Travis Makes Money

Jess Burgio is a podcast mentor, business coach, and the host of "Unscripted," a top 1.5% podcast where she shares raw insights on business strategy, personal growth, and audience expansion. With a background in the beauty industry as a salon owner and hair/makeup artist, Jess has successfully pivoted to helping creators build authentic personal brands and launch their own podcasts. Her unique blend of creative entrepreneurship and practical coaching makes her a standout guest for anyone looking to leverage podcasting for both personal and financial growth. On this episode we talk about: – How Jess transitioned from the beauty industry to podcasting and coaching – The mindset shifts required to break income ceilings in creative industries – Why podcasting is a powerful tool for building personal brands and authority-even with a small audience – Creative ways to monetize a podcast, from sponsorships to selling your own offers – The importance of networking, relationship capital, and the unexpected opportunities that come from podcasting Top 3 Takeaways 1. Podcasting accelerates personal branding and authority: Even if you have a small audience, consistently showing up with a well-produced podcast positions you as an expert and opens doors to new opportunities. 2. Monetization is multi-faceted: Income from podcasting can come directly (sponsorships, free products, guest monetization) or indirectly (selling coaching, courses, or masterminds to listeners who trust you). 3. The real ROI is in relationships and discovery: Podcasting helps you build a powerful network, learn from diverse guests, and uncover new business opportunities you might never have considered. Connect with Jess Burgio: Website: https://www.jessicaburgio.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaburgio/ Podcast: https://www.jessicaburgio.com/podcast Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visit GoHighLevel.com/Travis to try the ultimate all-in-one CRM platform. Varun Vairavan is the co-founder and CTO of GoHighLevel, a leading SaaS platform empowering marketing agencies and businesses to automate and scale their operations. With over a decade of experience in software engineering and product development, Varun’s journey began as a computer whiz in his school years and evolved through roles at Plivo and Adaptavant Technology Solutions before he co-founded GoHighLevel in 2018. Driven by a passion for practical problem-solving and a vision to help small and medium businesses succeed, Varun played a pivotal role in building GoHighLevel from the ground up, focusing on innovative solutions for web directory listings, reputation management, appointment booking, and multi-channel customer engagement. His technical leadership and commitment to customer feedback have been instrumental in transforming GoHighLevel into a global platform serving thousands of agencies and businesses. Based in Qatar, Varun continues to lead GoHighLevel’s engineering and product teams, championing a remote-first culture and pushing the boundaries of CRM and AI-driven business automation. Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visit GoHighLevel.com/Travis to try the ultimate all-in-one CRM platform. Brice is the executive director for Mile High Sober Living and an active member of Denver’s sober community. He believes that life is about “things to do and people to do them with”. Brice regularly exercises and goes to the gym, he plays guitar, likes music, art, spirituality, constant self-improvement, and spending time with his son. In a previous life, he owned a live music bar and was surrounded by active alcoholism and addiction and now is surrounded by recovery. He is a realtor and the president of a 501c3 non-profit called Musicians Recovery Project which raises money for treatment for those with limited resources in early recovery. Connect with Brice: http://www.milehighrecoverycenter.comhttp://www.milehighsoberliving.com Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Barnum often referred to as the “King of Referrals,” is an award winning serial entrepreneur, coach, consultant, speaker, trainer, and workshop leader. He serves as CEO of HOA.COM – the #1 Referral Network for Home Service Professionals, and as the Chairman of the Board for The Champions Institute. He is also the author of four #1 best selling books in the Raving Referrals book series. He is a highly sought-after expert in referrals, marketing, sales, joint ventures, business development, and business growth strategies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Visit GoHighLevel.com/Travis to try the ultimate all-in-one CRM platform. Shaun Clark is the CEO and co-founder of HighLevel (also known as GoHighLevel), a leading all-in-one white-label marketing and CRM platform designed to empower agencies, consultants, and businesses to automate their operations, enhance client delivery, and drive growth. Since co-founding HighLevel in 2018, Clark has played a pivotal role in scaling the company to serve over 20,000 agency owners, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for lead generation, messaging, payment analytics, scheduling, and more Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. John Delony earned his Bachelor of Arts in humanities and psychology at Lubbock Christian University and his Masters of Education in higher education administration from Texas Tech University. He went on to earn two PhDs from Texas Tech University—one in counselor education and supervision, and the other in higher education administration. Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amina AITai is a business and career coach, proud immigrant and chronic illness advocate. A leading coach to notable female leaders and impact-driven celebrities-Amina’s mastery is in connecting us to our brilliance and teaching us to live and lead from it each day. As a woman of color of Iraqi descent, she often works with underrepresented communities to help them realize possibilities in a way that honors their particular lived experiences. She’s a Success Magazine 125 Leaders Finalist, A Forbes Contributor, an Entrepreneur Magazine expert-in-residence and has been featured In The New York Times, goop, NBC, Entrepreneur and more. She is working on her first book The Ambition Trap in collaboration with Penguin and The Open Field and is the host of the Amina Change Your Life Podcast. For her corporate work, Amina has partnered with progressive companies such as Deloitte, Roku, Snapchat, Google, Y&R, Outdoor Voices, NYU and HUGE. Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mel Stubbs is a seasoned financial planner at Christy Capital Management, specializing in helping federal employees navigate the complexities of retirement. With over a decade of experience, Mel stands out for his deep expertise in federal benefits, practical financial planning, and his ability to break down complex topics for everyday listeners. Beyond his advisory work, Mel has built a loyal YouTube following, where he shares actionable financial advice, and is also the author of a book aimed at guiding federal employees through critical retirement decisions. On this episode we talk about: – How Mel made his first dollar (cutting grass) and most recent dollar (book royalties) – The power of niche content creation and building trust online – Key retirement planning decisions for federal employees and beyond – Tax planning strategies: Roth vs. traditional accounts and the impact of future tax rates – Side hustles and second careers for government employees approaching retirement – Asset allocation, diversification, and the role of income-producing investments – Mistakes to avoid with taxable accounts and required minimum distributions – Advice for young people on maximizing Roth contributions and planning for the long term – The complexity of the tax code and how to leverage incentives for better outcomes Top 3 Takeaways 1. Niche content can drive real business results. You don’t need a million followers; a dedicated audience-even in the thousands-can lead to meaningful opportunities and income, especially when you’re serving a specific need. 2. Tax planning is crucial at every stage. Understanding the difference between Roth and traditional retirement accounts-and making decisions based on your current and future tax brackets-can save you significant money over time. 3. Retirement is about more than money-it’s about purpose. Many federal employees use their financial security to launch side businesses or passion projects in retirement, emphasizing the importance of planning for both finances and fulfillment. Connect with Mel Stubbs: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-stubbs-3051a6105 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ0_k5PItPk Website: https://christycapital.com/ For more insights on making, saving, and growing your money, subscribe to the Travis Makes Money podcast. Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chase Chewning joins Travis on this episode of the Travis Makes Money podcast. Chase is an Army veteran, wellness influencer, entrepreneur, and the host of Ever Forward Radio, a podcast he launched in 2017. He’s also the founder of Operation Podcast, a Los Angeles-based podcast studio and production company that’s grown into a multiple six-figure business. Known for his resilience after a serious military injury and his innovative approach to podcast monetization, Chase brings a unique perspective on building businesses that blend passion, expertise, and adaptability. On this episode we talk about: Chase’s journey from Army service and injury to entrepreneurship and wellness coaching The founding and growth of Ever Forward Radio, including its mission and legacy How Chase monetized his podcast beyond traditional advertising models The evolution of Operation Podcast from online courses to full-service production and physical studios Practical advice for podcasters on sponsorships, affiliate deals, and building local partnerships The business model and economics of running a podcast studio in a major city Lessons learned about customer service, self-promotion, and adapting to industry trends Top 3 Takeaways Monetize Creatively: Don’t rely solely on industry-standard podcast advertising. Combine sponsorships, affiliate deals, and your own products or services to maximize revenue-even with modest download numbers. Know Your Audience: Understanding your listeners’ demographics and geography lets you pitch relevant sponsors and create valuable, targeted partnerships. Build for Demand: Pay attention to what your audience and clients ask for. Chase’s pivot from online courses to done-for-you production and then to physical studios was driven by client demand and market trends. Connect with Chase Chewning: LinkedIn: Chase Chewning’s LinkedIn Twitter/X: @chasechewning Instagram: @chase_chewning Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Selengut is a seasoned investment manager and advisor with over 40 years of experience in the financial industry. He’s managed more than 325 individual portfolios across the U.S. and internationally and is now dedicated to coaching both individuals and other advisors on creating income independence. Steve is the author of “Retirement Money Secrets,” his second book, where he shares practical strategies for building sustainable income and optimizing for retirement. His expertise lies in personalized investment strategies, income-focused portfolios, and demystifying complex financial products for everyday investors. On this episode we talk about: – Steve’s early entrepreneurial ventures and lessons learned from childhood businesses – The influence of family and early exposure to investment principles – The evolution of Steve’s investment strategy, from stocks and bonds to closed-end funds – The mechanics and benefits of closed-end funds for generating income – How to build a diversified, income-focused portfolio with relatively low risk – The current interest rate environment and its impact on different asset classes – Actionable advice for both new and experienced investors looking to create passive income streams – Insights from Steve’s book, “Retirement Money Secrets,” and practical steps for retirement planning Top 3 Takeaways 1. Income-focused investing can create financial independence at any stage of life. Steve emphasizes the importance of building portfolios that generate consistent income, not just relying on appreciation or speculative gains. 2. Closed-end funds offer accessible, diversified, and often overlooked opportunities for high-yield, relatively low-risk investing. These funds can be purchased by almost anyone, require no accreditation, and can be started with modest amounts. 3. Discipline and rules-based investing-such as setting profit targets and reinvesting income-are key to growing wealth and protecting against market volatility. Steve’s approach stresses the value of taking profits, managing risk, and always looking for ways to make your money work for you. Connect with Steve Selengut: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/privateinvestmentmanagement Website: https://theincomecoach.net/book/ Book: Retirement Money Secrets on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Money-Secrets-Financial-Independence-ebook/dp/B0CG2DMFW6 Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices