Travis Makes Money

Sean O’Brien is a serial entrepreneur, Shark Tank alum, and founder of Swingzy, a golf training tool designed to help players make smoother, more consistent swings. He’s also the former CTO and CMO of Autio, a venture-backed startup co-founded by Kevin Costner and supported by major brands like Camping World and Snapchat. Known for turning down one of the biggest offers in Shark Tank history, Sean has built and sold multiple companies while staying at the forefront of tech, marketing, and product innovation. On this episode we talk about: How Sean turned rejection from Goldman Sachs into his first million-dollar business The wild story behind his eight-figure company that started with a beach chair in storage The mindset shift that turns rejection into motivation How he landed the Entrepreneur Magazine cover by sheer persistence Working with Kevin Costner and other celebrity partnerships The creation and growth of Swingzy and its impact on the golf industry Top 3 Takeaways Rejection can be your greatest motivator—if you use it as fuel instead of failure. Execution always outweighs ideas; what matters is taking consistent, bold action. Reinvention is the key to long-term success—keep evolving with each new opportunity. Notable Quotes “If you get rejected, your job is to make the people who passed on you look stupid. That’s the fuel.” “Ideas are worthless until you execute. Everyone’s got a million-dollar idea, but almost no one acts.” “Every setback I’ve ever had eventually turned into my biggest opportunity.” Connect with Sean O’Brien: X – https://x.com/gatsby LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanob Company — https://www.swingzy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis Chappell sits down with his producer Eric for a candid conversation on money mindset, investing, and why “playing it safe” can sometimes be the riskiest move of all. Together, they unpack what it really means to make your money work for you—and why saving alone won’t build long-term wealth. On this episode we talk about: The truth behind Grant Cardone’s “cash is trash” mentality When saving money becomes a liability instead of a strength How to balance liquidity with long-term investing Using debt as a tool for leverage rather than a burden Why calculated risk is essential to escaping financial stagnation Top 3 Takeaways Cash has a purpose—but it’s not growth. Savings should be a safety net, not a strategy. Good debt accelerates progress. When used intentionally, debt can be the difference between staying stuck and scaling up. Smart risk-taking builds wealth. The biggest financial wins come from understanding and embracing measured risk, not avoiding it. 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

Thomas Nitzsche is a financial educator, media spokesperson, and Vice President of Media and Brand at Money Management International — the largest nonprofit credit counseling agency in the U.S. After facing his own financial struggles during the Great Recession, Thomas turned his hardship into purpose, helping thousands of Americans overcome debt, rebuild their credit, and regain control of their financial lives. On this episode we talk about: Thomas’ journey from a small Illinois farm to becoming a national voice for financial literacy The emotional toll of debt and why financial shame keeps people stuck How to choose between debt management and debt settlement programs The biggest money mistakes people make when trying to get out of debt What Thomas learned after cashing out his 401(k) — and what he’d do differently today Top 3 Takeaways You can’t budget your way out of shame. Financial freedom starts with removing the emotional barriers around money. Debt management isn’t failure — it’s strategy. Knowing your options can save you thousands in interest and fees. Financial health takes time. Getting out of debt is a process, not an overnight success story. Notable Quotes “You didn’t get into debt overnight — you’re not going to get out of it overnight.” “Hope is not a financial plan.” “Money doesn’t define your worth — but understanding it can define your future.” Connect with Thomas Nitzsche: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaspnitzsche Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonnie-Jill Laflin is a trailblazer in the world of sports — the first and only female NBA scout in history, a former NFL cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, a sports broadcaster, and founder of the nonprofit Hounds and Heroes. From modeling at age three to scouting for the Lakers dynasty under Phil Jackson, Bonnie-Jill has shattered glass ceilings in some of the most male-dominated spaces in sports and media. On this episode we talk about: How Bonnie-Jill became the first and only female NBA scout The behind-the-scenes reality of being an NFL and NBA cheerleader Lessons learned from sports legends like Jerry Jones, Jerry Buss, and Phil Jackson The business and branding genius behind the Cowboys Cheerleaders How discipline, mindset, and mental toughness shape lasting success Top 3 Takeaways Breaking barriers takes preparation, persistence, and confidence — not permission. Branding and business savvy are just as important as athletic skill in the world of sports. True leadership blends intellect, mindfulness, and empathy — lessons Bonnie-Jill learned firsthand from Phil Jackson. Notable Quotes “I didn’t want to just be around sports — I wanted to be in sports.” “Phil Jackson didn’t just coach players; he taught them how to think.” “The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were one of the biggest brands in the world — we just didn’t get paid like it.” Connect with Bonnie-Jill Laflin: https://hoo.be/bonniejill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Travis Makes Money Podcast, Travis and producer Eric dive into 10 rapid-fire questions about purchases, investments, and regrets — with two minutes on the clock for each answer. From Travis’ best investment ever to the truck that literally lost a wheel days after buying it, this one’s full of laughs, lessons, and hard-earned financial wisdom. Travis opens up about: His best and worst purchases (from real estate to portable chargers) The six-figure mistake that taught him how to invest smarter How a wheel falling off a truck turned into one of his best financial decisions Why he stopped spending money on travel — and what changed The power of generosity and the first time he realized money could help others The non-financial investment that completely changed his health and mindset Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Matchett is a serial entrepreneur, fashion innovator, and now tech founder who’s built her career around solving real-world problems. From co-founding