The Steve Harvey Morning Show

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
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michael Woodward.
He is the founder of Woodward Property Group, and discusses his journey from poverty to entrepreneurship, his success in real estate, and his commitment to education.
🔑 Key Themes & Highlights
From Poverty to Business Success
Grew up in Miami’s Liberty City, learning business skills from his grandmother, who ran a small candy shop in the projects.
Used his experiences to build a career in real estate and education.

Educational & Entrepreneurial Journey
Founded Alpha Educational Consultants, a tutoring company that expanded into real estate consulting.
Mentored students, led college tours, and helped individuals navigate property investments.

Building Wealth Through Real Estate
Purchased his first duplex at 20, living rent-free while tenants covered the mortgage.
Continued acquiring properties, eventually amassing over $1 million in real estate assets.

Woodward Property Group & Lowe’s Partnership
Transitioned into property management and home improvement, securing a contract with Lowe’s to renovate high-end kitchens.
Expanded his business to manage multiple Lowe’s locations across Atlanta.

Lessons in Business & Financial Growth
Emphasized the importance of credit management and strategic investments.
Encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to take calculated risks and seek mentorship.

📘 About Michael Woodward
Michael Woodward is a real estate investor, educator, and entrepreneur based in Atlanta. Through Woodward Property Group, he provides property management and home improvement services, while continuing his mission to mentor and uplift communities through education and financial literacy.
#AMI
#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Paul Rainey.
He holds a powerful executive role in the media world, shaping the future of iconic brands like Billboard, Rolling Stone, and SXSW.
🏆 Paul Rainey’s Executive Career at Penske Media Corporation (PMC)
Current Role
Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance at Penske Media Corporation (PMC).
Oversees operations and financial strategy for Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Vibe, SXSW, and more.
Provides strategic input across PMC’s global media brands and live events, including the Billboard Music Awards, SXSW, and American Music Awards.
Key Responsibilities
Leads financial decision-making, acquisitions, and operational procedures across PMC’s portfolio.
Serves on several boards, including as Audit Committee Chair of Redaptive, Inc. and a Director at SXSW.
Background & Education
Holds a Master of Science in Accountancy and a BBA in Finance and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame.
Formerly held leadership roles at General Electric, Global Eagle, and Harris CapRock Communications, managing billion-dollar operations across five continents.
📘 About PMC & Cultural Influence
PMC is a global media powerhouse, reaching over 350 million people monthly. Its brands shape culture through journalism, entertainment, and live events, including SXSW
Paul Rainey is a rare blend of creative storyteller and corporate strategist, bridging the worlds of graphic novels and global media leadership. Whether he’s crafting a sci-fi twist in a comic or guiding the future of Billboard and SXSW, his influence is both wide-reaching and deeply personal. Let me know if you’d like a visual timeline of his career or a deeper dive into one of his roles. 🎬📈✨

#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed April Showers.
Founder of Afro Unicorn, joins Money Making Conversations Masterclass to share how she built the first Black woman-owned, fully licensed character brand in major retail. With over $20 million in sales, Afro Unicorn celebrates diversity and empowers women and children of color.
🔑 Key Themes & Highlights
Origins of Afro Unicorn
April was inspired by a friend's repeated reference to her as a "unicorn," highlighting her extraordinary ability to balance multiple businesses and raise two children.
Noticing existing unicorn imagery lacked representation, she created Afro Unicorn to uplift young girls of color.

Challenges & Early Growth
Despite facing personal hardships—including her son's hospitalization and several family losses—April remained committed to her mission.
Her persistence led to a viral moment where a young girl wearing an Afro Unicorn shirt caught Walmart’s attention, resulting in a licensing deal.

Licensing & Expansion
Instead of manufacturing herself, April strategically partnered with licensees to distribute Afro Unicorn merchandise.
Within a year, she secured 45+ licensing agreements, expanding into books, bedding, hair care, party supplies, and more.

Business Strategy & Advice
Trademarking Afro Unicorn early, hiring an accountant and lawyer, and writing a business plan were critical to her success.
She advises entrepreneurs to visualize success, stay consistent, and never quit.

Future Plans
April is developing Miss April’s Crown, an animated series teaching young entrepreneurs business skills through affirmations and mentorship.

📘 About the Brand
Afro Unicorn is available at major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ken Taunton.
Founder and president of The Royster Group, a nationally recognized, certified Black-owned professional staffing firm. Here's a breakdown of the key themes and takeaways:
🎯 Key Highlights from the Interview 🏢 About The Royster Group
Founded in 2001, the firm specializes in: Executive Search (C-suite to Director level)
Healthcare Staffing (physicians, nurses, ancillary staff)

Operates nationally, serving both public and private sectors.
💼 Executive Search Insights
Royster is a retained executive search firm, meaning they are hired by companies to find top-tier talent.
Focuses on diverse, seasoned professionals with 7–10+ years of experience.
Clients include major corporations like Home Depot, Merck, and Pfizer.
Emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership and actively includes women and people of color in candidate pools.
🏥 Healthcare Staffing
Healthcare remains a high-demand field due to an aging population and workforce shortages.
Royster recruits nationally and advertises through their website, conferences, and referrals.
There’s a growing need for diverse healthcare professionals to reflect the population they serve.
🧾 Resume & Job Search Tips
Resumes should be keyword-optimized to match job descriptions.
Candidates should reach out to recruiters, follow up, and apply through multiple channels.
Avoid vague resumes—include specific achievements and metrics.
🏆 Business Philosophy & Certification
Thornton emphasizes the value of being a certified Black-owned business, not as a crutch but as a strategic advantage to gain access to opportunities.
He acknowledges the challenges and scrutiny minority businesses face and the importance of capacity and execution.
Advocates for mentorship, SBA resources, and relationship-building as keys to success.
📈 Entrepreneurial Journey
Thornton transitioned from pharmaceutical sales and HR to founding his own firm after noticing a lack of diversity in executive placements.
Started Royster with a bootstrap model—a desk, a phone, and determination.
Now leads a $20M+ company and was named Small Business Person of the Year in Georgia.

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