The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
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Black Entrepreneurs
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Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
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Minority business development
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Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brendan Kaminsky.
🔷 Interview Summary
Brendan Kaminsky—founder of BKnown Agency, a boutique branding and digital marketing firm—discusses how he built a career in sports media, social media strategy, and digital branding. [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
He shares:
His journey from ESPN to entrepreneurship
How he helped shape talent brands (e.g., Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Rose, Rich Eisen)
The evolution of social media as a dominant marketing channel
The role of data, engagement, and relatability in building digital influence
How AI and analytics are transforming branding
The conversation is highly practical, focusing on modern marketing strategy and personal branding in the digital era.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview 1. Educate on modern branding and marketing
Explain how social media has become the core of brand building
2. Provide practical guidance for creators and entrepreneurs
Show how to grow influence through: Content strategy
Engagement
Metrics

3. Highlight the shift from traditional to digital media
Demonstrate how digital platforms now drive visibility and opportunity
4. Inspire entrepreneurial risk-taking
Encourage professionals to trust their instincts and build their own ventures
5. Reinforce the importance of relationships
Emphasize networking and trust as foundational to career growth
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Relationships drive opportunity
Kaminsky got into ESPN through ideas + relationships, not just applying
Networking and collaboration are critical to career advancement [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
2. Trust your instincts in career decisions
He left ESPN to start his agency without outside validation
Belief in your vision is essential for entrepreneurship
3. Relatability is the core of modern branding
Audiences want: Authenticity
Real-life connection

Content should feel human, not overly polished
4. Engagement > follower count
Followers are a “vanity metric”
Real value lies in: Views
Likes
Comments
Interaction rates [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]

5. Social media is now primary media
What used to be “non-traditional marketing” is now mainstream strategy
Brand deals now require social media deliverables
6. Content must be platform-specific
Social media content ≠ TV content
Key differences: Vertical video
Direct audience communication
Mobile-first design

7. Talk to your audience—not at them
Many brands fail by only promoting products
Success comes from: Conversation
Engagement
Personality

8. Use layered content strategy
Hook audience with high-interest content (e.g., sports topics)
Then introduce: Personal initiatives
Community work
Business ventures

9. Accessibility and responsiveness matter
In fast-paced industries, reliability builds trust
Being available is part of delivering value
10. Data tells the story
Metrics are essential for: Measuring success
Proving value to clients

Social platforms provide real-time performance feedback
11. AI is a powerful tool (not a replacement)
Used for: Content analysis
Viral prediction
Efficiency

But human creativity and relationships remain essential
12. Personal branding creates leverage
Individuals can build influence outside traditional platforms
Social media extends reach beyond TV and traditional media
💬 Notable Quotes On relationships
“Relationships are everything.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On entrepreneurship
“Trust your gut… even if you fail, that’s a learning experience.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On branding
“People want to relate to you… they want to get to know you.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On content strategy
“Talk directly to your audience.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On engagement vs followers
“Followers is a vanity metric… engagement is what matters.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On modern marketing
“Social media has become part of every deal.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On accessibility
“Accessibility is everything.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On data and metrics
“Data tells a story.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On execution pressure
“You could do 99 things amazing… one mistake, everyone sees it.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
On AI
“AI is absolutely an asset.” [Brendan Ka...sky iHeart | Txt]
🧭 Bottom Line
Brendan Kaminsky’s message is a playbook for modern digital success:
Build relationships → they open doors
Be authentic and relatable → connection drives growth
Focus on engagement, not vanity metrics
Create platform-specific content
Use data and AI strategically
Stay accessible and consistent
👉 His core philosophy:
Authentic connection + strategic content + measurable results = powerful personal and brand growth
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Everett Swain.
🔷 Interview Summary
Everett Swain, founder of UXD Academy, discusses how he is helping individuals—especially underserved communities—enter high-paying tech careers (UX design and AI) without a traditional four-year degree.
The conversation centers on:
AI as both a threat and opportunity
Alternative education pathways (certifications vs degrees)
Breaking barriers in tech through accessible training
Building practical, job-ready skills quickly
Empowering individuals to change their financial trajectory
Swain’s approach blends self-learning, portfolio-based skills, and real-world application to create career opportunities.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview 1. Expand awareness of non-traditional education paths
Show that high-income careers are accessible without college degrees
Promote certifications, portfolios, and practical skills
2. Reframe AI as an opportunity
Help listeners understand how AI can create jobs, not just remove them
3. Inspire career transformation
Target people: Struggling financially
Stuck in low-wage jobs
Looking for a career pivot

4. Bridge opportunity gaps
Focus on helping: Underserved communities
People without access to formal education

5. Provide actionable entry points
Direct listeners to: Free resources
Self-learning paths
UXD Academy

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. AI is both a disruptor and an enabler
Two approaches: Replace workers
Amplify workers’ productivity [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]

2. Degrees are becoming less important in tech
Over 40% of tech companies prioritize skills over degrees [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
Real hiring focus: Portfolio
Demonstrated ability

3. Skills can be self-taught
Swain learned through: YouTube
Online resources
Practice

This model is replicable for others
4. Portfolio > credentials
Employers want proof of skill: Projects
Real-world work

This levels the playing field
5. Fast income growth is possible
Swain’s trajectory: $75K → $105K → $140K within a few years [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]

Demonstrates rapid upward mobility in tech
6. Accessibility is key to opportunity
Training can be done: On a phone
Without expensive tools

Removes traditional barriers
7. Learn-by-doing model works best
UXD Academy combines: Training
Real client projects
Apprenticeships

8. AI tools require minimal technical background
No-code and low-code tools allow: Beginners to build apps, bots, workflows quickly

9. Small businesses are the biggest AI opportunity
AI can help: Automate operations
Improve efficiency
Scale growth

10. Traditional education is slow to adapt
Colleges struggle to keep up with: Rapid tech changes

Agile programs like UXD Academy fill this gap
11. Mindset shift is essential
Success requires: Initiative
Discipline
Self-learning

12. Exposure creates opportunity
Many people don’t pursue tech careers because: They don’t know they exist

Awareness is the first step
💬 Notable Quotes On AI’s dual impact
“Companies are either using AI to replace people or to amplify their people.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
On degrees vs skills
“Over 40% of tech companies do not care about degrees anymore… they care about your portfolio.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
On education alternatives
“You can become an AI designer… without a degree.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
On learning path
“YouTube, Google, and books taught me everything I know.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
On AI functionality
“AI is like the smartest intern you know—you can train it to work for you.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
On opportunity
“You can change your life in under a year and a half.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
On discipline
“From five to 2 a.m., I was learning, building, and redoing my portfolio.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
On mission
“I want people to realize they can create their own reality with this.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
On urgency
“AI is our opportunity… we have to get on the ball.” [Everett Sw...II iHeart | Txt]
🧭 Bottom Line
Everett Swain’s message is a blueprint for modern career access in the AI economy:
Skills beat degrees
Self-learning is powerful
AI is a career lever, not just a threat
Execution (portfolio) matters more than theory
Opportunity is available—but requires action
👉 His core philosophy:
With the right skills, discipline, and access to knowledge, anyone can break into high-income tech careers—without traditional barriers.
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Todd Kroupa.
🔷 Interview Summary
Todd Kroupa, a former firefighter turned top-performing real estate agent (No. 1 in Georgia, nearly $1B in lifetime sales), shares his journey of career transition, entrepreneurship, and success in real estate. [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
The interview covers:
Leaving a stable career for entrepreneurship
Building a real estate business from scratch in a new market
Customer-first sales philosophy
Practical advice for buyers and sellers
Real estate as a long-term wealth-building strategy
It blends career reinvention, sales mindset, and real estate expertise.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview 1. Inspire career transition and risk-taking
Show how to move from a secure job to a high-reward entrepreneurial path
2. Educate on real estate buying and selling
Provide practical insights for: First-time buyers
Families
Sellers

3. Highlight relationship-driven sales success
Emphasize service, trust, and referrals over commissions
4. Promote real estate as a wealth strategy
Explain why real estate is a strong long-term investment
5. Share resilience and mindset lessons
Demonstrate how persistence and belief overcome doubt and rejection
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career pivots require courage and clarity
Kroupa left a stable firefighting career despite outside doubt
He trusted his long-term vision over short-term safety [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
2. Block out “outside noise”
He avoided negativity and advice that could derail his decision
Focus and conviction were essential to success
3. Skills transfer across industries
Firefighter experience taught: Problem-solving under pressure
Customer care

These skills translated directly into real estate
4. Relationships drive real estate success
The business is built on: Trust
Referrals
Long-term client relationships

Not just transactions
5. Service > commission mindset
Top agents prioritize: Client outcomes
Long-term value

Income follows service
6. Emotion drives buying decisions
Buyers decide within minutes based on: Feeling
Personal connection

Logic comes later in the process
7. Realtors must guide, not just sell
A great agent: Identifies hidden issues
Advises clients—even against a deal

8. Inspection is critical
Key deal-breakers: Mold
Foundation issues
Roof problems

Buyers must be willing to walk away
9. Real estate decisions require discipline
Avoid overpaying or emotional overcommitment
Think long-term resale and investment value
10. Neighborhood matters as much as the house
Buyers should: Visit at different times
Talk to neighbors
Research schools and environment

11. Market strategy matters when selling
Presentation is key: Neutral design
Strong first impressions

Buyers decide quickly
12. Real estate is a powerful wealth builder
Benefits over stocks: Control (improvements, rental, usage)
Tax advantages
Tangible value

13. Multi-generational living is rising
Driven by: Cost of living
Family dynamics
Post-COVID lifestyle shifts

14. Buying the most expensive home isn’t optimal
Property value is influenced by surrounding homes
Overpricing limits appreciation potential
💬 Notable Quotes On career transition
“I walked away from a very stable career… to something that can be unstable.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On ignoring doubt
“I avoided a lot of phone calls… I didn’t want anybody to persuade my decision.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On motivation
“That put the fire in me.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On mindset and focus
“I just cut the noise out.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On service approach
“It should never be about the commission… it should be about helping that person.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On relationships
“This business is about referrals… connections.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On buyer psychology
“They’re looking emotionally first—logic comes second.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On inspections
“If you’re not comfortable now, you won’t be comfortable after you close.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On real estate vs stocks
“You can’t control a stock… you can improve and live in a home.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
On pricing strategy
“You don’t want to be the most expensive house in the neighborhood.” [TODD KROUPA iHeart | Txt]
🧭 Bottom Line
Todd Kroupa’s message is a blueprint for success in both entrepreneurship and real estate:
Take calculated risks → growth requires leaving comfort zones
Focus on people, not profits → relationships build sustainable success
Think long-term → especially in real estate decisions
Balance emotion with logic → in major financial choices
Stay disciplined and informed → avoid costly mistakes
👉 His core philosophy:
Serve people first, make smart decisions second, and success will follow.
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Telisha Roberts.
Guest: Dr. Telisha Roberts, Founder and President of Creative Intentions
Host: Rushion McDonald
Topic: Career development, leadership growth, entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and navigating today's changing job market.
Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of the conversation was to help students, early-career professionals, corporate employees, and aspiring entrepreneurs understand how to successfully navigate career transitions and professional growth. Dr. Roberts shared insights from her 26-year corporate career and explained how Creative Intentions helps individuals bridge the gap between potential and achievement. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
The interview focused on preparing people for workplace success, leadership roles, entrepreneurship, and adapting to economic uncertainty, layoffs, and artificial intelligence-driven workforce changes. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Key Takeaways 1. Success Requires More Than Opportunity
Dr. Roberts emphasized that securing a job, internship, or promotion is only the beginning. What determines long-term success is how effectively individuals navigate and perform once they enter those opportunities. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Getting the opportunity and succeeding in it are two different challenges.
2. Always Have a Plan
One of the strongest themes throughout the interview was intentional planning.
Roberts shared that before leaving her 26-year corporate career, she spent roughly a year preparing and developing a plan to ensure a successful transition. She encourages others to proactively prepare for career changes instead of reacting after a crisis occurs. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Faith, passion, and ambition should always be supported by a structured plan.
3. Career Development Is a Lifelong Process
Creative Intentions supports:
College juniors and seniors
Early-career professionals
Managers and executives
Entrepreneurs
Small business owners
Roberts believes individuals need guidance at every stage of professional growth. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Professional development does not stop after graduation.
4. Hard Work Alone Does Not Guarantee Promotion
One of the most discussed topics in the interview was the misconception that simply working hard will automatically lead to advancement.
Roberts explained that employees must learn how to communicate their value, connect their accomplishments to organizational goals, and demonstrate strategic impact. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Visibility, communication, and strategic alignment are as important as effort.
5. Tell Your Own Story
According to Roberts, many talented professionals fail to advance because they expect others to recognize their contributions automatically.
She stresses that employees must be capable of:
Articulating their value
Demonstrating impact
Understanding organizational priorities
Forecasting future needs [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: If you cannot explain your value, others may overlook it.
6. Mentorship Can Change Lives
The creation of Creative Intentions was inspired by a young intern Roberts mentored who did not receive a job offer after her internship.
The experience deeply affected Roberts and motivated her to create an organization dedicated to helping people gain the skills and support necessary for career success. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Investing in people can have a lasting impact on their lives and careers.
7. Success Has No Easy Path
Roberts repeatedly emphasized that whether someone pursues corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, content creation, or business ownership, all meaningful success requires discipline and hard work. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: There are no shortcuts to sustainable success.
8. Every Person Requires an Individualized Approach
Unlike many coaching and training programs, Roberts believes there is no one-size-fits-all method for development.
Her team uses assessments and personalized coaching to understand an individual's strengths, preferences, experiences, and leadership potential. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Effective development starts with understanding the individual.
9. Confidence Often Comes Through Investment and Support
Many people struggle because they do not recognize their own potential.
Roberts noted that some individuals have never been encouraged to explore their gifts or strengths. Her work focuses on helping people discover abilities they may not yet see in themselves. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Confidence is often built through mentorship, support, and self-discovery.
10. AI and Workforce Disruption Are Real Challenges
Roberts directly addressed concerns about artificial intelligence and layoffs.
She acknowledged that organizations are reallocating resources toward AI and that competition for jobs has intensified. However, she encourages professionals to remain proactive, strategic, and adaptable rather than fearful. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Career resilience requires strategy, adaptability, and continuous learning.
11. Stay Calm During Uncertainty
A defining characteristic of Roberts' leadership philosophy is maintaining composure under pressure.
She shared examples from both her corporate career and personal life to illustrate the importance of responding to challenges with clarity and purpose rather than panic. [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Takeaway: Effective leaders remain calm while taking decisive action.
Notable Quotes On Career Preparation
"It's one thing to get the role, get the internship, get that opportunity. But it's another thing to actually be successful when you get there." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Planning
"You got to have that plan." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Career Advancement
"Being the hardest worker in the room will not get you promoted." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Professional Visibility
"If you cannot properly articulate your value to an organization... you are going to be quietly lost." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Personal Branding
"You have to learn how to tell your own story. No one is going to tell your story for you." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Entrepreneurship
"Being skilled and passionate is very different than running an actual business." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Success
"There is no easy path to success." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Hard Work
"You're probably going to work harder than you ever have before." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Personal Growth
"Someone took the time to invest in me." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On AI and Job Market Challenges
"We have to learn how to be strategic. We have to learn how to get in front of the problem and be proactive instead of reactive." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
On Leadership During Uncertainty
"We need to calm down. We need to operate with as much information as we can and as much peace as we can." [Dr. Telish...(Podcast) | Txt]
Overall Message
Dr. Telisha Roberts' central message is that career success is not accidental—it is intentional. Through planning, mentorship, self-awareness, hard work, strategic thinking, and the ability to communicate one's value, individuals can successfully navigate career transitions, leadership challenges, entrepreneurship, and an increasingly competitive workforce. Her work through Creative Intentions is focused on helping people bridge the gap between where they are today and where they aspire to be tomorrow. #BEST #SHMS #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee.
Purpose of the Interview
To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur.
To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics.
To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities.
To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment.
Key Takeaways
Early Career & Education
Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals.
Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow.
Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker.

Social Media as a Business Tool
Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms.
Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility.
Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.”

Financial Literacy & Homeownership
African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge.
Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits.
Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit).

Real Estate Process
Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing.
Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days.
Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved.

Pooling Resources for Wealth
Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication.
Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends.
Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs.

Amazon DSP Opportunity
Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees).
Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant.
Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations.

Construction Business
Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects.
Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed.
Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta.
Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics.

Personal Background
Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents.
Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early.
Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency.

Notable Quotes
On embracing discomfort:
“I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.”

On social media:
“You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.”

On financial literacy:
“Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.”

On collaboration:
“Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.”

On planning:
“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.