The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Latrease Price-Gistard.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to educate listeners on the mortgage industry, highlight the role and benefits of working with an independent mortgage broker, and provide practical advice on home financing options, credit challenges, and programs that support homeownership. It also shares Latrease’s entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned.
Key Takeaways
Background and Career Path
Latrease has a finance degree and started in investment operations in 1999.
Transitioned from auto financing and co-owning a car dealership to mortgage lending.
Became an independent mortgage broker in 2022 after being laid off during rising interest rates.

Role of an Independent Mortgage Broker
Holds her own license and partners with multiple lenders to offer tailored loan products.
Advocates for borrowers to ensure they get the right product, not just approval.
Specializes in helping first-time buyers, self-employed individuals, and those with unique challenges.

Home Financing Insights
Reverse Mortgages: Typically for seniors 62+, often used by those 75+ with equity and limited retirement funds. Provides tax-free cash without monthly payments; debt settled upon sale or refinance.
Zero Down Payment Programs: Offers up to 3% for down payment, attached to the mortgage; other programs provide up to 5% for down payment and closing costs.
FHA 203K Program: Allows buyers to finance home purchase and renovations in one loan—ideal for fixer-uppers.

Credit Challenges
Programs exist for credit scores as low as 500, but require higher down payments (10–20%) and result in higher interest rates.
Latrease consults and provides “what-if” scenarios to help clients improve credit over time.

Entrepreneurial Lessons
Mistakes: Starting without enough capital and a strong pipeline; economic timing matters.
Advice: Build capital, secure a solid client pipeline, and understand market conditions before going independent.

Notable Quotes
On independence:
“As a broker, you serve as that advocate for your borrower to make sure they’re getting the right loan product.”

On reverse mortgages:
“The beauty of it is there are no monthly payments going back to the institution. The debt is paid off when the home is sold or refinanced.”

On credit challenges:
“Programs go as low as 500 credit score, but those borrowers need 10–20% down.”

On entrepreneurial advice:
“Make sure you have strong capital and a solid pipeline before stepping out on faith.”

On perseverance:
“It’s all about follow-through. It’s all about your dream and whether you want to make it happen.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Keith Milner.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs by sharing Keith Milner’s journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship. It emphasizes discipline, leadership, risk-taking, and strategies for building generational wealth, particularly for underrepresented communities.
Key Takeaways
Foundational Lessons from Childhood
Growing up in a disciplined, hardworking family taught Keith accountability, integrity, and the principle of choices and consequences.
Education was highly valued in his household, shaping his drive for success.

Corporate vs. Entrepreneurial Mindset
Corporate careers can feel secure but are often riskier because you lack control over your destiny.
Entrepreneurship offers greater control and potential for generational wealth.

Leadership and Teamwork
Lessons from sports—teamwork, discipline, and leadership—translate directly into business success.
Establishing a common goal and coaching employees is crucial, but underperformers must eventually be let go.

Risk and Value
Many African-Americans view entrepreneurship as risky, but Keith argues it’s less risky than employment in an at-will state.
Success depends on creating value that customers are willing to pay for.

Franchising Journey
Relationships opened doors to Jersey Mike’s franchise ownership.
Entrepreneurship requires hands-on involvement—Keith still works in his stores when needed.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Adopt a growth mindset and positive attitude.
Follow the Five P’s: Plan, Prepare, Produce, Pivot, Persevere.
Understand that entrepreneurship is a daily grind—“Every morning in the jungle, the lion wakes up running.”

Notable Quotes
On discipline and accountability:
“If you said you were going to do something, you did it. If you were told to do something, you got it done.”

On choices:
“We make choices every day, and if you don’t make the right choice, there are consequences.”

On entrepreneurship vs. employment:
“Entrepreneurship and small business ownership is the best way to create generational wealth.”

On leadership:
“There are very few things in life you can do alone. You need people, you need a team.”

On success formula:
“You control the inputs, and therefore you can charge what you want—as long as you generate enough value.”

On entrepreneurial mindset:
“Plan, Prepare, Produce, Pivot, Persevere.”

Swahili proverb:
“Every morning in the jungle, the lion wakes up running… The question becomes, who’s going to run the fastest?”

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

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jasmine Young.
Founder and president of the Financial Literacy Institute. Here's a summary of the key themes and highlights from the conversation:
🎙️ Interview Highlights Jasmine Young’s Background
Born in Jackson, Alabama, and raised in a rural, close-knit community.
Attended Alabama A&M University on a full scholarship, where she decided early on to become a CPA.
Emphasized the value of her HBCU experience in building confidence and professional readiness.
Financial Literacy Mission
Jasmine’s passion for numbers and financial education began early and was nurtured by her family’s practical financial habits.
Her parents instilled financial discipline and responsibility, which she now channels into her mission to spread financial literacy “one family at a time.”
Cultural and Historical Awareness
Jasmine discusses the legacy of Black Wall Street and the importance of economic empowerment in the Black community.
She organizes the Black Wall Street Black Business Expo, which honors the past while promoting modern Black entrepreneurship and civic engagement.
Social Impact and Civic Engagement
Inspired by the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the economic power of the Black community, Jasmine emphasizes the importance of using financial influence to drive social change.
She’s considering law school to further her impact, though she currently focuses on financial literacy and community empowerment.
Personal Insights
Jasmine shares her journey from feeling ashamed of her rural upbringing to embracing it as a source of strength and heritage.
She also reveals her musical background and Cherokee ancestry, adding depth to her personal story.

#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Tim Mercer.
Author of Bootstrap Millionaire and CFO of Cadence Ventures, Inc.:
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
To inspire and educate aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals by sharing Tim Mercer’s journey from humble beginnings to financial success, emphasizing the importance of hard work, faith, planning, and leveraging government contracts and nontraditional financing.
🗝️ Key Takeaways
Background & Journey
Tim Mercer grew up in Mullins, South Carolina, in modest circumstances.
His path to success began with military service, which broadened his worldview and led him to entrepreneurship.

Bootstrap Millionaire Philosophy
The term “bootstrap” symbolizes hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance.
Mercer emphasizes that success doesn’t come overnight—it requires grinding, planning, and faith.

Importance of a Business Plan
A solid business plan is essential for securing funding and guiding business growth.
Mercer shares real-life examples of people failing to secure support due to lack of planning.

Cadence Ventures, Inc.
A boutique private equity firm offering nontraditional financing for real estate investors.
Focuses on investment properties and uses the property itself as collateral.

Government Contracting
Mercer began in government contracting in 2012 and credits it with helping him scale his business.
He stresses that while it’s complex and paperwork-heavy, it’s a valuable opportunity for minority-owned businesses.
Free resources like SAM.gov and Georgia Tech’s GT PAC can help entrepreneurs navigate the process.

Success Requires Sacrifice
Mercer highlights that every successful person has a story of struggle and sacrifice.
His book’s first chapter, “See the Glory, Don’t Know the Story,” encapsulates this message.

💬 Notable Quotes
“If you want to have the things tomorrow that other people won’t have, then you got to be willing to do the things today that other people won’t do.” — Tim Mercer quoting Les Brown
“There’s no success without sacrifice.” — Tim Mercer
“You can only make as much as the customer that you have.” — Tim Mercer on scaling through government contracts
“See the glory, don’t know the story.” — Chapter title from Bootstrap Millionaire
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Ledwith.  
She has a business degree from the University of Oklahoma.   She is the owner of Scholar Ready, an educational services company. She meets with clients online and her company Scholar Ready tutors Math, conducts personal essay writing workshops, and prepares students for PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams.  Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Jennifer Ledwith.
Talking Points/Questions *
1. Why are HBCUs relevant?
Mr. McDonald, in your interview with Stacy Spratt of the United Negro College Fund, you mentioned the number of successful Black professionals who are products of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Moreover, I’ve seen this success in my family, which hails from Bain Street (yes – that Bain Street in Kashmere Gardens), beginning with my grandfather, an alumnus of Texas College and Texas Southern University.
2. Whether students select an HBCU or a PWI, it’s important for them to have choices. Test scores unlock access to scholarships and academic programs. Often, African Americans are locked out of these opportunities: on average, African Americans score a 908 (out of 1600) on the SAT and a 16 (out of 36) on the ACT.
3. PSAT, SAT, and ACT aren’t for Black kids? Why should we bother?
We should bother because of the opportunities for scholarships and the opportunities to improve literacy.
4. When should my child start preparing for college?
5. Understood from a young age that education and literacy were crucial to success. 
6. People told her that her mother — a single parent with serious debt and no child support — made too much money for her to get any free money for college.
7. She didn't finish in the top 10% of her high school class (which is academic poison in her home state of Texas).
#BEST
#STRAW
#SHMS
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.