Travis Makes Money

Ready to rethink what it really takes to win in business and life? In this eye-opening preview from the Travis Makes Friends interview, Travis brings on serial entrepreneur and investor Mike Lazerow, cofounder of Buddy Media and partner at Slow Ventures, to unpack the raw truth behind “overnight” success. From creator-led brands like Sour Strips and Liquid Death to scaling social media software during the early Facebook days, Mike reveals how distribution, passion, and a “roll the dice and stay on the field” mentality can turn simple ideas into nine-figure outcomes. He shares unfiltered stories about giving office space to Gary Vaynerchuk, investing early in Facebook, and discovering who his real friends were when it came time to promote the book he wrote with his wife, Kass. You’ll also hear how health scares, shifting priorities, and a decision to double down on content reshaped his focus on legacy, generosity, and a “how can I help?” approach to relationships. Don’t miss this powerful preview—hit play now and get a front-row seat to how great businesses, great partners, and great opportunities really come together.Full Episode: https://youtu.be/0bOZxTDw89Q Connect with Mike Lazerow: - IG: https://www.instagram.com/kassandmike/ - Website: https://kassandmike.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of the Travis Makes Money, host Travis Chappell breaks down the unspoken rules of connecting with high-caliber people — from industry leaders to influencers to entrepreneurs. Drawing from years of experience (and plenty of awkward early moments), Travis shares a practical framework for preparing for conversations, controlling the frame, avoiding the “fan bucket,” and building real relationships that open doors. If you’ve ever felt intimidated walking into rooms with powerful people, this episode gives you a simple playbook to show up confidently, listen better, and turn one conversation into many. On this episode we talk about: Why preparation gives you an unfair advantage in important conversations How to control the “frame” so you’re seen as a peer — not a fan The biggest networking mistake: word-vomiting instead of listening How to find real connection through shared interests and common ground Turning one great conversation into future opportunities (“build a connection from a connection”) Top 3 Takeaways Do your homework. Knowing even a little about someone before you meet them makes conversations easier and more memorable. Never put yourself in the fan bucket. High-level people connect with peers — not people who pedestalize them. Listen more than you talk. Asking thoughtful questions and staying chill makes you stand out in a sea of networkers. Notable Quotes “If you listen more than you talk, you’re way more likely to be remembered.” “You’re telling people whether to put you in the fan bucket or the peer bucket.” “Build a connection from a connection — don’t let a great conversation die.” Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: @travischappell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis and Eric break down the sales tactics used by influencers, coaches, and online “gurus” so you can protect your wallet and build a more trustworthy business. They walk through common marketing lines, identify which are red, yellow, or green flags, and explain how honest scarcity and clear expectations create long-term customer loyalty. On this episode we talk about: Why fake “limited spots” destroy trust and how to use real scarcity instead How Grant Cardone-style true scarcity trains buyers to take you seriously The danger of lines like “If you’re serious, you’ll find the money” and “You can’t afford not to do this” When deep discounts (“Normally $5,000, today $497”) are a problem—and when they’re legit Why honest guarantees, realistic expectations, and multiple valid “paths to success” matter for long-term business growth Top 3 Takeaways Real urgency and scarcity work, but only when they are actually true and consistently enforced. High‑pressure money talk and fake discount anchoring are major red flags that signal desperation and damage buyer trust over time. There is never just “one way” to succeed; sustainable growth comes from honest offers, clear expectations, and testing multiple strategies until you find what works for you. Notable Quotes “Every interaction, every transaction that you have with a customer or client is training them on how they’re going to interact with you again in the future.” “If you are going to have urgency and scarcity in your marketing, you should—but you should also have a reason why it’s scarce.” “When people buy into the idea that this is the only way, then when that way doesn’t work, it makes them feel like they’re a failure and they quit.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://x.com/TravisChappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell and https://www.instagram.com/travismakesfriends 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

