Travis Makes Money

Dive into the art of genuine networking! Discover why simple introductions beat rehearsed pitches and how to avoid awkward greetings. Learn to treat networking like friendship by asking genuine questions and truly listening. Find out why Instagram is a better tool for staying connected than business cards. Understand the importance of thoughtful introductions and the pitfalls of unsolicited group messages. Ultimately, it’s all about building meaningful relationships that leave everyone feeling appreciated.

Jimmy Rex, a former top-producing real estate agent turned entrepreneur mentor, shares insights from his journey from a broke childhood to closing over 400 homes in a year. He reveals the power of disciplined prospecting, outlining his rigorous daily routines that fueled his success. Jimmy emphasizes the importance of boring consistency over talent, discusses lessons from investment failures, and advocates for safer options like index funds. With a focus on building networks and skills, he provides a roadmap for anyone looking to rebuild from scratch.

Travis sits down with his producer Eric for a fun, practical breakdown of whether speaking at events is actually worth it for entrepreneurs and creators. From horror-movie cold opens to hard-nosed math on time, travel, and ROI, this episode digs into when to say yes to a stage, when to walk away, and how to think about “paid to speak” vs “pay to speak” opportunities in a sane, strategic way. On this episode we talk about: Whether speaking at events is a vanity play or a real growth lever for your business How your goals (professional speaker vs business owner vs personal brand builder) change the calculus on saying yes to a stage The tradeoffs between local, niche rooms and big stages with thousands of people Hidden costs of speaking—travel, lost work time, opportunity cost—and how to factor them in When it can actually make sense to pay to be on stage and how to evaluate those offers like ad spend Top 3 Takeaways Speaking is almost always valuable if it aligns with a clear goal—professional speaking, lead gen, or brand building—but not every stage is worth your time. Quality of the room (who’s in the audience, who’s hosting, who’s backstage) beats quantity of people; a small room of serious buyers can outperform a crowd of thousands. Paying to be on stage isn’t inherently a scam—it’s a marketing decision; you need clear numbers, clear expectations, and a plan to work the room and follow up afterward. Notable Quotes "It depends on your goal—if you want to be a professional speaker, you should be on any stage that’ll have you." "Sometimes 22 multi-millionaires in a small room are a better use of time than 2,000 random people in an arena." "Once you’re paying to speak, it’s not magic anymore—it’s just ad spend, and you’ve got to treat it like a marketing channel." ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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

Veena Jetti is the founding partner of Vive Funds, an innovative commercial real estate firm specializing in conservative investment opportunities. With over $1 billion in real estate transactions and a dynamic career that spans education, community building, and thought leadership, Veena brings a unique blend of deep market expertise and a passion for empowering new investors. As a multifamily syndicator, philanthropist, and Forbes Council Member, her story stands out for its hard-earned lessons, focus on abundance, and drive to create financial independence—especially for women.​​ On this episode we talk about: How Veena transitioned from single-family to multifamily real estate Mindset shifts required for successful investing The importance of joining networks and communities for growth Building wealth with limited capital and practical entry points Empowering women to build financial independence and legacy​​ Top 3 Takeaways Community and mentorship are the "easy button" for real estate success—being in the right rooms saves money and accelerates growth.​​ Mindset is the most significant barrier; overcoming analysis paralysis lets you take action and build wealth. Multifamily real estate is accessible to non-billionaires—start somewhere, build the right network, and leverage free educational resources.​​ Notable Quotes “The biggest problem with getting started in multifamily isn’t money or knowledge—it’s mindset. Overcoming overwhelm is key.”​ “Multifamily is a team sport. You need a community; doing deals alone is just riskier and slower.”​ “My focus for 2026 is teaching women how to achieve financial independence—money as power, not the end goal.”​ Connect with Veena Jetti: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veenajetti​ Twitter/X: https://x.com/veenajetti​ Instagram: https://instagram.com/veenajetti​ Website: https://vivefunds.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 solo-style episode, Travis sits down with his producer Eric for an introspective conversation using the “rocking chair test,” a thought experiment where you imagine advice from your much older self at the end of your life. Instead of featuring an external guest, this episode turns the spotlight on Travis’s own mindset around regret, failure, and what he wishes he’d stop (and keep) doing in business and life. On this episode we talk about: How the “rocking chair test” helps you see your current life from the perspective of your 88–108-year-old self Why most people regret what they didn’t do more than what they did “wrong” Travis’s tendency to downplay wins, fixate on failures, and how that has held him back How his upbringing and internalized beliefs still shape his self-talk and response to criticism The story of building a 7-figure business, losing it, and struggling to own his successes afterward Why podcasting is the thing he’s most proud he stuck with, despite years of low direct financial return The tension between chasing novelty and doubling down on what you’re genuinely great at Using your future self as a filter to judge fears about embarrassment, judgment, and starting over How meditating on death and limited time can create urgency to take bigger swings now Top 3 Takeaways Your future self will almost always regret the risks you never took more than the attempts that didn’t work out. Fixating on failures while dismissing your wins can quietly cap your potential, even when you’ve built real results. Doubling down on your core strengths for income, while using side projects to satisfy curiosity and novelty, is a powerful way to build both wealth and fulfillment. Notable Quotes "I tend to significantly downplay the successes I’ve had and highlight the failures I’ve had, and that’s held me back in a lot of ways." "People on their deathbed usually regret the things they didn’t do far more than the things they did that didn’t work out." "Life is short, and in 200 years none of this will matter—so why not just go for it and take another big swing?" ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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

