Travis Makes Money

On this episode, Travis and Eric dive into a viral clip from financial podcaster Caleb Hammer, known for brutally honest, entertaining, and accessible advice that puts real-life financial struggles under the microscope. Together, they unpack Hammer’s take on emergency funds—and the problems with generic one-size-fits-all advice in personal finance. On this episode we talk about: Why $1,000 in emergency savings rarely works—and the psychological trap of feeling secure with too little cash How Dave Ramsey’s famous “starter emergency fund” may work in theory, but often isn’t enough in practice, especially for those with significant debt The real meaning of building financial discipline: Knowing your risk level, running the numbers, and tailoring your strategy How Travis approaches emergency savings for entrepreneurs vs. employees—and why life always costs more than you expect Tips for keeping your money liquid, accessible, but not so visible you lose your financial hustle Top 3 Takeaways Personal finance isn’t one-size-fits-all—generic playbooks don’t address your actual risks or needs. A starter emergency fund (like $1,000) is better than nothing, but long-term security needs three to six months of expenses—especially if your income is volatile. Financial discipline means both protecting yourself from unexpected setbacks and making your money work for you—don’t let “safe” dollars stop you from growing. Notable Quotes “Life will always demand more money than you think it will.” “Past a certain dollar amount, every extra dollar should be out working for you. Money in a savings account loses value over time.” “You want that feeling of urgency when you look at your accounts—you should be hustling, not getting comfortable.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 The Travis Makes Money podcast is powered by High Level — the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🎁 Get your extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode, Travis is joined by his producer, Eric, for a fun break-down of the worst financial advice out there—reacting to viral clips and sorting the truly terrible from the merely misunderstood. They cover everything from “buy low, sell high” myths to the dangers of credit cards and the unpredictable path of moving to NYC for your dreams. On this episode we talk about: Listening (and laughing) through clips of supposed “awful” financial advice—from cash hacks to leveraging credit as a college student Why “buy low, sell high” sounds easy, but almost no one—except 1% of day traders—actually wins playing that game over time The power of environment and why moving to a “dream city” could either ignite your career or send you financially underwater When using credit can make sense for disciplined business owners—but why most people should stick to cash Travis’s ranking of the worst, most misleading, and situational money advice people keep hearing Top 3 Takeaways “Buy low, sell high” is not a strategy—it’s gambling, and 99% of would-be day traders lose money over time. Your environment shapes your success; place yourself where the most opportunity exists, but only with a concrete, disciplined plan. Cash keeps you disciplined, but leveraged credit can be a useful tool—if you treat it like investment capital and avoid consumer traps. Notable Quotes “You’re not going to beat the S&P 500—over 96% of funds and day traders fail to outperform the market.” “Don’t confuse play money with nest egg money—it’s fun until you gamble away your future.” “Environment shapes you, but most people never shape their environment.” ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 The Travis Makes Money podcast is powered by High Level—the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🎁 Get your extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Oliver is the founder of Atlas Bar, a clean, high-protein snack company built around real ingredients, adaptogenic superfoods, and a purpose-driven mission to help people unlock their full potential. While still a college student at Tufts University, James started experimenting in his kitchen and turned his early prototypes into a multimillion-dollar business that’s thriving in the ultra-competitive nutrition space. On this episode we talk about: Why he jumped into an overcrowded market and how he found his niche by making real food first protein bars What it actually costs to start a brand—how he went from $5,000 to $1.5 million in revenue with zero outside funding The “freedom framework” of time, location, and financial choice that drove his entrepreneurial path Why Amazon is his secret weapon for scaling fast without the overhead of traditional retail The power of focusing relentlessly on product quality and iterating one improvement at a time Top 3 Takeaways There’s always room for the best—crowded markets reward innovation, not imitation. A small starting capital and strong execution can outperform heavy investment when paired with discipline and product obsession. Great marketing starts with a great product; if people truly love it, word-of-mouth will do the rest. Notable Quotes “I started Atlas with $5,000 and a goal—to build freedom, not just a company.” “Every ingredient you see on the label is something you could find in your own kitchen.” “If you build a great product, people will tell other people about it—it’s the purest form of marketing.” Connect with James Oliver and Atlas Bar: Website: atlasbars.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 The Travis Makes Money podcast is powered by High Level — the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🎁 Get your extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

William Vanderbloemen is the founder and CEO of Vanderbloemen Search Group, one of the leading executive search firms serving churches, nonprofits, schools, and values-based businesses. A former pastor and now a trusted advisor to mission-driven organizations, William has helped over 3,000 clients find leadership talent that aligns both in competence and character. He’s also a Forbes contributor and the author of Work How You’re Wired, Be the Unicorn, and Next: Pastoral Succession That Works. On this episode we talk about: How polishing his grandmother’s silver as a kid sparked his entrepreneurial streak Lessons learned from ministry leadership that translated into building a multimillion-dollar faith-based search firm The moment he left job security to launch a business from scratch — in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis Why pursuing your deeper mission matters more than any financial metric The role of relationships, purpose, and wiring in long-term success How understanding your natural strengths can transform your leadership, career, and team dynamics Top 3 Takeaways You’ll never have perfect clarity before you start—take the first step and let the next one reveal itself. Success looks different when you’re doing work aligned with your unique wiring and purpose. No relationship is accidental—treat every connection as an opportunity to serve and grow. Notable Quotes “Work how you’re wired. Everyone has unique lanes that make them better at what they do.” “If you wait until it’s clean to take the first step, you’ve already missed your chance.” “You can do good and do good business at the same time.” Connect with William Vanderbloemen: Website: vanderbloemen.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 The Travis Makes Money podcast is powered by High Level — the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🎁 Get your extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Simons is the co-owner of Farmers Restaurant Group, a mission-driven hospitality company behind the award-winning Founding Farmers brand, in partnership with the North Dakota Farmers Union. The group operates eight sustainably run restaurants, a distillery, and a catering company, all with one goal: to drive profits back to American family farmers while redefining how restaurants can serve people, planet, and profit in equal measure. On this episode we talk about: How Dan fell in love with teamwork and hospitality in college bar jobs His corporate climb from restaurant manager to VP and the turning point that pushed him into entrepreneurship Going broke—twice—before building a $100M restaurant business The three-year stretch living in his mother-in-law’s basement while starting over Lessons from failed ventures, debt, and the mindset shift that built a thriving farmer-owned enterprise Why creating a people-centric culture is not just good ethics—it’s good business Top 3 Takeaways Success is built through failure; each failure is an ingredient in your eventual success recipe. Find your deeper “why.” Profit is what happens when your purpose solves real problems for people. There’s never a perfect time or enough money—start smart, stay lean, and play the long game. Notable Quotes “You’ll never have enough money. So stop waiting and start building.” “We gave customers what we thought they needed—not what they wanted. That’s how we failed our first restaurant.” “Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of it.” Connect with Dan Simons: https://www.dansimonssays.com/ ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 The Travis Makes Money podcast is powered by High Level—the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform for agencies, by an agency. 🎁 Get your extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shane Barker is the Founder and CEO of TraceFuse, the first Amazon-approved system for removing fraudulent negative reviews. With more than 25 years of marketing experience supporting Fortune 500 brands, Shane is a leading voice in digital influence and e-commerce integrity. His mission now: to protect honest Amazon sellers from fake reviews that destroy small business reputations—and give power back to real entrepreneurs. On this episode we talk about: The dark side of online reviews and how companies like Yelp and Amazon impact small business survival Why TraceFuse became the first Amazon Terms of Service–compliant solution for negative review removal The two-year grind it took to “crack the code” building TraceFuse from scratch Lessons learned from earlier startup failures and how to decide whether to quit or double down The danger of burnout, managing personal finances, and hiring a team that can keep you grounded How mentorship can shortcut the expensive learning curve for new entrepreneurs Top 3 Takeaways Review manipulation crushes small businesses—but true innovation means fixing broken systems without breaking the rules. Entrepreneurs often mistake constant growth for success; real wealth comes from clarity, focus, and sustainable scaling. Mentorship is a shortcut to mastery—paying for expertise can save years of trial, error, and wasted money. Notable Quotes “Yelp is like the mob—they’ll tell you, ‘Pay us, or those reviews stay hidden.’” “It took two years to figure out how to do it right, but now we’ve removed over 14,000 fake reviews.” “If you’re going to bet on something, bet on yourself. But get someone who’s already done it to help you place that bet smarter.” Connect with Shane Barker: Website: ShaneBarker.com ✖️✖️✖️✖️ 🚀 The Travis Makes Money podcast is powered by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. 🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Leddin is a leadership expert, bestselling author, decorated Army veteran, and founder of two successful companies. As a former Airborne Ranger and 82nd Airborne officer, senior consultant at KPMG and Franklin Covey, and Vanderbilt professor, Patrick has coached thousands of people to lead through challenge and change. He’s the author of The Five-Week Leadership Challenge and, with James Patterson, the new book Disrupt Everything: Win and Take Control of Your Future. On this episode we talk about: Patrick’s unlikely journey from floundering college dropout and Army recruit to multimillion-dollar entrepreneur and bestselling author How the military taught him discipline and the value of following clear steps and systems Building and exiting a consulting company with his wife—from side hustle to full-time to acquisition Why “betting on yourself” can unlock more security and fulfillment than any traditional “safe” career path Insights from “Disrupt Everything”: Defining purpose, thriving under adversity, and finding opportunity in uncertainty Behind the scenes on co-authoring with James Patterson, blending powerful storytelling with actionable business wisdom Top 3 Takeaways Most “overnight” entrepreneurs start with side hustles, lots of hours, and calculated risk—build your skillset, then leap when the moment is right. Define your mission, values, and purpose early, and you’ll weather any disruption or crisis thrown your way. True opportunity is often found in chaos—if you’re willing to pivot and act when everyone else hesitates. Notable Quotes “If you can fail at what you don’t want, you may as well take a chance on what you love.” “At some point, you need to ask, do you want a safe job—or would you rather bet on yourself?” “Times of uncertainty are fertile ground for opportunity—if you’re clear on your purpose, you can disrupt everything and win.” Connect with Patrick Leddin: Website: patrickleddin.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

Scott Harris is the founder of Magnetic Real Estate and a Wall Street Journal Top 150 agent, with over $2 billion in New York City residential sales. Creator of the Magnetic Method, Scott has guided clients through some of the most complex deals in America’s most competitive market. In this episode, he shares his journey from warehouse shifts and music tours to building a seven-figure real estate career—and reveals what it really takes to thrive in real estate, no matter the market. On this episode we talk about: How growing up around family businesses built his work ethic and networking skills The pivotal leap from music and performing to top-tier real estate success What it actually takes to stand out (and survive) in a hyper-competitive city like NYC Why adding value and making authentic connections lead to repeat business and powerful referrals Building your schedule, handling time-wasters, and why agents who “go all in” thrive long-term The truth about timing, mindset, market cycles, and why now might be the best time to jump in Top 3 Takeaways Most success in real estate comes from sheer volume, discipline, and relentless networking—not luck or unique ideas. Relationship building, genuine curiosity, and giving without expectation are the real differentiators in crowded markets. Don’t let market conditions scare you—some of the greatest fortunes are made in tough economies when others get scared off. Notable Quotes “If you add enough value and connect people, it always comes back. That’s just the law of reciprocity.” “87% of agents wash out before year five—but if you’re willing to do the volume, you’ll beat the odds.” “Every market has opportunity; your belief, vision, and action matter more than interest rates.” Connect with Scott Harris: pursueyourhome.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

Mitch Matthews is a bestselling keynote speaker, podcast host, and business coach who has taught over 1,000 coaches and speakers how to build seven-figure businesses through speaking, training, and corporate sponsorships. From selling bicycles as a kid to running a multimillion-dollar coaching business, Mitch has built a life around helping others unlock their potential, scale their influence, and make more money by mastering the art and mindset of sales. On this episode we talk about: Mitch’s journey from bike shop stalker to professional speaker and business coach Lessons learned from tough B2B and pharmaceutical sales environments How to transition from corporate to entrepreneurship (the “side hustle to full launch” blueprint) Why selling is one of the purest forms of service when done right The mental shifts needed to stop seeing sales as manipulation and start seeing it as value creation Top 3 Takeaways Sales is not slimy—it’s an art form that creates win-win outcomes when rooted in authenticity and curiosity. Every successful entrepreneur must learn to sell—because if you can’t sell your idea, product, or service, no one will. True sales mastery is built on reps, rejection, and resilience—every “no” brings you closer to the right client. Notable Quotes “I started with a passion for bikes but quickly shifted to a passion for entrepreneurship.” “If you rush the sale, you build walls. If you serve first, you build trust.” “Half the world benefits from someone selling something every day—they just choose not to call it sales.” Connect with Mitch Matthews: Website: MitchMatthews.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

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