INTERVIEW | Make Money by Building Customer-Centric Brands That Matter with Marc Horowitz

CO-HOST | Make Money by Betting on Creators Before Everyone Else Does

The entertainment industry is undergoing a major shift, and creators are leading the charge. In this episode, Travis and producer Eric discuss the breakout success of Obsession, a low-budget horror film created by YouTuber-turned-filmmaker Curry Barker. They explore how independent creators are bypassing traditional gatekeepers, building audiences online, and proving that great storytelling can outperform massive budgets. Along the way, they dive into the parallels between comedy and horror, the economics of filmmaking, and why we're entering a new era of creator-driven entertainment. On this episode we talk about: * How YouTube creators are successfully making the leap into Hollywood * Why low-budget horror films continue to generate outsized returns * The surprising connection between comedy and horror storytelling * The financial success story behind Obsession and creator-led filmmaking * How audience demand is reshaping traditional entertainment industries Top 3 Takeaways 1. Great storytelling beats big budgets. A compelling product can outperform projects backed by vastly larger resources when it resonates with audiences. 2. The barriers between independent creators and traditional media are disappearing, creating massive opportunities for talented people to break into established industries. 3. Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful marketing tools in the world—especially when creators build genuine trust with their audiences. Notable Quotes * "The thing that makes them good at YouTube also makes them good at this other thing." * "Great storytelling doesn't need a massive budget—it needs a great creator." * "I just love seeing more and more examples of creators continuously blurring the lines between YouTube and Hollywood." Connect with the Show: * 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 bringing you conversations and insights from entrepreneurs, investors, creators, and industry leaders. Check out the links in the episode description to learn more about our sponsors and support the brands that support this 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 Customer-Centric Brands That Matter with Marc Horowitz

Marc Horowitz has built a career across multiple industries—from energy derivatives trading and hedge funds to satellite imagery technology and custom jewelry. After retiring from trading in his early forties, Marc found himself searching for a new challenge that would allow him to build something meaningful. Today, he is the founder of Ilmeo, a jewelry company that transforms photos and impressions of loved ones into personalized keepsakes. In this episode, Marc shares lessons from finance, entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and the importance of creating products that carry emotional value. On this episode we talk about: * How a career in energy derivatives trading led to financial independence * Why retiring early isn't always the finish line people expect it to be * The lessons Marc learned from helping build satellite imagery marketplace SkyFi * The origin story behind Ilmeo and turning meaningful moments into a business * Building customer-centric brands and navigating the challenges of e-commerce growth Top 3 Takeaways 1. Financial success creates freedom, but fulfillment often comes from building something meaningful and lasting. 2. If you don't know what your edge is, you're probably gambling—not investing. 3. Strong relationships and a reputation for helping others become invaluable assets throughout your entrepreneurial journey. Notable Quotes * "The harder you work, the luckier you get." * "If you don't know what your edge is, you're gambling." * "Money only exists so you can do things you enjoy, build memories, and live a meaningful life." Connect with Marc Horowitz: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-horowitz-83a0b21aa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-horowitz-83a0b21aa/] * Website: https://ilmiojewelry.com/ [https://ilmiojewelry.com/] * Email: marc@ilmio.com [marc@ilmio.com] A Word from Our Sponsors: Today's episode is brought to you by our valued sponsors. Their support helps us continue bringing you conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators who are finding unique ways to create wealth and build meaningful businesses. Be sure to check out the sponsors in the episode description and support the brands that make this show possible. - 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 and Strengthening Your Relationships - Lessons from my Keith Yackey interview

