The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Monday, November 24th, 2025. Subject: "My Cousin Owns The Carwash"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Financial Tip: Educates you on how to avoid student loan debt and developed a process to simplify scholarship applications.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Jocelyn Pearson. Purpose of the Interview The interview on Money Making Conversations Masterclass with Rushion McDonald and Jocelyn Pearson aimed to: Share Jocelyn’s journey of graduating debt-free by securing $126,350 in scholarships. Educate families on how to avoid student loan debt through her proven system, The Scholarship System. Dispel myths about scholarships and provide actionable steps for parents and students. Key Takeaways Scholarship System Approach Jocelyn developed a six-step process to simplify scholarship applications and avoid overwhelm. Focus on breaking the process into small, manageable steps rather than a vague “go get money” directive. Common Myths Debunked Too early or too late to apply: Start by junior year; it’s never too late—even college seniors can apply. Only perfect students or low-income families qualify: Many scholarships don’t require high GPA or athletic ability. All good scholarships are gone: Smaller, local scholarships ($500–$5,000) add up over time. It takes too much time: With a system and reusable materials, effort decreases each year. Avoiding Scholarship Scams Beware of “easy,” “enter to win,” or sweepstakes-style scholarships—they often sell personal data. Real scholarships require effort and personalization. Role of Parents Parents should help with planning and identifying legitimate scholarships but not complete applications for students. Committees can detect when parents write essays. AI in Scholarship Applications Jocelyn warns against copy-pasting AI-generated essays. Her platform introduced TESS, an AI assistant for ethical guidance and support. Financial Aid Basics Submit FAFSA even if you think you won’t qualify; some colleges and states require it. Combine all sources—government aid, institutional aid, and private scholarships. For Current College Students Check with financial aid offices, academic departments, and organizations for scholarships available after freshman year. Entrepreneurial Journey Jocelyn turned her passion into a business by starting with a book, building an email list, and launching webinars. She emphasizes persistence and ignoring naysayers. Notable Quotes “I had to accumulate my way to getting college paid for—the mere mortals’ way to going to college without tons of debt.” “Most families want scholarships, but they get stuck in the overwhelm.” “There’s no big red easy button—but with clear steps, it feels less daunting.” “We’re saying no to the broken system… It takes, on average, 21 years to pay off student loans.” “With great power comes great responsibility—AI can help, but only if used ethically.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Career Change: A 24-year-old entrepreneur tells us how he owns three Atlanta ho
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Isaiah Tatum. A 24-year-old entrepreneur, touring artist, and hotel owner: 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview showcases Dr. Isaiah Tatum’s extraordinary journey from homelessness to becoming a venture capitalist, hotel developer, and touring saxophonist. It aims to inspire young entrepreneurs by highlighting the importance of faith, planning, mentorship, and financial literacy. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Early Passion for Music Began playing saxophone at age 10. Influenced by legends like Kenny G, Curtis Mayfield, and Aretha Franklin. Practiced obsessively, leading to proficiency and touring opportunities. Maintains a strong connection to music despite business ventures. “I couldn’t wait to get home and play… I practiced six hours a day.” — Isaiah Tatum 2. Entrepreneurial Drive & Financial Literacy Overcame homelessness and used that experience to fuel ambition. Became an equity investor in Jazz Pharmaceuticals at 18. Invested in real estate and hotel development with a focus on recession-proof models. “I didn’t want to be an artist who had to stay on tour to maintain. I wanted to be financially free.” — Isaiah Tatum 3. Hotel Ownership & Strategy Owns two Candlewood Suites and an Embassy Suites in Georgia. Focuses on extended-stay models for consistent revenue. Emphasizes customer experience and operational efficiency. “Even if they’re spending $160, make them feel like they’re spending $1 million.” — Isaiah Tatum 4. Mentorship & Education Studied finance and earned credentials from Wall Street Prep. Values mentorship from icons like Kenny G and Keith Worsham. Now mentors others and encourages financial literacy and self-confidence. “Don’t look for who you are to fit in with everybody else… Elevate yourself.” — Isaiah Tatum 5. Vision & Future Endeavors Developing new properties in Tupelo, MS and Nashville, TN. Planning a Sweat Hotel concept and returning to music with a new album and tour. Driven by a daily mindset of growth and execution. “Even though I’ve done really good, it’s about what I’m doing tomorrow.” — Isaiah Tatum 📌 Notable Quotes “Faith and a plan. A lot of people jump out there on faith. You better have a plan in your back pocket.” — Rushion McDonald “I fell in love with credentials… I wanted to maximize every opportunity.” — Isaiah Tatum “Let your results speak for themselves.” — Isaiah Tatum #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Career Change: A former emergency room nurse turned career coach, shares her jo
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Dr. Farrah Laurent. A former emergency room nurse turned entrepreneur and career coach, shares her journey from bedside care to building a six-figure business helping new nurses land high-paying jobs and launch their own ventures. The conversation explores nursing as a lucrative and flexible career path, the importance of mindset, and the power of personal branding. 🔑 Key Points 💼 Career Journey & Motivation Dr. Laurent was inspired by the TV show Trauma: Life in the E.R. to become an emergency nurse. She worked 13 years in ER nursing, including at a Level 1 trauma center in Detroit. Transitioned into education and leadership before launching her coaching business. 💰 Nursing as a High-Income Career New nurses in cities like NYC and Northern California can earn $100K–$175K starting salaries. National average is around $70K, but opportunities vary by region and specialization. Nurse anesthetists can earn $200K–$300K+. “New graduate nurses today… are making baseline at least $100,000, up to $175K.” 🧠 Mindset & Coaching Emphasizes abundance mindset over scarcity. Coaches nurses on resume writing, interview prep, and personal branding. Encourages nurses to invest in themselves through coaching and professional development. “If I can do it, you can do it too. It all starts with an idea and the mindset.” 📈 Entrepreneurship for Nurses Nurses are increasingly turning to consulting, coaching, and telehealth for flexibility. Dr. Laurent founded the Nurses Making Money Moves conference and authored a workbook by the same name. Organized her first conference in just 10 weeks, attracting 70 nurses from 20 states. “You’re using your intellectual property—what you already know—to monetize.” 🌍 Diversity & Representation Advocates for racial, gender, and linguistic diversity in nursing and leadership. Notes that patient outcomes improve when care providers reflect the communities they serve. “We need more diversity in nursing and nursing leadership to close the gaps in healthcare inequalities.” 💡 Advice for New Nurses Get clear on your goals and ideal work environment. Prepare thoroughly for interviews—don’t wing it. Build a strong LinkedIn presence—95% of recruiters check it. Negotiate: Know your worth, research salaries, and pitch your value. “Don’t just settle. Go after what you want.” 🚩 Red Flags in Job Offers Disorganized interview process Unwelcoming management High turnover Rushed job offers without clarity on responsibilities 📣 Closing Quote “Nurses are big problem solvers. Find the problem you want to solve and go for it.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brand Building: They own restaurants in Memphis, the Dominican Republic and one thousand virtual tax franchises.
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 #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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