Fernando Angelucci, a self-storage investor with over $200M in transactions, shares his inspiring journey from a corporate job to real estate investor. He discusses how he pivoted to self-storage for its scalability and lower management burdens. Fernando outlines a step-by-step guide for wholesaling self-storage deals and highlights key underwriting metrics for success. He also shares the importance of persistence and relationship-building in closing deals, alongside innovative seller-financing strategies that help navigate market challenges.

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is a bestselling author, top executive coach, and leadership professor at Loyola University New Orleans who specializes in connection-driven leadership. She’s the author of The Seismic Shift in Leadership and the new book The Seismic Shift in You, co-written with legendary coach Marshall Goldsmith, where she unpacks seven powerful shifts leaders must make to deepen connection and drive results in an AI-driven world.​ On this episode we talk about: Michelle’s first “real” dollar, early jobs at Fuddruckers and a cookie shop, and what they taught her about people and money Why high-volume, people-facing jobs (restaurants, sales, customer service) are underrated training grounds for success The core ideas behind The Seismic Shift in Leadership and The Seismic Shift in You How AI and digital overload are changing leadership—and why “productivity without connection equals emptiness” The loneliness epidemic, why entrepreneurs (especially men) are so isolated, and how to intentionally build community Practical ways leaders can rewire meetings, calendars, and priorities around connection The concept of “connection dinners” and why entrepreneurs should curate rooms where people actually get real Top 3 Takeaways Connection is the new competitive advantage. Old-school command-and-control leadership no longer works; leaders who build cultures of connection outperform by creating trust, psychological safety, and real loyalty.​ You must connect with yourself first. If your own cup is empty—no self-care, no boundaries, no time on your calendar for what matters—you won’t have the energy or presence to build meaningful relationships at work or at home.​ Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely. By intentionally building community—through curated spaces, small-group dinners, and regular in-person connection—entrepreneurs can combat isolation and create the kind of support that fuels both impact and income.​ Notable Quotes "Productivity without connection equals emptiness." "You’re not good at connecting with anybody unless you first prioritize yourself." "If your most important relationships aren’t on your calendar, they’re not really your priorities." Connect with Dr. Michelle Johnston: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-johnston-0264b5b​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellekjohnston  Website: https://michellekjohnston.com​ Podcast: The Seismic Shift with Michelle K. Johnston – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seismic-shift-with-michelle-k-johnston/id1625361801​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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

Travis is joined by his producer Eric for a rapid‑fire, no‑guest episode built around funny, candid questions about purchases, regrets, and money habits. Eric keeps Travis on his toes, pushing him to “bring the receipts” on everything from embarrassing Amazon orders to the masterminds and franchises he has invested in.​ On this episode we talk about: The most embarrassing Amazon purchases Travis would hate to see leaked. Under‑$50 buys (like “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant”) that genuinely improved his life.​ The pricey Vegas group dinner he barely ate at and instantly regretted. Subscriptions and trials (sports, streaming, live TV) that keep renewing long after they’re useful.​ “Boring” purchases like chargers, docks, and phone accessories that quietly deliver value every day. Early‑20s mistakes like buying a brand‑new car versus a lightly used one. How much money Travis has ultimately spent with past podcast guests through masterminds, investments, and franchises.​ Top 3 Takeaways Paying for experiences or group status you do not actually enjoy (like a late‑night Vegas dinner you barely touch) is one of the fastest ways to waste money and energy. The best purchases are often unsexy: books that change how you think, tech that reduces daily friction, and used cars that avoid the steepest depreciation curve.​ Recurring subscriptions and “free trials” can quietly drain thousands over time, so using reminders, assistants, or apps to cancel aggressively is a simple but powerful money move.​ Notable Quotes "It felt like I paid $100 a bite for that dinner—and I still left hungry." "I used to think eating out was a splurge; now the real flex is not wasting cash on stuff that doesn’t move the needle." "Money only solves your money problems, but it is a lot easier to solve everything else when you actually have some in the bank."​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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 this episode, Travis Chappell sits down with his producer Eric for a fun but revealing “check your contacts” game that exposes how much your network shapes your opportunities, decisions, and problem-solving capacity. Instead of focusing on tactics alone, they use real names from Travis’s phone to unpack what makes a relationship actually valuable beyond social proof or status.​ On this episode we talk about: The one professional contact Travis would keep if he had to delete everyone else from his phone Who he’d bet $1,000 will pick up the phone every time he calls Which friend he hasn’t talked to in years but knows would still show up if he needed help The first “celebrity” and first true household-name contact that made his network feel different Who he’d choose as his only coach if he had to start a new business tomorrow The worst “client” call of his career and the red flags it revealed The best call he’s ever received and how it turned into a defining podcast interview moment Why your network multiplies your ability to solve problems, Henry Ford–style Top 3 Takeaways A contact is only as valuable as their willingness to respond; reliability and generosity matter more than fame or follower count. Strong relationships built over years—even with long gaps in communication—can still be some of the most dependable when life or business goes sideways. Your network is a force multiplier: like Henry Ford and modern ultra-learners, you do not need to know everything yourself if you can quickly reach people who are true experts in their domains. Notable Quotes "Your contacts are only as good as the people who actually text back and pick up when it counts." "You can solve bigger and more complex problems when you know who to call, not just what to do." "Your contact list will largely dictate how successful and how helpful you are in life—so don’t neglect the work of building real relationships." ✖️✖ ✖️ 🚀 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

Jesse and Gabi Merl are a married power couple who rebuilt from bankruptcy and six-figure student loan debt to consistent multi–six-figure months through content, social selling, and smart investing. Jesse is a multi-exit tech entrepreneur turned YouTube creator behind “Jesse ON FIRE,” while Gabi is a hormone and cortisol-focused coach and social seller who built a thriving business from scratch using short-form content.​​ On this episode we talk about: How Jesse went from teen restaurant jobs to real estate, loans, a sports gaming startup, and ultimately a brutal acquisition that wiped out his stock and forced bankruptcy What it was like for Gabi to be pregnant with their third child, unable to practice acupuncture in a new state, and staring down six-figure student loans while deciding to jump into social selling How they rebuilt from absolute zero to over $140K/month in combined income by focusing on liquid wealth, real estate, and avoiding flashy lifestyle creep The content strategies behind “Jesse ON FIRE” and Gabi’s Instagram/TikTok growth: niche selection, volume, repelling to attract, and showing up as an amplified version of yourself on camera Why most creators fail because they underestimate the time horizon (at least a year) and posting volume required before platforms reward them with real reach Top 3 Takeaways Rebuilding from zero is possible if you’re willing to kill your ego, take the “soul-sucking” job when necessary, and then methodically build leverage through content and business again. Platforms reward consistency and volume; think in terms of posting multiple times per day for months, not a few posts per month, and commit to at least a year before expecting meaningful traction. The fastest way to stand out is to be specific: know your avatar, be willing to repel the wrong audience to attract the right one, and tell your story like you’re talking to close friends—just slightly amplified for the camera. Notable Quotes "You have to repel to attract; if no one is a little mad, no one is truly magnetized to you." "The platforms are testing if you’re going to be a consistent creator before they give you reach." "Content is just building relationships at scale—one story, one reaction, one video at a time." Connect with Jesse & Gabi Merl: YouTube (Jesse): https://www.youtube.com/@RealJesseONFIRE​ Twitter/X (Jesse): https://twitter.com/realjesseonfire​ Instagram (Jesse): https://www.instagram.com/realjesseonfire​ Instagram (Gabi): https://www.instagram.com/gabriellecarolyn​ TikTok (Gabi): https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellecarolyn​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 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