Travis Makes Money Make Money by Doing Things a Better Way
Nov 16, 2025
Nelson Repenning and Don Kieffer, both professors at MIT Sloan, dive into their fascinating journey from early jobs to impactful careers in academia. They share how childhood experiences shape money habits and offer practical advice for parents teaching financial literacy. The duo recounts their serendipitous meeting at Harley-Davidson that sparked a 30-year collaboration and discusses the challenges of improving knowledge work over factory jobs. Their new book emphasizes that better systems—not harder work—lead to greater success and employee satisfaction.
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Early Jobs Shaped Career Views
- Nelson Repenning earned early money babysitting and sweeping floors at a bike shop to fund his cycling habit.
- His mother later started a family business at age 50 and ran it for decades, shaping his view of entrepreneurship.
Paper Routes And Typing For Cash
- Don Kieffer delivered an afternoon paper route and typed for his mother's local newspaper to earn money as a kid.
- His father was an accountant and his siblings and family work ethic influenced his early skills and opportunities.
Let Kids Handle Real Money
- Give children limited money and let them make purchase decisions to learn scarcity and choice.
- Match parent subsidy to avoid demoralizing kids while preserving the link between saving and reward.
