Travis Makes Money

Eric Jorgenson is the CEO of Scribe Media, the industry's largest professional publishing service, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs, executives, and experts write, publish, and market their books. Eric is also the bestselling author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant and The Anthology of Balaji, with over a million copies sold. Beyond his publishing expertise, Eric is an investor in deep tech startups and an influential blogger and podcaster. His unique journey from author and curator to CEO-especially after helping revive Scribe Media from bankruptcy-makes him a fascinating guest with deep insights into the evolving world of book publishing, authorship, and leveraging books for business growth. On this episode we talk about: – The origin story behind The Almanack of Naval Ravikant and why Eric created it – The rise, fall, and rebirth of Scribe Media-and Eric’s path to CEO – Key differences between traditional publishing, hybrid, and self-publishing models – How books can serve as powerful business assets beyond just royalties – The critical importance of quality and professionalism in publishing – Navigating advances, control, and intellectual property as an author – Why marketing and personal networks now drive book sales more than ever – The realities of bookstore placement, bestseller lists, and the modern publishing landscape Top 3 Takeaways 1. A book is more than a business card-it’s a credential. A well-written, high-quality book can serve as a lifelong asset, building trust, authority, and opening doors for speaking, consulting, and business opportunities. 2. Control and flexibility matter. Traditional publishing can offer credibility and advances, but often at the cost of creative and financial control. Many authors now succeed by self-publishing or using hybrid models, retaining rights and maximizing ROI. 3. Marketing trumps distribution. In today’s landscape, personal networks, podcasts, and word-of-mouth drive more book sales than traditional media or bookstore placement. Demonstrated demand online is what gets books into stores-not the publisher’s logo. Notable Quotes “A good book is much more like a PhD. It’s a credential you should be proud to put in front of whoever the most important person in your network is.” “Half-professional is unprofessional. If you’re not proud to put your book in front of someone, you didn’t invest enough time and effort.” “What really matters most is a great book. Your readers don’t care who published it-they care about the value inside.” Connect with Eric Jorgenson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erjorgenson Website: ejorgenson.com Scribe Media: scribemedia.com Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross Tomkins is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and business acquirer who has raised over $10 million and acquired nearly 20 businesses across two continents. Originally trained as a physiotherapist in the UK, Ross transitioned from hands-on healthcare to building and scaling companies. He recently launched a holding company in the UAE with the goal of generating half a billion dollars in annual revenue within five years. Ross’s journey is a masterclass in creative deal-making, strategic growth, and the mindset required to succeed in business acquisition. On this episode we talk about: How Ross made the leap from employee to entrepreneur by starting a mobile physiotherapy business The critical role of spousal and partner support in entrepreneurial risk-taking Lessons learned from losing a major contract and pivoting to acquisitions Creative deal structures, including 100% seller financing and government-backed loans The importance of operating experience before buying businesses-and why small business acquisition is riskier than it looks How to source acquisition deals through networking, brokers, and outreach The pros and cons of buying small vs. larger businesses Why healthcare remains a resilient and attractive sector for acquisitions Top 3 Takeaways Start with what you know and build credibility. Ross’s journey shows that operating your own business first gives you the credibility and skills needed to succeed in acquisitions2. Creative financing makes acquisitions accessible. Seller financing and government-backed loans can help you buy businesses even if you don’t have large amounts of cash on hand2. Operating skills are essential. Acquiring a business is not a shortcut to passive income-understanding sales, marketing, HR, and operations is critical to avoid running a good business into the ground2. Notable Quotes “My first dollar was me carrying a bed with me to someone’s house and charging them for physiotherapy.”2 “The best conversation we had at the beginning was, ‘Do you want to do it or do you need to do it?’ I needed to do it for myself and my family.”2 “The success rate of small business acquisition is terrible… If you don’t have the necessary mindset and skill set to manage the money, you could take over a beautiful cash-flowing business and run it into the ground.”2 Connect with Ross Tomkins: Website: https://rosstomkins.co.uk/ Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keren Eldad is a renowned executive coach, thought leader, and founder of The Club-a community for leaders, entrepreneurs, and coaches striving to reach their fullest potential. With a client roster that includes Olympic athletes, politicians, Hollywood stars, and global organizations like Estée Lauder, JPMorgan, and Nike, Keren specializes in guiding high achievers out of the endless grind and into true success and fulfillment. Her unique approach blends mindset mastery, wealth consciousness, and actionable strategies, making her a sought-after voice on building both happiness and wealth. On this episode we talk about: Why the traditional path to financial success is broken-and what’s replacing it How Keren shifted from scarcity to abundance thinking (and grew her business 600%) The real meaning of “wealth consciousness” and how to develop it The importance of happiness and gratitude in building lasting wealth Actionable steps to reset your mindset and environment for financial growth Top 3 Takeaways Wealth is as much about mindset as it is about money-developing an abundance mentality is foundational to lasting success. Happiness and financial achievement are not mutually exclusive; building wealth holistically leads to greater fulfillment. Your environment and inputs-what you read, watch, and who you spend time with-directly impact your ability to create wealth. Notable Quotes "No unhappy journey has a happy ending." "Real wealth consciousness is not 'I have.' It's 'I can make it.'" "You have the ability to craft your own environment, which means you control who you become." Connect with Keren Eldad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keren-eldad/recent-activity/all/?trk=public_post_follow-articles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachkeren/# Website: https://kereneldad.com/ Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dionne Payn is a trailblazer in ethical property investment and the founder of Women for Homes, an initiative on a mission to inspire one million women to invest $5,000 each to end homelessness by 2030. With over a decade of experience in the property industry, Dionne has developed affordable housing projects, raised more than $45 million for ethical developments, and helped over 40 investors achieve double-digit returns. She is also the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Ethical Property Investing and a passionate advocate for financial empowerment, especially for women. Dionne’s unique blend of scientific background, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to social impact makes her a standout leader in the world of property investing. On this episode we talk about: – Dionne’s journey from pharmaceutical chemistry to ethical property investing – The pivotal moment that inspired her to pursue financial independence and property ownership – The challenges and rewards of affordable housing projects – How Women for Homes aims to democratize property investment and tackle homelessness – The importance of financial literacy and empowerment for women – Lessons learned from both successes and failures in property development – The role of government, developers, and individuals in solving housing crises Top 3 Takeaways 1. Ethical property investing can generate strong returns while creating meaningful social impact, such as reducing homelessness. 2. Financial empowerment-especially for women-is critical to breaking cycles of disadvantage and creating lasting change. 3. Real estate investing is not without risks, but resilience, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn from setbacks are key to long-term success. Connect with Dionne Payn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionnepayn/?originalSubdomain=au Website: women4homes.com Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nigel Tunnacliffe is the founder and CEO of Coastline Academy, the largest driving school in the United States. Starting from teaching students himself at a single location, Nigel has grown Coastline Academy to serve nine states and hundreds of thousands of students. The company has been recognized as the sixth fastest-growing education company in the U.S. by Inc. magazine. Nigel’s journey is a testament to scaling a hands-on service business into a national operation, all while staying mission-driven and customer-focused. On this episode we talk about: How Nigel made his first dollar selling Magic: The Gathering cards as a kid The transition from side hustles and early businesses to founding Coastline Academy The challenges and pivots involved in launching a mission-driven company Financing a startup with minimal savings, creative fundraising, and lean operations The step-by-step process of scaling from a local service to a national brand Top 3 Takeaways Start Small, Scale Smart: Begin by doing the work yourself to gain firsthand experience and credibility. Each step up-hiring, management, multi-state expansion-should be built on a solid foundation of understanding the business from the ground up. Mission Over Product: Focusing on a core mission (in Coastline’s case, eradicating car crashes) allows you to pivot product ideas while staying true to your purpose. Execution and adaptability matter far more than the initial idea. Creative Survival: Raising just enough money to buy time and cover basic expenses can be enough to get off the ground. Be transparent with investors, get creative with financing (but be cautious), and focus relentlessly on achieving product-market fit before scaling. Notable Quotes "The execution against the idea is literally