching how adults handle money than from any formal lesson.

Long-term collaboration thrives when partners bring different strengths but share the same mission.

Notable Quotes

“If you want better results, you don’t fix the people — you fix the work.”

“Kids learn about money by seeing how you treat it, not by what you tell them.”

“The moment we started teaching our ideas, we realized how much more we had to learn.”

Purchase a Copy of "There's Got To Be a Better Way"

https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Got-Be-Better-Way/dp/1541704622

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🚀 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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In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down the modern “buy back your time” culture—everything from viral clips glamorizing $400/month haircuts to outsourcing every basic task. Eric brings his media and production perspective, while Travis adds years of entrepreneurial insight, creating a practical, funny, and eye-opening look at what actually matters when it comes to time, money, and priorities.

On this episode we talk about:

The rise of “alpha bro” outsourcing content and why so much of it is performative

When paying to save time is genuinely smart—and when it’s just a flex

The psychology behind choosing what to do yourself vs. hiring it out

Why cooking at home, reading books, and doing the obvious can be a real competitive advantage

How Travis evaluates whether a time-saving purchase is actually worth it

Top 3 Takeaways

Not every “time-saving hack” is a hack—some are expensive distractions disguised as productivity.

Buying back your time only works when you reinvest that time into something meaningful or profitable.

Common sense executed consistently beats flashy shortcuts every single time.

Notable Quotes

“Your time is your only non-renewable asset—so spend money intentionally, not impulsively.”

“Some of these viral hacks aren’t hacks… they’re just flexes with a motivational caption.”

“Doing the obvious becomes a superpower when everyone else is looking for shortcuts.”

✖️

🚀 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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On this episode, Travis reacts to an old video of his 26-year-old self giving advice to young people in their late teens and early 20s. Eric—Travis’ producer—plays the video for him, and together they break down what young Travis got right, what he’d revise today, and why early career decisions matter more than most people realize.

On this episode we talk about:

Top 3 Takeaways

Notable Quotes

“Earn while you learn—don’t underestimate the value of having a job.”

“Skill stacking in your 20s helps you out-earn everyone else in your 30s and 40s.”

“Travel is one of the most underrated personal development activities out there.”

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Sean O’Brien is a serial entrepreneur, Shark Tank alum, and founder of Swingzy, a golf training tool designed to help players make smoother, more consistent swings. He’s also the former CTO and CMO of Autio, a venture-backed startup co-founded by Kevin Costner and supported by major brands like Camping World and Snapchat. Known for turning down one of the biggest offers in Shark Tank history, Sean has built and sold multiple companies while staying at the forefront of tech, marketing, and product innovation.

On this episode we talk about:

How Sean turned rejection from Goldman Sachs into his first million-dollar business

The wild story behind his eight-figure company that started with a beach chair in storage

The mindset shift that turns rejection into motivation

How he landed the Entrepreneur Magazine cover by sheer persistence

Working with Kevin Costner and other celebrity partnerships

The creation and growth of Swingzy and its impact on the golf industry

Top 3 Takeaways

Rejection can be your greatest motivator—if you use it as fuel instead of failure.

Execution always outweighs ideas; what matters is taking consistent, bold action.

Reinvention is the key to long-term success—keep evolving with each new opportunity.

Notable Quotes

“If you get rejected, your job is to make the people who passed on you look stupid. That’s the fuel.”

“Ideas are worthless until you execute. Everyone’s got a million-dollar idea, but almost no one acts.”

“Every setback I’ve ever had eventually turned into my biggest opportunity.”

Connect with Sean O’Brien:

X – https://x.com/gatsby

LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanob

Company — https://www.swingzy.com

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In this episode, Travis Chappell sits down with his producer Eric for a candid conversation on money mindset, investing, and why “playing it safe” can sometimes be the riskiest move of all. Together, they unpack what it really means to make your money work for you—and why saving alone won’t build long-term wealth.

On this episode we talk about:

The truth behind Grant Cardone’s “cash is trash” mentality

When saving money becomes a liability instead of a strength

How to balance liquidity with long-term investing

Using debt as a tool for leverage rather than a burden

Why calculated risk is essential to escaping financial stagnation

Top 3 Takeaways

Cash has a purpose—but it’s not growth. Savings should be a safety net, not a strategy.

Good debt accelerates progress. When used intentionally, debt can be the difference between staying stuck and scaling up.

Smart risk-taking builds wealth. The biggest financial wins come from understanding and embracing measured risk, not avoiding it.

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Betsy Fore is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and investor with nearly 20 years of leadership experience. She’s the author of Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams, founding partner of Velveteen Ventures, and a trailblazer in consumer products for children and the planet. Notably, Betsy scaled Tiny Organics past $13 million in revenue in just 24 months, took Wonder Woof! from scrappy startup to Oprah’s Favorite Things, and was the first Native American woman to raise a Series A for a consumer food startup.

On this episode we talk about:

Growing up in a small Midwestern town, working every day since 13, and becoming a leading business creator

Turning a garage-tinkering childhood into a career as a toy inventor, then product startup founder

How relentless optimism, reinvention, and standing atop “a mountain of failures” led to big wins

Advice for founders: building with community, manifesting vision, securing funding, and the importance of thinking big—even if you’re starting small

Behind the scenes of Tiny Organics’ explosive first-year growth, building a cult following, and scaling product through grass-roots founding families

Top 3 Takeaways

Every breakthrough product stands on a mountain of failed attempts; grit and adaptability win.

Community-first feedback loops create true brand evangelists and drive authentic scale.

Dreaming big isn’t just mindset—it’s a practical approach to manifesting opportunity and wealth wherever you start.

Notable Quotes

“For every success, there’s a mountain of failures you’re standing on.”

“You have to feel your deep inner ‘why’ to reveal it and build on it.”

“Not every company needs to be venture-backed, but every founder can build generational wealth by manifesting their vision.”

Connect with Betsy Fore:

Website: betsyfore.com

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✖️

🚀 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

Thomas Nitzsche is a financial educator, media spokesperson, and Vice President of Media and Brand at Money Management International — the largest nonprofit credit counseling agency in the U.S. After facing his own financial struggles during the Great Recession, Thomas turned his hardship into purpose, helping thousands of Americans overcome debt, rebuild their credit, and regain control of their financial lives.

On this episode we talk about:

Top 3 Takeaways

Notable Quotes

“You didn’t get into debt overnight — you’re not going to get out of it overnight.”

“Hope is not a financial plan.”

“Money doesn’t define your worth — but understanding it can define your future.”

Connect with Thomas Nitzsche:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaspnitzsche

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Bonnie-Jill Laflin is a trailblazer in the world of sports — the first and only female NBA scout in history, a former NFL cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, a sports broadcaster, and founder of the nonprofit Hounds and Heroes. From modeling at age three to scouting for the Lakers dynasty under Phil Jackson, Bonnie-Jill has shattered glass ceilings in some of the most male-dominated spaces in sports and media.

On this episode we talk about:

How Bonnie-Jill became the first and only female NBA scout

The behind-the-scenes reality of being an NFL and NBA cheerleader

Lessons learned from sports legends like Jerry Jones, Jerry Buss, and Phil Jackson

The business and branding genius behind the Cowboys Cheerleaders

How discipline, mindset, and mental toughness shape lasting success

Top 3 Takeaways

Breaking barriers takes preparation, persistence, and confidence — not permission.

Branding and business savvy are just as important as athletic skill in the world of sports.

True leadership blends intellect, mindfulness, and empathy — lessons Bonnie-Jill learned firsthand from Phil Jackson.

Notable Quotes

“I didn’t want to just be around sports — I wanted to be in sports.”

“Phil Jackson didn’t just coach players; he taught them how to think.”

“The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were one of the biggest brands in the world — we just didn’t get paid like it.”

Connect with Bonnie-Jill Laflin:

https://hoo.be/bonniejill

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In this episode of The Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric dive into 10 rapid-fire questions about purchases, investments, and regrets — with two minutes on the clock for each answer. From Travis’ best investment ever to the truck that literally lost a wheel days after buying it, this one’s full of laughs, lessons, and hard-earned financial wisdom.

Travis opens up about:

His best and worst purchases (from real estate to portable chargers)

The six-figure mistake that taught him how to invest smarter

How a wheel falling off a truck turned into one of his best financial decisions

Why he stopped spending money on travel — and what changed

The power of generosity and the first time he realized money could help others

The non-financial investment that completely changed his health and mindset

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Rebecca Matchett is a serial entrepreneur, fashion innovator, and now tech founder who’s built her career around solving real-world problems. From co-founding Alice + Olivia to developing a patented women’s sizing system called TrioFit, Rebecca has consistently combined creativity and practicality to build impactful businesses. Now, she’s channeling that same drive into Synchrony—a new social app designed to help neurodivergent adults connect and combat loneliness in meaningful ways.

On this episode we talk about:

How Rebecca transitioned from fashion and retail into tech entrepreneurship

The story behind founding Alice + Olivia and what she learned about branding and innovation

Why ideas alone aren’t enough—and how to validate your market before launching

The challenges and benefits of self-funding vs. outside investment

How Synchrony is using technology to address the loneliness epidemic among neurodivergent adults

Top 3 Takeaways

Great businesses start by solving problems you truly understand—personal experience is a powerful indicator of market need.

Validation matters more than inspiration. Don’t build before you know who actually wants your product.

Bootstrapping gives you control, focus, and creative freedom that investors often limit.

Notable Quotes

“Ideas are easy. Execution and validation are what separate entrepreneurs from dreamers.”

“When you solve a problem for yourself, you’re often solving it for thousands of others.”

“Connection is the most human need we have—and we’re building a tool to make that accessible again.”

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