Episode
SOLO | Make Money by Finding Market Gaps, Building Relationships, and Thinking Long-Term with Gary Kusin
- Podcast
- Travis Makes Money
- Published
- Jun 5, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 821
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Summary
Gary Kusin is a legendary entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and former CEO of GameStop and the executive who led Kinko’s through a remarkable turnaround before its $2.4 billion acquisition by FedEx. Over a decades-long career, Gary has built, scaled, and sold multiple businesses while developing a reputation as one of the sharpest strategic thinkers in entrepreneurship. In this episode, Travis shares some of his biggest lessons from Gary’s appearance on the show, covering everything from mentorship and hard work to debt management and identifying opportunities in the marketplace. On this episode we talk about: Why finding a market opportunity is often more important than following your passion The role mentors played in Gary’s career and how great mentorship can change your trajectory Why hard work and working smart are complementary—not competing—ideas The dangers of debt in seasonal and cyclical businesses How constantly building relationships and maintaining a Plan B creates long-term career security Top 3 Takeaways The best business opportunities often come from identifying unmet market demand rather than pursuing personal passions. Mentorship can dramatically accelerate success, but the most effective mentors are often outside your organization and industry. Staying prepared, building relationships, and keeping your options open creates opportunities long before you need them. Notable Quotes "Find the hole in the market. The passion can stay a hobby." "Luck is what happens when opportunity meets preparedness." "The people who win the most work smarter and harder." Connect with Gary Kusin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garykusin Website: https://garykusin.com Other: https://gamechangerbook.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Are you ready to start your…