Strawberry Letter

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Derrick "D" Hayes.
Founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, about entrepreneurship, generational wealth, and community building.
🔑 Key Themes & Highlights
Building Generational Wealth
Hayes emphasized the importance of financial literacy and ownership in creating lasting wealth.
He shared his journey from humble beginnings to building a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire.
Overcoming Challenges & Second Chances
Hayes revealed that he once faced legal troubles, but a dismissed case gave him a second chance.
He used that opportunity to turn his life around and pursue entrepreneurship.
The Story Behind Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks
Hayes started his business in a small gas station in Atlanta, eventually expanding into a nationally recognized brand.
He credits his grandfather’s cooking lessons for inspiring his passion for food.
Community Impact & Business Growth
Hayes is committed to giving back to underserved communities, offering mentorship and business opportunities.
He discussed how Black entrepreneurs can break barriers in the food industry.
📘 About Derrick Hayes
Derrick Hayes is a self-made entrepreneur who built Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks into a thriving restaurant chain. His story is one of resilience, second chances, and financial empowerment.
#AMI
#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Gregory Richardson.
A cybersecurity expert and AI consultant. The conversation explores cybersecurity best practices, the rise of AI, and how Gregory is helping churches and nonprofits leverage technology to spread the gospel.
🔐 Cybersecurity Insights 🔹 Gregory’s Background
Based in Dallas, Texas.
Works full-time as an ethical hacker and cybersecurity consultant for major corporations and governments.
Also a serial entrepreneur with ventures in real estate, consulting, and software.
🔹 Key Cybersecurity Takeaways
Multitasking Myth: Gregory argues that humans are not wired for multitasking—focus leads to better outcomes.
Password: Avoid using simple passwords like “1234.”
Don’t reuse passwords across platforms.
Use passphrases (e.g., Bible verses) for stronger security.
Change passwords regularly.

Password Vaults: Recommends using reputable services like Google or Microsoft.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Strongly encourages using 2FA to protect accounts.
Phishing Scams: Be wary of urgent or fear-based emails.
Always verify suspicious messages by contacting the company directly.
Scammers often mimic trusted brands (e.g., Facebook, Bank of America).

🔹 The Bigger Picture
Cybercrime now generates more revenue than global drug trafficking.
Criminal organizations are well-funded and recruit tech talent to build sophisticated scams.
🤖 Artificial Intelligence & Opportunity 🔹 AI as a Tool for Good
Compares AI to the Gutenberg printing press—initially misused, but ultimately transformative.
Believes AI’s potential far outweighs its risks.
🔹 AI in Business
Helps businesses identify “million-dollar problems” and solve them with AI.
Example: Built a toll-tracking app for a car rental company that became more profitable than the rental business itself.
Encourages entrepreneurs to use AI tools to build apps without needing coding skills.
🔹 AI in Education
Created a custom math quiz app for his daughter using her course materials and AI.
🙏 AI for Churches & Nonprofits
Gregory focuses on helping churches and nonprofits use AI to: Spread the gospel.
Operate more efficiently.
Compete with limited budgets.

Offers consulting and resources through his website: GregoryRichardson.ai
📚 Book Mentioned
Gregory has authored a book on using AI to solve business problems and create scalable solutions.
🎙️ Closing Notes
Rushion praises Gregory’s passion, clarity, and practical advice.
Plans to bring him back for a deeper dive into AI’s role in faith-based and nonprofit work.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI
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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Yolanda D. McElroy (aka “Dr. Yo-Yo”).
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
To spotlight Dr. McElroy’s work as a pharmacist, educator, and author of the children’s book It’s Not Candy, which promotes medication safety. The interview also highlights her consulting company, MediManage, and her mission to improve health outcomes through education and community engagement.
🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Professional Background
Dr. McElroy is a registered pharmacist in Louisiana with over 30 years of experience in retail and hospital settings.
She began her academic journey at Grambling State University (HBCU) studying chemistry before transferring to pharmacy school.
2. MediManage Consulting
Founded to promote medication safety and improve health outcomes.
Focuses on educating communities about proper medication use, adherence, and preventing medication-related problems.
3. Medication Safety Advocacy
Medications are a leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in children.
Parents often leave medications and chemicals within reach of children.
Emphasizes the importance of locking up medications and educating both adults and children.
4. Target Age Groups
Focuses on children ages 3–10 to instill early awareness of medication safety.
Also highlights teens as a vulnerable group due to increased drug experimentation and access to medications at home.
Notes the importance of educating parents and senior citizens as well.
5. Book: It’s Not Candy
Inspired by her ministry work with youth in mental health hospitals.
Based on real-life experiences and includes a song to make learning fun and memorable.
Demonstrates how medications can resemble candy, making it difficult for children (and adults) to distinguish.
Aims to equip families with knowledge to prevent accidental overdoses and misuse.
6. Challenges in Pharmacy Profession
Pharmacists face heavy workloads, including vaccinations, insurance calls, and patient counseling.
Many are overworked and under-supported, leading to burnout and even strike considerations.
7. Book Creation Journey
Took years to develop after encouragement from her pastor.
Extensive research into publishing options and budgeting.
Partnered with a publishing company and built a team including an editor and illustrator.
Advises aspiring authors to be patient, budget generously, and seek support and education.
💬 Notable Quotes
“Medications are a leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in children.”
“If you’re not sure, ask a professional. Ask your pharmacist.”
“We want to get them early and instill that training so they can make good decisions.”
“Many medication-related injuries are preventable.”
“If there’s no room at the table, bring a folding chair.”
“Our children are important and their lives are valuable.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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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 Dave Charest.
Summary of the Dave Charest Interview
In this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, a leading digital marketing platform. Charest discusses the rising wave of entrepreneurship, the foundational importance of email and direct‑to‑customer channels, common mistakes new business owners make, and how AI is reshaping small‑business marketing. He provides practical guidance on marketing consistency, channel selection, building community relationships, and using technology to scale.
Throughout the conversation, Charest emphasizes that while small businesses often lack marketing expertise, they possess a valuable advantage: real, human relationships that can be strengthened through consistent communication.

Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of Rushion McDonald’s conversation with Dave Charest is to:
1. Educate new and aspiring entrepreneurs
Charest breaks down the basics of digital marketing—email, social, SMS—and how to begin building a strong marketing foundation.
2. Highlight the key trends driving the entrepreneurship boom
He explains motivations like work–life balance, independence, and financial potential that inspire people to launch businesses.
3. Provide practical, actionable marketing advice
Especially around consistency, choosing marketing channels, and building direct customer relationships.
4. Introduce how AI can simplify and amplify marketing
Charest showcases tools that help business owners quickly generate content, develop campaigns, and analyze customer behavior.
Key Takeaways 1. Direct relationships (email/SMS) outperform social media
Email offers ownership, stability, and higher ROI—unlike social platforms that can change algorithms or visibility overnight. Charest stresses that “the money is in the list.”
2. You don’t need huge numbers to be effective
Small businesses often see high open and engagement rates because followers know and trust them.
3. Consistency matters more than platform choice
Whether you choose Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or email, the biggest driver of marketing success is showing up regularly.
4. Start small—don’t overwhelm yourself
One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything at once. Begin with the basics and grow steadily.
5. Community is a crucial marketing asset
Local businesses thrive when they maintain strong connections with nearby businesses, customers, and community networks.
6. Entrepreneurs face challenges—but resilience wins
Charest notes that small business owners rarely have a “Plan B,” which pushes them to adapt and continue learning.
7. AI is transforming small‑business marketing
Constant Contact offers tools to:
Generate emails and content
Summarize content for social
Build full marketing campaigns
Analyze behavior from large email lists to recommend actions
Notable Quotes (from the transcript)
Here are direct paraphrases and key phrases—not copyrighted material but drawn from the transcript:
On email vs. social
“There’s a $36 return for every $1 invested in email—but what matters is that you own the relationship.”

“If a social platform goes away, so does your following. Email is a direct line.”

On audience size
“Big numbers aren’t necessary—small lists can see 50% open rates and strong engagement because those people actually care.”
On entrepreneurship motivations
“People want better work‑life balance, independence, and financial potential.”
On mistakes
“A big mistake is trying to do too much at once. Start small and stay consistent.”
On community
“Digital marketing should extend real relationships—not replace them.”
On choosing platforms
“Where your audience spends time matters, but so does where you can show up consistently.”
On AI’s role
“AI can generate emails, build campaigns, and analyze audience data—saving you time for what you’d rather be doing.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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