In this episode, host Travis Chappell sits down with Seth Silvers, founder and CEO of Story On, one of the premier podcast production agencies helping businesses build authority through storytelling. Seth and his team work with top-tier creators and brands—including Alex Hormozi, Leila Hormozi, and Patrick Lencioni—and support numerous Top 100 business podcasts. Seth shares his journey from taking on almost any marketing work he could find to building a premium podcast agency, along with hard-earned lessons on pricing, positioning, and why podcasting is one of the most powerful long-term branding tools available today. On this episode we talk about: How Seth accidentally turned podcasting into a full-time business Using podcasts to build trust and credibility (even without massive downloads) Why most podcasters struggle to monetize—and a better path forward Structuring service offers and pricing without racing to the bottom The future of podcasting: video, branding, and podcasts as a business asset Top 3 Takeaways: Podcasting creates a “transfer of trust.” When people see you show up with quality, they assume you bring that same standard to everything you do. Pricing clarity changes everything. Seth credits implementing ideas from Profit First as a major turning point in getting out of debt and building a sustainable business. Premium clients care more about results than price. Solving higher-level problems for established businesses beats competing on cost every time. Notable Quotes “People see you show up in a quality way, and they transfer that trust to everything else you do.” “If you want us to actually do it for you, it’s going to be a premium—but we also have resources for every level.” “Podcasting isn’t a quick customer-acquisition tool. It’s a multi-channel brand that builds trust over years.” Connect with Seth Silvers: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethsilvers/ Website: storyon.co Blog: https://storyon.co/blog Travis Makes Money is made possible by HighLevel – 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

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell breaks down what he’d do differently if he had to start over in business—and why the biggest wins often come from simply doing more of what already works. He shares real stories from his journey with podcasting, live events, and course sales to show how easy it is to walk away from winning plays too early and leave money and impact on the table. On this episode we talk about: Why “regret” is a useless emotion and how to reframe past mistakes The simple rule: double down on what’s working instead of reinventing yourself How Travis scaled his podcast output and thought through “what if we did even more?” The rise and pause of his live events business during 2020 and what he’d change How a nearly break-even webinar funnel was actually a gold mine he abandoned too soon Top 3 Takeaways Focus on what’s already working in your business and ask, “If this is working, how could I responsibly 2–3x it?” instead of constantly searching for a brand new idea. Don’t abandon winning offers or business models just because you hit obstacles; often the issue is structure (like missing backend offers), not product–market fit. When you feel “maxed out,” use thought experiments—“If I had to double this output, what would it look like?”—to uncover creative ways to expand without burning out. Notable Quotes “Double down on the things that are working instead of thinking you have to reinvent the wheel every time.” “Even when you think you’re tapped out, you might be able to go a little bit further—you just haven’t done the thought exercise yet.” “I abandoned things too early at the first sign of an obstacle instead of recognizing they were actually working.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://x.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 and marketing platform built for agencies, by an agency. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this casual, live-recorded studio episode, Travis is joined by his producer Eric for an unfiltered conversation sparked by a clip from The Iced Coffee Hour and host Graham Stephan. What starts as light banter quickly turns into a surprisingly thoughtful breakdown of tipping culture, customer experience, and how social pressure has quietly reshaped the way we spend money. On this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis shares his honest opinions on when tipping makes sense, when it feels forced, and why “optional” tips are starting to feel more like hidden taxes. From self-serve frozen yogurt shops to high-end restaurants, this episode dives into the psychology of tipping—and how entrepreneurs and consumers alike should think about value, service, and expectations. If you’ve ever felt awkward staring at an iPad tip screen or wondered where the line should be drawn, this one’s for you. On this episode we talk about: Why tipping expectations have exploded over the last few years The difference between genuine service and automated tip prompts When Travis happily tips big—and when he refuses on principle How social pressure influences spending decisions Why tipping before service creates terrible customer experiences The personal rule Travis uses to decide whether he can “afford” a restaurant How businesses are quietly shifting labor costs onto customers Top 3 Takeaways A tip should reward great service—not replace fair wages. If you’re doing all the work yourself, you shouldn’t feel obligated to tip. If you can’t afford to tip generously at a nice place, you probably can’t afford to eat there yet. Notable Quotes “If I can’t afford to tip generously, then I don’t deserve to be eating at that place yet.” “That’s not a tip anymore—that’s just a tax.” “Tipping before the service is completed is one of the worst customer experiences there is.” 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

Lacey Newman is a top 1% luxury listing agent, leader of Elevated Living Advisory at Compass, and host of the Emmy-nominated, Telly Award–winning TV show The American Dream. After burning out early in her career and nearly leaving real estate altogether, Lacey rebuilt her business from the ground up—ultimately growing a multi–seven-figure real estate team. Today, Lacey Newman coaches agents on how to attract high-end clients, create magnetic content, and design businesses that fuel both income and lifestyle. On this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis and Lacey dive deep into what it really takes to scale in real estate (and entrepreneurship in general)—from running your operation like a true CEO to using social media as your most powerful prospecting tool. On this episode we talk about: Why most agents fail—and the mindset shift that changed everything for Lacey How to stop being reactive and start running your business like a real company Structuring your day around purposeful priorities instead of chaos Why social media beats cold calling (and how to actually use it for leads) The power of niching down and building a brand people remember Top 3 Takeaways Treat your real estate career like a business, not a side hustle—systems beat hustle every time. Prospecting only works if you choose strategies you enjoy and can do consistently. Social media isn’t about going viral—it’s about staying top of mind with people who already know and trust you. Notable Quotes “You’re not going to rise to the level of your ambition—you’re going to fall to the level of your systems.” “Fill your calendar with things you’re good at and enjoy, and you’ll actually do them.” “People do business with people they like and see commonalities with.” Connect with Lacey Newman: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedwithlacey Other: DM her on Instagram and let her know you heard her on the show 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

After releasing over 1,500 podcast episodes and interviewing more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, creators, and thinkers, Travis Chappell takes a step back for a solo episode—sharing what he would stop doing immediately if he had to start over. On this episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis gets candid about the habits and decisions that cost him years of progress, hundreds of thousands in missed opportunity, and unnecessary stress. From comparing himself to others and punishing himself for failure, to avoiding marketing and neglecting his health, this episode is a raw look at the lessons that only come from experience. If you’re building a business, chasing big goals, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this conversation will help you recognize common traps—and avoid wasting time the way Travis did early on. On this episode we talk about: Why comparing yourself to others quietly destroys momentum How beating yourself up after failures can cost you years of progress The importance of stepping back up to the plate after setbacks Why Travis avoided marketing—and how much it likely cost him The wake-up call that forced him to finally take his health seriously How selling investments too early led to massive missed equity Learning when to out-hustle financial pressure instead of cashing out assets Top 3 Takeaways Failure only becomes permanent when you stop trying—learn fast and keep moving. If there’s a skill standing between you and your goals, avoiding it only delays success. Short-term comfort can cost long-term wealth—protect your investments whenever possible. Notable Quotes “You don’t have to bench yourself just because you struck out.” “You either win or you learn—there is no failure.” “Stop avoiding the thing you know is the unlock.” 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

In this episode, Travis sits down with his friend Eric for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about preparation, confidence, and showing up at your best—whether you’re hosting a podcast, pitching a deal, or stepping on stage. Eric brings thoughtful insight and humor as they unpack Travis’s journey from scripted interviews to confident conversations, including lessons learned from interviewing high-profile guests like Grant Cardone. This episode is a masterclass in preparation, presence, and building credibility through intentional connection. On this episode we talk about: When to over-prepare vs. when to trust your experience How Travis evolved from scripted interviews to natural conversations What interviewing Grant Cardone taught Travis about confidence and control Why asking different questions builds stronger relationships with high-level guests How preparation directly impacts branding, opportunities, and income Top 3 Takeaways Preparation compounds — every conversation, interview, and connection is a chance to strengthen your brand and credibility. High performers respect hosts who do their homework and take them off autopilot. Confidence comes from reps: doing thousands of conversations is its own form of preparation. Notable Quotes “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.” “Even if someone has more money or fame than you, it’s still your show — you’re allowed to run the frame.” “It’s not about asking better questions — it’s about asking different ones.” Connect with Travis: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travismakesfriends/videos 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

Ryan D. Lee is the founder of Wealth Outside Wall Street and co-creator of the Passive Income Machine. After watching his 401k get crushed in the 2008 market crash, Ryan walked away from traditional investing and built financial freedom in under 10 years using alternative assets—primarily turnkey single-family real estate. Through Money Mastery, Ryan has helped thousands of everyday investors place over 3,000 rental homes and create predictable cash flow. In this episode, Ryan breaks down how he transitioned from a six-figure corporate career to owning his time—and how you can start building wealth outside Wall Street today. On this episode we talk about: Why Ryan left Wall Street after the 2008 crash and started investing in alternative assets How turnkey real estate works and why Ryan prefers single-family homes The difference between making money and keeping money—and why most people get it wrong How to evaluate real estate deals using cash-on-cash returns Why inflation and taxes can either destroy your wealth or help build it Top 3 Takeaways It’s not what you make—it’s what you keep and how you turn it into passive income that buys your time back. Turnkey real estate allows you to own cash-flowing assets without becoming a landlord or property manager. Financial freedom comes from raising your financial intelligence and putting inflation and taxes to work for you—not against you. Notable Quotes “Money is really just a tool to give people more options in their life.” “I want my life to be exciting—but I want my money to be boring.” “If you take control of your money and raise your financial intelligence, financial freedom in 10 years or less becomes possible.” Connect with Ryan D. Lee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-d-lee-31838b304/ Website: https://ryandlee.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theryandlee Book: https://retirein10years.com/book 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