Alice + Olivia to developing a patented women’s sizing system called TrioFit, Rebecca has consistently combined creativity and practicality to build impactful businesses. Now, she’s channeling that same drive into Synchrony—a new social app designed to help neurodivergent adults connect and combat loneliness in meaningful ways. On this episode we talk about: How Rebecca transitioned from fashion and retail into tech entrepreneurship The story behind founding Alice + Olivia and what she learned about branding and innovation Why ideas alone aren’t enough—and how to validate your market before launching The challenges and benefits of self-funding vs. outside investment How Synchrony is using technology to address the loneliness epidemic among neurodivergent adults Top 3 Takeaways Great businesses start by solving problems you truly understand—personal experience is a powerful indicator of market need. Validation matters more than inspiration. Don’t build before you know who actually wants your product. Bootstrapping gives you control, focus, and creative freedom that investors often limit. Notable Quotes “Ideas are easy. Execution and validation are what separate entrepreneurs from dreamers.” “When you solve a problem for yourself, you’re often solving it for thousands of others.” “Connection is the most human need we have—and we’re building a tool to make that accessible again.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jen Powell is the innovative CEO of JP Inc, a talent management agency revolutionizing influencer licensing with offices in LA, Nashville, and New York. With over 20 years of experience in modeling and influencer marketing, Jen has transformed the traditional fashion industry by embracing influencer-driven commerce early on, making her a unique leader in this space. On this episode we talk about: Jen’s transition from a top modeling agent to a pioneer in influencer marketing Early success stories of monetizing fashion blogs through sponsorships The challenges and opportunities within traditional modeling agencies Founding JP Inc and growing it into a national influencer talent agency The future of modeling, including digital/AI models and the enduring need for human connection Creator brand development and licensing as a low-risk business strategy Details about Jen’s course, "The Creator’s Path to Product" Top 3 Takeaways Social media followership is now a critical factor in hiring talent within the modeling and influencer industries. Licensing allows creators to retain ownership of their intellectual property while scaling their brands with less risk. Despite advances in digital and AI models, authentic human connection remains vital in storytelling and marketing. Notable Quotes "If there’s two models up for a job and one has 3 million followers and one has 5,000, the model with 3 million followers is going to get the job." "It’s better to make everybody think you’re dumb than to speak up and remove all doubt." "Human connection matters more than people think it does in modeling and storytelling." "Licensing your creator business offers a less risky path while you build your brand and audience." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Elmore is the founder of Growing Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to developing emerging leaders, with over 20 years of experience working alongside leadership expert John C. Maxwell. He is a prolific author of 40 books on leadership, including his latest, The Future Begins with Z, which explores innovative strategies for leading Generation Z as they disrupt the modern workplace. Tim’s insights into generational differences, leadership challenges, and entrepreneurship make him a valuable voice for anyone navigating today’s rapidly changing workforce. On this episode we talk about: The unique characteristics of Generation Z compared to Millennials How Gen Z’s relationship with technology and social media influences work habits The rise of micro-entrepreneurship among young people and economic shifts Leadership strategies for coaching and connecting with Gen Z rather than commanding The changing nature of work ethic and purpose across generations Top 3 Takeaways Connection and coaching are more effective than authority when leading Gen Z. Gen Z values purpose and flexibility in work, often seeing jobs more like hobbies. Micro-entrepreneurship is growing rapidly as many young people seek autonomy and reject traditional corporate models. Notable Quotes "Generation Z is the sandpaper on my leadership. I did not know I needed. We become better leaders because of them." "Your connection gives you the right to influence, not your position." "We’ve got to lead from bridges we build, not badges we wear." Connect with Tim Elmore: LinkedIn: Tim Elmore LinkedIn Twitter/X: @TimElmore Instagram: @timelmore Website: timelmore.com Growing Leaders nonprofit: growingleaders.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features a candid conversation between Travis and his producer Eric, diving into the ways that religious backgrounds shape money mindsets and personal finance decisions. Travis reflects on his own experiences growing up in a large, well-resourced church and how both healthy principles and harmful attitudes have impacted his financial outlook over time. Through personal stories and playful banter, Eric and Travis explore the tension between gratitude, ambition, and the reality of pursuing financial stability. On this episode we talk about: Money lessons learned in church environments How religious upbringing impacts beliefs about wealth Church paradoxes regarding money and religious leaders Harmful vs. helpful financial mindsets from faith backgrounds Advice Travis would give his younger self about money Top 3 Takeaways Your spending reveals what truly matters to you—track where your money goes to understand your priorities and values. Religious environments often transmit complex and conflicting attitudes about money, sometimes discouraging the active pursuit of wealth while still praising and seeking it when helpful to institutional needs. The pursuit of money itself is not inherently wrong; examine your beliefs and recognize that financial empowerment offers options and flexibility that can benefit both you and your family. Notable Quotes "Where your money is, that's where your heart is. You can examine your expenses to quickly see your true priorities." "Churches talk about money as if it's evil, but they also highly value it when it serves their purposes—that dissonance can mess with your mindset." "Money is an amplifier of who you are. It by itself is not intrinsically good nor bad. Choose to see it as a tool for good and an option creator." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices