Travis Makes Money

Nikki Howard (@nikki_howard) is a comedian, actress, and content creator based in Los Angeles. Originally from Florida, Nikki moved to LA to pursue her passion for comedy and acting after honing her comedic voice and observational style. Though told she "doesn't look funny," Nikki persisted in developing her own voice and comedic style, embracing absurd and irreverent humor. She began creating original sketch videos with collaborators, eventually starting her own YouTube channel which grew an organic following. Nikki continues to create hilarious videos with comedy partners like Brent Pella on The Brent & Nikki Show while also co-hosting the podcast Sorry Mom with her friend Kristina Denton. She has amassed a large following on Instagram and other platforms. What Travis and Nikki discussed: How to Develop a Unique Comedic Voice: Nikki Howard explained the importance of developing your own comedic style and voice rather than trying to fit a mold of what others think is "funny." She focused on observational comedy drawn from her own experiences and perspectives rather than striving for mass appeal. Why Persistence is Vital for Comedians: Nikki emphasized the need for persistence and resilience in the face of rejection as a comedian. She pushed forward with creating her own content despite being told she "doesn't look funny." Her persistence paid off as her YouTube channel grew an audience organically. The Importance of Making Your Own Opportunities: Rather than wait for roles or auditions, Nikki took control of her career by creating her own comedic content. She discussed the importance of betting on yourself and creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for a big break. How to Balance Improving Your Craft and Making Connections: Nikki and the host discussed the nuances between developing skills ("what you know") and relationships ("who you know"). Nikki highlighted the importance of focusing on improving comedic abilities as well as networking and making connections. Why Human Connections Are Key to Happiness: Nikki emphasized forming genuine human connections is vital for fulfillment, even with a successful career. She discussed making an effort to have new experiences, meet new people, and prioritize relationships despite being introverted. Nikki’s brand of observational humor reflects her unique worldview shaped by her journey from community theater kid to trading the runways of New York for honing her act in LA. Nikki dishes on developing her own voice, betting on herself to create opportunities instead of waiting for a big break, and the importance of bringing levity to the full spectrum of human experiences. You'll hear how she embraced creating original content despite being told she doesn’t “look funny.” Nikki brings plenty of laughs while keeping it real about rejection, relationships, and her introverted nature. If you crave comedy served up authentically with heart, you don't want to miss Nikki Howard on this episode. She's proof rejection and risk-taking on the road less traveled can pave the way for hilarious rewarding success. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriends Follow Travis on: IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappell FB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappell Twitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappell Pinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod  Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating!Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikki Howard (@nikki_howard) is a comedian, actress, and content creator based in Los Angeles. Originally from Florida, Nikki moved to LA to pursue her passion for comedy and acting after honing her comedic voice and observational style.Though told she "doesn't look funny," Nikki persisted in developing her own voice and comedic style, embracing absurd and irreverent humor. She began creating original sketch videos with collaborators, eventually starting her own YouTube channel which grew an organic following.Nikki continues to create hilarious videos with comedy partners like Brent Pella on The Brent & Nikki Show, while also co-hosting the podcast Sorry Mom with her friend Kristina Denton. She has amassed a large following on Instagram and other platforms.What Travis and Nikki discussed: How to Develop a Unique Comedic Voice: Nikki Howard explained the importance of developing your own comedic style and voice, rather than trying to fit a mold of what others think is "funny." She focused on observational comedy drawn from her own experiences and perspectives, rather than striving for mass appeal. Why Persistence is Vital for Comedians: Nikki emphasized the need for persistence and resilience in the face of rejection as a comedian. She pushed forward with creating her own content despite being told she "doesn't look funny." Her persistence paid off as her YouTube channel grew an audience organically. The Importance of Making Your Own Opportunities: Rather than wait for roles or auditions, Nikki took control of her career by creating her own comedic content. She discussed the importance of betting on yourself and creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for a big break. How to Balance Improving Your Craft and Making Connections: Nikki and the host discussed the nuances between developing skills ("what you know") and relationships ("who you know"). Nikki highlighted the importance of focusing on improving comedic abilities as well as networking and making connections. Why Human Connections Are Key to Happiness: Nikki emphasized forming genuine human connections as vital for fulfillment, even with a successful career. She discussed making an effort to have new experiences, meet new people, and prioritize relationships despite being introverted. Nikki’s brand of observational humor reflects her unique worldview shaped by her journey from community theater kid to trading the runways of New York for honing her act in LA.Nikki dishes on developing her own voice, betting on herself to create opportunities instead of waiting for a big break, and the importance of bringing levity to the full spectrum of human experiences.You'll hear how she embraced creating original content despite being told she doesn’t “look funny.” Nikki brings plenty of laughs while keeping it real about rejection, relationships, and her introverted nature.If you crave comedy served up authentically with heart, you don't want to miss Nikki Howard on this episode. She's proof rejection and risk-taking on the road less traveled can pave the way for hilarious rewarding success.Special Offer for Travis Makes Friends Listeners:Get 16 free meals with the Hello Fresh discount code hellofresh.com/travisDon’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriendsFollow Travis on:IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappellFB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappellTwitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappellPinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating!Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Fenster(@fensterjeff), an entrepreneurial dynamo, Fenster firmly believes in the power of enjoyment in building successful ventures.  He is intensely committed to nurturing groundbreaking start-ups that showcase both vertical integration and revenue-stimulating innovation, alongside developing highly capable leadership teams to catalyze the growth of thriving brands. As a trailblazer in the quick-serve restaurant industry, Fenster founded Everbowl, a rapidly burgeoning superfood brand rooted in Southern California, back in 2016. Everbowl is now nationally renowned as an ascendant force within the sector, democratizing access to affordable, healthy superfoods for all. With a steadily expanding network of retail outlets in Southern California and Arizona, Fenster is the driving force behind Everbowl's extraordinary growth, with ambitions to proliferate the brand on a nationwide scale via both retail and superfood-infused Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) products.  Jeff recently launched his new podcast show called The Jeff Fenster Show, where he interviews the most successful athletes, entrepreneurs, and celebrities, like Drew Brees, Dan Fleshman, and David Meltzer, to decode and reverse engineer their success formulas. In today’s mashup, we feature clips from Jeff with Tim Gover, Drew Brees, and our own Travis Chappell: Create your own balance; don't find it; instead of seeking perfect balance, focus on purposefully tilting your priorities when needed. Be comfortable being out of balance for periods of time. Do your best, don't just try your best; giving maximum effort is more important than just trying. Don't leave yourself an excuse in case you come up short. Learn every job and skill you can, experiencing diverse roles, even less desirable ones, to develop well-rounded skills and traits. All contribute to becoming the professional you strive to be Build relationships, not transactions; the importance of building long-term, value-driven relationships with customers rather than focusing solely on one-time transactions. This allows for recurring business and referrals. Identify problems, then creatively solve them. Instead of accepting problems at face value, take time to re-evaluate the root of the issue and determine if there is an unconventional solution. Fenster did this by building a construction company to solve the high restaurant build-out costs. Everyone is in sales; no matter your role, you have to "sell" yourself, your ideas, and your value. Developing sales skills allows you to generate revenue. If you want to learn directly from elite performers like Drew Brees, Tim Grover, and Jeff Fenster, be sure to check out this episode featuring clips from Jeff's new show. You'll get insights on sales, balance, problem-solving, putting in maximum effort, and continually developing your skills. Jeff has a knack for drawing out the best advice from his world-class guests. Tune into The Jeff Fenster Show on your favorite podcast platform, subscribe, leave a review, and let Jeff know you discovered him through this episode. You won't regret getting mentored by these ultra-successful athletes, coaches, and entrepreneurs. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriends Follow Travis on: IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappell FB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappell Twitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappell Pinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod  Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating!Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dane Cook (@danecook) is a renowned stand-up comedian and actor famous for his high-energy observational comedy. Born in 1972 in Boston, Massachusetts, Cook began performing in the late 1990s and quickly built a dedicated fanbase through the internet and social media. His flair for dark humor led to several successful comedy albums, including 2006's "Retaliation," which was the highest-charting comedy album in 28 years. As a stand-up, Cook has headlined massive arenas like Madison Square Garden and The TD Garden in his hometown of Boston. His 2006 HBO special "Vicious Circle" and 2009 Comedy Central special "Isolated Incident" showcased his talents to wider audiences. Cook has also found success as an actor, appearing in films like "Employee of the Month," "Dan in Real Life," and providing the voice of Dusty in the animated "Planes" movies. Though sometimes controversial, Cook's comedic talents and business savvy have made him one of the most recognizable American comedians of the 2000s. Dane is currently promoting his new special “Above It All” on the “Perfectly Shattered Tour” What Travis and Dane discussed: – The importance of gratitude - Dane emphasized practicing gratitude, even in difficult moments. Why? Because gratitude helps provide perspective and appreciation for the present. It reminds you that life is a "lottery pick" and to be grateful for what you have. – How to get through tough times - When you're at rock bottom, take a walk somewhere new and get different sights and sounds. This provides oxygen to your brain. Start implementing positive affirmations and self-reflection. Realize you're not defined by your current environment. – The reason behind his sobriety - A friend wisely told Dane when they were young that Dane didn't need alcohol to fit in, but that the friend did. This impacted Dane to stay sober so he could focus more seriously on comedy. – The truth about success - Massive success can be extremely lonely with few who understand your experience. It doesn't automatically bring happiness. You have to do the personal work to grow into your success. – Why he self-distributes his content - Dane talked about the importance of owning your IP as an artist. He enjoys self-distributing specials because he maintains control without anyone impeding the creative process. Whether you're striving to build a business or overcome adversity, don't miss this lively conversation where comedy legend Dane Cook taps into his extraordinary life story to share raw, thoughtful insights on achieving success, maintaining creative freedom, and nurturing personal growth. Dane's candid perspectives and humor will resonate with any listener seeking inspiration to find their own path forward. Special Offer for Travis Makes Friends Listeners: – Get 16 free meals with the Hello Fresh discount code hellofresh.com/travis Don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriends Follow Travis on: – IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappell – FB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappell – Twitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappell – Pinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod  Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating!Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis shares excerpts from a recent conversation he had with Dane Cook about how comedians like Matt Rife have grown in popularity, and the importance of mentorships! Don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriends Follow Travis on: IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappell FB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappell Twitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappell Pinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod  Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating!Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Midweek Mashup, Travis Makes Friends podcast features Steve Sims, Rebecca Zung, and Dan Martell as they discuss the pros and cons of self-publishing versus traditional publishing. Steve prefers self-publishing due to more creative control, Rebecca leveraged self-publishing successfully with organic sales, while Dan desired credibility but wished for more creative control. They emphasize considering goals in choosing publishing paths and share tips for driving traffic and sales for self-published books.

Dan Fleyshman's (@danfleyshman) remarkable journey as a serial entrepreneur and investor began at age 19. After licensing his apparel for $9.5 million, he became the youngest founder of a publicly traded company. But Fleyshman was just getting started. He scaled his energy drink into 55,000 stores and launched a top global online poker site.Beyond his own ventures, Fleyshman makes an impact as an investor, speaker, and philanthropist. He has invested in 43 companies, spoken at over 250 events, and started a charity providing homeless care packages. Currently, he hosts a chart-topping business podcast, The Money Mondays.Fleyshman's latest endeavor is the ASPIRE Tour, With an impressive roster of celebrity and business speakers, the ASPIRE Tour provides invaluable insights for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs alike.ASPIRE Tour has an impressive track record and boasts an incredible lineup of powerhouse speakers, making it an irresistible opportunity for aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike. By the end of 2024, 60,000 more entrepreneurs are expected to be part of the ASPIRE Tour community and benefit from its valuable insights and tools to fuel their success by learning from celebrities, athletes, and business moguls. What Travis and Dan discussed:How Dan recently merged his Elevator events company with Aspire Tour to create a powerhouse events business. With his small "ninja" team that was doing $27 million in events merging with Aspire's large existing business doing $72 million, they now have the scale and infrastructure to host events ranging from free to $100k masterminds. How to evaluate startup investments: Dan looks first at the founder and their ability to stick through ups and downs. He wants to see that people care about the product and vote with their wallets by buying it. He prefers companies doing at least $2 million in sales to reduce risk.Dan's core value of doing what he says he will: Dan attributes his success to always following through on commitments, whether it's showing up for a podcast or making an intro. Compounding thousands of small actions over decades builds expansive relationships.Why Bitcoin is inevitable: Dan explains how the finite supply of Bitcoin (potentially only 10-15 million left accessible) coupled with increasing mainstream adoption makes its future appreciation inevitable. He emphasizes thinking long-term - while volatile today, in 10-20 years Bitcoin has consistently gone up year after year.Why Dan finally started a podcast: After waiting years, Dan launched his podcast in an RV to stand out. He's obsessed with it succeeding because the feedback from people taking his advice cements the relationship. Podcasting is a machine gun of trust and authority. Special Offer for Travis Makes Friends Listeners:Get 16 free meals with the Hello Fresh discount code hellofresh.com/travisDon’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriendsFollow Travis on:IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappellFB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappellTwitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappellPinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating!Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis dives deep into a thought-provoking study that has the potential to reshape how you view happiness and relationships. Join him on this captivating journey as he explores an incredible 80-year study conducted by Harvard, uncovering the secrets to leading a happy and fulfilling life.Special Offer for Travis Makes Friends Listeners:Get 16 free meals with the Hello Fresh discount code hellofresh.com/travisDon’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriendsFollow Travis on:IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappellFB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappellTwitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappellPinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating!Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Krauss (@iegroupnyc) is an entrepreneur, event producer, influencer marketer and man of many talents. Over the past 20 years, he has curated exclusive experiences for celebrities, executed high-profile parties and charity events, and forged connections with some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports, and business.Jeff's passion lies in bringing people together and creating memorable moments. Whether it's producing a celebrity's birthday dinner, organizing an afterparty for a major concert, or coordinating interactive virtual events, he pours thought and care into every detail. His events are known for their unique touches, from live sketch artists to casino games to one-of-a-kind entertainment.Beyond his impressive roster of A-list clients and glamorous projects, Jeff is deeply devoted to giving back. He has leveraged his platform and relationships to raise significant funds for charitable causes. A standout example was an event featuring WWE Superstar Big Show which led to two wrestling championship belts being donated to a sick child.Jeff Krauss has mastered the delicate balancing act required to manage different personalities and egos. His reputation for integrity and discretion has earned him the trust of celebrities, their families, and their teams over the years. He has a gift for bringing out the best in any venue and making sure his clients leave happy.When he's not coordinating unforgettable events, Jeff is working to spread more positivity in the world. He is a connector at heart who thrives on putting smiles on people's faces.What Travis and Jeff discussed: How to Build Relationships Through Shared Interests: Don't focus only on what someone can do for you. Find common ground through genuine shared interests and values. This creates deeper, more meaningful connections. The Importance of Persistence Over Time: A "no" today doesn't mean "no" forever. Be patient and stay on people's radar. The right opportunity to connect may come years later. Curating Unique Event Experiences: It's not just about celebrity appearances. Create memorable events by incorporating distinctive elements like live artists, interactive entertainment, specialty cuisine, etc. Managing Different Personalities and Egos: Navigating celebrity teams requires compromising and finding middle ground. Be flexible but stand firm when needed. Earn trust over time. Giving Back Creates Goodwill: Helping others through charity work and community service generates enormous goodwill. It leads to unexpected rewards, referrals and new relationships. Listen to the episode now to hear more of Jeff's stories and advice straight from one of the industry's top connectors. You'll come away with actionable strategies to help you network more effectively and bring more value to your own events and interactions.Don't miss this chance to learn from someone who has mastered the art and science of creating connections. Tune into the latest Travis Makes Friends episode with Jeff Krauss now!Special Offer for Travis Makes Friends Listeners:Get 16 free meals with the Hello Fresh discount code hellofresh.com/travis16Special Offer for Travis Makes Friends Listeners:Get 16 free meals with the Hello Fresh discount code hellofresh.com/travisDon`t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriendsFollow Travis on:IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappellFB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappellTwitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappellPinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts anCheck out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hala Taha (@yapwithhala)is the acclaimed host of the top-ranked "Young and Profiting Podcast" in the Education category and the dynamic CEO of YAP Media, a premier social media and podcast marketing firm. Her journey in the media world began during her college years, producing for HOT97's "The Angie Martinez Show.” Venturing into digital media, Hala founded "The Sorority of Hip Hop," an entertainment news platform, leading a robust team of 50 female bloggers. As the digital media landscape evolved, Hala transitioned to pursue an MBA, amassing 7 years of strategic marketing expertise at renowned firms like HP and Disney Streaming Services. What began as a passion project, the Young and Profiting Podcast and YAP Media, has flourished into a powerhouse business with a roster of elite clients and a team of over 40 professionals.What Travis and Hala discussed: Why persistence and consistency are so important: Hala faced many rejections and setbacks early on in her career, but she persisted and kept trying new opportunities while honing her skills. Her consistency with working on her podcast for 2 years before it took off demonstrates why perseverance pays off. How developing a wide range of transferable skills enabled her success: By building diverse skills like audio editing, marketing, design, and motivating teams, Hala prepared herself to start and grow businesses more easily later on. This demonstrates how having versatile abilities can unlock opportunities. The importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people: Hala highlights how crucial it is to find mentors who see your potential and believe in you even when others don't. Her father always backed her up, showing the tremendous impact advocates can have. Why solving rich people’s problems results in higher pay: By charging high prices to clients like CEOs and celebrities, Hala earned significant fees because the value they receive can justify much higher rates than servicing average customers. This shows the power of serving those with money. How capitalizing on opportunities and learning from failures enables growth: Even though Hala didn't succeed at every opportunity, she gained experience each time that she could apply later. She stresses the importance of continuing to put yourself out there to create breakthroughs.Hala Taha turned her passion into profits through sheer hustle and persistence, and her story provides a masterclass in business building for any entrepreneur. If you want to learn how to grow an audience, monetize your content, and scale your platform like Hala did, head to yapmedia.io and connect with her elite team. Don't let anything stop you from achieving your biggest goals—it’s time to silence the doubters, follow Hala’s blueprint, and start profitable projects that allow you to do work you love.Special Offer for Travis Makes Friends Listeners:Get 16 free meals with the Hello Fresh discount code hellofresh.com/travis16Special Offer for Travis Makes Friends Listeners:Get 16 free meals with the Hello Fresh discount code hellofresh.com/travisDon`t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel, @travismakesfriendsFollow Travis on:IG 👉🏻 instagram.com/travischappellFB 👉🏻 facebook.com/traviscchappellTwitter 👉🏻 twitter.com/traviscchappellPinterest 👉🏻 pinterest.com/travischappellpod Subscribe to Travis Makes Friends on Apple Podcasts anCheck out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices