Travis Makes Money

Guest: Scott Leese — Fractional CRO, 12 unicorns, 13 exits, six-time sales leader, five-time founder, three-time author, major LinkedIn community builder, newsletter publisher, and creator of multiple businesses. Early Days & First Hustles Grew up in a non-entrepreneurial household; sold baseball cards as a kid, had entrepreneurial “side hustles” in college. Spent much of his 20s battling and recovering from a life-threatening illness. Four years hospitalized, nine surgeries, struggled with painkiller addiction, read hundreds of books — which planted the seeds for future business curiosity. How He Got Into Sales & Startups First tech sales job at 27, encouraged by a friend who noticed Scott’s resilience, competitiveness, and leadership. Sales led to VP/CRO roles at high-growth startups, where Scott built and scaled revenue teams, eventually leading to multiple exits and unicorn valuations. Lessons on Sales as a Career Sales is a pure meritocracy: “If you produce, you get paid. If you don’t, you’re cut — just like athletics.” Outproducing others shouldn’t just lead to the same pay — sales rewards top performers more than most fields. Why Just Being a High-Paid Employee Isn’t Enough Even top execs at successful startups rarely see transformational wealth (example: after a $500M+ exit, the founder gets $20M+, a C-suite leader gets $500K). True wealth comes from moving from “employed” to “owner” — writing books, building communities, conferences, consulting, investing in real estate, launching multiple income streams. The Coming Disruption & Opportunity from AI The rise of AI means most entry-level sales/tech/white-collar jobs will disappear or change radically. The era of corporate security is ending; individuals must think entrepreneurially, diversify income, own their brand, and quickly adapt. Future sales: Only high-level, complex, relationship-driven roles will survive; all “boiler room”/transactional sales will be automated or handled by agents. As commerce increasingly digitizes, the most acute personal/professional needs will be (1) “inner work” (purpose, mental/spiritual health) and (2) experiences/community. Optimism & The New Wave Exponential growth in personalized medicine & health/longevity businesses (AI-powered diagnostics, genetic-driven treatment, biohacking). Massive new opportunities for anything that promotes genuine human connection or personal growth (retreats, mastermind events, experiential learning, spiritual/purpose-driven work). In an automated world, experiences and community will be more valuable (and defensible) than ever. Scott’s Personal Projects & Where to Connect https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottleese/ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level — the all-in-one sales & marketing platform built for agencies, by agencies.🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Dr. Jeff Gross — Board-certified neurological surgeon, biochemist, biohacker, founder of Celebrate Regenerative Medicine, and longevity/biohacking consultant based in Las Vegas & Southern California. Medical & Health Longevity Background: Dr. Gross trained at UC Berkeley (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology), George Washington University School of Medicine, UC Irvine (Neurosurgery), and UNM (Spinal Biomechanics). He has decades of frontline experience in spine surgery, sports injuries, regenerative medicine, and now consults on biohacking and longevity. Biohacking & Longevity: Biohacking is essentially circles back to ancient wellness wisdom (eat well, sleep, exercise)—but enhanced by modern science (measuring phytonutrients, leveraging tech like red light, hyperbaric therapy, protein timing, etc). Emphasizes that “prevention” is still the number one defense against the four top causes of death in Western countries; early proactive screening and lifestyle habits remain critical. There is increasing crossover between “traditional medicine” and “naturopathic”/“functional” approaches—Dr. Gross sees this convergence as positive and overdue, but notes resistance still exists in mainstream medicine. Emerging Business Opportunities in the Wellness Space: IV centers, cryotherapy, and retail biohacking clinics (hyperbaric O2, red light therapy, peptides, weight loss clinics, etc.) are booming, especially in health-conscious cities. Low-barrier options: health coaching, nutrition consulting, affiliate/online influencer businesses—Dr. Gross notes people he knows personally earning seven figures as wellness affiliates. Innovations: Short-form EMS (electro-muscular stimulation) workouts, “blood flow restriction” exercise systems, and more. Cancer screening clinics: Now possible with advanced genomics and blood-testing—these are in demand but not widely available through traditional doctors/insurance, opening more avenues for direct-to-consumer providers. Supplementation & Biohacking Basics: “Non-negotiables” for almost everyone: Vitamin D3 (& often K2): Most people are deficient; optimal blood levels promote longevity, reduce inflammation, and lower all-cause mortality. Magnesium: Especially at night for recovery and cellular repair. Creatine: Improves muscle mass, heart health, and brain health; well correlated with longevity. Probiotics: Modern lifestyles make gut health challenging—good probiotic support is important. Nicotine: Can be a cognitive enhancer in low doses and proper delivery (gum/patch, NOT smoking)—but is highly addictive. Other Business/Money Ideas: Successful affiliate and influencer businesses for those passionate about health and wellness. Emphasizes supplement sales (with high trust and real value), personalized coaching, and education are evergreen opportunities. Industry Critique: Criticizes health insurance as a “legal mafia,” noting it often adds cost and hassle while limiting real preventive care. Encourages listeners to be their “own best advocate” for health—don’t rely only on five-minute mainstream doctor visits. Connect with Dr. Jeff Gross: https://recellebrate.com/ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is brought to you by High Level — the all-in-one sales & marketing platform for agencies, by agencies.🎁 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld – the only person to serve as CEO of two Fortune 500 companies on different continents (Alcoa in the US, Siemens in Germany), global advisor, founder of K2 Elevation, angel investor, and author of Leading to Thrive. First Dollars & Early Hustle: At 12, worked illegally at a supermarket in Germany, later launched a Santa Claus business delivering gifts (and family messages!) on Christmas Eve. Early work taught the value of money, the realities of management at all levels, and why people must create and be paid for value. Mindset Developed by Adversity: Father died at age 10, grew up with a strong sense of self-reliance and urgency to earn. Immigrant family background; learned that “money is freedom” and that every dollar earned created options. Time spent with East German relatives instilled the lesson that money only matters if it can actually buy value. Spiritual & Emotional Energy: Foundation in faith (Protestant roots) was a crucial “anchor” through hard times and later in life. Dr. Kleinfeld’s new book, Leading to Thrive, stresses the four types of energy: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Advocates for not shying away from love, gratitude, and faith even in the corporate world—even if those topics are often taboo at the boardroom level. Career Guidance & Advancement: Career wasn’t about status, but about maximizing freedom and value creation. The path to more money: “Money comes in exchange for creating value—become indispensable and you’ll gain negotiating power.” Focus less on salary and more on skill acquisition; become a self-starter and continually improve. Key mantra: “Love it, change it, or leave it.” Life is too short to waste in situations without progress or fulfillment. Overcoming Fear and Stagnation: Don’t let fear (False Expectations Appearing Real) keep you “stuck”—analyze the true risks, and realize that most bad outcomes never materialize. Lessons from high performers: It’s about energy management (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual), not mere time management. Embrace continuous experimentation and agile adjustments—failure is just feedback and learning (Edison paradigm: every failed attempt is progress). Legacy and Regret: Biggest regrets from those at the end of life: not being truer to themselves and not choosing happiness sooner. See happiness as a daily, conscious choice, not something to seek only at the end. Dr. Kleinfeld’s Actionable Advice: Focus on increasing your value to others—money follows value. Regularly reassess: “Love it, change it, or leave it.” Invest in managing your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy. Don’t let fear dictate your story—break it down and act despite uncertainty. Read and learn from others (“Books condense a lifetime into a few hours—take the shortcut!”). Connect with Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld: https://www.leading-to-thrive.com/ 🚀 Travis Makes Money is made possible 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

Are you ready to take control of your health and uncover the truth about what’s holding you back? In this powerful episode of the Travis Makes Friends podcast, host Travis Chappell sits down with health and science journalist Max Lugavere, New York Times bestselling author of Genius Foods, Genius Life, and Genius Kitchen. Together, they dive deep into the four major killers threatening your future—heart disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and cancer—and reveal practical, science-backed strategies to prevent them. From debunking nutrition myths to exposing fraudulent research, Max shares eye-opening insights on brain health, insulin sensitivity, and the real impact of diet on your longevity. Plus, learn why creatine might be the game-changer you’ve overlooked and how to cut through the noise of diet culture. Don’t miss this life-changing conversation—hit play now and start majoring in the majors for a healthier, stronger you! Full episode: https://youtu.be/lfpe01LDqAo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Stefanou – First-generation Greek-American, Forbes “Best in State” Next Gen Wealth Advisor (2023, 2024), author of Two Comma Wealth, and founder of the financial planning firm Two Comma Wealth. Early Hustle: Grew up working flea markets, managing a coffee stand by 14, learning firsthand about hard work and margins (selling hundreds of cups from a single bulk bag of beans). Family stress on work ethic over formal education (first in his family to finish high school/college). Mindset & Upbringing: Dad: 4th grade education, Greek immigrant roots, championed U.S. for its opportunity. Education wasn’t pressured but encouraged as a path out of manual labor — “you can make a lot more money owning the business than swinging the hammer.” Professional Beginnings: Started at CVS (Florida): progressed from cashier to store management, realized the corporate grind wasn’t for him. Discovered financial advising, took the risk, and built a book of clients from scratch despite early financial hardship. Career in Financial Planning: Earned numerous certifications (to build trust while young). Stresses need for lifelong learning and combining IQ and EQ for real success with clients. About Two Comma Wealth (the book): Written for both consumers and industry peers. Focuses on actionable strategies for surpassing $1M net worth, but especially on what changes after you cross that threshold: Complexity, emotional swings with market volatility, nuances around distributions, withdrawal rates, taxes, and estate planning. Challenges of first-generation wealth (scarcity mindset, fear of spending, finding balance between living now and preserving legacy). Aims to demystify wealth management for “everyday millionaires.” Certified Financial Planner Career Path: Entry routes: Broker/dealer, fee-only/RIAs, or hybrid. Education/licensing: Can get entry-level securities licenses in months; advanced credentials (CFP, CFA) take years but build a valuable career “moat.” Highly front-loaded: Most start with low/no pay, lots of cold prospecting, high attrition/turnover. Significant success and six/seven figures possible for those that break through. Modern firms now offer more support, salary, and training versus the old eat-what-you-kill model. The Power of Having a Moat: High difficulty of becoming a trusted CFP means fewer competitors once you succeed, and deeper, more meaningful client relationships. Final Takeaways: CFPs and financial planners can have massive, positive multigenerational impact—if they combine technical skill with empathy and true service. The field is very challenging at first but extremely rewarding. Barriers to entry and trust are a signal that the opportunity is real. Connect with George Stefanou: Book: Two Comma Wealth Contact: Find George on all major social media or email directly (contact in show notes) 🚀 Travis Makes Money is brought to you 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

Trent Lee — #1 ranked business broker in the U.S. seven years in a row, with 600+ closed sales totaling over $200M in deals and more than $15M in personal commission. Early hustle: Painted address numbers on neighborhood curbs and mowed lawns — learned value creation early. Current role: Licensed business broker & appraiser. Specializes in small to mid-sized businesses, valuations, and finding qualified buyers through cash, SBA loans, or seller financing. How he got here: Inspired watching his father sell his 700-employee company (private equity deal). Learned firsthand how CPAs, attorneys, and buyers operate in M&A. Started and sold businesses (financing consulting & medical alert response center). Frustrated with brokers he worked with → became one himself. How to become a business broker: Licensing depends on the state (some require real estate + broker permit, others none). Associations like IBBA help standardize training/education. Strong background in accounting, contracts, negotiations, and marketing is essential. Challenge: takes 12+ months before first commissions hit; most fail because they run out of money before their first big close. Earnings potential: Smaller deals: 8–15% commission. Larger/private equity deals: lower %. First year = expect $0 while building pipeline. Year 2+, even a few deals ($500K–$2M businesses) → six figures+. Industry is older (often second careers), but huge opportunity for those who survive the ramp-up. Why brokerage over ownership? Trent opts not to buy businesses himself. Brokerage gives income without employees, leases, or headaches. He’s built wealth through business sales commissions, investing proceeds into 24 fully paid rental properties. Why so few business brokers? Most owners don’t even know brokers exist (unlike real estate). Lack of awareness & high skill bar keeps supply small — which means big opportunity for specialists. For Buyers: Buying an existing business = easier path to cash flow than startups. Zero-money-down deals are rare clickbait; you’ll usually need ~10% down. Can come from: personal cash/savings, self-directed retirement accounts, equity partner, or combination of buyer + seller financing. Buying with 0% down = 100% leverage → dangerous if market fluctuates. Better: leverage smartly so downturns = inconvenient, not devastating. Brokerage is a lucrative but long game; plan financially for the first year with no income. For buyers, don’t chase unicorn “zero down” structures — get creative but realistic with 10% in. Buying an existing cash-flowing business is almost always better than starting from scratch. Email: trent@fcbblv.com  🚀 This podcast is powered by High Level — the all-in-one sales & marketing platform for entrepreneurs and agencies.🎁 Grab a free 30-day trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eva Yazhari — Managing Partner of Beyond Capital Ventures, early-stage investor, author of The Good Your Money Can Do, and advocate for conscious capitalism. Her funds have backed 50+ equity and 9 debt investments, reaching over 100 million customers across Africa and India. First and most recent dollar: First job: Working at a Staten Island bread shop. Today: Managing partner of a venture + private credit fund investing in emerging markets with LP capital. Family background & mindset: Father grew up in Tanzania; grandfather a medical doctor working with Catholic missions — early exposure shaped her view of Africa as opportunity, not risk. Parents were artists — exposure to art trained her in pattern recognition, now one of her investor superpowers. Education & mindset pivots: Started pre-med at Columbia → realized it was toxic competition. Pivoted to math, discovering both aptitude and love of problem solving. Training in mathematics = fluency in patterns, language of money, and risk analysis. Early career: VP at Entrust Capital (fund of hedge funds). Employee #2 → helped scale from $200M → $4.8B AUM. Managed relationships with activist hedge fund giants like Bill Ackman and Carl Icahn. Learned portfolio building, risk management, and fundraising skills that later became core to her VC work. Why venture capital in Africa & India? By 2050, 1 in 4 humans will be African; India today has the world’s largest working-age population. 53% of the next decade’s growth will come from these regions. Saw contrarian “alpha” opportunity most Western investors still dismiss. Sectors of focus: Healthcare Fintech Mobility Agtech (selectively) All are tech-enabled, solving essential problems for fast-growing middle classes. Conscious capitalism lens: Portfolio companies think beyond profits → align incentives with customers, governments, communities. Example: Rwanda’s first licensed online pharmacy; startup scaling e-motorbikes after gas bikes banned. Beyond Capital gives founders a share of fund profits — equitable ownership model. Fundraising lessons: Fundraising is sales math: Eva raised her second fund after 550+ investor meetings → ~30–40 LPs. Funnel has to be very wide. Mindset matters: Rejections happen, but abundance mindset drives momentum. Referrals are gold: “Every dud knows a stud” — rejections often connect you to your best investors. Exude confidence from a clear strategy — investors back comfort + conviction. Personal insights: Considers herself an entrepreneur, not just an allocator. Believes leadership skills are as critical as financial acumen. Thinks of her fund as her “third child.” Alternate career: Pop star. Dream chat: Emma Grede (helped Kardashian brands scale). Learning style: Podcasts, audiobooks, physical books. Reading now: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle. Her book: The Good Your Money Can Do. Pump-up song: The Rapture Pt. 3 by Black Coffee. Weakness: Moving slowly — always in motion. https://www.instagram.com/consciousinvestor/?hl=en 🚀 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

John Dwyer — founder of The Institute of Wow, direct response marketing expert, and creator of standout campaigns (including a rare Jerry Seinfeld deal) that help businesses win without competing on price. Key Points: Theming sells: Inspired by Disney, JD uses evergreen, public domain themes (wildlife, outer space, dinosaurs) to make offers irresistible year‑round. Free IP example: Attack of the Dinosaurs collectible promo netted $500K in 4 weeks. Seinfeld home loan campaign: Replaced rate discounts with a free vacation, resulting in billions in extra loans. Incentives over discounts: Low‑cost/high‑perceived‑value rewards take focus off price — must match what the audience wants. Turf farm + premium beer bonus = sold out in days. Loyalty rewards swapped for movie vouchers boosted response. Ultimate incentive — travel: Access to unsold hotel rooms sold as bulk vouchers (~$48 special). Works for big‑ticket and demo offers; Harley dealers see ~3.5 sales per 10 test rides. Same cost as a 10% discount, far more pulling power. Doesn’t work for every sector (e.g., funerals). JD’s Principles: Don’t discount — differentiate with irresistible offers. Match incentive to customer desires, not product features. Use free IP themes to avoid licensing costs. Focus on high perceived value / low actual cost. Connect with John: vacationsincentive.com (email for 2‑for‑1 podcast listener deal) Email: john@theinstituteofwow.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

Garrett Gunderson is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Killing Sacred Cows and What Would the Rockefellers Do?. He’s built and sold an Inc. 500 financial firm, published ten books, created a comedy special on Amazon Prime, and now helps entrepreneurs grow their income, keep more of what they make, and design a life they love. In this episode, Garrett and Travis catch up on his last six years and dive into strategies for creating—not cutting—your way to wealth. Top 3 Takeaways: Expanding your means is as critical as budgeting and efficiency — you can’t scrimp your way to wealth. Invest first in yourself — skills are compounding assets that make every other investment more profitable. Cash flow buys freedom — when expenses are covered by assets, you can focus on creating and innovating. Connect with Garrett Gunderson: Instagram: @garrettbgunderson — DM “Travis” for a free audiobook copy of Money Unmasked. 🚀 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

Ann Pells shows aspiring entrepreneurs how to acquire already profitable, professionally managed small businesses that can net $10K/month—while requiring only about an hour a week to oversee. Drawing on her own journey from financial crisis to portfolio business owner, Ann explains how to find, fund, and operate recession-resistant companies without becoming a full-time operator yourself. On this episode we cover: From pink slip to passive ownershipYears ago, Ann’s family was blindsided when her husband was laid off—their only income source at the time. With three young kids, she vowed never to rely on one job again. After trying time-intensive real estate investing, she realized she needed teams and systems to create income without 60–80 hour work weeks. The turning pointFive years ago, she discovered a funding and management team (via a 5‑minute YouTube video) that helped her pay off her house in five years and access $200K for business acquisitions. That same team now helps her—and her clients—find, vet, fund, and manage those businesses. First acquisition Type: Water delivery service (home essentials niche) Structure: Partnered with ~10 existing investors, stepped into a deal mid-process with management team in place. Why that industry: Recession-resistant necessity (like plumbing, HVAC, medical, funeral homes, etc.). Deal sourcing Common public marketplaces: BizBuySell, Website Closers, etc. Ann’s management team does the research, shortlists candidates that match her criteria, and later operates the business post-close. Location can be local or remote if a strong manager is in place. Buyer criteria Target: ~25% profit margin Industries with steady demand regardless of economy. Prefer businesses already running well—opportunities to add tech or optimization for increased value at resale. Always buy with an exit strategy in mind (3–5 year horizon), even if planning to hold long term. Financing approaches Revenue-based financing: Loans underwritten on the target business’s financials, not the buyer’s personal credit. Seller financing where possible. Partnering to share risk and split profits. Her current portfolio 4 operating businesses Purchasing 2 more now Leverages same management/funding network for all deals Practical Advice for Aspiring Acquirers: Think recession resistance: Focus on “needs” industries like home services, healthcare, essentials. Use other people’s expertise: Partner with existing managers and acquisition pros—don’t try to play every role. Let the numbers guide you: Profit margin, stable cash flow, and solid P&L history matter more than “charm” or trendiness. Ask “How can I?” not “Can I?” — Shifts your brain into solution-finding mode. Top 3 Takeaways: Buying beats building: Acquire something already working with cash flow and processes in place. Partnering & management = leverage: You don’t need to personally operate the business to benefit from it. Funding is out there: Revenue-based and seller financing can drastically reduce or eliminate upfront out-of-pocket costs. Notable Quotes: “Instead of telling ourselves we can’t, ask: How can I?” “We don’t buy to give ourselves another job—we buy with management teams in place so it’s hours a week, not hours a day.” “Recession-resistant means: people need it whether the economy booms or busts.” Connect with Ann Pells: Website: lifegiverlegacy.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