In 2017, two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald launched his podcast, Money Making Conversations Master Class.

In the first episode of the Keep Winning Information series, Rushion explains the meaning of "value proposition." He discusses how employees can earn pay raises and job promotions by demonstrating their worth. He emphasizes the importance of justifying why you deserve a raise or promotion. Additionally, he shares strategies for adding value to yourself as an employee. Lastly, he introduces his P.L.A.N. method for achieving success.

The popular podcast shares career tips, marketing tips, and the “secrets to success” with its listening audience through interviews with successful celebrities, financial experts, entrepreneurs, and influencers. Each episode pierces through the noise of the digital era to offer clear and actionable insights. This is not about celebrating celebrities, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits, but about distilling the essence of success into tangible, achievable steps for the listener. The Money Making Conversations Master Class podcast builds on these connections. You’re not just following an individual, you’re becoming part of a community that celebrates success, embraces learning, and inspires action. It’s a community where the stories shared, the successes celebrated, and the knowledge imparted are designed to motivate you to lead with your gift, to navigate the path to your dreams, and to create your own success story, one inspired step at a time. Finally in 2024, STEM Atlanta Women honored Rushion McDonald by presenting him with their 2024 “Man of the Year” Award for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in STEM.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Charelle Lans.

A six-time award-winning author, motivational speaker, and business strategist known as the “business therapist.” Here's a detailed summary of the key insights and takeaways:

🎙️ Guest Overview: Charelle Lans

• Title: Business Strategist, Vision Strategist, and Founder of Vision Strategy Management (VSM)
• Background: Industrial engineering degree; former Fortune 500 employee (e.g., Johnson & Johnson)
• Mission: Helps individuals and businesses diagnose issues, define strategies, and drive performance.

💼 Core Concepts & Insights 🔍 What She Does

• Acts as a “business doctor” for small to mid-sized businesses.
• Helps clients uncover blind spots, streamline operations, and align personal purpose with business goals.

🧠 Key Philosophies

• “Profit is in the patterns, not in the panic”: Sustainable success comes from consistent systems, not reactive hustle.
• “You deserve to be paid, not just passionate”: Passion is important, but structured pricing and value delivery are essential for sustainability.
• “Rest is a revenue strategy”: Rest improves clarity, leadership, and long-term business health.

🛠️ Business Strategy Tips 1. Pricing & Value

• Research your market and understand the problem you solve.
• Avoid underpricing due to emotional ties or overpricing without value.
• Develop a pricing strategy that reflects your experience and the value you deliver.

2. Scaling Smartly

• Avoid “scaling chaos” — building a brand without infrastructure leads to burnout.
• Build systems, processes, and the right team before scaling.
• A platform (not just a brand) is sustainable and scalable.

3. Vision Execution

• A vision without a strategy and management is just a wish.
• Use metrics to track progress and ensure your vision is in motion.
• Surround yourself with:
  • Mentor
  • Sponsor
  • Coach
  • Network

🧩 Common Entrepreneurial Pitfalls

• Wearing “hustle” as a badge of honor can lead to burnout.
• Trying to do everything alone without a blueprint or support system.
• Fear of sharing ideas due to intellectual property concerns — instead, stay ahead by always working on the next idea.

📲 Connect with Charelle Lans

• Website: visionstrategymanagement.com
• Social Media: @CharelleLans on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brenda Johnson.

CEO of Collaborative Training Company (CTC)

🧩 Main Topics Covered 🏢 What CTC Does

• CTC is a professional services consulting firm focused on workforce development.
• They help companies:
  • Upskill employees for career advancement.
  • Support new hires, especially those without traditional corporate experience.
  • Define what “fit” means in their organization and help new hires acclimate.

👥 Not a Staffing Firm

• CTC does not do individual job placement or talent coaching.
• They work with companies after hiring to ensure employee success and retention.
• They partner with organizations that provide individual coaching.

🧠 Bridging the Corporate Culture Gap

• CTC helps new hires from non-corporate backgrounds (e.g., warehouse, retail) adjust to corporate environments.
• They use mentorship programs and employee resource groups to support retention.

🤖 AI and the Future of Work

• Brenda sees AI as a tool, not a replacement for human creativity.
• She emphasizes the importance of adding a personal touch to AI-generated work.
• AI may replace some jobs, but it also creates new roles in programming, maintenance, and oversight.

🎓 Rethinking the Four-Year Degree

• Many companies are removing degree requirements to widen their talent pool.
• Brenda helps companies:
  • Reevaluate outdated job descriptions.
  • Focus on skills-based hiring.
  • Identify core competencies rather than relying on degrees.

🌍 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• Brenda challenges the narrow view of DEI as only race and gender.
• She expands the definition to include:
  • Neurodiversity (e.g., autism)
  • Generational diversity
  • Accessibility needs
  • LGBTQ+ inclusion
• She stresses that companies that embrace true diversity will thrive, while those clinging to outdated models may struggle.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Mentorship and support are critical for retention and success.
• AI is a complement, not a replacement, for human insight.
• Skills-based hiring is the future—degrees are not always necessary.
• True diversity is broad and essential for business success.
• Systemic change requires questioning legacy practices and recruiting strategies.

🔗 Contact Info

• Website: ctcdui.com
• LinkedIn: Collaborative Training Company

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Subject: "If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It"

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Steve Selengut.

Also known as The Income Coach. Here's a detailed summary of the episode:

🎙️ Guest: Steve Selengut

• Veteran private investment manager with over 40 years of experience.
• Author of Retirement Money Secrets, his second book.
• Focuses on helping people achieve income independence through smart investing.
• Runs an educational income investing community.

📘 About the Book: Retirement Money Secrets

• Written as a conversational story about a couple on a river cruise who learn about a different approach to retirement investing.
• Emphasizes common sense financial strategies over complex jargon.
• Focuses on closed-end funds as a key investment tool.

💡 Key Concepts Discussed 🔒 Closed-End Funds (CEFs)

• One of the oldest investment vehicles, dating back to the 1800s.
• Structured as pass-through trusts that must return 95% of earnings to shareholders.
• Focused on income generation rather than capital appreciation.
• Can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.

🔥 FIRE Movement

• Stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early.
• Steve aligns more with generating sustainable income than early retirement per se.

🎯 Income Independence

• The goal is to generate enough income from investments to replace employment income.
• Allows flexibility to retire, start a business, or pursue other passions.

🛡️ The Four Risk Minimizers

1. Quality: Invest only in what you understand and in companies with a proven track record.
2. Diversification: Spread investments across sectors, geographies, and management firms.
3. Income: Only invest in securities that pay dividends or interest.
4. Profit-Taking Discipline: Set target profits (e.g., 5%) and sell when reached, reinvesting gains.

💬 Common Sense Investing Tips

• Buy stocks in companies you use or understand (e.g., Home Depot, Apple, Chipotle).
• Use tools like Yahoo Finance or CEFConnect.com to research dividend history and fund performance.
• Avoid speculative or zero-income investments.
• Treat your portfolio like a retail store—sell when profitable and restock wisely.

🌐 Connect with Steve Selengut

• Available on Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Offers access to an educational investing community with 450+ members.
• Book includes full contact details and resources.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Attorney Ken Harris:

• Former NBA and NFL agent, attorney based in Charlotte, NC, and author of the novel Dark Trades.
• The novel explores an alternate history: What if the South had won the Civil War?

📚 Dark Trades – A Historical Fiction Novel

• Set in 2018 Baltimore, the book imagines a modern-day America where slavery still exists.
• Explores the resilience of the African-American community and the possibility of overcoming systemic oppression even in such a dystopian reality.
• Inspired by Harris’s advocacy work and mentorship under Magic Johnson.

💼 Financial Literacy & Athletes

• Harris discusses the financial pitfalls many professional athletes face.
• Emphasizes the need for:
  • Financial education
  • Qualified advisors (attorneys, accountants, conservative investment advisors)
  • Early planning, especially with the rise of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals for younger athletes.

• Praises their business acumen, humility, and attention to detail.
• Reveals Magic Johnson’s photographic memory and deep involvement in business operations (e.g., popcorn sales at his theaters, menu items at Starbucks).

🎧 Closing Thoughts

• The episode is a blend of historical reflection, financial advice, and personal stories from influential Black leaders.
• Rashawn McDonald encourages listeners to lead with their gifts and learn from the experiences shared.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025. Subject: "Should I Tell Her That We're Sharing Him?"

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Monday, July 14th, 2025. Subject: "I'm Stuck Between A Brother And A Sister"

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