Travis Makes Money

Tamara Laine is an Emmy Award-winning journalist turned entrepreneur and the founder of MPWR (mpwr.money), an AI-powered fintech platform built to transform access to credit and capital for gig workers, freelancers, solopreneurs, and business owners outside the traditional W-2 economy. Combining her expertise in brand storytelling, AI innovation, and financial inclusion, Tamara makes it her mission to redesign financial systems so more people—especially those previously left out—can build real wealth. She brings fresh perspective from years in journalism, startup marketing, and scaling positive-revenue tech ventures.

On this episode we talk about:

Tamara’s journey from teen dance choreographer to Emmy-winning journalist, and her transition into startup tech entrepreneurship.

How curiosity, resilience against rejection, and relentless networking set the foundation for entrepreneurial success—regardless of industry or background.

Lessons learned launching media and tech startups: staying revenue-positive, finding the intersection of passion, opportunity, and value creation, and building healthy companies before chasing outside investment.

The unique challenges gig workers and side hustlers face in accessing credit—and how traditional financial systems fail millions living the “multi-income” reality.

The vision behind MPWR: next-generation AI and alternative credit risk modeling, holistic financial coaching through real-time dashboards, and dynamic predictions to help users thrive financially—no matter how nontraditional their work or income.

Practical advice for entrepreneurs: prioritize passion only where it meets real market opportunities and your proven skills, and design businesses for positive cash flow (not dependency on investors).

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Build resilience to rejection—success in startups (and wealth building) is about persistence and adaptability, not just having a great idea.
2.  In a changing economy dominated by gig work, new fintech platforms like Empower are making real financial inclusion possible for people who’ve historically been left out.
3.  Revenue-first entrepreneurship beats chasing unicorn status; healthy businesses attract investment by solving problems and becoming sustainable early.

Notable Quotes

*  “Your network is your gold—every real opportunity comes through talking to people, learning, and never stopping at the first ‘no.’”
*  “Passion alone isn’t enough. Find the place where your skills, your interests, and the real world’s market gaps meet—and build from there.”
*  “Empower’s mission is simple: give every solopreneur a real shot at wealth by helping them tell their financial story and access better capital.”

Connect with Tamara Laine & Empower:

Platform waitlist and launch: mpwr.money

Instagram: @tamaralaine_

✖️
✖️
✖️
✖️

🚀 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

🚀 This podcast 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

Katie Krimitsos is the creator and guiding voice behind the Women’s Meditation Network, a global collection of meditation podcasts empowering millions of women and children to find calm, clarity, and better sleep. Launching her first meditation podcast in 2018 from a closet, Katie has grown the network to over 20 shows, amassing more than 100 million downloads and becoming one of the world’s most successful independent podcasters. In this candid conversation, Katie shares her entrepreneurial journey—from humble beginnings and money mindset shifts to the nuts-and-bolts of scaling a podcast empire.

On this episode we talk about:

Katie’s background growing up one of six children in a working-class Arizona family, her early odd jobs, and how family beliefs shaped her relationship with money

Her career pivot: leaving a successful coaching business to chase a new, untested idea—meditation podcasts for women

The step-by-step evolution from her first show (“Meditation for Women”) in 2018 to building a 20-show network reaching millions monthly

How the COVID-19 pandemic became her major inflection point for listener growth, product expansion, and innovation

Monetization in podcasting: CPM ad models, the journey from relying on agencies to leveraging Anchor/Spotify programmatic ads, scaling to consistent five-figure monthly income, as well as the realities (and pitfalls) of the ad-revenue cycle

Growth tactics: organic SEO-driven naming, network-driven niche launches, strategic paid ads, audience cross-promotion, and data-minded iteration

The importance of self-awareness, focus, and fulfilling a core mission as new opportunities multiply and the business diversifies

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Podcasting can be both a purpose-driven and highly profitable business when built on audience need, niche focus, and relentless consistency.
2.  Sustainable growth comes not from chasing fame, but from doubling down on what works—then creatively spinning off new, targeted shows to meet untapped demand.
3.  Transforming mindset, money narratives, and leveraging the “tool” of money allows entrepreneurs to scale both abundance and generosity.

