Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Amy DuBois Barnett.

📝 Summary of the Interview

Amy DuBois Barnett, a trailblazing media executive and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her career, her upcoming debut novel If I Ruled the World, and her insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. The conversation covered her historic role as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine, her experiences in media and publishing, the importance of Black voices, and her journey toward becoming a novelist.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Milestones & Legacy

• Amy made history as the first Black woman editor-in-chief of a major mainstream U.S. magazine (Teen People).
• She held leadership roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio.
• Her editorial style focused on humanizing success, sharing personal stories and lessons rather than just promoting content.

2. New Novel: If I Ruled the World

• Set in late 1990s/early 2000s New York, the novel follows Nikki, a woman navigating the fashion and music magazine world.
• Themes include misogyny in hip hop, professional ambition, friendship, and self-discovery.
• The title is inspired by the Nas and Lauryn Hill song, and Lauryn Hill was the first cover of Honey Magazine under Amy’s leadership.
• Amy envisions the novel as a TV series, and is actively working toward that goal.

3. Importance of Preorders

• Preorders are critical for debut novelists to hit bestseller lists.
• All preorders count toward first-week sales, which are essential for making lists like the New York Times Bestseller.

4. Authenticity & Black Media

• Amy emphasized the need for authentic Black voices in media, especially in today’s political climate.
• She praised independent platforms and figures like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Don Lemon for maintaining integrity.

5. Success Principles

• Success requires more than talent—it’s about energy, attitude, collaboration, and kindness.
• She highlighted the importance of networking through genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges.
• Believing in oneself is essential: “The universe will not give you an opportunity that you don’t think you deserve.”

6. Pivoting & Resilience

• Amy’s career involved multiple pivots—from finance to fashion to media.
• She stressed the importance of recognizing when to pivot and manifesting goals through vision and hard work.

7. Print vs. Digital Media

• Print magazines offer permanence and thoughtful journalism, while digital media provides speed and volume.
• She misses the visual artistry of print, like cover shoots and fashion spreads.

8. Personal Notes

• Amy’s son is a music producer and DJ, studying at Drexel University.
• Rushion and Amy have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2012, when she was at Ebony and he was producing the Steve Harvey show.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “You have to believe that you deserve all of the opportunity.”
• “Networking is not about handing out business cards. It’s about building relationships.”
• “Magazines have a permanence that made you incredibly careful.”
• “I’m manifesting big things.”
• “We are out here flawed and just trying to find success, love, and fulfillment like everyone else.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Founder of Renew Construction Services & STEM Exposure

🔑 Episode Highlights 🔄 From Incarceration to Inspiration

• Robyn shares her journey from a strict religious upbringing to incarceration due to drug-related activities.
• Served 5 years in prison, where she earned two associate degrees and developed a passion for learning and leadership.

🧹 Building a Business from the Ground Up

• Learned high-level cleaning skills in prison and at Hilton during work release.
• Founded Renew Construction Services, which grew from cleaning trailers to major contracts like:
  • Tampa Convention Center
  • NFL Super Bowl & Kickoff
  • City of Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center, USF

🏗️ Strategic Growth & Collaboration

• Became a Home Depot distributor.
• Uses collaboration to uplift smaller contractors and scale projects.
• Emphasizes relationship-building and proactive planning over reactive bidding.

👩🏽‍🔬 STEM Exposure Nonprofit

• Founded STEM Exposure to introduce Black girls to underrepresented STEM careers.
• Offers local and global architecture and construction camps.
• Operates in 10 countries and 4 time zones with a focus on AI, engineering, and design.

🏆 Recognition & Legacy

• Honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Embraces her past as part of her story, using it to inspire others.
• Celebrates milestones like putting bills on autopay as symbols of stability and peace.

🌐 Websites

• STEM Exposure: stemxposure.org (drop the “e” in “exposure”)
• Renew Construction Services: renewconstructionservices.com

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mowbray and Cherina Rowand.

🎙️ Interview Summary: Mowbray & Cherina Rowand Purpose of the Interview

To showcase the entrepreneurial journey of Mowbray and Cherina Rowand, co-founders of The Rowand Group and One Stop Taxes, the largest Black-owned virtual tax preparation service in America. The interview highlights their business evolution, scaling strategies, community impact, and the creation of the Black Tax Festival.

🧭 Interview Outline 1. Background & Origins

• Both from Memphis, Tennessee; met in high school.
• Started tax preparation in 2010 as a mom-and-pop operation.
• Transitioned from brick-and-mortar to virtual model by 2015.

2. Business Philosophy

• Entrepreneurship is defined as service to others.
• Mowbray is the visionary; Cherina is the implementer.
• Emphasis on scaling with structure: legal, accounting, HR.

3. One Stop Taxes

• Grew from a single office to over 1,000 virtual franchise locations.
• Offers free training, no startup costs, and shared revenue model.
• Built a platform allowing clients to submit documents and sign remotely.

4. Virtual Tax Model

• Designed for convenience and accessibility.
• Clients and tax preparers never need to meet in person.
• Platform includes document upload, e-signature, and cloud storage.

5. Franchise & Training

• Learning Management System (LMS) for onboarding.
• Training includes tax prep, customer acquisition, and platform use.
• Strategic partnerships with local businesses (e.g., dealerships, daycares).

6. Black Tax Festival

• Combines networking, education, and recognition.
• Includes IRS updates, business workshops, and the Titan Awards.
• Open to all entrepreneurs, not just tax professionals.

7. Expansion & Diversification

• Own restaurants in Memphis and the Dominican Republic.
• Franchised Fat Tuesday and Esco Restaurant (did \$1M in first 6 weeks).
• Own a yacht for rental experiences in the DR.
• Plans to develop a restaurant strip near FedExForum in Memphis.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Vision + Execution = Growth: Their complementary roles fuel business success.
• Virtual is Scalable: Transitioning to virtual allowed exponential growth.
• Community Impact Matters: Black Tax Festival fosters education and recognition.
• Diversification is Strategic: Restaurants and real estate expand their brand.
• Mentorship & Learning: They study successful entrepreneurs like Tilman Fertitta.
• Faith & Family Drive: Their journey is rooted in love, planning, and purpose.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• “Entrepreneurship means being a servant to other people.”
• “The same thing that works at \$1M doesn’t work at \$15M.”
• “We had to fire ourselves from some jobs and hire professionals.”
• “We built a platform where you can do taxes from your couch.”
• “We started before social media—we know belly-to-belly marketing.”
• “Recognition matters—people don’t get it at home or work.”
• “We’re trying to bridge the wealth gap through proper paperwork.”
• “We bought a yacht in the Dominican Republic to rent for experiences.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

📝 Summary of the Interview

Miko Branch shares the inspiring journey of building Miss Jessie’s, a premium hair care brand for curly hair, alongside her late sister Titi Branch. The brand was born at their kitchen table in Brooklyn and named after their paternal grandmother, Jessie Mae Branch. Miko discusses the importance of authenticity, education, and innovation in product development, and how Miss Jessie’s became a trusted name in the textured hair care industry. The conversation highlights the brand’s commitment to empowering individuals to embrace their natural hair and the evolving trends in beauty and self-expression.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

• To showcase the entrepreneurial journey behind Miss Jessie’s.
• To highlight the importance of authenticity, education, and innovation in building a brand.
• To discuss the impact of natural hair acceptance and evolving beauty standards.
• To inspire listeners with a story of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Authentic Beginnings

• Miss Jessie’s was founded in a Brooklyn brownstone at the kitchen table.
• Inspired by their grandmother Jessie Mae Branch, who was the first female CEO they ever saw.
• Quote: “She ran her family from her kitchen table.”

2. Product Innovation

• First product: Curly Pudding—a game-changer for curly hair.
• Products are designed for all textured hair types: wavy, curly, kinky, transitional, and multicultural.
• Quote: “We just try to come up with a solution to be helpful.”

3. Education is Key

• Miss Jessie’s provides detailed information on hair types and how to use products.
• The website includes guides for identifying hair texture and selecting the right products.
• Quote: “Information and communication is key to success.”

4. Social Media & Word of Mouth

• Early growth came from chat forums and word-of-mouth before social media existed.
• Social media is now an additional platform to connect and educate customers.
• Quote: “Way before social media, women were chatting and spreading the word.”

5. Inclusivity & Representation

• Products are for everyone—men, women, children, and all ethnicities.
• Focus on embracing natural beauty and rejecting outdated beauty ideals.
• Quote: “Hair has no color… we’re all looking for solutions.”

6. Salon as R&D Hub

• Their salon served as a testing ground for product development and customer feedback.
• Quote: “We built our business in the salon… it became our R&D and testing ground.”

7. Natural Hair Movement

• Natural hair is no longer a trend—it’s a cultural shift.
• Seen on public figures like Oprah and Michelle Obama.
• Quote: “Natural hair is preferred… it’s how people want to express themselves.”

💬 Notable Quotes

• “We started our business in our brownstone at our kitchen table.”
• “We didn’t go to business school—we went to Jessie Mae Branch’s kitchen.”
• “Curly Pudding did everything it said it was going to do.”
• “We realized our work was not finished—we had to educate.”
• “Natural hair is not a trend—it’s here to stay.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

A seasoned financial literacy educator and coach. Laura shares her deeply personal journey into financial education, sparked by a lack of preparedness in her own life and a family experience that resulted in the loss of generational wealth. Through candid storytelling and practical advice, she empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures with strategic planning, budgeting, and mindset shifts.

🧭 Key Themes

• Financial Empowerment: Building financial literacy to live life on your own terms.
• Generational Wealth: The importance of estate planning and legacy preservation.
• Budgeting & Cash Flow: Identifying spending leaks and creating emergency funds.
• Mindset Over Age: Rejecting age as a limitation to financial or personal growth.
• Community Impact: Educating underserved communities and promoting financial independence.

🗂️ Episode Outline

1. Introduction by Rushion McDonald

   • Purpose of the show and encouragement to learn from others’ success stories.

2. Meet Laura Finney

   • Financial coach and educator with a mission to empower through financial literacy.

3. Turning Point at 50

   • Laura’s wake-up call after her 50th birthday and the realization of financial unpreparedness.

4. Family Legacy Lost

   • A powerful story of losing family land due to lack of a will, now replaced by an Amazon facility.

5. Common Financial Mistakes

   • Taking advice without personalized planning.
   • Misunderstanding retirement and financial independence.

6. Advice for 30s and 40s

   • Pay yourself first.
   • Avoid inaccessible savings vehicles.
   • Start planning early.

7. Budgeting Tips

   • Cut back on dining out, personal care, and entertainment.
   • Build emergency funds—even starting with $1/day.

8. Financial Misconceptions

   • Living for today vs. planning for tomorrow.
   • The myth of “having time” to save later.

9. How Laura Works with Clients

   • Initial consultation → personalized interview → strategic financial roadmap.

10. Closing Thoughts

    • Encouragement to take control of your financial future and live life on your terms.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Nobody’s really retiring. We’re not great-grandma on the porch with lemonade anymore.”
• “Don’t let age define how you live your life.”
• “Everything starts with a budget.”
• “You can’t chase money. You have to plan for it.”
• “If you can save a dollar a day, you can build an emergency fund.”

👤 About the Guest: Laura Finney

Laura Finney is a financial literacy educator with over eight years of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in delivering personalized financial literacy programs, workshops, and one-on-one consultations. Her mission is to help individuals and families achieve financial stability and long-term success through education, strategic planning, and empowerment.

📞 Contact Laura Finney

• Website: LauraFinneyEnterprises.net

#BEST

#STRAW

#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 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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

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