INTERVIEW | Make Money by Scaling Profits, Not Just Revenue with Cruz Gamboa

CO-HOST | Make Money Through Better Relationships and Authentic Networking

In this candid and entertaining episode, Travis is joined by his producer Eric for a conversation that starts with weight loss, awkward photos, and self-awareness before evolving into a deeper discussion about networking, relationships, and human connection. Drawing on experiences with celebrities, podcast guests, and high-profile entrepreneurs, Travis shares practical insights on how authentic relationships are built—not through status-seeking or transactional behavior, but through genuine curiosity, confidence, and treating people like people. The result is a refreshing look at networking that feels more human and far more effective. On this episode we talk about: * Why treating people like old friends can make networking easier and more natural * The psychology behind building genuine relationships with successful people * How desperation and hidden agendas can hurt your ability to connect with others * The balance between documenting meaningful experiences and being present in the moment * Why authenticity and low-pressure interactions often create stronger connections than networking tactics Top 3 Takeaways 1. People respond to authenticity. Approaching others without an agenda makes conversations more enjoyable and often leads to stronger long-term relationships. 2. The less you need something from someone, the more naturally connection can happen. Confidence and genuine curiosity are often more effective than trying to impress people. 3. Relationships matter more than social proof. Focusing on friendship and connection creates more value than collecting photos, favors, or status symbols. Notable Quotes * "The less you care, the more people will be attracted to you as an individual." * "You want it to be less work for them to connect with you, not more work." * "People are just people." Connect with Travis Chappell: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell [https://www.instagram.com/travischappell] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell] * Website: https://travischappell.com [https://travischappell.com/] * Podcast: https://travischappell.com/podcast [https://travischappell.com/podcast] A Word from Our Sponsors: - 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 Scaling Profits, Not Just Revenue with Cruz Gamboa

Cruz Gamboa is the founder of Ascend Growth Ventures and ScalingCFO.io, where he helps founder-led businesses scale profitably through proven financial operating systems. A former GE and GE Capital executive with more than 20 years of experience and over $2 billion in structured deals, Cruz has worked across the U.S. and Latin America helping businesses create sustainable growth. In this episode, he shares his journey from selling oranges door-to-door in Venezuela to becoming a sought-after CFO, coach, and entrepreneur, while revealing why profitability—not revenue—is the key to building a valuable company. On this episode we talk about: * Cruz's journey from Venezuela to the United States on a full scholarship * Lessons learned from a 20+ year career at GE and GE Capital * Why entrepreneurship offers greater upside than the traditional corporate path * The difference between growth and true business scaling * How founders can build profitable, sellable businesses through financial systems Top 3 Takeaways 1. Growth and scaling are not the same thing. Growing revenue without improving profitability can actually reduce the long-term value of a business. 2. Focus on what you can control. Success comes from creating value, developing skills, and taking ownership rather than blaming external circumstances. 3. Build systems that increase profits as revenue grows. A scalable business is one that can handle more customers and opportunities while becoming more profitable over time. Notable Quotes * "Entrepreneurship puts you in the steering wheel of your own life." * "Scaling is about profitability, not just revenues." * "When you're doing work that is aligned with you, the probability of burnout drops dramatically." Connect with Cruz Gamboa: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruzgamboa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruzgamboa] * Website: https://scalingcfo.io [https://scalingcfo.io/] * Company: https://ascendgrowthventures.com [https://ascendgrowthventures.com/] * Book: Scaling Profits: The Missing Financial Operating System for Ambitious Founders (coming soon) A Word from Our Sponsors: - 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 Relationships, Systems, and the Confidence to Reinvent Yourself

In this solo episode of Travis Makes Money, Travis reflects on some of the biggest lessons he's learned from an incredible lineup of past guests, including Josh Peck, Scott Harrison, Jack Carr, Jordan Harbinger, Randy Couture, Joe Gatto, Donald Miller, George Kamel, and more. Drawing on conversations with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, authors, and thought leaders, Travis uncovers the recurring themes that separate successful people from everyone else. From the power of generosity and networking to the importance of systems, environment design, and earned confidence, this episode is packed with practical wisdom that can help anyone build a more successful and fulfilling life. On this episode we talk about: * Why access and opportunity often come from simply asking and leading with generosity * The hidden costs of success, including burnout, identity shifts, and personal sacrifice * How systems consistently outperform motivation when it comes to achieving goals * Why changing your environment is often the fastest path to personal reinvention * How confidence is built through action, repetition, and evidence—not positive thinking Top 3 Takeaways 1. Relationships compound when you lead with generosity. The most successful people focus on helping others without keeping score, creating opportunities that often come back in unexpected ways. 2. Systems beat motivation every time. Long-term success in business, health, and finances comes from creating repeatable processes rather than relying on willpower. 3. Confidence is earned through action. The people who appear confident aren't necessarily fearless—they've simply accumulated enough evidence through repeated practice and experience. Notable Quotes * "Access comes from asking." * "You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your habits." * "Confidence is the receipt you earn from multiplied effort over time." Connect with Travis Chappell: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell [https://www.instagram.com/travischappell] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell] * Website: https://travischappell.com [https://travischappell.com/] * Podcast: https://travischappell.com/podcast [https://travischappell.com/podcast] A Word from Our Sponsors: - 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 Focusing on Substance Over Appearance

In this casual but insightful episode, Travis and producer Eric dive into a conversation about personal branding, professional appearance, confidence, and whether looking successful actually helps you become successful. From fitted suits and luxury watches to fitness, sales, and billionaire habits, they unpack the relationship between perception and performance—and why substance ultimately matters more than style. On this episode we talk about: * Whether dressing well actually impacts business success * How different industries view appearance and professionalism * The connection between fitness, confidence, and performance * Why many wealthy people don't feel the need to look wealthy * The difference between projecting success and creating real value Top 3 Takeaways 1. Your appearance matters most when it aligns with the expectations of your industry and audience. 2. Physical fitness can improve confidence and energy levels, which often translates into better performance. 3. The wealthiest and most successful people often focus more on relationships, value creation, and business substance than outward status symbols. Notable Quotes * "Dress for where you are." * "The people who are extremely wealthy don't think about that stuff at all." * "They don't care what car you drive or what watch you have on. They just care about the substance of the business relationship." Connect with Travis Chappell: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell [https://www.instagram.com/travischappell] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell] * Website: https://travischappell.com [https://travischappell.com/] A Word from Our Sponsors: - 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 Understanding Value, Scaling Smart, and Winning with Modern Marketing with Erik Huberman

Erik Huberman is a serial entrepreneur, marketing expert, and the founder and CEO of Hawk Media, one of the fastest-growing marketing consultancies in the United States. Since launching Hawk Media in 2014, Erik has helped scale more than 5,000 brands, including household names like Red Bull, Verizon, Casamigos, Funko, and Crocs. In this episode, Erik shares lessons from building and selling companies, scaling a service business without outside funding, acquiring agencies, and adapting to the rapidly changing marketing landscape in the age of AI. On this episode we talk about: * How Erik landed a $25,000 consulting project that changed his perspective on value * The early days of Hawk Media and the strategy behind building a scalable marketing agency * Why most agencies fail and what separates great marketing partners from the rest * Using acquisitions to grow a service business and lessons learned from agency M&A * The rise of AI optimization (AEO) and what businesses should be doing right now to stay ahead Top 3 Takeaways 1. The value of your work is determined by the outcome it creates, not the amount of time it takes to complete. 2. Sustainable growth comes from mastering proven channels, building systems, and avoiding shortcuts that create unnecessary risk. 3. AI optimization is creating one of the biggest marketing opportunities available today, and businesses that adapt early will have a significant advantage. Notable Quotes * "There's a difference between how I value it and how they value it." * "If I give you the outcome you need, my fees don't matter." * "You have to be exceptional at something." Connect with Erik Huberman: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikhuberman [https://www.instagram.com/erikhuberman] * X: https://x.com/erikhuberman [https://x.com/erikhuberman] * Website: https://hawkmedia.com [https://hawkmedia.com/] * Podcast: https://hawktalkpodcast.com [https://hawktalkpodcast.com/] A Word from Our Sponsors: - 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]