Travis Makes Money

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric dive into the wild world of door-to-door selling—reacting to some of the most painfully awkward sales videos on the internet. From cringe-worthy “Karen” interactions to clueless pitches, the two unpack what not to do when trying to close a deal. With laughter, role-playing, and a little sales therapy, they uncover why emotional intelligence still beats any script. On this episode we talk about: The worst door-to-door sales tactics caught on camera Why self-awareness matters more than a sales pitch The art of knowing when to walk away from a “no” How not to represent your business online The hilarious (and humbling) lessons from Travis and Eric’s own early sales days Top 3 Takeaways Confidence is good—persistence without awareness is just annoying. Filming your bad interactions doesn’t make you authentic; it makes you unhireable. Good sales come down to respect, timing, and tone—not endless rebuttals. Notable Quotes “There’s a difference between bugging the hell out of people and doing your job right.” “If someone tells you to leave, just move on—there’s another door next to it.” “If your whole sales pitch goes viral because it’s bad, that’s not marketing, that’s a red flag.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: @travischappell YouTube: Travis Makes Money Website: 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, Travis and producer Eric turn up the heat as they break down the real vs. fake side of the business influencer world. From internet gurus to billion-dollar founders, they ask the tough questions most podcasts avoid—like who’s pretending, who’s giving bad advice from their ivory tower, and who would actually survive starting over from zero. On this episode we talk about: The difference between a real entrepreneur and an online persona Why so much business advice only works if you’re already rich The influencers who couldn’t rebuild if they lost everything The fine line between helpful inspiration and harmful messaging How flashy “success stories” twist the meaning of ethics and authenticity Top 3 Takeaways Many creators give advice that sounds profound—but only makes sense once you’ve already made your millions. Real entrepreneurs lead with integrity and consistency. Their offline life should match their online brand. Before acting on anyone’s advice, ask yourself: “Does this apply to my current reality?” Context matters more than charisma. Notable Quotes “It’s easy to say ‘just be happy’ when you’ve already got millions in the bank.” “Too many people copy characters they built online and forget who they really are.” “I filter everything through two questions: Is it useful, and does it hurt other people?” Connect with Travis Chappell:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell• Other (Website): https://travischappell.com  Travis Makes Money is brought to you 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 and Eric dive deep into the minds of today’s top business influencers and creators — Gary Vaynerchuk, Alex Hormozi, Naval Ravikant, and Sharran Srivatsaa. Eric shares his take on what makes each one powerful, influential, and sometimes… a little overrated. With humor, hot takes, and honest reflection, this episode uncovers the truth behind influencer hype and what actually creates long-term business success. On this episode we talk about: Which business influencers truly earn their hype Why copying creators like Alex Hormozi misses the real point The underrated genius of Sharran Srivatsaa How context matters when following Gary Vee’s advice The psychology behind imitation, credibility, and influence Top 3 Takeaways Imitating someone’s style—like Alex Hormozi’s yellow-text captions—won’t make you successful. Imitate their work ethic and strategy instead. Gary Vee’s “hustle” mindset only works if you understand the deeper message of self-awareness and finding what you love. True influence doesn’t come from virality. It comes from credibility, consistent value, and playing the long game. Notable Quotes “Copying someone’s font or video format doesn’t build authority—it’s the thousand hours of mastery behind it that matter.” “It’s dangerous to take any advice out of context, especially if you haven’t done the real work behind the scenes.” “When Alex Hormozi came on the scene, it wasn’t luck. It was a grenade of credibility, volume, and great content all hitting at once.” Connect with Travis Chappell: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell • Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell • Other (Website): 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 of Travis Makes Money, Travis and Eric have a fun, insightful conversation about their personal “Mount Rushmore” of business influencers and how those voices have shaped the way they think about work, money, and success. From early inspirations like Gary Vaynerchuk to deep thinkers like Naval Ravikant, plus polarizing giants like Grant Cardone, they unpack what these leaders get right, what people copy wrong, and which ideas are actually worth modeling in your own life. On this episode we talk about: Why Gary V is still a no-brainer top spot on Travis’s business influencer Mount Rushmore How Naval Ravikant blends real-world success with philosopher-level clarity The difference between thinkers (like Adam Grant) and doers (like operators and founders) Why people misunderstand Alex Hormozi and Grant Cardone—and what they actually do well How Travis and Eric each define their own Mount Rushmore of business and productivity mentors Top 3 Takeaways The best influences are a mix of operators and thinkers—people who’ve actually built businesses and can clearly explain how they did it. Copying someone’s routines, style, or “persona” rarely works; the real leverage comes from adopting their principles, not their aesthetics. You should build your own Mount Rushmore based on what truly shifts your behavior and mindset, not on who is the most popular or least controversial. Notable Quotes “You’re looking in the 20% of their productivity for your 80%, and that’s not where the real results come from.” “You can order Chipotle all you want, but it’s not going to make you Alex Hormozi.” “Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest when you’ve got money in the bank.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other (Website): https://travischappell.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis sits down with Eric in the studio for a hilarious and insightful deep dive into the world of online sales training. Together, they react to viral clips from well-known sales coach Andy Elliott—an infamous personality whose aggressive methods, animated delivery, and controversial reputation make him one of the most polarizing figures in modern sales culture. On this episode we talk about: The fine line between confidence and cringe in sales training videos Why aggression and fake enthusiasm rarely work in real sales How “high empathy” and curiosity can instantly make you a better communicator The viral rise (and fall) of Andy Elliott and what that says about social media influence Practical, down-to-earth ways to handle objections and keep people talking Top 3 Takeaways The best salespeople don’t shout—they listen longer and ask better questions. Controlling your tone and energy is more persuasive than trying to “dominate a room.” Modern buyers recognize authenticity—if it feels scripted, it won’t work. Notable Quotes “It’s your only job to keep the conversation going. Just keep asking more questions.” – Travis “People buy from real humans, not caricatures of confidence.” – Eric “Before you became who you are online, you were probably a really good salesperson.” – Travis Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com  Travis Makes Money is powered by HighLevel – the all-in-one sales and 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

