CO-HOST | Make Money by Protecting Yourself from Bad Actors and Broken Systems

INTERVIEW | Make Money by Taking Risks, Building Confidence, and Betting on Yourself with Giovanni Vaccaro

Giovanni Vaccaro is the co-founder of GlamSquad, the beauty services platform that has delivered nearly two million services and built a network of more than 2,000 beauty professionals across the United States. Starting as a hairstylist with a passion for helping people build confidence, Giovanni transformed his expertise into a category-defining business. Today, he also coaches founders, executives, and high performers through his company Peak Mode, helping them overcome self-imposed limitations, develop stronger leadership identities, and unlock their next level of growth. On this episode we talk about: * How Giovanni went from working in his family's pizza business to becoming a successful hairstylist and entrepreneur * Why fear, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt often prevent people from pursuing bigger opportunities * The mindset shift that turns fear of failure into fear of regret * Building GlamSquad from an idea into a nationally recognized beauty platform * How to find the right business partners, investors, and relationships for long-term success Top 3 Takeaways 1. The biggest risk is often not taking a risk at all. What feels safe today can quickly become obsolete in a rapidly changing world. 2. When facing a major decision, imagine the regret you'll feel years from now if you never take action—it can be a more powerful motivator than fear. 3. Successful partnerships are built on complementary skill sets, aligned values, trust, and a shared vision for the future. Notable Quotes * "The worst possible scenario never happens 93% of the time." * "Safety and security are just an illusion." * "The fear of regret is ten times more powerful than the fear of actually doing the thing." Connect with Giovanni Vaccaro: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giovannivaccaro [https://www.instagram.com/giovannivaccaro] * Personal Website: https://www.giovaccaro.com/ [https://www.giovaccaro.com/] * Business: https://glamsquad.com/ [https://glamsquad.com/] A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our incredible sponsors. Their support allows us to continue bringing you conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, creators, and leaders who share actionable insights to help you make more money and create more freedom in your life. Check out the sponsor links in the episode description to learn more and support the companies that support the show. - Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com [http://www.fanvue.com/] today and launch your career! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney [https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney] -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 [http://gohighlevel.com/travis] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

SOLO | Make Money by Building Discipline Before Success Arrives - Lessons from my Brandon Carter interview

Brandon Carter, better known as King Keto, is a fitness entrepreneur, online coach, and content creator who built a thriving business after overcoming tremendous adversity. Growing up in a challenging environment and facing family tragedy at a young age, Brandon worked multiple jobs, supported his family, and eventually built a successful online fitness empire. In this episode, Travis shares some of the most powerful lessons from his conversation with Brandon, covering discipline, entrepreneurship, personal branding, and the pursuit of meaningful fulfillment. On this episode we talk about: * Why discipline is more important than money when it comes to long-term success * How Brandon worked multiple jobs and earned six figures during a recession * The safest and smartest way to transition from a job to entrepreneurship * Why polarizing content creates stronger personal brands and businesses * The difference between pleasure and lasting fulfillment Top 3 Takeaways 1. Build discipline before wealth arrives. Money amplifies your habits and character. Without discipline, financial success can quickly disappear. 2. Do what's required before doing what's desired. Brandon's willingness to work long hours and multiple jobs created opportunities that eventually gave him freedom. 3. Sustainable happiness comes from growth. Lasting fulfillment comes from pursuing your potential, not endlessly chasing temporary pleasures. Notable Quotes * "Discipline before the money is the only thing that protects you when the money comes." * "Specificity attracts, neutrality disappears." * "Hedonism is not enjoyment—it's just sporadically borrowed joy." Connect with Brandon Carter: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingketo [https://www.instagram.com/kingketo] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighLifeWorkout [https://www.youtube.com/@HighLifeWorkout] * Website: https://www.brandoncarter.com/ [https://www.brandoncarter.com/] A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our incredible sponsors. Their support helps us continue bringing you conversations with world-class entrepreneurs, investors, creators, and business leaders each week. To learn more about our sponsors and take advantage of exclusive offers for Travis Makes Money listeners, check out the links in the episode description. - Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com [http://www.fanvue.com/] today and launch your career! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney [https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney] -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 [http://gohighlevel.com/travis] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

CO-HOST | Make Money by Protecting Yourself from Bad Actors and Broken Systems

In this episode, Travis and producer Eric dive into one of the wildest business stories on the internet: the alleged theft of a massive LEGO Star Wars collection worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and the corporate, legal, and law enforcement drama that followed. Using a viral YouTube investigation as a jumping-off point, they explore business ethics, franchise risks, legal power imbalances, and what happens when ordinary people find themselves up against organizations with deeper pockets and more influence. On this episode we talk about: * The viral LEGO Star Wars collection controversy involving Bricks & Minifigs * How franchise businesses can create unexpected risks for owners and customers * The power of independent creators and investigative YouTubers in holding organizations accountable * Why legal battles often favor whoever has the most resources * The broader lessons about ownership, contracts, and protecting valuable assets Top 3 Takeaways 1. Having a contract isn't always enough—enforcing your rights can become expensive and time-consuming when larger organizations are involved. 2. Reputation can be one of a company's most valuable assets, and public trust can disappear quickly when customers believe they've been treated unfairly. 3. Independent creators and online communities can sometimes shine a spotlight on stories that would otherwise go unnoticed. Notable Quotes * "The person with the most amount of money and the most contacts wins." * "It feels like the opposite of justice." * "I'm so glad there's people going to YouTube and holding people accountable." Connect with Travis Chappell: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell [https://www.instagram.com/travischappell] * Website: https://travischappell.com [https://travischappell.com/] A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our incredible sponsors. Their support allows us to continue sharing conversations and stories about entrepreneurship, investing, wealth-building, and navigating the business world. Check out the sponsor links in the episode description to learn more and support the companies that support the show. - Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com [http://www.fanvue.com/] today and launch your career! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney [https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney] -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 [http://gohighlevel.com/travis] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building Influence, Solving Problems, and Supporting the Arts with Robin Bronk

Robin Bronk is the CEO of The Creative Coalition, the leading nonprofit and nonpartisan advocacy organization representing the entertainment industry. Working alongside actors, writers, producers, directors, and executives, Robin helps leverage the power of storytelling and the arts to drive social impact and public policy initiatives. In this episode, she shares her unconventional career journey from small-town South Carolina to Washington, D.C., discusses the economic impact of the arts, and reveals the leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that have helped her successfully navigate politics, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. On this episode we talk about: * How the arts contribute to economic growth and workforce development * Robin's journey from aspiring filmmaker to lobbyist and nonprofit CEO * The realities of lobbying, advocacy, and influencing public policy * Why research, curiosity, and asking better questions create better leaders * Building confidence through preparation, presence, and active listening Top 3 Takeaways 1. The arts are not just cultural assets—they're economic drivers. Every dollar invested in arts programs can generate significant returns for local communities. 2. Confidence comes from preparation and presence. The more deeply you understand a subject and actively listen to others, the more effective you'll be as a leader. 3. Complex challenges become manageable when broken into smaller pieces. Whether you're leading a nonprofit, building a business, or solving a personal problem, progress often starts by simplifying the objective. Notable Quotes * "Don't be afraid to say, 'I don't understand.'" * "Ninety-nine percent of the time, there is a way through." * "Go in deep. You'll almost never regret it." Connect with Robin Bronk: * Organization: https://www.thecreativecoalition.org [https://www.thecreativecoalition.org/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robin_bronk/ [https://www.instagram.com/robin_bronk/] * Learn More: https://www.thecreativecoalition.org/about [https://www.thecreativecoalition.org/about] A Word from Our Sponsors: If you're looking to connect with entrepreneurs, creators, business owners, and high-performing professionals, sponsoring the Travis Makes Money podcast is a powerful way to reach an engaged audience focused on growth, impact, and success. Contact the Travis Makes Money team to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. - Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com [http://www.fanvue.com/] today and launch your career! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney [https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney] -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 [http://gohighlevel.com/travis] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

SOLO | Make Money by Building Confidence, Earning Trust, and Finding Meaning - Lessons from my Tanner Chidester interview

Tanner Chidester is an entrepreneur, business coach, and online marketing expert who has generated well over $100 million in sales by helping coaches and service providers grow their businesses. Starting as a fitness coach after a lifetime in athletics, Tanner built multiple successful companies by applying the same principles of discipline, consistency, and personal growth that first transformed his life as a teenager. In this episode, Travis shares some of his biggest takeaways from their conversation, covering confidence, business, success, trust, and the search for meaning beyond financial achievement. On this episode we talk about: * How early wins create the belief that effort leads to results * Why confidence is built through evidence, not affirmations * The surprising identity crisis that can come after achieving major goals * Why trust has become the most valuable asset in modern business * The dangers of forming opinions based on social media clips and sound bites Top 3 Takeaways 1. Confidence is earned through action. Every challenge you overcome creates evidence that you can figure out the next one. 2. Achieving a major financial goal won't automatically create fulfillment. Success often amplifies deeper questions about purpose, meaning, and identity. 3. In today's marketplace, trust is the ultimate competitive advantage. Long-term success belongs to people who consistently deliver real value and build credibility over time. Notable Quotes * "The first time you prove to yourself that effort produces results, it is life-changing." * "Confidence is not something you talk yourself into. It's something you build with evidence." * "Trust is now the scarcest resource in business." Connect with Tanner Chidester: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Tanner.Chidester/ * Website: https://tannerchidester.com/ * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tanner.chidester A Word from Our Sponsors: Interested in reaching an audience of entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, and high performers? Sponsoring the Travis Makes Money podcast is a powerful way to connect with listeners who are actively seeking strategies to grow their income, businesses, and wealth. Contact the team to learn more about partnership opportunities. - Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com [http://www.fanvue.com/] today and launch your career! - To learn more about Mode Mobile and its investor community, go to ⁠https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney⁠ [https://invest.modemobile.com/travismakesmoney] -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 [http://gohighlevel.com/travis] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]