INTERVIEW | Make Money Building an Audience and Surviving the Attention Economy with Jo Piazza

Host Travis and producer Eric dive into an in-depth discussion about Tony Hawk's legendary decision to turn down a $500,000 buyout from Activision in favor of royalties on the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game franchise. They explore the financial wisdom behind knowing when to bet on yourself versus taking guaranteed money, and how keeping your lifestyle expenses low creates the flexibility to take calculated risks. On this episode we talk about: Tony Hawk's decision to reject a $500,000 buyout from Activision before the launch of Tony Hawk Pro Skater in 1999 How the franchise went on to generate over $1.4 billion in sales and earned Hawk royalties in the eight-figure range The importance of keeping lifestyle expenses and burn rate low to maintain financial flexibility Why financial stability allows you to take bigger risks on opportunities that could have outsized rewards The challenge of determining when to bet on yourself versus taking guaranteed money upfront Top 3 Takeaways Keep your lifestyle burn low to maintain flexibility. Tony Hawk was able to turn down $500,000 because he had manageable expenses, good endorsements, and a profitable skate company. Low expenses give you the freedom to take calculated risks without being handcuffed by financial constraints. Ask yourself: "If this fails, will I still be okay?" The decision to bet on yourself should depend on whether you can survive the worst-case scenario. If failure means losing everything, take the guaranteed money. If you can weather a downturn, the upside may be worth the risk. Focus on whether you'll regret not taking the risk. Rather than trying to predict the future, consider whether you'll regret passing on the opportunity. Make the best decision you can with the information available, then accept the results and move forward without second-guessing yourself. Notable Quotes "I'm going to take a risk because I'm doing okay and I don't need that money right now... that was definitely the best financial decision of my life." - Tony Hawk (from audio clip) "The beauty of making smart financial decisions over a longer period of time is that you have the flexibility. You can stay nimble." - Travis "When you're looking at a decision of whether or not to bet big on yourself, the decision's going to come down to how much pain am I currently in? And if the answer is not a lot, then you can make those bigger bets and take the bigger risks." - Travis Connect with Travis: Instagram: @Travis Chappell Website: https://travischappell.com A Word from our Sponsor:Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Owen Barrett is the founder of a solar company that has generated over $50 million in revenue in just three years. Before building his solar empire, Owen spent a decade in the energy efficiency space, eventually discovering a massive gap in the multifamily real estate market: operators were ignoring solar as a value-add strategy. After trying and failing to convince syndicators to adopt solar, Owen bought his own apartment buildings, proved the model worked, built proprietary software to eliminate complexity, and then sold the solution back to the industry. On this episode we talk about: Owen's journey from failed businesses (recycling, nonprofit soccer equipment) to building a multi-million dollar lighting company How he identified a major blind spot in multifamily real estate investing: solar as an untapped value-add strategy Why decreasing operating expenses by $100K can increase property value by $2 million in multifamily The technical challenge of installing and monitoring 300 individual solar systems on a single apartment building Building proprietary software to automate billing, monitoring, and maintenance for tenant-meter solar installations Top 3 Takeaways Find problems you've experienced firsthand and solve them. Owen's most successful businesses came from identifying inefficiencies he encountered personally—whether it was wasted soccer equipment in college, unused grant money in California schools, or ignored energy costs in multifamily real estate. For every dollar you increase net operating income (NOI) in multifamily, you increase property value by roughly $20. Solar installations can slash operating expenses by $100K+, creating $2M+ in instant equity without the headache of traditional unit renovations. If you can't convince people, prove it yourself first. When multifamily operators wouldn't listen to Owen's solar pitch, he partnered with a real estate company, bought 650 units worth $75M, installed solar himself, and showed the industry it worked—then built software to scale the solution. Notable Quotes "I noticed nobody was going after the smaller school districts or charter schools where they still had like $500K, a million dollars, $2 million... so we just set out on this campaign to get in touch with as many small school districts and charter schools as humanly possible." "If you're in that 1% where you feel like you're a change agent and you can get shit done, it's kind of selfish to not do anything." "You guys are pulling out your hair renovating units, dealing with subcontractors, like all this stuff that just annoys everyone. And meanwhile, you're leaving probably the easiest value-add strategy on the table." Connect with Owen Barrett: LinkedIn: Owen Barrett Shine: https://www.getshine.com/about A Word from our Sponsor:Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features an in-studio conversation with Travis's producer, who brings a unique perspective on financial decisions and lifestyle choices. The producer shares personal stories about weight loss, childhood experiences with "husky" uniforms, and honeymoon budgeting, creating an authentic dialogue about money management at different life stages. On this episode we talk about: The trade-off between buying luxury items versus investing in appreciating assets like real estate How frugal parenting and early financial lessons shape long-term money habits Logan Paul's strategy of making massive purchases as motivation to keep earning Why self-awareness is crucial when deciding whether to make big purchases The importance of keeping lifestyle expenses low to maintain career flexibility and pursue passion projects Top 3 Takeaways Keep purchases reversible and within cash-payment capability - Only finance something if you could theoretically afford to pay cash for it, ensuring financial security if circumstances change unexpectedly. Big purchase motivation only works if you love what you do - Using expensive purchases as accountability partners can be effective for creators and commission-based workers who control their income, but it's dangerous if you're stuck in a job you dislike with fixed income. Prioritize experiences over things, but stay within parameters - While material items rarely provide lasting satisfaction, meaningful experiences contribute to a good life—just ensure they don't compromise your financial flexibility or future opportunities. Notable Quotes "I just can't bring myself to buy a car for 40,000 when I know I could go buy a house for 40,000."  "I think it's important to reward yourself... but not to the degree where you are limiting your own potential to be able to reward yourself further later on." "Money only solves your money problems. Priorities will solve the rest of your problems when you got money in the bank." Connect with Travis: Website: travischappell.com Instagram: @Travis Chappell  A Word from our Sponsor:Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yasmin Cheyenne is a three-time HarperOne author and Today Show wellness expert who has guided hundreds of thousands of people back to their authentic selves through her writing, workshops, and teachings. After serving five years in the Air Force and working in the JAG (legal) department, Yasmin spent nearly a decade balancing a government job with her growing coaching and writing business before making the leap to full-time entrepreneurship in 2021—just days before the Today Show reached out for her first major media appearance. On this episode we talk about: The strategic decision-making process behind leaving a stable nine-to-five job to pursue entrepreneurship full-time Why seeing a financial advisor before quitting your job is essential, even if you think you can't afford one The difference between setting healthy boundaries and becoming unreasonably selfish How reconnecting with your inner child can help you rediscover what you truly want from life The concept of the "comeback era" and why midlife discomfort is actually a gift, not a crisis Top 3 Takeaways Do the human work before making the leap - Consult a financial advisor (many banks offer this free), calculate all expenses including taxes and health insurance, and ensure your business income can sustain your entire family's needs—not just your current bills. Don't make major career decisions from overwhelm or sleep deprivation. Consider whether your passion can handle the pressure of paying bills - Some people love their creative work but don't want it to be the thing they rely on financially, as it changes the relationship with their gift. Be honest with yourself about whether you can emotionally handle your passion becoming your primary income source. Learn from children's natural boundaries - Kids have no problem saying no to things they don't want to do, even when it would help someone else. While adults can't be completely unreasonable, reconnecting with that willingness to disappoint others occasionally helps you identify where you've been people-pleasing at your own expense. Notable Quotes "I knew that I was not going to take on hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt in an economy where people were not being hired. And so that's where entrepreneurship kind of became the only option for me. It felt like if there's so much of a risk here, then I might as well take the risk on myself." "I want you to follow those things [like gut feelings and dreams], but I also want you to do your human work, which is the numbers. And so we have to make decisions from both places." "To feel that discomfort is actually a gift and it's an opportunity to explore how you can make the changes that you want. I think it's actually an opportunity for a comeback." Connect with Yasmin Cheyenne: Instagram: @yasmincheyenne Website: https://yasminecheyenne.com/ Book: The Comeback Era pre-order now for May 18th! A Word from our Sponsor: Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Travis Chappell and producer Eric dive into a candid conversation sparked by Dave Portnoy discussing his relationship with his ex-wife on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast. The discussion evolves into a thoughtful exploration of marriage, prenups, business partnerships, loyalty, and what it really means to build a life together. Travis shares personal reflections on getting married young, growing wealth alongside a spouse, and why nuanced conversations matter more than one-size-fits-all advice. On this episode we talk about: Dave Portnoy’s viral comments about trusting his ex-wife with his wealth The pros and cons of prenups in marriage and business partnerships Why building wealth together changes the dynamics of relationships Survivor bias and the danger of giving universal relationship advice Navigating difficult conversations before relationships or partnerships fall apart Top 3 Takeaways A prenup doesn’t necessarily signal distrust — it can simply create clarity and protect both parties before emotions complicate decisions. Relationships and business partnerships both benefit from proactively discussing “what if” scenarios before conflict arises. There’s no universal formula for successful marriages or partnerships; every relationship has different dynamics, sacrifices, and expectations. Notable Quotes “You’re either a team or you’re not a team.” “You have a prenup regardless of whether you sign one — one’s written by the state and the other one’s written by you.” “Money only solves your money problems, but it’s easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: Travis Chappell on LinkedIn Instagram: Travis Chappell on Instagram Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from our Sponsor: Are you ready to start your own creator journey and make it big? Visit www.fanvue.com today and launch your career! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if one of the world’s most solvable problems remains unsolved… simply because most of us never have to think about it? In this preview episode of Travis Makes Friends, Travis sits down with Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water, to unpack a staggering reality: 700 million people still lack access to clean water—and the biggest barrier isn’t technology, it’s attention and funding. Scott shares how his organization has already helped over 21.6 million people across 29 countries, and why that progress, while meaningful, is still just a fraction of what’s possible. Scott breaks down the evolution of the clean water movement—from early challenges around sustainability and infrastructure to today’s highly effective, locally tailored solutions. With a portfolio of over a dozen technologies, from wells to solar-powered systems, the problem is no longer how to deliver clean water—it’s how to scale it. And according to Scott, the number is surprisingly within reach: about $100 billion could bring clean water to everyone on Earth in as little as a decade. The conversation highlights the hidden cost of water scarcity, especially for women and girls. In many communities, they spend hours each day walking to collect unsafe water—time that could otherwise go toward education, work, or building businesses. Scott shares powerful data and stories showing how access to clean water can reduce disease by up to 80%, keep girls in school, and unlock entire local economies almost overnight. Travis and Scott also explore why this crisis remains so underfunded. In developed countries, clean water is so accessible that it’s virtually invisible—something we use dozens of times a day without a second thought. That disconnect, Scott explains, is the core challenge: people don’t rally around problems they’ve never experienced. You’ll also hear how charity: water is rethinking philanthropy through initiatives like The Spring, a subscription-style giving model that allows everyday donors to contribute monthly and see exactly where their money goes. With billions of dollars sitting in donor-advised funds, Scott makes the case that solving the global water crisis is less about innovation—and more about mobilization. If you’ve ever wondered how one resource could impact health, education, gender equality, and economic growth all at once, this preview offers a compelling answer—and a clear call to rethink what’s possible. Hit play to hear why the solution to one of humanity’s oldest problems might already be in our hands—and what it would take to finally finish the job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caitlin Clark has become one of the biggest stars in professional sports, transforming the WNBA’s popularity and sparking major conversations around athlete pay, league growth, and the future of women’s basketball. In this episode, Travis and producer Eric break down the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” explore how one player can completely reshape a sport’s economics, and debate what it really takes to grow a professional league. On this episode we talk about: Caitlin Clark’s impact on WNBA attendance, ratings, and merchandise sales Why WNBA salaries have historically lagged behind other professional sports The economics behind athlete pay and league profitability How superstar players elevate entire sports leagues Why shooting ability and “must-watch” talent matter more than ever in basketball Top 3 Takeaways Caitlin Clark’s popularity has dramatically increased WNBA ratings, ticket sales, and overall league revenue. Professional sports salaries ultimately depend on the revenue a league generates, not just talent alone. Being exceptionally skilled at something unique — “so good they can’t ignore you” — creates leverage and opportunity in any field. Notable Quotes “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” “Caitlin Clark has brought so much viewership because she does stuff that is unbelievable to watch.” “Money only solves your money problems, but it’s hard to solve the rest of your problems without money in the bank.” Connect with Travis: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from our Sponsor:Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author, journalist, and podcast creator Jo Piazza joins Travis to break down the realities of building a career as a modern writer. From working gossip columns in New York City to publishing bestselling novels, launching hit podcasts, and navigating today’s AI-driven content landscape, Jo shares the unfiltered truth about storytelling, publishing, audience building, and why creators need to think like entrepreneurs. With books published in multiple languages and millions of podcast downloads, Jo brings a candid, funny, and deeply practical perspective on making a living through creativity. On this episode we talk about: How Jo broke into journalism and built a writing career during a collapsing media industry Why mentorship and hard work still matter in creative careers The rise of self-publishing, Substack, and creator-owned audiences How AI-generated content is impacting books, publishing, and attention spans The business realities behind book deals, podcasts, and film adaptations Top 3 Takeaways If you want to be a writer or creator, start building your audience immediately instead of waiting for permission from traditional gatekeepers. Creative careers require constant adaptation — the pathway to success changes, but opportunities still exist for people willing to hustle. Owning your platform, audience, and intellectual property creates long-term leverage and financial opportunity. Notable Quotes “If you want to be a writer, you just have to be writing.” “The traditional path that was available to me is not available anymore.” “I adore writing books. It’s also a job. This is what pays my mortgage.” Connect with Jo Piazza: Instagram: @JoPiazzaAuthor Website: Jo Piazza Official Website Newsletter: Over the Influence Podcast: Under the Influence Podcast A Word from our Sponsor:Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Travis and his producer Eric discuss actress Shannon Elizabeth's remarkable OnlyFans success, where she earned $1.2 million in her first seven days on the platform. The conversation explores the economics of creator platforms, celebrity access, and the power of owning your audience versus working through traditional Hollywood gatekeepers. They also dive into the harsh realities for average OnlyFans creators and what it really takes to succeed in the creator economy. On this episode we talk about: Shannon Elizabeth's $1.2 million OnlyFans launch in seven days and how it exceeded her combined earnings from American Pie, Scary Movie, and Love Actually The average OnlyFans creator earnings ($131/month) versus the top 1% who capture 33% of all platform revenue How celebrities like Sophie Rain and Drea De Matteo have used OnlyFans to earn millions or save themselves from financial ruin The economics of direct fan access through platforms like OnlyFans, Cameo, and podcasts versus traditional Hollywood deals The risks and realities of paying big money for celebrity podcast guests and whether it actually moves the needle Top 3 Takeaways Owning your own distribution channel and audience gives you far more control and earning potential than relying on traditional gatekeepers—Shannon Elizabeth made more in one week on OnlyFans than she did from all her major film roles combined Platform economics heavily favor the top creators—while the top 0.1% of OnlyFans creators average $146,881/month, most creators make under $50/month, with the median earning just $24/month Paying for celebrity access doesn't guarantee success—whether booking guests for podcasts or events, the draw of the person asking questions matters just as much as the celebrity in the room Notable Quotes "For decades other people controlled the narrative and outcome of my career. This allows me to connect directly with my audience, create my own terms and just be free. I really do think this is the future." - Shannon Elizabeth "It's crazy that all those gatekeepers of her being able to just go like... you can go on cameo and say, oh, I love this show, is there somebody from the boys on cameo and I can get them to answer a question... it's selling access. There's a real economy behind just connecting people together" - Eric "Money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems with money in the bank. So let's start there." - Travis Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Website: https://travischappell.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell A Word from our Sponsor:Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Keller is the CEO and co-founder of Rora, a company focused on creating innovative, easy-to-use water filtration systems designed to improve health without requiring complicated plumbing. After discovering that a filtered shower head dramatically improved his daughter’s eczema, Brian became obsessed with understanding water quality and building products that families could trust. Prior to launching Rora, Brian co-founded the mission-driven apparel brand Love Your Melon, scaling it over a decade before a successful exit. In this episode, Brian shares how identifying a personal pain point led to building an eight-figure business in less than a year. On this episode we talk about: How Brian turned his daughter’s health issue into a fast-growing business opportunity The importance of product development and spending years perfecting a product before launch Building an audience and generating demand before a product even exists Raising capital for a physical product company and pitching investors pre-revenue Why branding, design, and customer trust matter in highly competitive industries Top 3 Takeaways The best business ideas often come from solving a real personal problem that deeply matters to you. Building trust through transparency, education, and credible partnerships can accelerate growth in crowded markets. Pre-launch marketing and audience building can create massive momentum from day one of a product launch. Notable Quotes “Everything’s a problem and a solution. It’s just about how quickly you can find the solution.” “If we can make it beautiful and easy to use, people are going to drink more water and ultimately be healthier.” “When you’re investing early stage, pre-product, pre-revenue, it ultimately comes down to whether people believe the founders can execute.” Connect with Brian Keller: Instagram: @rorrawater LinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/briandavid7 Other: Rorra Official Website A Word from our Sponsor:Are you ready to start your own creatorjourney and make it big? Visitwww.fanvue.com today and launch yourcareer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices