INTERVIEW | Make Money by Turning Your Story Into a Business with Shane Sams

In this episode, Travis Chappell is joined by producer Eric for a candid, entertaining conversation about what it actually takes to build wealth. Using insights from Ben Shapiro as a jumping-off point, the discussion dives into the importance of skill acquisition, niche markets, and aligning passion with profitability. Along the way, Travis shares real-world examples of entrepreneurs who turned highly specific interests into multimillion-dollar businesses—proving that opportunity exists everywhere if you know where to look. On this episode we talk about: Why finishing school, avoiding early financial burdens, and getting a job are foundational steps The “nexus” of wealth: combining skill, passion, and market demand How hyper-niche markets can lead to massive opportunities Real examples of turning unique interests (sneakers, trading cards, podcast studios) into thriving businesses Why skill acquisition—not just passion—is the true driver of income Top 3 Takeaways You don’t get paid for your time—you get paid for the value your skills bring to the market. The biggest opportunities often exist in highly specific, overlooked niches. True financial success comes from aligning what you’re good at, what you enjoy, and what people will pay for. Notable Quotes "You do not get paid for your time—you get paid for the value that you bring to the market." "Wealth lies at the nexus of what you're good at, what you're passionate about, and what people will pay for." "You're not going to run out of customers if you get really good at something specific." Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.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

Aneesh Raman, Chief Economic Opportunity Officer at LinkedIn, joins Travis to break down how AI is reshaping the global workforce—and what that means for your ability to earn, grow, and build wealth. With a career spanning journalism, politics, tech, and economic policy, Aneesh brings a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective on navigating change. As co-author of Open to Work, he shares practical frameworks for adapting to AI, discovering your unique value, and positioning yourself for success in a rapidly evolving economy. On this episode we talk about: Why starting over multiple times can be your greatest career advantage How AI is shifting work from efficiency to human uniqueness The concept of “explanatory storytelling” as a high-value skill Why traditional career paths (degrees, titles) are losing relevance The rise of entrepreneurship and low-cost business building with AI Top 3 Takeaways Your unique combination of skills—not your job title—is your biggest competitive advantage in the AI era. AI should be used to reinvent how you work, not just improve what you’re already doing. The barrier to starting a business has never been lower—this is your opportunity to create, test, and monetize ideas faster than ever. Notable Quotes "It’s not about the bigness of who you are—it’s about the bigness of what you’re trying to do." "The old career math is done. The new math is figuring out what only you can do." "No one beats you at being you—and that’s your edge in the age of AI." Connect with Aneesh Raman: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneeshraman/ Other: Open to Work book (available now)  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

In this solo episode, Travis Chappell breaks down a simple, actionable framework for making your first $10,000 online. Drawing from his own journey through masterminds, courses, software, and even brick-and-mortar businesses, Travis shares hard-earned lessons on why online business is not only “real,” but one of the fastest paths to income and freedom. This episode is a practical guide for anyone looking to start from scratch and build momentum quickly in the digital economy. On this episode we talk about: Why online businesses are just as “real” (and often more flexible) than traditional ones How to choose a specific, profitable market using the “aim small, miss small” strategy The importance of crafting an irresistible offer that solves real pain points Why outreach and volume (50 contacts/day) are key to getting your first customers How to deliver services efficiently using AI tools and low-cost VAs Top 3 Takeaways Specificity wins—clearly define your ideal customer and their exact problems before creating anything. You don’t need a perfect product to start—you need conversations, feedback, and your first paying client. Leverage AI and outsourcing to maximize profit and scale faster without getting stuck in operations. Notable Quotes "If the income is real and the impact is real, then the business is real." "Aim small, miss small—specificity is what actually gets results." "Reach out to 50 people a day for 90 days, and it’s impossible not to make money." Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.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

In this episode, Travis is joined in-studio by his producer Eric for a real, unfiltered conversation about the grind it actually takes to build something meaningful. Inspired by a clip from Alex Hormozi, they break down the early stages of entrepreneurship, the reality of long hours, and why short-term sacrifice can accelerate long-term success. Through personal stories, lessons from past seasons of burnout, and practical mindset shifts, this episode highlights what it really takes to “make money” in the beginning. On this episode we talk about: Why early-stage success often requires extreme effort and long hours The concept of “sprints” vs. long-term burnout in business and life Real-life examples of working 12+ hour days to build momentum How to evaluate whether the grind is actually worth it The role of discipline, mindset, and delayed gratification in making money Top 3 Takeaways You can’t skip the hard part—putting in intense effort early can dramatically shorten the timeline to success. Thinking in “sprints” (short bursts of extreme focus) makes hard seasons more mentally manageable and effective. Every decision is a trade-off—success comes from consciously choosing what you’re willing to sacrifice temporarily for long-term gain. Notable Quotes "If you want to get there faster, you have to be willing to do more work now." "The beginning of anything is going to be hard—especially after the novelty wears off." "You can’t get to the four-hour workweek without putting in a lot of full workweeks first." Connect with Travis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.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

Ever wonder what it really takes to turn a childhood dream into a high-stakes career—and whether having that kind of clarity early in life is actually an advantage? In this preview from Travis Makes Friends, Travis Chappell sits down with former Marine fighter pilot Dave Berke to unpack the origin story behind a lifelong pursuit of flying—and the surprising mindset shifts that came along the way. Dave shares how watching Top Gun as a teenager didn’t just entertain him—it fundamentally shaped his vision for the future. Growing up near a Marine Corps air station in Orange County, he was constantly surrounded by the sights and sounds of fighter jets, embedding a fascination with aviation deep into his psyche. What started as inspiration quickly turned into obsession, as Dave developed an unusually clear sense of direction at a young age—down to the exact squadron he hoped to join. But this conversation goes beyond a typical “follow your dreams” narrative. Travis and Dave explore whether that level of early certainty is actually necessary—or even healthy. Dave reflects candidly on why he doesn’t necessarily recommend having such a rigid path so young, emphasizing that success doesn’t require everything to be figured out in advance. For most people, experimentation and flexibility are far more valuable tools. You’ll also hear the pivotal moment where Dave made a bold, unconventional decision: turning down a full Air Force ROTC scholarship to pursue his goal of becoming a Marine aviator. Despite being offered a more “secure” path to flight school, he chose uncertainty—betting on his long-term vision even without guarantees. That decision led him down a much tougher road, starting with a ground contract and the grueling process of Officer Candidate School. Along the way, this episode highlights the realities behind elite career paths—how much comes down to timing, luck, and perseverance—and why even the most focused individuals must adapt when things don’t go according to plan. Travis and Dave also break down common misconceptions about becoming a fighter pilot, including the different branches of the military and the various paths available to aspiring aviators. If you’ve ever felt pressure to have your entire life mapped out—or questioned whether you’re “behind” because you don’t—this preview offers a refreshing perspective. It’s a conversation about ambition, identity, and the balance between vision and flexibility. Hit play to hear why chasing a dream is powerful—but staying open to change might be even more important. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this solo episode, Travis lays out a simple, brutally honest blueprint for making more money this year without obsessing over skipping Starbucks or cutting every tiny expense. He breaks down how value, skills, relationships, and discipline work together so you can earn more, keep more, and actually change your financial trajectory instead of living in permanent “just getting by” mode. On this episode we talk about: Why focusing on saving $83 a month on coffee misses the real problem: you’re not making enough money yet The value equation: more value → more money, and why that starts with building high-leverage skills How to think about monetizable skills (like marketing and sales) versus low-leverage tasks anyone can learn in an afternoon Using relationships as the vehicle for opportunity and why “luck” is really preparation meeting opportunity Building financial discipline, avoiding lifestyle creep, and using “violent volume” on skills and networking to accelerate your earning power Top 3 Takeaways You don’t have a budgeting problem as much as you have a value and skills problem—income follows the value you can create for others. The fastest path to earning more is to build a high-leverage, in-demand skill, then pair it with the right relationships and opportunities. If you don’t build financial discipline, higher income just leads to higher lifestyle creep; living below your means and investing the delta is non‑negotiable. Notable Quotes “If you want to make more money, stop thinking about what’s in it for you and start thinking about the value you can provide to other people.” “You just have to be better than the person who’s paying you. That’s it. You don’t have to be the world’s greatest expert.” “You will get paid for the value that you bring to the marketplace. Full stop. So how do you make yourself more valuable?” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.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

In this episode, Travis is joined in-studio by his producer Eric for what might be one of the most immediately actionable conversations on the show. Instead of theory or strategy, they uncover a real, overlooked way to find money that may already belong to you. From live searches to calling family members on-air, this episode walks through how unclaimed property works—and how you could have cash waiting for you right now. On this episode we talk about: What “unclaimed property” is and how it works across all 50 states How to search for money that may already belong to you or your family Real examples of found money (from a few dollars to thousands) Why billions of dollars are sitting unclaimed in government accounts How this could turn into a simple side hustle or even a scalable business Top 3 Takeaways There is potentially free money sitting in your name right now—searching your state’s unclaimed property database takes just minutes. Small amounts add up, and even finding money for friends and family can create real value (or a side income). Simple, overlooked opportunities—like this—often get ignored because they sound “too good to be true,” but are completely legitimate. Notable Quotes "I guarantee you—I’m going to make you and your family money today." "This is literally free money sitting there with no catch." "The money isn’t in finding money—it’s in finding people who don’t know they have it." Connect with Travis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.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

Shane Sams is a speaker, entrepreneur, and master storyteller who's helped generate more than $25 million in sales through storytelling, webinars, and organic content marketing. He's the founder of The Great Men Project — a community focused on helping men redefine success, reclaim purpose, and build great lives on their own terms. Shane’s journey from high school teacher to multimillion‑dollar entrepreneur is a masterclass in self‑reinvention and the power of owning your story. On this episode we talk about: How Shane left teaching to pursue entrepreneurship and financial freedom Why “controlling your income” is the key to total life freedom The illusion of job security and how embracing uncertainty fuels growth How to avoid chasing dreams that aren’t really yours Why midlife isn’t a crisis but a turning point — and how The Great Men Project helps Top 3 Takeaways Control equals freedom. When you control how, when, and where you earn, you take back power over your life. Growth is clarity, not just scale. Bigger numbers don’t always mean better living — focus on personal expansion, not just business revenue. Reinvention is survival. Every season of life calls for a fresh version of you; embrace the reboot rather than fear it. Notable Quotes “Income equals freedom. If you control how you make money, when you make money, where you make money, that’s how you build the life you want.” “You can fail at what you don’t want, so why not take a chance on what you love?” “When you destroy the old way, something new can be created from the pieces — you’re not catching lightning in a bottle, you are the lightning.” Connect with Shane Sams: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-sams-03199136/ Twitter/X: twitter.com/shane_sams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanesamscreates/ Website: greatmen.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this solo episode, Travis breaks down his personal framework for deciding which side hustles are actually worth your time, energy, and attention. Using real-world examples and mindset shifts, he shows you how to stop numbing out with Netflix and impulse buys and start using your “5-to-9” to escape a job you hate and build something you actually enjoy. On this episode we talk about: Why “burn the boats” advice is dangerous for most people with families, mortgages, and real responsibilities The mindset trap of tolerating a job you dislike and using money and free time to self-soothe instead of change your situation How to reallocate your free time and extra cash toward skills, side businesses, and opportunities that create leverage The four key qualifications of a good side hustle: fun, worth your time, scalable, and low cost to start Examples of side hustles that cap your income (like rideshare) versus ones that can grow into full-time businesses Top 3 Takeaways If you’re stuck in a job you don’t like, your free time and extra money must stop being used for escape and start being used for skills, leverage, and new opportunities. A great side hustle is enjoyable enough to stick with, pays you a meaningful hourly rate (or builds valuable skills/connections), and has the potential to scale beyond trading time for dollars. Start with low-cost experiments instead of high-risk plays; prove the model, learn the game, then scale into bigger bets once you know you actually like the work. Notable Quotes “You can’t have everything you want without having sacrificed to get it. At some point, a sacrifice will be required.” “Money’s like a relationship, man. You’ve got to treat it well, treat it with respect…you want money to love spending time with you.” “Just because you can make some money doing something doesn’t mean it’s worth the time it takes to make that money.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.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

In this episode, Travis is joined in-studio by his producer Eric for a candid, unscripted conversation reacting to viral clips, popular financial advice, and real-life experiences. Instead of a traditional guest interview, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Travis thinks about money, relationships, and long-term success—blending humor, disagreement, and practical wisdom along the way. On this episode we talk about: Whether getting married helps or hurts your ability to build wealth The dangers of following cultural expectations around marriage and success Why building wealth the “right way” often beats building it fast Breaking down viral business advice and whether it actually holds up The simple (but not easy) fundamentals of building long-term wealth Top 3 Takeaways The biggest life decisions—like marriage—should never be made based on external pressure; timing and alignment matter more than arbitrary rules. Building wealth is simple but not easy: consistency, discipline, and long-term thinking beat get-rich-quick strategies every time. The “fastest” way to success is often the least sustainable—building a strong foundation early leads to bigger outcomes over time. Notable Quotes "Don’t make the biggest decision of your life just because you think it’s what you’re supposed to do." "The boring, unsexy way is usually the way that actually works." "Your spouse marries two people—the person you are and the person you want to become." Connect with Travis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.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