Based in Missouri, Dr. Travis Hux holds responsibilities with Strategos International as lead trainer and delivers a combination of security training and crisis management solutions. Emphasizing practical steps that help make communities, schools, and workplaces safe, Dr. Travis Hux provides tailored intruder response protocol and training. Dr. Hux also maintains an active presence in the property acquisition and management sphere as a member of Platinum Realty. He has long pursued profitable investment ownership, rental, and flipping opportunities across the greater Kansas City region. Travis Hux’ background extends to his role as an educator in the late 1990s. He taught sixth grade in the Cape Girardeau Public Schools before taking an assistant superintendent of support services role with the Raytown School District. During his tenure with the district, Travis Hux oversaw a $1 million system upgrade that placed 500 security cameras outside and inside each district building. This was integrated with the local police station and patrol vehicles, and helped to substantially bring down vandalism and other criminal behavior.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
For the last six months, I have taken on a home renovation project and work on it nearly seven days a week. The idea is to take a property, update it, and sell it for a profit. I have flipped houses throughout the years. It is truly gratifying to see the finished product.
How do you bring ideas to life?
By putting them to use. With the house renovation, for example, I have to take an outdated property and make it new and desirable with aspects like choosing colors for paint, decide on things like a tiled shower or surround, replacement of appliances, etc. I just run with it and if it does not turn out, I will do it again using a different idea.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I have been interested in what is called “color soaking,” which is where you paint a room from the baseboards to the ceiling all one color. When using an of-white such as alabaster it looks amazing as the light fixtures become a much more dramatic accent to the room.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I go to the gym on a regular basis, even when I am extremely busy. It is important to maintain commitment and I see the gym as such. That type of dedication spills over into all aspects of life.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Work to live rather than live to work. You only get to live once, so it is important to take some time to enjoy life.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think a majority of people are followers and do not stop to think about their decisions. They do not realize they are just engaging in the continuous marketing all around them rather than making decisions based on their true needs and wants.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Stay active. Life has all the trappings of laziness allowing people to accomplish everyday things without much effort. If one does not find a way to be active due to the sedentary life, poor health will quickly follow.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I tell myself to “just do something.” As long as I am doing something that needs to be done, I am making progress. It reminds me of the saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bit at a time.”
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Continued education has been the key for me. Knowledge is power, as they say. I have a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate. I have also obtained licensing when it benefits me, such as in real estate.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I made the mistake of changing jobs for more money. The problem that can occur is leaving an amazing work environment with great colleagues to be enveloped in disharmony and chaos. As a result, I stayed at the next company for many years because it was a wonderful place to work.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I am happy to share any of my ideas. A great idea is implementing the rent/flip model when purchasing an investment property. You take a property renting for X dollars, vacate the tenants, make necessary repairs, and place new renters at Y dollars (a higher rate reflecting the improvements in the property). You maintain the rental for a period of 6 months to one year to vet out the rents. Then you offer the property for sale at a higher price, reflective of the rent. In the end, you made money monthly on rent and then made a profit when selling.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
With rental properties I use a software called Tenant Cloud. It is a one-stop shop for all things rental. It automates so much of the process that used to require tons of time interacting with tenants. In other words, it saves you and your tenants loads of time.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Well, being from Kansas City I am a Chiefs fan, so I love to watch New Heights with Travis and Jason Kelce. I have learned so much more about the nuances of football, as well as just taking some time to enjoy a great show.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
My favorite movies are those I watch with my ten-year-old daughter. Getting to spend time with her is the best. We recently watched The Electric State. It was her pick and that was good enough for me.
Key learnings
- Self-reflection can be a great way to reset your mindset.
- Thinking about things you have accomplished can remind you that you are capable of being successful.
- Speaking to habits can be a good way to realize there is always room for improvement in your life.