Travis Makes Money

Stephen Scoggins is a serial entrepreneur, author, coach, and host of the Build podcast. Having once started his business while sleeping in his car, Stephen built his construction company from the ground up and successfully exited in late 2023, selling at just under nine figures. Now, he invests in other entrepreneurs, mentors high-performing founders, and speaks across stages nationwide, sharing practical wisdom on scaling, exits, and personal transformation. On this episode we talk about: * How Stephen went from homelessness to building and selling a near nine-figure company * The lessons learned from exiting a business: why you should always build as if you plan to sell—even if you never do * What buyers really want: systems, predictable cash flow, culture, and efficient operations * The importance of restructuring, optimizing, and “going back through with a fine-tooth comb” before an exit * Stephen’s new focus on family office investing, real estate, equity stakes, and founder mentorship * Why a year-long entrepreneur “test period” is Stephen’s preferred way to find investible founders * The five hidden enemies of entrepreneurs—impatience, arrogance, ignorance, fear, and insecurity—and how conquering them changes the game * How to discern between arrogance and confidence, and how confidence comes from consistency, not credentials * Tips on hiring for executive roles, including how to vet candidates even if they’re smarter or more credentialed than you * The value of coaching and mentorship at every stage—even after an exit * Practical steps for employees and early-stage entrepreneurs to identify their superpowers, solve real problems, and launch a business with little capital Top 3 Takeaways 1. Build to Sell, Even If You Don’t: Always design your business with predictable systems, clear financials, and a scalable team—whether or not you ever plan to exit. 2. Self-Awareness is the Real Secret: The most dangerous enemies in business are internal—impatience, fear, arrogance, ignorance, and insecurity. Master yourself to master your business. 3. Mentorship Multiplies Success and Saves Pain: Investing in coaches and mentors is the cheapest and most powerful way to accelerate growth and avoid costly mistakes. Notable Quotes * “If you’ll focus on building as if you’re going to sell, you’ll end up with the kind of company buyers—and you—actually want.” * “Arrogance is self-seeking. Humble confidence comes from serving others and showing up with consistency.” * “Most of my painful lessons, including losing over a million dollars to embezzlement, could have been avoided by listening to my mentors sooner.” Connect with Stephen Scoggins: * Website: stephenscoggins.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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Kirsten Graham is a virtual assistant (VA) and outsourcing expert who helps business owners reclaim their time, boost productivity, and scale smart—primarily through leveraging overseas talent. With a background in real estate, mortgages, and entrepreneurship, Kirsten is passionate about teaching entrepreneurs and professionals how to delegate low-value tasks, streamline their operations, and focus on high-impact activities. As co-founder of Six Figure Business Coaching, she helps her clients move from invisibility to visibility through video marketing, podcast guesting, and skilled virtual support. On this episode we talk about: * Kirsten’s first dollar earned through babysitting and her early journey into entrepreneurship * Moving from real estate and mortgage to running a business that connects clients with remote talent worldwide * Why hiring VAs for $6–$8 an hour can transform a business’s profitability and owner’s freedom * The importance of hiring for very specific tasks rather than seeking a “unicorn” VA who does everything * How treating remote team members with respect, paid time off, and long-term opportunities leads to retention and success * The step-by-step model her company uses: interviewing, hiring, vetting, and training VAs for real estate, coaches, and service businesses * Business models in the VA/outsource space: agency-style vs. direct-hire, margin differences, scalability, and how to choose a right-fit path * The power of niching down (e.g., offering HighLevel-trained VAs or bookkeeping-specific VAs) and how to grow from a narrow offer * Integrating AI: how today’s VAs must be AI-fluent and how business owners can multiply efficiency by combining VAs and automation * Why “boring” service businesses—like bookkeeping, HVAC, plumbing—are among the most reliable, profitable, and least likely to be automated by AI * Buying, not just starting, a business: opportunities in acquiring already-running companies and upgrading them through outsourcing and systems Top 3 Takeaways 1. Outsource for Freedom and Profit: Move all $6–$8/hour tasks off your plate; focus on what grows your business, not what just keeps it running. 2. Niche, Train, and Systematize: Specialize your offer (e.g., marketing VAs, bookkeeping VAs, software-specific VAs) and use robust SOPs and ongoing training for client satisfaction and scale. 3. Combine Talent, AI, and Acquisition: The biggest wins come from integrating skilled remote talent with AI-powered automations—whether you’re starting from scratch or buying a business to modernize. Notable Quotes * “If you’re doing a $6 an hour task, you’re doing it wrong. You should have someone else doing those tasks for you.” * “It’s easier to hire someone and keep them for years than to constantly replace people. Treat your VAs well—they’re your team.” * “Boring, unsexy businesses—like HVAC, bookkeeping, auto repair—are not going to be replaced by AI anytime soon, but they’re always going to be profitable and needed.” Connect with Kirsten Graham: * Website: sixfigurebusinesscoaching.com [http://sixfigurebusinesscoaching.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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Gilad Uziely is the co-founder and CEO of Sequence, the all-in-one money OS automating cash flow for small businesses and consumers. Launched in 2024, Sequence has already moved over $750 million, hit 1.5 million in ARR, grown 600% YOY, and raised $15 million from top VCs. Gilad is a serial fintech builder with deep experience in launching data-driven tech companies, and now helps thousands master their money through smart automation. Based in Tel Aviv, Gilad’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to grit, risk-taking, and building tools that truly empower others. On this episode we talk about: Gilad’s first business: the classic lemonade stand outside his childhood home in Israel The rise of Tel Aviv’s tech scene and why it’s become a global startup powerhouse Fundraising in Israel’s VC-rich environment and the challenge of selling new ideas to investors Lessons learned from earlier ventures—including raising capital for boutique hotels in Italy and navigating the risks of unconventional startups The importance of choosing the right venture partners, understanding cap tables, and protecting yourself as a founder Sequence’s core mission: Making it effortless to automate your cash flow, savings, investing, and financial goals with customizable rules and smart triggers How to build intentional financial habits, protect your downside, and use automation to free up mental energy The psychology of money: why separating funds, paying your future self first, and “working like you’re broke” are game-changing Sequence users’ creative approaches to saving—whether for starting a business, IVF, travel, or building a true safety net Advice for entrepreneurs: balancing business growth with personal finance, risk tolerance, and taking deliberate steps toward freedom Top 3 Takeaways Automate to Win: Setting up simple, intentional automation for your money removes human error, builds better habits, and gives you the peace of mind needed to take bigger risks and grow your business. Intentional Planning Beats Random Spending: Building financial “maps” (like saving automatically for trips, investments, or your next business) ensures you live life now while planning for the future. Connect, Ask, and Learn: Don’t wait for perfection—reach out to experienced founders for help with cap tables or decisions, and always dig your well before you’re thirsty (network before you need it). Notable Quotes “Automation can really change the trajectory of your life. We think of Sequence as a fitness app that goes to the gym for you.” “Be intentional. Even if your plan is simple, it’s 90% of the work—just start, automate it, and tweak as you go.” “If you don’t give your money a job, it’ll find a job somewhere else for you.” Connect with Gilad Uziely & Sequence: Website: use.getsequence.io/travischappell Discount code: TRAVIS25 Email: gilad@getsequence.io (offering free support for founders and those struggling with cap table issues) 🚀 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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Dr. Dominic Iacovone is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Relive Health—a nationwide network of health and wellness clinics started in 2017. With a passion for improving quality of life, Dominic has scaled Relive Health from a single location to over 26 open clinics (and 400 locations sold), offering services tailored to each individual’s health needs. As a husband and father, his mission is to empower people to live well, not just get by, using a comprehensive approach to health that includes bloodwork, hormone optimization, medical weight loss, IV and ozone therapy, and much more. On this episode we talk about: * Dominic’s entrepreneurial story, from high school candy sales and pressure washing to building multiple 7- and 8-figure health businesses * The personal loss that drew him to holistic health, and his education in molecular biology and chiropractic care * Launching Relive Health before health “biohacking” was mainstream, and navigating skepticism * The power of video and social media in building a local clinic into a nationally recognized brand * Running lean early, but learning to delegate and invest for scale—transitioning from owner-operator to franchisor * Franchise economics: location sizes, profit margins, required medical staff, and the in-depth education Relive Health provides * Streamlining real estate selection using data on ideal clientele (income, lifestyle, spend) and neighborhood analysis tools * Lifetime value and clinical impact: why hormone optimization is their most valuable (and life-changing) recurring service * The realities and responsibilities around HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for men and women—why it’s a lifetime commitment, and the need for transparency * The myth of “get healthy quick,” and why patient education and expectation-setting are crucial * Relive Health’s ownership model, partnerships with leaders like Orange Theory founders, and Dominic’s refusal to sell out just for an exit * Passion, purpose, and impact: finding fulfillment in business that enriches lives Top 3 Takeaways 1. Individualization Wins: A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for health or wealth—personalization and comprehensive care create long-term value. 2. Delegate to Scale: Let go of operational roles early; invest in great people to take your business from one location to hundreds. 3. Educate, Don’t Just Sell: Success in health, like business, relies on honesty, setting realistic expectations, and investing in customer experience. Notable Quotes * “I like nice stuff. I think quality of life is very important... there has to be a reward for your effort, or you’ll hate what you do.” * “If I’d tried to hold onto everything at my first location, I’d still be there—a half-million-dollar-a-month business but not the legacy I’m building now.” * “Starting hormones is a lifetime commitment. If anyone tells you different, they’re lying to you. You have to know what you’re signing up for, and do it right.” Connect with Dr. Dominic Iacovone: * https://www.instagram.com/iacovone/?hl=en * Clinic Network: https://relivehealth.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 [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Enjoy a special preview of Travis Chappell's conversation with Jordan Harbinger, then catch the full episode on the Travis Makes Friends Podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]