Travis Makes Money

Peter Imburg is the founder and CEO of Elfster, the world’s most widely used Secret Santa and gift exchange platform, now serving over 40 million users globally. He bootstrapped the company from a side project in his basement into a profitable, affiliate-driven e‑commerce engine—without taking a dollar of venture capital or angel money. On this episode we talk about: How Peter went from paper rout...

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric react to a series of viral skits that poke fun at B2B sales reps, door-to-door bros, and MLM stereotypes—and use them to break down what actually makes for good, ethical selling. The conversation hits on empathy, objection handling, long-term thinking, and why trying to “pound” customers for one big commission check is a terrible strategy if you want a...

Andrew Giancola is the creator of MasterMoney.co and host of The Personal Finance Podcast, a top personal finance show doing over 400,000 downloads every month. He started with no money, no investing knowledge, and the same fears around asking for a raise most people have, and now teaches millions how to build real, lasting wealth through simple systems, smart debt strategies, and increasing incom...

Travis teams up with his producer Eric to react to a wild news story about two Dairy Queen franchise owners in Long Island who got hit with a $6 million lawsuit over a technical payroll violation. Using their situation as a springboard, Travis unpacks the often invisible risks of small business ownership, the realities of razor-thin margins, and why the legal and regulatory environment can feel st...

Retired Navy Senior Chief Travis Winfield is a bestselling author and the CEO of Military Operated Real Estate (MORE), the first national real estate brand built specifically for service members and veterans. He went from growing up with almost nothing to building a powerhouse six‑agent team that has closed over 700 homes and more than $350 million in sales, and his mission now is to fix the finan...

Austin Armstrong is a 20+ year social media marketing veteran who started on MySpace at 14 and has since built a successful agency and AI-powered software company, Syllaby. He’s also the author of Virality, a book distilling two decades of wins, losses, and experiments into a practical playbook for turning attention into income.​ On this episode we talk about: How Austin stumbled into social media...

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric react to a call from The Ramsey Show with George Kamel and John Delony, where a 26-year-old caller wrestles with whether to wipe out his $20,000 savings to pay off credit card and truck debt. Using that scenario as a springboard, they dig into the psychology of safety, why cash in the bank feels like a “warm blanket,” and how to make smarter decisions...

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric riff on the wild success of Jesse Cole and the Savannah Bananas, a baseball franchise that exploded by obsessing over fan experience instead of traditional revenue models. Using Jesse’s journey from near-bankruptcy to selling out NFL stadiums, they unpack how “fans first” thinking can transform any business, not just sports. On this episode we talk abo...

Bishop Kevin Foreman is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and wealth strategist who has generated and managed millions through ministry, real estate, coaching, and digital ventures. From pioneering his first business at 12 to building Denver’s largest Black-owned mortgage company and leading Harvest Church, he blends biblical principles with bold execution to help people break cycles of lack and s...

Producer Eric joins Travis in this episode to break down why creators, podcasters, and business owners do not need millions of followers to build a serious income online. Eric is a veteran content producer and host in his own right, bringing a creator’s eye for monetization strategies, niche positioning, and long-term brand building to the conversation.​ On this episode we talk about: Why a massiv...

Travis sits down with long‑time friend and entrepreneur Jason Haugen to unpack the very real, very unsexy side of building and exiting a nine‑location RV dealership group that peaked at $100M a year—then got crushed by a 70% sales drop and exploding interest costs. After taking some time off, walking through his wife’s cancer battle, and licking his wounds, Jason is now co‑founder and CEO of Black...

Aden Bahadori and Brett Granstaff join Travis to unpack how AI is about to change the economics of filmmaking and content creation. Aden is an award‑winning editor, post‑production engineer, and longtime Adobe advisor who has cut music videos, TV, and features; Brett is a veteran producer, writer, and actor, and the president/founder of Ridge Rock Entertainment Group with two decades in independen...

Bob Phibbs joins Travis to break down why great retail is really about great human connection—and how that truth is even more important in an AI‑driven world. Known globally as “The Retail Doctor,” Bob has spent decades turning around struggling stores, training more than 250,000 associates, and helping brands like LEGO, Seiko, and Yamaha boost sales with people‑first systems that actually work in...

Travis and producer Eric dig into an old clip from 2019 where a 27‑year‑old Travis explains why polarizing beliefs and “true fans” are critical for creators and entrepreneurs. Using that as a jumping‑off point, they talk candidly about content, integrity, legacy, and what it means to build an audience your future kids can look up—and cringe—at. On this episode we talk about: Whether Travis still a...

Daniel Solin joins Travis to explain why most investors are overcomplicating things and quietly lighting their wealth on fire. A former Wall Street attorney who spent decades representing clients burned by bad brokers, Daniel became a New York Times bestselling author of the “Smartest” series of investing books and now focuses on helping ordinary people outperform most professionals with a no‑nons...

Travis brings producer Eric into the virtual studio for a late‑night, high‑energy reaction episode on how money, status, and expectations collide in modern relationships. Using viral clips about insane car payments, a rejected Walmart engagement ring, and a boyfriend insisting on separate finances and a prenup, they break down what these decisions reveal about values, red flags, and long‑term weal...

Travis and producer Eric perform a tongue‑in‑cheek “autopsy” on the rise and fall of Clubhouse, revisiting a 2021 conversation with Jordan Harbinger where they questioned whether the app could ever compete with podcasting. They unpack why a product that looked brilliant on paper—and raised money at a $4B valuation—collapsed so quickly, and what creators, founders, and marketers should learn before...

Travis reconnects with long‑time friend and solar sales leader Steven Cohen to break down how door‑to‑door solar has created life‑changing income for thousands of reps—and why the recent merger of Sunder Energy with publicly traded SunPower has only strengthened that opportunity. From early days earning a few hundred dollars per kilowatt to today’s multi‑thousand‑dollar commissions, Steven explain...

Neri Karra Sillaman joins Travis to unpack why immigrant entrepreneurs are disproportionately likely to build enduring, billion‑dollar businesses. Drawing on her journey from refugee child expelled from Bulgaria, to founder of a 25‑year‑old leather goods company, to PhD and entrepreneurship expert at Oxford University, Neri shares the eight principles from her book Pioneers: Eight Principles of Bu...

Eric and Travis react to a clip of Riaz Meghji. Riaz breaks down the craft of powerful conversations, drawing on his two decades as a TV host, human connection keynote speaker, and author of Every Conversation Counts. Known for helping leaders build meaningful relationships in a distracted, digital-first world, Riaz shares practical frameworks any creator, entrepreneur, or interviewer can use to u...

Travis and producer Eric tackle one of the most common questions in personal finance and self‑help: can money really buy happiness? They dig into research on income and life satisfaction, talk through how money affects freedom and options, and explore cautionary tales of wealthy people who became slaves to greed. The conversation ultimately reframes money as a powerful tool—one that can remove mon...

Keith Yackey joins Travis to talk about the surprising overlap between making more money and having a thriving marriage. A former contractor, pastor, and real estate investor who built a seven‑figure online business in 14 months, Keith now runs Married Game, where he helps men become the most attractive version of themselves for themselves—and, as a byproduct, for their wives. From proof‑of‑funds...

Travis and producer Eric break down how “lifestyle creep” quietly traps people in careers and businesses they don’t even like. Using Travis’s own journey—from upgrading houses and stuffing the biggest U‑Haul available, to downsizing into an 800 sq ft apartment with his brother‑in‑law so he could rebuild—this episode shows how controlling lifestyle and expenses can buy the freedom to switch careers...

Travis sits down with entrepreneur and “CEO Whisperer” Charles Gaudet, founder and CEO of Predictable Profits, to unpack how real momentum—not just ideas—creates lasting success. From launching his first “business” at four years old to building a multimillion‑dollar company in his twenties and helping clients add over $100M in revenue, Charles explains why most owners cap out on hard work, how to...

Travis and Eric sit down for a candid conversation about how beginners should actually get started in real estate—without overthinking strategy or blindly trusting gurus. Drawing on Travis’s own “real estate dabbler” experience and recent insights from billion‑dollar multifamily operator Veena Jetti, they break down mindset, risk, education, and why doing a small, imperfect first deal usually beat...