everything. There’s zero value to the idea that you have. What actually matters is working to figure out if somebody is going to vote that they’re on board for this service existing-and not just vote by giving you a thumbs up, but by actually taking their wallet out and paying you to solve this problem." "For someone just starting out, you don’t need to figure out how to have layers of directors and middle managers and regional operations. You’ve got to figure out how to get enough cash in to cover your costs, and you can do that by just rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work." "Success is like a spiral staircase. You can only see the next couple of steps. You can’t see around the corner… but you can see the next two things you’ve got to do. So just focus on doing those two things and do them extremely well." Connect with Nigel Tunnacliffe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tunnacliffe Website: https://coastlineacademy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastlineacademy/?hl=en Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alice Draper is the founder of Hustling Writers, a podcast guest booking agency, and the host of the podcast My Rejection Story. Alice specializes in making publicity accessible for entrepreneurs and authors by reframing rejection and helping clients secure interviews on top podcasts. With a background in freelance writing and a knack for creative pitching, Alice has placed clients on some of the highest-ranked shows in the industry. Her journey from childhood entrepreneur to agency owner is marked by resourcefulness, resilience, and a passion for helping others share their stories. On this episode we talk about: How Alice made her first dollar as a child entrepreneur selling snacks and trending items at school The evolution from freelance writing to founding a podcast guest booking agency Why podcast guesting is now a powerful form of PR for authors, entrepreneurs, and experts Practical steps to get started in podcast guest booking-including pitching strategies and using software tools How to build a six-figure (or more) business by focusing on niche podcast relationships The importance of crafting standout pitches and leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT The benefits and challenges of running your own podcast, and why guesting is a great way to start Top 3 Takeaways Podcast guesting is a high-impact, accessible form of PR: Getting clients on relevant podcasts can drive book sales, build credibility, and create long-lasting SEO benefits. Success in podcast booking comes down to strong pitching and niche relationships: Learning to write compelling pitches and focusing on a specific podcast category can help you build a profitable agency-even as a solo operator. You don’t need a massive team or upfront investment: With the right tools, a small client base, and a good process, you can start a side hustle or full-time business booking podcast guests, scaling as you grow. Connect with Alice Draper: LinkedIn: https://ae.linkedin.com/in/alice-m-draper Website: https://hustlingwriters.com/ Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Murray-known to millions as “Murr” from the hit TV show Impractical Jokers-joins Travis on the Travis Makes Money podcast. As a founding member of the comedy troupe The Tenderloins, James has spent over a decade turning hidden camera pranks into a cultural phenomenon. Beyond TV, he’s an executive, bestselling author, and live performer. What makes James unique is his journey from TV executive to on-screen star, and his candid insights into the business side of making comedy-and money-in Hollywood. On this episode we talk about: – How James and his friends created and sold Impractical Jokers from scratch – The realities of TV development and why the first thousand ideas are never the best – How little the cast made in the early seasons-and why they stuck with it anyway – The turning point that made Impractical Jokers a network-defining hit – How to leverage TV success into books, tours, and multiple revenue streams Top 3 Takeaways 1. Persistence pays off: The first thousand ideas are usually bad or already taken, but pushing past them leads to truly original concepts. 2. Start small, think big: Even massive TV hits often begin with low pay and uncertainty-success comes from building on small wins and seizing new opportunities. 3. Leverage your platform: TV exposure can be the “mothership” that launches books, tours, and other ventures-attention is a commodity, so use it to multiply your impact and income. Website: jamesmurrayofficial.com Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elijah Lung is a multifamily real estate investor and capital raiser with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Starting his career as a farmhand, Elijah built a multi-seven-figure business in cattle waste management before transitioning into farmland investments and, ultimately, multifamily syndication. His unconventional journey—from managing messy assets to raising millions for large-scale real estate deals—makes him a uniquely insightful guest for anyone interested in building wealth through real estate. On this episode we talk about: Elijah’s journey from farmhand to successful business owner and real estate investor How he built and exited a cattle waste management business Transitioning from farmland investing to multifamily real estate syndication The challenges and realities of raising $1 million for a $39 million multifamily deal Building trust and credibility with investors in the capital raising process Top 3 Takeaways Trust and relationships are everything in capital raising—credibility is built over time, not overnight Success in multifamily investing often comes from persistence, education, and leveraging your network The realities of raising capital are far more challenging than they appear; cold calls, follow-ups, and handling rejection are all part of the process Connect with Elijah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elijahiung Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valerie Morehouse is one of the most sought-after vocal coaches in the entertainment industry, renowned for her unique blend of artistry and business acumen. With a BFA in journalism and a background as one of the youngest members of Chapman University’s acclaimed chamber singers, Valerie has worked alongside top ear, nose, and throat surgeons to develop innovative methods for rehabilitating singers from vocal trauma. Her client roster includes chart-topping musicians, actors, and even sports broadcasters, making her a true authority on both the craft and the business of voice. Valerie’s journey from church soloist to industry leader is a masterclass in following your passion—while mastering the business side to build a sustainable, lucrative career. On this episode we talk about: – How Valerie made her first and most recent dollar (from singing at church as a child to coaching and publishing a book) – The science and art behind vocal coaching and rehabilitation – Why most people can learn to sing—and the rare exceptions – The importance of combining artistry with business skills to succeed in creative industries – Building a powerful professional network and landing high-profile clients – Pivots in career paths: turning passion into a business, even if the dream changes – The discipline required for success—whether working with actors, musicians, or athletes – The realities of touring, film work, and managing creative personalities Top 3 Takeaways 1. Most people can learn to sing with the right training and patience—only about 2% of the population is truly tone deaf, and the voice is an athletic instrument that can be developed over time. 2. Success in creative fields requires both passion and business sense; understanding your strengths, building relationships, and having the patience for long-term growth are key to turning talent into income. 3. Building a strong network and reputation—through integrity, hard work, and word of mouth—can open doors to working with top clients and sustaining a fulfilling career. Connect with Valerie Morehouse: Website: valeriemorehouse.com https://www.instagram.com/officialvalmorehouse Vocal training tool: bettervoice.co Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Hankins is a licensed social worker and Certified Financial Therapist™ with decades of experience spanning social work, IT, and nonprofit leadership. After a long career in the business world, John returned to his passion for helping others by specializing in financial therapy and coaching for middle-aged and older adults. His unique approach blends clinical expertise, real-world financial management, and deep empathy, helping clients understand and transform their relationship with money. John’s mission is to empower people to align their finances with their values, reduce money-related stress, and build a more fulfilling future. On this episode we talk about: – What it means to have a “relationship with money” and why it matters – How childhood experiences and cultural beliefs shape our money mindset – The three pillars of money mindset: thoughts, feelings, and actions – Why values—not just goals—should drive your financial decisions – Real-life stories of clients overcoming money stress and self-sabotage – The importance of normalizing conversations about money – How financial therapy differs from traditional financial planning Top 3 Takeaways Your beliefs and emotions about money—often formed in childhood—can unconsciously drive your financial decisions and success. Addressing these root issues is foundational to making sustainable changes. True financial well-being comes from aligning your money habits with your core values, not just chasing higher income or bigger goals. Open, judgment-free conversations about money are essential. Many people carry money stress for years simply because they feel unable to talk about it—even with those closest to them. Notable Quotes “We have kind of three things that we can do as human beings: thoughts, feelings, and actions. When you start to examine those around money, you’ll probably uncover things that are holding you back.” “You might be holding yourself back from making the money you say you want because your beliefs and actions aren’t aligned.” “Many people carry money stress for decades without ever having a real conversation about it with anyone. Sometimes, just talking is the first step to relief.” Connect with John Hankins:  https://www.youtube.com/@johnhankinsfinancialtherapyhttps://www.facebook.com/JohnHankinsFinancialTherapy/www.linkedin.com/in/john-hankins-msswww.financial-therapy.mehttps://financialtherapyassociation.org/find-a-financial-therapist/ Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices