INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building a Restaurant Brand with Chef JJ Johnson

CO-HOST | Make Money Without Obsessing Over Every Dollar

In this episode, Travis and his producer Eric dive into a lively conversation about wealth-building, spending habits, investing, and the often-heated debate around personal finance advice. Using examples ranging from Kevin O'Leary's comments on expensive lunches to the power of compound interest, they explore how small financial decisions add up over time. Along the way, they discuss the realities of modern costs of living, the importance of increasing income, and why personal finance advice isn't always one-size-fits-all. On this episode we talk about: * How net worth compares across age groups and what it means to be "above average" * Why starting to invest young creates an enormous long-term advantage * The debate around spending $28 on lunch versus investing that money * How everyday spending habits impact long-term wealth accumulation * Balancing frugality with increasing your earning power Top 3 Takeaways 1. Time is your greatest investing advantage. Small amounts invested consistently in your 20s and 30s can compound into significant wealth over the course of your lifetime. 2. Financial habits matter more than individual purchases. One expensive lunch won't make or break your finances, but repeated spending patterns can dramatically affect your long-term results. 3. Focus on both saving and earning. Cutting unnecessary expenses helps, but increasing your income creates the flexibility to enjoy life while still building wealth. Notable Quotes * "The gap that you can make in your 20s and 30s is going to be the one that actually compounds for the rest of your life." * "Two things can be true. You can recognize the pricing is insane while also choosing to eat at home." * "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems when you have money in the bank." 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 amazing sponsors. Their support allows us to continue bringing you practical conversations about money, business, investing, and personal growth. Be sure to check out the sponsors mentioned in this episode and let them know you heard about them on the Travis Makes Money Podcast! - 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 a Restaurant Brand with Chef JJ Johnson

Chef JJ Johnson is a James Beard Award-winning chef, author, entrepreneur, and founder of Field Trip, a fast-casual restaurant concept built around globally inspired rice bowls. With locations across New York City, Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, and a new location opening in JFK Airport, JJ has successfully combined culinary excellence with business innovation. In this episode, he shares the realities of restaurant entrepreneurship, raising capital, managing cash flow, scaling a food brand, and navigating the challenges of running a business in a highly competitive industry. On this episode we talk about: * How JJ Johnson turned a passion for cooking into a successful restaurant brand * Why Field Trip was born from a capital constraint rather than the original business plan * The hidden financial realities of opening and operating a restaurant * Managing cash flow, labor costs, food inflation, and profitability * Building customer loyalty, retaining guests, and expanding through licensing opportunities Top 3 Takeaways 1. Capital constraints can spark innovation. Field Trip wasn't JJ's original vision, but adapting to the resources available led to a scalable concept that ultimately succeeded. 2. Entrepreneurship requires mastering skills far beyond your craft. Running a restaurant means understanding accounting, payroll, insurance, cash flow, operations, and marketing—not just making great food. 3. Cash flow is king. A restaurant can have a great concept and strong demand but still struggle if cash isn't managed carefully enough to survive growth and operational challenges. Notable Quotes * "If I really work this hard for this guy, what happens if I work really hard for myself?" * "A lot of restaurants don't close because they're bad concepts—they close because they don't have enough money to survive long enough to grow." * "You're the founder of the business. You have to jump in where it's needed and rock and roll." Connect with Chef JJ Johnson: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjj [https://www.instagram.com/chefjj] * Website: https://www.chefjj.co [https://www.chefjj.co/] * Field Trip: https://www.fieldtripnyc.com [https://www.fieldtripnyc.com/] * Clio TV: Just Eats with Chef JJ 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, creators, and industry leaders who are building remarkable businesses. Be sure to check out the sponsors featured in this episode and let them know you heard about them on the Travis Makes Money Podcast! - 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 Taking Radical Responsibility - Lessons from my Dr. Nicole LePera interview

Dr. Nicole LePera, better known as The Holistic Psychologist, has become one of the most influential voices in personal development and mental wellness. With millions of followers, multiple New York Times bestselling books, and a mission to make psychological healing accessible to everyone, Dr. LePera has helped countless people better understand themselves and break free from destructive patterns. In this episode, Travis shares some of the most impactful lessons he learned from his conversations with Dr. LePera and explores how self-awareness, responsibility, and holistic healing can transform your life. On this episode we talk about: * Why taking radical responsibility gives you more control over your future * How the body stores patterns and habits that the mind alone can't overcome * The hidden comfort of familiar suffering and why change feels threatening * How childhood relationships shape identity, behavior, and self-perception * Why true healing requires addressing the mind, body, and overall lifestyle together Top 3 Takeaways 1. You are an active participant in your outcomes. Taking responsibility for your role in past results isn't about blame—it's about regaining control and creating better outcomes moving forward. 2. Real change happens through both the body and the mind. Practices like movement, breathwork, meditation, and nervous system regulation can help create lasting transformation when insight alone falls short. 3. Familiar pain often feels safer than uncertain growth. Many people remain stuck in unhealthy patterns because predictability feels less threatening than change, even when change could lead to a better life. Notable Quotes * "It's not about shifting blame—it's about putting your hands back on the wheel." * "Your nervous system is wired for the familiar, even when the familiar is painful." * "The identity that feels most like you might actually be the thing that's holding you back the most." Connect with Dr. Nicole LePera: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.holistic.psychologist [https://www.instagram.com/the.holistic.psychologist] * Website: https://theholisticpsychologist.com [https://theholisticpsychologist.com/] * Books: How to Do the Work, How to Meet Yourself, and other New York Times bestsellers 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, experts, and thought leaders. Please check out the sponsors mentioned in this episode and let them know you heard about them on the Travis Makes Money Podcast! - 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 Understanding Business Value Like The Rock

In this episode featuring Travis and producer Eric, the duo dives into a fascinating story shared by wrestling legend Dwayne Johnson about negotiating his WWE contract. What begins as a discussion about professional wrestling quickly turns into a practical lesson on compensation, business economics, and how employees can position themselves for higher earnings. Travis breaks down why understanding a company's financial realities is essential for anyone looking to increase their income, while Eric shares personal experiences from his early career that illustrate the importance of creating value before asking for a raise. On this episode, we talk about: * The Rock's contract negotiation lesson from WWE * Why understanding business economics leads to better compensation discussions * How employees can create leverage before asking for a raise * Common misconceptions about business owners and profitability * Eric's experience creating additional value in a marketing role * Why entitlement hurts career growth * How learning new skills increases earning potential * The realities of restaurant and small business profit margins * When it's time to move on from an employer who doesn't recognize your value * Viewing compensation conversations through the employer's perspective Top 3 Takeaways 1. Learn the business before negotiating compensation. Understanding how a company makes money, what its costs are, and how your work contributes to revenue allows you to make a stronger case for higher pay. 2. Create value first, then ask for more. The best raises often come when you've expanded your role, developed new skills, or increased the company's profitability beyond what you were originally hired to do. 3. Think like an owner, not just an employee. When you understand the challenges, expenses, and risks involved in running a business, you'll be better equipped to identify opportunities that benefit both you and your employer. Notable Quotes "If you're going to get a good idea of what value you're going to bring to the organization, then you should probably get a good idea of what the bottom line looks like." "You have to ask the question: What's in it for them, not what's in it for me." "The next job that you get, you can start off at a higher threshold because you have more skills to bring to the table." Connect with Travis * Website: https://travischappell.com [https://travischappell.com/] * Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell [https://instagram.com/travischappell] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's looking to increase their income and advance their career. - 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 Products People Love with Gusto Co-Founder, Tomer London

Tomer London is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Gusto, the payroll, HR, and benefits platform that serves hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the United States. Originally from Haifa, Israel, Tomer grew up helping in his family's small business, an experience that shaped his passion for entrepreneurship and supporting small business owners. With degrees in computer engineering and electrical engineering from the Technion and Stanford, respectively, Tomer combined his love of technology with a deep appreciation for small businesses to help build Gusto into a company generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue. On this episode we talk about: * How Tomer earned his first entrepreneurial income creating 3D animations as a teenager * Why curiosity and tinkering with technology can create lifelong opportunities * The differences between product management, engineering, and building technology companies * How Gusto grew by focusing on customer love rather than traditional sales tactics * Lessons learned from a failed startup before building a billion-dollar business Top 3 Takeaways 1. The most important activities for an early-stage startup are building a product people love and talking to customers relentlessly. 2. Customer referrals become the most powerful growth engine when you create an experience that people genuinely enjoy using. 3. When hiring, prioritize humility, adaptability, and a growth mindset over impressive resumes or technical credentials alone. Notable Quotes * "Build your product and talk with customers. Everything else is a distraction." * "They're paying me to learn how to do this? That's amazing." * "Hire for humility, growth mindset, and the ability to get feedback." Connect with Tomer London: * X: https://x.com/tomerlondon [https://x.com/tomerlondon] * Company: https://gusto.com [https://gusto.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]