Keith Yackey is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, author, comedian, and founder of The Married Game, a coaching company dedicated to helping men become better husbands and reignite connection in their marriages. After nearly losing his own marriage, Keith transformed his life by taking ownership of his shortcomings and rebuilding himself from the inside out. In this episode, Travis shares his biggest takeaways from his conversation with Keith, covering responsibility, relationships, personal growth, and the dangers of complacency. On this episode we talk about: * Why taking radical responsibility is the first step toward lasting success * How comfort and complacency can quietly damage relationships * The warning signs people often miss before a relationship falls apart * Why self-improvement—not desperation—is the key to winning someone back * The importance of surrounding yourself with people who expand your vision instead of limiting it Top 3 Takeaways 1. If you are the problem, you are also the solution. Accepting responsibility for your circumstances can be uncomfortable, but it gives you the power to create meaningful change. 2. Comfort is where attraction goes to die. Whether in marriage, business, or friendships, relationships require intentional effort and continual growth. 3. Real transformation happens when you focus on becoming the best version of yourself—not when you're trying to manipulate outcomes or control other people. Notable Quotes * "If you are the problem, you are also the solution." * "The truth will set you free, but first it'll piss you off." * "The moment you're outgrowing a room is exactly the moment you need to leave it." Connect with Keith Yackey: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithyackey [https://www.instagram.com/keithyackey] * Other: https://marriedgame.com [https://marriedgame.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]

CO-HOST | Make Money by Avoiding Expensive Lifestyle Traps

On this episode, Travis is joined in studio by producer Eric for a conversation that starts with a comedian's joke about an Uber driver financing a luxury Range Rover and turns into a bigger discussion about lifestyle inflation, consumer debt, and making smarter financial decisions. Through plenty of laughs, stories, and friendly banter, Travis shares his thoughts on why buying status symbols before you can truly afford them can hold back your financial future. On this episode we talk about: * Why financing luxury purchases with side hustles can be a dangerous financial trap * The difference between being a consumer and being an investor * How lifestyle inflation keeps people from building long-term wealth * The hidden costs of expensive vehicles and status purchases * Why planning ahead and using rideshare services is often smarter than driving after a night out Top 3 Takeaways 1. If you need a second job just to afford the payment on a luxury item, it's probably a sign that the purchase is outside your means. 2. Building wealth requires prioritizing investing and financial security before spending on status symbols and depreciating assets. 3. Smart financial decisions often come down to delayed gratification—saving first and buying later instead of financing a lifestyle you can't comfortably afford. Notable Quotes * "If you have to get a second job to pay for your car, probably don't get the car." * "You bought a twenty twenty-five fully loaded part-time job." * "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems when you've got money in the bank." Connect with Travis Chappell: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ [https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/] * Other: 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 Flipping Houses: How Jackie Coffey Built a Seven-Figure Real Estate Empire

Jackie Coffey, better known as Jackie the Happy Investor, went from a broke single mom with no money, no credit, and no real estate experience to completing more than 1,000 property flips and building a seven-figure real estate business. After making 202 cold calls before landing her first lender, Jackie learned firsthand that persistence, integrity, and taking action can overcome almost any obstacle. Today, she's an investor, educator, author, and creator of the Jackie the Happy Investor app, helping aspiring investors build wealth through real estate. On this episode we talk about: * How childhood financial instability fueled Jackie's entrepreneurial drive * Making 202 cold calls to secure funding for her first real estate flip * The lessons learned from her early real estate mistakes and successes * Why integrity and relationships are critical to long-term business success * Building wealth through a combination of active house flipping and long-term rental properties Top 3 Takeaways 1. Persistence often matters more than experience. Jackie secured her first real estate deal after 202 lender calls and countless rejections. 2. Your biggest mistakes can become your greatest education. Jackie's disastrous first flip became the foundation for a career that has spanned more than 1,000 deals. 3. Long-term wealth is built through ownership. Flipping houses generates cash, but holding rental properties creates lasting financial freedom. Notable Quotes * "At call 202, I finally got a yes." * "That first house was the tuition." * "If I don't do this, I'm going to be in the same spot a year from now." Connect with Jackie Coffey: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackiethehappyinvestor/ [https://www.instagram.com/jackiethehappyinvestor/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackiethehappyinvestor [https://www.tiktok.com/@jackiethehappyinvestor] * Other: https://jackiethehappyinvestor.com [https://jackiethehappyinvestor.com/] * Website (Personal): https://jackiecoffey.com/ [https://jackiecoffey.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]