Notable Quotes

“Money is neither good nor bad—it’s a tool to support your mission and generosity, and you can make more of it by serving real needs at scale.”

“The reliability of income—knowing that I can count on revenue from my network—has been a foundational part of scaling up over time.”

“Focus on the thing that works, expand methodically, and keep your mission at the heart of it all.”

Connect with Katie Krimitsos:

Women’s Meditation Network: womensmeditationnetwork.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

✖️

✖️

✖️

✖️

🚀 This podcast 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

Mick Hunt is a trailblazing entrepreneur, executive coach, and motivational leader known for building, scaling, and selling high-performing businesses—including a multi-million dollar insurance agency. As the founder of the Mick Unplugged brand and host of a top self-improvement podcast, Mick is dedicated to helping leaders and entrepreneurs discover their core “because” and build lasting, purpose-driven success. With a career spanning insurance, consulting, podcasting, and thought leadership, Mick has influenced thousands with his insight, transparency, and transformative events. His leadership principles—developed under guidance from figures like Les Brown and Daymond John—focus on character, clarity, and delivering high value to ideal clients.

On this episode we talk about:

Why Mick jumped from leading a top Nationwide agency to launching his own insurance firm—and selling it within three years for nearly $18M

The power of recurring revenue and why business insurance offers unique opportunities for aspiring agents

How niche focus (franchise restaurants) and long-term client value unlocked referrals and explosive growth

Lessons in sales: empathy, curiosity, referral building, pricing for value (not discounts), and the difference between transactional and transformational business

Why the best clients come through service, not slashed prices—and how to build a reputation through overdelivering on solutions rather than chasing commission

Mick’s “because” mindset: how purpose drives action, from insurance to international keynote speaking

How to break into insurance today: skills, strategies, and red flags for newcomers

His passion for opening doors for others—through Mick Unplugged events, mastermind access, and his mission to connect hungry leaders with world-class mentorship

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Recurring revenue is the entrepreneur’s best friend—find a business model (like insurance) where great service today pays dividends for years.
2.  Focusing on ideal clients and charging what it takes to overdeliver leads to referrals, reputation, and real wealth; price is rarely the true barrier.
3.  True leadership means helping others find their “because”—the deeper purpose that transforms both individual trajectories and business outcomes.

Notable Quotes

“Being a generalist doesn’t make money. When you know your niche, your value—and price for what you can deliver—success follows.”

“The best advice: charge what you think you’re worth. When someone pays it, that’s your new standard.”

“Everyone wants the shortcut. But it’s clarity—about your why and your who—that wins over the long term.”

Connect with Mick Hunt:

Website, podcast, events: mickhuntofficial.com

LinkedIn: Mick Hunt

Instagram: @mickunplugged

X: @MickUnplugged

✖️
✖️
✖️
✖️

🚀 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

Travis is joined by producer Eric for a rapid-fire Q&A, reacting to three high-impact sales clips from the internet’s best-known sales trainers: Andy Elliott, Grant Cardone, and Brad Lea. From cold doors to cold calls to closing high-ticket deals, Travis unpacks what really works from his years of real-world sales. He shares truths behind the viral advice, what’s hype versus what’s helpful, and how to tailor classic sales tactics to any niche or market.

On this episode we talk about:

Andy Elliott’s advice on door-to-door sales: why trust matters first and how your look, attitude, and presentation shape the ‘trust barrier’ before you say a word

Grant Cardone’s cold-call critique: why your intro should be ultra-short, first name only, and hook-centric; never waste air time on what doesn’t earn attention

Brad Lea’s “fast, good, or cheap” close: how to overcome the price objection by putting the client in control, and why great closes guide the buyer—not push them

Common pitfalls to avoid: sounding like a salesperson, building too much rapport early, or undermining your value by slashing prices

The universal importance of discipline, confidence, and tailoring your sales style to the setting, whether it’s a cold knock, phone call, or live presentation

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  First impressions matter more than most realize—your visual cues and energy impact trust instantly, especially when selling door-to-door or in cold approaches.
2.  In high-velocity sales, cut the fluff and get to the “reason you’re calling”—the time you waste up front is time for their guard to rise.
3.  Great closes like Brad Lea’s third-way choice (“fast, good, cheap—pick two”) empower the prospect to make a confident decision, shifting the conversation from value to what the buyer truly prioritizes.

Notable Quotes

"Your goal is to take the wall down as quickly as you can—in person, the way you look and carry yourself decides if they trust you before you say anything."

"When you’re cold calling, never start with your full name or a drawn out intro; people care why you’re calling and what’s in it for them."

"Great salespeople don’t slash prices—they help clients choose the package that fits, preserving both value and the seller’s credibility."

✖️
✖️
✖️
✖️

🚀 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

Full episode here: https://youtu.be/KnsCROZKTZA

Join us on this episode of the Travis Makes Friends podcast as we dive deep with Pace Morby, a real estate powerhouse and community builder! From launching the world’s largest real estate community in a Circle K parking lot to helping a homeless woman become a homeowner in just 20 days, Pace shares his journey, creative finance strategies, and why real estate remains the ultimate wealth-building vehicle. Discover how to navigate today’s housing market, the power of in-person community, and the underrated potential of RV parks and co-living. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation packed with actionable insights! Check out Pace’s work at whereispace.com and tune in now!

And find out more about Subto HERE

✖️

✖️

✖️

✖️

🚀 This podcast 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

🚀 This podcast 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

Kasim Aslam is a self-made serial entrepreneur who rose from welfare in Albuquerque to become a multi-exit founder and an acclaimed thought leader in digital marketing. He built Solutions 8 into a Google Ads powerhouse (over $100 million in managed ad spend) and now focuses on Pareto Talent and Driven Mastermind, helping entrepreneurs scale with world-class delegation and smarter teams. Kasim is known for his unfiltered honesty, deep operational knowledge, and for championing the power of global talent to unlock life-changing business freedom.

On this episode we talk about:

Kasim’s journey from hustling candy as a seven-year-old to building (and selling) multiple seven- and eight-figure companies

Lessons learned growing up with a blind single mother, finding resilience through relentless failure, and redefining success after setbacks

Why most people shouldn’t worry about “the big idea”—and why starting scrappy (even with a humble service like window washing) is the real entrepreneurial launchpad

How systemic discipline around earning, saving, and hiring the right people separates fake wealth from lasting wealth

The vital difference between being an operator versus a true entrepreneur—and why the only irreplaceable skill is mastering talent: recruiting, motivating, and building world-class teams

Kasim’s “quarter principle” and how opportunity only reveals itself once you start moving—even if your first business “fails”

How to instantly get Kasim’s new book on hiring for free.

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Don’t obsess over the perfect idea—start where you are, fail small, and extract lessons fast; every real entrepreneur starts with a low-stakes test and levels up by learning in the field.
2.  Building true wealth isn’t about income alone. It’s about disciplined money management, playing long-term games, and, most importantly, learning to delegate and attract peak talent for every role.
3.  The entrepreneurial game changes at each stage: your “buy box” for opportunities evolves, and the skills to get to seven figures are different from those needed for eight or nine; self-awareness and continuous upskilling are essential.

Notable Quotes

"I’ve had 100+ failed ventures… failure’s just data; nothing ever bombs 100%. You collect the lessons and level up over time."

"Entrepreneurship is not fulfillment; your job is to master talent—not the work itself."

"The only real leverage in business is people. Learn to build teams, pay top talent, and you’ll never work a day in your life."

"Everyone’s chasing the home run, but the truth is, you earn your first real win after relentless singles, doubles, and pivots."

Connect with Kasim Aslam:

https://kasim.me/

✖️
✖️
✖️
✖️

🚀 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