On this episode, Travis and his producer Eric break down a powerful Quentin Tarantino clip about being “dream adjacent” and how that concept applies to chasing your own ambitions. Through Tarantino’s story of leaving a comfortable-but-stagnant video store job and moving closer to Hollywood, Travis unpacks what it really takes to stop circling your dream and start living it. The conversation hits on environment, networking, brutally honest self-audits, and why changing your surroundings might be the most practical first step toward the life you actually want. On this episode we talk about: What it means to be “dream adjacent” instead of truly living your dream How Tarantino’s story shows the danger of staying in “good enough” environments Why your environment quietly shapes your future more than your intentions do The power of brutally honest self-reflection (the “Detest Fest”) How changing rooms, cities, and inputs can fast-track your growth Top 3 Takeaways Being “dream adjacent” feels comfortable, but it can quietly put your ambition to sleep if you stay there too long. Your environment will either reinforce your current identity or pull you toward the person you want to become—changing it is often the fastest lever you can pull. Radical honesty about where you are, paired with decisive action (moving, changing rooms, changing inputs), is what turns vague dreams into real progress. Notable Quotes “It’s not my dream what I’m doing, but it’s dream adjacent.” – Quentin Tarantino (clip discussed in the episode) “You can have any life you want, but you can’t have every life you want.” – Travis “Your outputs are directly influenced by your inputs, so if you can’t change your environment yet, change what you’re feeding your mind.” – Travis Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/traviscchappell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Website: 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

Sara Blackmer is not your typical CEO. A decorated U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel turned award-winning tech executive, Sara brings battlefield precision and boardroom credibility to her ventures. As a senior partner at Salaiko Capital and CEO of FluidLogic, she blends her passion for service, technology, and leadership to create cultures of excellence and drive innovation. On this episode we talk about: What 15 generations of military service taught Sara about leadership and resilience How she transitioned from the Air Force to high-level tech entrepreneurship Building a problem-solving mindset that thrives in both combat and corporate environments Why following your curiosity can lead to your dream career—one you didn’t even know existed The science of hydration and why most people aren’t “doing water right” Top 3 Takeaways Your career path doesn’t need to be linear—focus on your “why,” give 110%, and opportunities will find you. True leadership starts with service, whether it’s for your country, your team, or your customers. Hydration is a simple yet overlooked performance multiplier—mastering it can dramatically improve focus and recovery. Notable Quotes “You can have any life you want, but you can’t have every life you want.” “There is no one right path—your job is to bring 110% to whatever you’re doing right now.” “If you just do water right, you’ll be amazed at how much better your body performs.” Connect with Sara Blackmer: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarablackmer Website: fluidlogic.com Company: solycocapital.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 co-hosted episode, Travis and Eric riff on TED vs. TEDx, the evolution of “thought leadership,” and why people love to critique things that have genuinely helped millions. They also dig into how ideas spread today, the difference between real credibility and checkbox credentials, and why simple, boring actions still beat fancy labels when it comes to actually making money. On this episode we talk about: *  Whether TED and TEDx talks still matter for credibility in 2026*  Why not all “bestselling author” or “TEDx speaker” titles are created equal*  How great ideas rise above the noise regardless of the label on them*  Why people love to criticize helpful platforms instead of doing the work themselves*  When a TEDx talk or self-published book is actually worth doing for your brand Top 3 Takeaways 1.  There’s a massive difference between a TED talk and a TEDx talk—one is a global, highly curated stage, the other is much more accessible and variable in quality.2.  Labels like “TEDx speaker” or “bestselling author” can help, but only if the underlying work is excellent; the best ideas and books win because they’re good, not because of the stamp.3.  Time spent tearing down platforms that help millions is usually better spent creating something great yourself and letting the market decide its value. Notable Quotes *  “If you don’t like it, just don’t watch it—you don’t need a Reddit thesis about why something that helps people is dumb.”*  “It’s the difference between an Amazon bestseller and a New York Times bestseller—same label, wildly different signal.”*  “You have to earn the right not to do the things you don’t like to do.” Connect with Travis: *  Travis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell*  Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell*  Podcast: Travis Makes Money on all major podcast platforms - leave a review and we'll love you forever!*  Website: 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

Dr. Christiane Schroeter is a TEDx speaker, leadership strategist, and host of the top 1% ranked Happy Healthy Hustle podcast, where she helps leaders think clearly, speak with conviction, and take bold, aligned action during times of change. With roots in Germany, a PhD in applied economics from Purdue, and a career spanning academia, innovation, and entrepreneurship, she brings a unique blend of research-backed insight and real-world hustle to help people grow without burning out. On this episode we talk about: *  How early money lessons from her grandmother shaped Christiane’s hustle and savings habits*  Leaving free university in Germany to study in the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship*  Why you should never put a hard monetary cap on education and personal growth*  The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset (and why “you’re so smart” can be harmful)*  How to speak to your kids (and yourself) in ways that encourage effort, curiosity, and resilience*  The unexpected ways podcasting sharpens your thinking, communication, and professional network Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Small, consistent actions—like saving a few dollars a week—compound into meaningful results over time, whether in money, skills, or opportunities.2.  A growth mindset is built by praising effort, curiosity, and problem-solving, not innate “smartness,” which keeps you from avoiding challenges out of fear of failure.3.  Creating content, such as a podcast, is a powerful way to clarify your thinking, expand your global reach, and organically deepen your professional network. Notable Quotes *  “It doesn’t need to be a lot, but if you save it every single week, it really compounds into quite a nice sum of money.”*  “First we fail and then we sail.”*  “You can’t put a monetary value on the people you meet in life and the opportunities you have to build your network.” Connect with Dr. Christiane Schroeter: *  Podcast: Happy Healthy Hustle (available on all major podcast platforms)*  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doctor.christiane*  Books: https://doctorchristiane.com/books/*  Other: https://doctorchristiane.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

On today's episode, Travis and Eric break down some of the most common “popular” pieces of advice in entrepreneurship and personal development—and why blindly following them can keep you broke and stuck. Through stories, examples, and a lot of banter, they unpack how to actually think about risk, focus, multiple income streams, and the balance between working smart and working hard in 2026’s economic reality. On this episode we talk about: *  Why “just quit your job and follow your dreams” can be both powerful and dangerous depending on your life situation*  The truth about “multiple streams of income” and why you should usually master one thing first*  Why “work smarter, not harder” is incomplete—and how combining both is where real money is made*  How simple, boring advice (like calorie deficits and cold calls) still beats sexy hacks and magic bullets*  Why there is never just “one way” to succeed, despite what many gurus preach from the stage Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Pursuing your dream is worth it—but timing, responsibilities, and cash flow matter; the path looks very different at 21 with no obligations than at 44 with a family and a mortgage.2.  Most wealthy people have multiple income streams, but they usually earn that diversification by going all-in on one vehicle first, then expanding within their lane.3.  Success is almost always a mix of working smart and hard, consistently doing the unsexy, high-ROI activities (like cold calling or outreach) that everyone else avoids. Notable Quotes *  “Putting off your dreams for the sake of safety and security can end up being the biggest risk you take.”*  “You have to earn the right not to do the things you don’t like to do.”*  “It’s always the most boring, simple advice that actually works—and that’s exactly why most people ignore it.” Connect with Travis: *  Travis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell*  Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell*  Podcast: Travis Makes Money on all major platforms - leave a review and we'll love you forever!  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