Travis Makes Money

Dan Simons is the co-owner of Farmers Restaurant Group, a mission-driven hospitality company behind the award-winning Founding Farmers brand, in partnership with the North Dakota Farmers Union. The group operates eight sustainably run restaurants, a distillery, and a catering company, all with one goal: to drive profits back to American family farmers while redefining how restaurants can serve people, planet, and profit in equal measure. On this episode we talk about: How Dan fell in love with teamwork and hospitality in college bar jobs His corporate climb from restaurant manager to VP and the turning point that pushed him into entrepreneurship Going broke—twice—before building a $100M restaurant business The three-year stretch living in his mother-in-law’s basement while starting over Lessons from failed ventures, debt, and the mindset shift that built a thriving farmer-owned enterprise Why creating a people-centric culture is not just good ethics—it’s good business Top 3 Takeaways Success is built through failure; each failure is an ingredient in your eventual success recipe. Find your deeper “why.” Profit is what happens when your purpose solves real problems for people. There’s never a perfect time or enough money—start smart, stay lean, and play the long game. Notable Quotes “You’ll never have enough money. So stop waiting and start building.” “We gave customers what we thought they needed—not what they wanted. That’s how we failed our first restaurant.” “Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of it.” Connect with Dan Simons: https://www.dansimonssays.com/ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 The Travis Makes Money podcast is powered by High Level—the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform for agencies, by an agency. 🎁 Get your extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shane Barker is the Founder and CEO of TraceFuse, the first Amazon-approved system for removing fraudulent negative reviews. With more than 25 years of marketing experience supporting Fortune 500 brands, Shane is a leading voice in digital influence and e-commerce integrity. His mission now: to protect honest Amazon sellers from fake reviews that destroy small business reputations—and give power back to real entrepreneurs. On this episode we talk about: The dark side of online reviews and how companies like Yelp and Amazon impact small business survival Why TraceFuse became the first Amazon Terms of Service–compliant solution for negative review removal The two-year grind it took to “crack the code” building TraceFuse from scratch Lessons learned from earlier startup failures and how to decide whether to quit or double down The danger of burnout, managing personal finances, and hiring a team that can keep you grounded How mentorship can shortcut the expensive learning curve for new entrepreneurs Top 3 Takeaways Review manipulation crushes small businesses—but true innovation means fixing broken systems without breaking the rules. Entrepreneurs often mistake constant growth for success; real wealth comes from clarity, focus, and sustainable scaling. Mentorship is a shortcut to mastery—paying for expertise can save years of trial, error, and wasted money. Notable Quotes “Yelp is like the mob—they’ll tell you, ‘Pay us, or those reviews stay hidden.’” “It took two years to figure out how to do it right, but now we’ve removed over 14,000 fake reviews.” “If you’re going to bet on something, bet on yourself. But get someone who’s already done it to help you place that bet smarter.” Connect with Shane Barker: Website: ShaneBarker.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 The Travis Makes Money podcast is powered by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & 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

Patrick Leddin is a leadership expert, bestselling author, decorated Army veteran, and founder of two successful companies. As a former Airborne Ranger and 82nd Airborne officer, senior consultant at KPMG and Franklin Covey, and Vanderbilt professor, Patrick has coached thousands of people to lead through challenge and change. He’s the author of The Five-Week Leadership Challenge and, with James Patterson, the new book Disrupt Everything: Win and Take Control of Your Future. On this episode we talk about: Patrick’s unlikely journey from floundering college dropout and Army recruit to multimillion-dollar entrepreneur and bestselling author How the military taught him discipline and the value of following clear steps and systems Building and exiting a consulting company with his wife—from side hustle to full-time to acquisition Why “betting on yourself” can unlock more security and fulfillment than any traditional “safe” career path Insights from “Disrupt Everything”: Defining purpose, thriving under adversity, and finding opportunity in uncertainty Behind the scenes on co-authoring with James Patterson, blending powerful storytelling with actionable business wisdom Top 3 Takeaways Most “overnight” entrepreneurs start with side hustles, lots of hours, and calculated risk—build your skillset, then leap when the moment is right. Define your mission, values, and purpose early, and you’ll weather any disruption or crisis thrown your way. True opportunity is often found in chaos—if you’re willing to pivot and act when everyone else hesitates. Notable Quotes “If you can fail at what you don’t want, you may as well take a chance on what you love.” “At some point, you need to ask, do you want a safe job—or would you rather bet on yourself?” “Times of uncertainty are fertile ground for opportunity—if you’re clear on your purpose, you can disrupt everything and win.” Connect with Patrick Leddin: Website: patrickleddin.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

Scott Harris is the founder of Magnetic Real Estate and a Wall Street Journal Top 150 agent, with over $2 billion in New York City residential sales. Creator of the Magnetic Method, Scott has guided clients through some of the most complex deals in America’s most competitive market. In this episode, he shares his journey from warehouse shifts and music tours to building a seven-figure real estate career—and reveals what it really takes to thrive in real estate, no matter the market. On this episode we talk about: How growing up around family businesses built his work ethic and networking skills The pivotal leap from music and performing to top-tier real estate success What it actually takes to stand out (and survive) in a hyper-competitive city like NYC Why adding value and making authentic connections lead to repeat business and powerful referrals Building your schedule, handling time-wasters, and why agents who “go all in” thrive long-term The truth about timing, mindset, market cycles, and why now might be the best time to jump in Top 3 Takeaways Most success in real estate comes from sheer volume, discipline, and relentless networking—not luck or unique ideas. Relationship building, genuine curiosity, and giving without expectation are the real differentiators in crowded markets. Don’t let market conditions scare you—some of the greatest fortunes are made in tough economies when others get scared off. Notable Quotes “If you add enough value and connect people, it always comes back. That’s just the law of reciprocity.” “87% of agents wash out before year five—but if you’re willing to do the volume, you’ll beat the odds.” “Every market has opportunity; your belief, vision, and action matter more than interest rates.” Connect with Scott Harris: pursueyourhome.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

Mitch Matthews is a bestselling keynote speaker, podcast host, and business coach who has taught over 1,000 coaches and speakers how to build seven-figure businesses through speaking, training, and corporate sponsorships. From selling bicycles as a kid to running a multimillion-dollar coaching business, Mitch has built a life around helping others unlock their potential, scale their influence, and make more money by mastering the art and mindset of sales. On this episode we talk about: Mitch’s journey from bike shop stalker to professional speaker and business coach Lessons learned from tough B2B and pharmaceutical sales environments How to transition from corporate to entrepreneurship (the “side hustle to full launch” blueprint) Why selling is one of the purest forms of service when done right The mental shifts needed to stop seeing sales as manipulation and start seeing it as value creation Top 3 Takeaways Sales is not slimy—it’s an art form that creates win-win outcomes when rooted in authenticity and curiosity. Every successful entrepreneur must learn to sell—because if you can’t sell your idea, product, or service, no one will. True sales mastery is built on reps, rejection, and resilience—every “no” brings you closer to the right client. Notable Quotes “I started with a passion for bikes but quickly shifted to a passion for entrepreneurship.” “If you rush the sale, you build walls. If you serve first, you build trust.” “Half the world benefits from someone selling something every day—they just choose not to call it sales.” Connect with Mitch Matthews: Website: MitchMatthews.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

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 ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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

Sun Yong Kim-Manzolini is a lifestyle mentor, accomplished options trader, and CEO of Lush Enterprises LLC. Rising from humble roots as an orphan, Sun Yong became a millionaire by combining relentless discipline with smart trading—transforming her husband’s $164,000 account into $604,000 in under a year. She now inspires and teaches everyday people how to build skills for real, leveraged wealth through options, mindset, and self-belief. On this episode we talk about: The pivot from medical assistant to self-taught options trader after retirement How Sun Yong learned and practiced trading for over a year before risking any real money The power of discipline, schedule, and goal-setting for consistent financial growth Handling risk and loss with a positive mindset (including her own $50,000 loss—and six-fold gain) Why the barrier to entry is not knowledge, but the willingness to put in consistent work Top 3 Takeaways True financial change demands building new skills, setting daily routines, and investing in personal education. Consistent, disciplined trading with defined weekly/monthly goals creates sustainable results—not lottery wins. Mindset matters as much as strategy; treat money as a tool, not an end, to avoid unhealthy cycles and emotional traps. Notable Quotes “Most people take the freedom of retirement and avoid the work. I chose to create freedom by building new skills.” “If I gave up after losing $50,000, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” “Money, used as a tool for opportunity, completely changes your life’s trajectory.” Connect with Sun Yong Kim-Manzolini: https://www.instagram.com/author_sun_yong/ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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

John Baird and Edward Sullivan are world-class executive coaches, best known for their work with Apple’s leadership team and top innovators at companies like Nike. Together, they’ve coached founders and Fortune 10 executives, helping leaders grow from “Chief-Everything-Officer” to visionary CEO. In this episode, they break down the mindsets and tactical shifts needed to scale—whether running a scrappy startup or a global powerhouse. On this episode we talk about: How the best leaders delegate and coach their teams for sustainable growth Shifting from doing it all to long-term strategy (and why it’s so hard to let go) The three priorities of a high-functioning CEO: cash, talent, and vision Practical tactics for transitioning out of daily tasks as the business scales Mentorship, coaching, and the difference between advisor and leader mindset Top 3 Takeaways Scaling requires pushing major decisions down into the org—not hoarding them at the top. World-class CEOs invest in talent and vision as much as product or operations. Great leadership isn’t just delegation—it’s developing decision-makers at every level. Notable Quotes “As quickly as possible, push strategic decisions down into the organization.” “Your best value is spent on cash, talent, and vision—not clinging to every daily detail.” “Coaching your team to see through your lens is how real scale happens.” Connect with John Baird & Edward Sullivan: Website: VelocityCoaching.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

Aleric Heck is one of the world’s top YouTube advertising experts. He’s spent millions driving results for his clients and teaches entrepreneurs how to use YouTube ads to grow brands and generate real leads. As the founder of AdOutreach and YouTube Ads Academy, Aleric combines paid and organic strategies to help creators boost their YouTube presence—without sabotaging the algorithm or resorting to fake engagement. On this episode we talk about: How paid traffic really affects your YouTube channel (and when it actually harms it) The difference between in-stream and in-feed ads—and which one drives authentic growth Using YouTube’s new Boost feature wisely for channel growth Why “buying subscribers” wrecks your watch time and channel authority How to test and amplify top-performing videos for smart channel scaling Top 3 Takeaways Boosting videos is powerful—when you use in-feed ads, not skippable in-stream ads. YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes real watch time and retention—not fake views or subscriber spikes. Paid advertising should amplify content that’s already performing, not cover up weak videos or content gaps. Notable Quotes “The problem isn’t running ads—it’s using them the wrong way.” “If your content is weak, no amount of paid exposure will make it last—it actually kills your watch time.” “YouTube’s Boost feature just validates what we’ve known: authentic promotion supports real growth.” Connect with Aleric Heck: Website: AdOutreach.com Instagram: @alericheck ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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

Dan Martell is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and bestselling author of Buy Back Your Time, a blueprint for entrepreneurs who want to scale their business without losing their life in the process. After building and exiting multiple software companies, Dan shifted into teaching founders how to grow, systemize, and hire effectively—creating more freedom and profitability. His book, traditionally published with Penguin Random House, became an instant bestseller and sparked conversations about entrepreneurship, publishing, and building evergreen content. On this episode we talk about: Why Dan chose traditional publishing for his first book—and why he’d never do it again The realities of book advances, royalties, and creative control in traditional publishing The pros and cons of self-publishing vs going with a major house What it takes to create a perennial seller book that stands the test of time How Buy Back Your Time became an evergreen global bestseller beyond the business niche Top 3 Takeaways Traditional publishers offer credibility—but give away control over how you use your book as an asset. Self-publishing today allows creators to own their IP, control marketing, and build long-term ROI. The best books aren’t funnels; they expand their category’s body of knowledge and last for decades. Notable Quotes “I didn’t need the advance. I just wanted to learn—and, honestly, a little ego.” “Traditional publishing feels great for credibility, but you lose control of your own product.” “I wrote Buy Back Your Time to create something evergreen—something that actually adds to the body of knowledge.” Connect with Dan Martell: Website: DanMartell.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