Strawberry Letter

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
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 is the founder of Scholar Ready, whose mission is to help students excel in standardized testing and scholarship applications.
🔑 Key Themes & Highlights
The Inspiration Behind Scholar Ready
Ledwith founded Scholar Ready after realizing many students struggled with scholarships due to weak essay-writing skills.
She personally secured scholarships to fund her college education, graduating with minimal student debt.

The Importance of Standardized Test Preparation
Scholar Ready helps students prepare for PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams to unlock scholarship opportunities.
Ledwith emphasized that test scores are crucial for college admissions and financial aid.

Overcoming Barriers to Higher Education
Many students fear essay writing and test-taking, limiting their scholarship potential.
Ledwith’s program provides personalized tutoring to build confidence and improve scores.

Scholarship Application Strategies
Students must research scholarship providers and tailor their essays accordingly.
She advises applicants to highlight unique qualities beyond grades and test scores.

Encouraging Persistence & Resilience
Ledwith stresses that rejection is part of the scholarship process and should not discourage students.
She encourages students to apply widely and refine their applications based on feedback.

📘 About Jennifer Ledwith
Jennifer Ledwith is an education entrepreneur dedicated to helping students succeed in college admissions and scholarship applications. Through Scholar Ready, she provides tutoring and workshops to improve test scores and essay-writing skills, ensuring students have the financial resources to pursue higher education.
#BEST
#STRAW
#SHMS


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Jacque Rushin and Robyn Donaldson.
Below is a polished, thorough summary of the interview featuring Jacque Rushin and Robyn Donaldson discussing the career and legacy of Dr. Gladys West with Rushion McDonald—along with its purpose, key takeaways, and notable quotes, all drawn directly from the transcript.
(Citations reference the uploaded file.)
Summary of the Interview
On Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald welcomes Dr. Jacque Rushin (award‑winning business executive, educator, mental health professional, humanitarian) and Robyn Donaldson (2025 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award honoree for global STEM education) to discuss their celebration of Dr. Gladys B. West, a pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for the GPS (Global Positioning System).
The conversation explores the intersection of Juneteenth, Black excellence, STEM education, and Dr. West’s life story, captured in her memoir It Began with a Dream. The guests highlight Dr. West as one of America’s last living “hidden figures”—a brilliant yet historically overlooked Black woman whose mathematical genius revolutionized everyday life.
They detail how Dr. West rose from sharecropper roots, excelled academically at Virginia State University, earned her master’s and PhD, spent 39 years contributing to government research, and ultimately developed the algorithms and modeling processes that power GPS. They also describe their collaborative effort to create the Westward Bound Program, a life‑skills and STEM‑focused curriculum inspired by Dr. West’s principles of wisdom, endurance, strategy, and precision.
Through humorous, emotional, and deeply insightful dialogue, the episode uplifts Dr. West’s accomplishments while discussing mental health, technology dependence, the importance of exposure to STEM pathways for underserved youth, and how the legacy of Black innovators must remain central in cultural celebrations like Juneteenth.
Purpose of the Interview
1. To honor and amplify Dr. Gladys West’s legacy
She is a living mathematical pioneer whose GPS contributions transformed global navigation and modern technology.
2. To connect her story to Juneteenth’s spirit of liberation and recognition
The guests highlight the “delayed recognition” of Black innovators and the importance of acknowledging hidden figures whose brilliance shaped society.
3. To promote STEM exposure in underserved communities
Robyn Donaldson emphasizes equitable access to STEM opportunities so children can compete in a global, tech‑driven world.
4. To introduce and promote the Westward Bound Program
The curriculum teaches STEM principles, life skills, and personal development inspired by Dr. West’s methodologies.
5. To highlight themes of resilience, humility, and lifelong learning
Dr. West’s quiet determination and academic persistence serve as a blueprint for young people and adults alike.
Key Takeaways
1. Dr. Gladys West is a “living hidden figure.”
Her research and mathematical modeling are the backbone of GPS, impacting navigation, transportation, military systems, and everyday digital tools.
2. Her journey exemplifies brilliance shaped by humility and hard work.
Born in 1930 to sharecropper parents, she excelled academically despite segregation, pursued multiple degrees, and overcame racial and gender barriers in government research settings.
3. Juneteenth is the perfect backdrop for honoring Dr. West.
Jacque stresses that Juneteenth represents “delayed freedom,” paralleling the delayed recognition of Black inventors and innovators.
4. STEM exposure is vital to equity.
Robyn insists that Black children are fully capable of STEM success—they simply lack exposure, not aptitude. Without STEM skills, young people risk being left behind in a robotics‑driven economy.
5. Technology should complement—not replace—human thinking.
Jacque cites Dr. West’s personal preference for physical maps over GPS to maintain cognitive sharpness and critical thinking, a warning about over‑dependence on AI and automation.
6. The Westward Bound Program bridges STEM, life skills, and personal development.
Built on the acronym “WEST”—Wisdom, Endurance, Strategy, Tracking—the program supports youth, adults, and entrepreneurs seeking direction and resilience.
7. Mentorship, community, and relationships are central themes.
Dr. West’s success was nurtured by professors and role models at her HBCU—mirroring how Jacque and Robyn now uplift the next generation.
8. Her story resonates globally and intergenerationally.
From college students to young children to adults, the principles from her memoir and program promote self‑belief, vision, discipline, and perseverance.
Notable Quotes
(All taken directly from the transcript.)
On Dr. West’s impact
“She’s a living hidden figure… her accomplishments have actually changed our way of living in every discipline of life.”
“Her technology… makes these things possible.”
On Juneteenth and recognition
“Juneteenth is about the delayed freedom of African Americans… and what Dr. West represents is the quiet, often overlooked brilliance that changes the world.”
On STEM access
“Our kids are not pursuing high‑paying STEM careers, not because of their aptitude, but simply because they have not been exposed.”
On Dr. West’s genius
“You don’t have to be loud to be a legacy.”
“She is just so humble, but she’s just brilliant. She’s like a mathematical genius.”
On technology & mental health
“She didn’t want to lose her critical thinking by depending on GPS… everything has a place, and it should complement you, not take over.”
On resilience & aspiration
“You have to believe there is something greater than what you’re standing in.”
“From sharecropper to pioneer—you can be someone from humble beginnings and change the world.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brittany Benson.
***
### **Purpose of the Interview**
The interview on *Money Making Conversations Masterclass* aimed to:
* Showcase Brittany Benson’s journey as a **brand strategist**, **AI consultant**, and founder of **The Branding Bar**.
* Educate entrepreneurs and small business owners on **branding**, **social media strategy**, and the **impact of AI** on marketing.
* Inspire listeners to leverage technology and consistency to build authentic brands.
***
### **Key Takeaways**
1. **Early Branding Journey**
* Brittany unknowingly started building her brand in college through her TV show *On the Air with Brittany B*.
* She leveraged early platforms like YouTube and Facebook before “social media” was a term.
2. **Consistency is Key**
* Success in branding comes from **consistent engagement**, even before monetization was possible.
* Brittany grew her Instagram following to over 130,000 by focusing on consistency rather than chasing trends.
3. **Influencer Myth**
* Large follower counts don’t guarantee success; **engagement matters more than numbers**.
* “If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.”
4. **Paid vs. Organic Growth**
* Paid ads can help, but **organic growth builds trust**.
* Best practice: build an organic base first, then use paid ads to amplify.
5. **Pivot to AI**
* Brittany pivoted from a traditional social media agency to **AI-driven branding solutions**.
* She creates **AI twins** for business owners—digital replicas that can produce content without the owner being physically present.
6. **Generative AI in Marketing**
* AI tools can create graphics, videos, and even voice clones.
* Brittany emphasizes AI as a **tool to enhance workflow**, not replace human creativity.
7. **Consulting Approach**
* Offers strategy calls to identify problems and recommend AI tools.
* Services range from **strategy planning**, **consulting**, to **done-for-you solutions**.
***
### **Notable Quotes**
* **On branding:**
*“I was always building a brand, even when I didn’t realize I was building a brand.”*
* **On engagement vs. followers:**
*“If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.”*
* **On AI’s role:**
*“AI is just a tool. It’s not going to replace your job—it still needs human direction.”*
* **On staying ahead:**
*“I’ve been told I have the gift of insight to see what’s coming, even if it’s not popular yet.”*
* **On her pivot:**
*“I started generating AI twins for business owners so they could show up online without showing up.”*
***
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.