Strawberry Letter

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Johnny Lynum. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To share Johnny Lynum’s journey from military service to becoming a successful real estate investor and wealth advisor, and to educate listeners on building generational wealth through real estate, financial literacy, and strategic investing. 🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Military Background & Transition Johnny Lynum is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, with 20 years of service as a developmental engineer and intelligence officer. His military career provided discipline and structure, but his passion for entrepreneurship led him to real estate investing. 2. Real Estate Journey Started with a VA loan to buy his first property. Built a portfolio of 115 doors worth over \$10 million, primarily in Panama City, Florida and Montgomery, Alabama. Leveraged his knowledge and connections to invest remotely while living in Northern Virginia. 3. Investment Philosophy Real estate is a tangible, relatable investment. Emphasizes leverage—using other people’s money to control larger assets. Advocates for buying back time through passive income strategies tailored to different life stages (30s, 40s, 50s). Encourages strategic investing and not just chasing instant gratification. 4. Books & Education Author of: Millionaire Real Estate Success Strategies: What They Forgot to Teach You in School Upcoming: The Financial Security Blueprint – focuses on biblical principles, alternative investments, and building lasting wealth. Offers free downloads of his book via johnnylynam.com/newbook. 5. Faith & Legacy Strong emphasis on faith and service. Inspired by his mother’s legacy planning and life insurance setup for her grandchildren. Focused on building generational wealth and educating his children and others. 6. Tax-Smart Investing Discusses strategies like bonus depreciation, oil and gas investments, and self-directed IRAs to minimize tax liabilities. Encourages understanding the IRS tax code to identify government-incentivized investment areas. 7. Building a Brand Active on LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook. Partnered with LinkedIn to create real estate content. Promotes financial literacy and faith-based wealth building. 💬 Notable Quotes “I had to go from broke Johnny to woke Johnny.” “You don’t have to be an expert at everything, but you can be the leader in the room.” “My God is a God of abundance.” “Real estate became my vehicle and my pathway to building wealth.” “You’re a blessing to your blessing.” — on generational wealth. “Success leaves clues.” “You have to take that leap of faith and take that action.” 📌 Final Thoughts Johnny Lynum’s story is a powerful example of how discipline, faith, and strategic action can transform lives. His journey from humble beginnings and military service to building a multimillion-dollar real estate empire is both inspiring and instructive. He emphasizes the importance of education, mentorship, and legacy, making this interview a masterclass in wealth creation and purposeful living. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Crystal Hughes. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To spotlight Crystal Hughes’ entrepreneurial journey, her resilience through adversity, and her innovative contributions to the beauty industry and nonprofit work. The interview aims to inspire listeners by showing how personal challenges can fuel impactful ventures. 🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Early Entrepreneurship & Adversity At age 21, Crystal opened her first wig and natural hair salon in a flea market. Shortly after, she was incarcerated for bank fraud—a decision she made out of desperation to fund her business dreams. She wrote a book titled Money and My Daughter while in prison, inspired by her experiences and authors like Wahida Clark. 2. Wig Capital Foundation Founded to donate medical wigs to cancer patients and others in need. Crystal collected and donated over 5,000 wigs in the first year. Partnered with beauty supply stores and hospitals (e.g., Howard University Hospital, MedStar). Schools helped refurbish wigs in exchange for community service hours. 3. Mobile Glam Squad A tech-driven initiative likened to “Uber for beauty services.” Connects licensed beauty professionals with clients, especially those who are immobile or in hospitals. Aims to provide group health insurance for stylists and expand to college campuses. 4. Personal Healing & Resilience Survived a serious car accident resulting in chronic pain. Opted out of surgery and explored “sexual healing” as a form of pain management. Worked in a Nevada brothel during recovery, combining physical therapy with alternative healing. 5. Land Development in Utah, Alabama Inherited one acre of land from her grandparents. Plans to build an adult living facility and raise funds through seasonal events like scavenger hunts. Noted signs of economic growth in the area (new gas station, dialysis center, Dollar General). 6. Use of Technology Embraced tech tools like ChatGPT for legal and business support. Shares tech resources with cosmetology students during marketing tours. 💬 Notable Quotes “I always wanted to have my own beauty supply store… I figured out a way to do it.” “I wasn’t the brains in the operation… but I knew I had to stay confident.” “Anything over $1,000, they had to kind of question it.” “I wrote my book in prison… it’s fiction based on true events.” “I didn’t want to lose myself… I had to figure out a way.” “You are a genius.” — a compliment she received from a mentor after promoting her nonprofit. “You can’t stop yourself sometimes… you don’t let the system stop you.” — Rushion McDonald on Crystal’s entrepreneurial spirit. 📌 Final Thoughts Crystal Hughes’ story is one of resilience, reinvention, and resourcefulness. From incarceration to innovation, she has turned personal pain into purpose, creating platforms that empower others—especially women facing medical and financial challenges. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Wednesday, December 24th, 2025. Subject: "She's In The Middle Stirring Up Mess"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mori Taheripour. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To explore Mori Taheripour’s journey as a globally recognized negotiation expert, her personal resilience, and the empowering message behind her book Bring Yourself: How to Harness the Power of Connection to Negotiate Fearlessly. The interview also highlights her insights on authenticity, self-worth, and redefining negotiation as a daily life skill. 🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Professional Background Faculty member at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Holds degrees from Barnard College, Wharton, and a Diversity & Inclusion certificate from Cornell. Clients include Fortune 100 companies, major sports leagues, nonprofits, and government agencies. 2. Redefining Negotiation Negotiation is not just about conflict or business deals—it’s a daily life skill. We negotiate constantly: with ourselves, family, coworkers, and even in mundane decisions. The key to successful negotiation is knowing your value and bringing your authentic self. 3. Book: Bring Yourself Written to dispel myths about negotiation being aggressive or confrontational. Encourages readers to lead with empathy, curiosity, and authenticity. Highlights that anyone can be a good negotiator by honoring their values and self-worth. 4. Personal Resilience Mori shares her experience living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which she kept private for years. She discusses how prioritizing health and self-care became essential. Her openness about MS in her book was cathartic and empowering, showing that chronic illness doesn’t define or limit success. 5. Diversity & Inclusion Mori’s early career focused on public health in underserved communities. Her work in diversity and inclusion stems from a desire to create equitable access, especially in healthcare. She emphasizes that inclusion is about recognizing and respecting individual value and lived experiences. 6. Emotional Intelligence in Teaching Mori’s classroom is a safe space where students are encouraged to be vulnerable. She values kindness, respect, and emotional connection as essential tools for learning and leadership. Her teaching style blends academic rigor with empathy and real-world application. 💬 Notable Quotes “We negotiate with ourselves all the time.” “You have to honor yourself—whatever that is.” “If you don’t understand your worth, you will never be a good negotiator.” “Bring Yourself is about showing up authentically, not what society expects you to be.” “Kindness and respect will get you further than anything else.” “Sometimes enough is perfect.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Introduce Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones’ work helping entrepreneurs and professionals “bankroll their brilliance”. Encourage listeners to monetize their unique talents and create multiple streams of income. Inspire individuals to align their purpose with their profession for greater impact and fulfillment. Share strategies for overcoming fear, embracing authenticity, and building scalable businesses. 🧠 Key Takeaways 1. From Casting to Coaching Nicole’s early career in talent management and casting helped her develop a gift for recognizing people’s potential. She now uses that gift to help entrepreneurs and executives identify their “DNA” (Distinct Natural Ability) and turn it into income. “I could see you and how you could fit into the script… That’s really what I do with entrepreneurs now.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones 2. Purpose Is Your Power Nicole emphasizes that purpose is the one thing you never get fired from. Aligning your work with your purpose leads to higher performance and deeper fulfillment. “When you bless somebody with the thing that you do, they’re gaining—and you’re gaining for God.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones 3. Multiple Streams of Income She teaches clients to diversify their income by creating products, programs, and services that don’t require their constant presence—what she calls “money while you sleep” or “mailbox money.” Examples include: Lawyers creating online courses for clients who can’t afford billable hours. Gymnasts licensing their training methods and renting out facilities. “Your comfort zone is where your dreams go to die.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones“If you are physically tied to the money you make, you’re capping your potential.” – Rushion McDonald 4. Stop Giving Away Your Brilliance Nicole warns against giving away intellectual property for free. She encourages professionals to recognize the value of their expertise and package it into paid offerings. “You’re giving away your cookie for free… You have value that people will pay for.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones 5. Create a Methodology She helps clients build a blueprint for their expertise, turning routines and habits into teachable systems. Her metaphor: “You can’t see the label from inside the jar,” meaning people often overlook their own value. “It’s really helping someone produce the value that is coming out of you effortlessly.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones 6. Authenticity Is a Business Strategy Nicole encourages people to embrace their full personality, even if it’s “too much” for some. She believes that being yourself is the key to attracting the right audience and opportunities. “Stop letting people turn down your light. This is who I am. God made me this way.” – Dr. Nicole Roberts Jones 💬 Memorable Quotes “Corporate doesn’t need more of corporate.” “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” “Each of us were born to disrupt whatever system we’re called to work in.” 🌟 Impact of the Interview This episode is a masterclass in personal branding, purpose alignment, and entrepreneurial strategy. Nicole’s energy and clarity make her insights actionable and inspiring, especially for professionals looking to pivot, scale, or rediscover their value. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.