Travis Makes Money

In this insightful discussion, Matt Putra, a fractional CFO and founder of Eightx, shares his unconventional journey from manufacturing to finance. He reveals the critical importance of cash flow management and how to leverage key financial metrics for sustainable growth. Matt explains strategies for scaling e-commerce and CPG businesses, the power of 13-week cash flow forecasts, and how to take calculated financial risks. He also emphasizes the need for founders to embrace finance while discerning when to outsource crucial functions.

This episode features a candid conversation between Travis and his producer Eric, diving into the realities of investing in organic content creation for business growth. They unpack the costs, strategies, and mindset shifts required to build a successful content engine, using real-world examples from comedians and entrepreneurs to illustrate the importance of budgeting for organic growth. On this episode we talk about: The hidden costs behind successful comedians and podcasters who appear to “do it all themselves”​ The importance of investing in content creation, editing, and social media management for long-term business growth​ How paid advertising and organic content work together to build a brand and drive results​ The value of outsourcing tasks to free up time for high-impact activities​ Real numbers from top creators, including how much they spend monthly on organic content​ The trade-offs between doing everything yourself and hiring experts to scale your business​ Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Organic content creation is not free—successful creators invest heavily in teams and tools to produce and distribute content.​2.  Outsourcing non-core tasks allows entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best, maximizing both time and revenue.​3.  Building a brand through organic content pays exponential returns over time, far outpacing paid advertising alone.​ Notable Quotes   "It's not just because he says good stuff. It's because he spends multi six figures a month on content creation."​   "You have to do it. It's not a negotiable for anybody now."​   "The more content you put out online, the more ability AI has to be able to suggest your stuff."​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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

Julee Gracey is a certified business coach, speaker, and author specializing in building confidence, overcoming self-doubt, and empowering entrepreneurs to unlock personal and financial freedom. Her background spans international modeling, TV hosting, and multimillion-dollar real estate deals, bringing an edge and authenticity to her work with high-achieving business owners and those seeking practical transformation. Her book, "Highly Confident," encapsulates her coaching philosophy and actionable frameworks for living and working boldly.​ On this episode we talk about: How Julee started her first business as a crafty kid selling wire rings in elementary school​ The lessons of growing up with hardworking, entrepreneurial parents and early confidence-building experiences​ Breaking away from the traditional life path, taking risks, and building a modeling career that led to TV and business coaching​ The real story behind being a briefcase model on Deal or No Deal and why money decisions matter​ Why confidence and courage are developed through action, not just positive thinking or "mirror affirmations"​ The connection between physical discipline, health, and showing up confidently in every part of life​ The role of boundaries, saying “no,” and not overextending yourself as a leader and entrepreneur​ How Julee’s coaching and her book teach decision frameworks that help clients clarify goals, overcome imposter syndrome, and build lasting confidence​ Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Confidence is built by taking courageous action and learning through small wins, not just by waiting for permission.​2.  Physical health and movement directly influence confidence and business performance—a disciplined body supports a focused mind.​3.  Setting clear boundaries and learning to say “no” is essential for sustainable success and healthy relationships.​ Notable Quotes   "If you're going to fail, fail spectacularly—do it really big and glorious."​   "Confidence does not come from shouting self-affirmations in the mirror. It comes from showing up and doing the work."​   "People don’t want the overextended, stressed-out version of you."​ Connect with Julee Gracey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juleegracey/ Website: https://juleegracey.com​ Book: highlyconfidentbook.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

The discussion kicks off with Donald Trump’s bold idea of 50-year mortgages, stirring up a mix of skepticism and intrigue. Travis questions bank incentives and the potential for increased interest costs. They explore whether these long loans could help real estate investors, while advising caution on prepayment strategies. Monthly savings seem modest, and the team argues these won't fix housing affordability issues. Plus, they debate the implications for home prices and the comparative value of renting versus owning in the long run.

In this discussion, guest Ben Zweig, an economist and founder of Revelio Labs, shares his journey from street sales in NYC to understanding labor markets. He reveals how rejection therapy built his resilience and why sales skills are invaluable across careers. Ben emphasizes how economics can illuminate hidden opportunities and explains the transformative impact of earning a PhD on one’s career path. He also discusses the future of work and how generative AI changes value creation, urging young workers to embrace entrepreneurial thinking.

Join Sebastien Page, an author and the Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price, for an engaging discussion on finance and leadership psychology. He shares insights on teaching kids about money and the power of compound interest. Sebastien reveals how understanding and optimizing stress can enhance performance. Delve into the fascinating link between personality traits like grit and long-term success over mere intelligence, plus lessons from sports psychology that apply to high-stakes decision-making. Discover how embracing stress can lead to meaningful work and growth.

In this episode, Travis Chappell is joined by his producer Eric. Together, they break down some of the wildest viral success clips on the internet—from astrology-based basketball theories to Grant Cardone proclaiming you “can’t live” on $400K a year—and explore the real lessons hiding underneath the noise. On this episode we talk about: Why absurd “success hacks” go viral, including the astrology clip about Michael Jordan The difference between motivation, marketing, and manipulation in the online guru world Whether Grant Cardone is right—or way off—when he says $400K isn’t enough How polarizing personalities weaponize attention for growth What “thinking bigger” actually means (and what it doesn’t) Top 3 Takeaways Viral guru content often succeeds because it's theatrical, not because it’s true. Income numbers are meaningless without personal context—freedom math > flex math. You can embrace big thinking without adopting the extremes or gimmicks of online gurus. ✖️ ✖️ ✖️ ✖️ 🚀 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

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.

In this conversation, Eric, a producer and media expert, joins Travis to explore the intriguing world of time valuation and outsourcing. They dissect the rise of performative content and the allure of flashy 'time-saving hacks.' The duo discusses when paying for convenience is truly beneficial versus when it's merely showboating. They highlight the often-overlooked advantages of basic activities like cooking at home and reading, reiterating that common sense can outshine trendy shortcuts. Ultimately, they emphasize that time is your most precious asset—spend it wisely!

On this episode, Travis reacts to an old video of his 26-year-old self giving advice to young people in their late teens and early 20s. Eric—Travis’ producer—plays the video for him, and together they break down what young Travis got right, what he’d revise today, and why early career decisions matter more than most people realize. On this episode we talk about: Why “getting a job” isn’t selling out—and how to earn while you learn The value of working for someone you admire instead of a random employer Why your 20s should be a decade of experimentation, skill stacking, and trying new things The importance of spending money on experiences and learning instead of flashy purchases How communication skills (door-to-door, telemarketing, network marketing) can transform your career Top 3 Takeaways Early career jobs are an opportunity to get paid to learn, especially when you align yourself with people you admire. Your 20s should be used for experimenting broadly so you don’t lock yourself into the wrong path too early. Invest in experiences, relationships, and skill development—not things that depreciate and don’t move your life forward. Notable Quotes “Earn while you learn—don’t underestimate the value of having a job.” “Skill stacking in your 20s helps you out-earn everyone else in your 30s and 40s.” “Travel is one of the most underrated personal development activities out there.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices