Strawberry Letter

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ryan Richmond and Greg Bowman.
Co‑owners of Popcorn Remix, a Georgia‑based gourmet popcorn brand known for more than 60 innovative flavors ranging from King Crab Legs to Charlene’s Banana Pudding to chocolate‑covered strawberry.
Together they share their partnership story, the origin of Popcorn Remix, the explosive growth of their brand, how they built a powerhouse fundraising platform (WePowerFundraisers.com), their expansion into major sports and entertainment venues, and the unique combination of hustle, creativity, faith, and community service that drives their success.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview was designed to:
1. Highlight the Popcorn Remix brand and its explosive growth
From a storefront in Conyers, GA, to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Truist Park, the Georgia World Congress Center, the Atlanta Dream, and major convention centers.
2. Showcase their entrepreneurship journey as Black founders
They share how they partnered, overcame limitations, created their own lane, and scaled a product category long dominated by major national brands.
3. Promote their fundraising platform (WePowerFundraisers.com)
A system that gives organizations up to 50% of gross sales, ships popcorn directly to supporters, and supports churches, schools, nonprofits, cheer teams, and more.
4. Inspire entrepreneurs
Greg and Ryan share candid advice on partnership, sacrifice, differentiating your product, and believing in your gifts.
💡 Key Takeaways
1. A Powerful Partnership Built on Hustle, Trust & Alignment
Greg and Ryan met years ago through a men’s empowerment group and eventually partnered after Greg conceived the popcorn concept.
Ryan didn’t have the money but had “all the hustle in the world”—and that’s the partnership foundation.
They call themselves the Visionary & Executioner, committing to outwork anyone and always show up for each other.
2. Popcorn Remix Was Created to “Remix” What Popcorn Could Be
The brand name came from their church’s theme, “Year of the Remix.”
They wanted flavors never seen before: butter pecan, crab legs, chocolate‑covered strawberry, cookies and cream, lemon pound cake, jerk chicken, etc. [
Only three people in the world know the signature butter pecan formula.
3. Their Innovation Extends Beyond Flavors — Even the Kernels Are Different
They use “mushroom” kernels (round, fluffy) instead of standard “butterfly” kernels to prevent breakage, reduce seed fragments, and support orthodontic patients. [
Their popcorn is fluffier, smoother, and more versatile for gourmet coating.
4. The Storefront Is an In‑Person Experience
The Conyers, GA store provides:
Free sampling of all 60+ flavors
Music based on the time of day
Engaging, fun staff
Fresh gourmet popcorn made on-site
The storefront is intentionally designed to be a “vibe.”
5. Live Activations Are Their Secret Weapon
Their background in music and entertainment helps them:
Work crowds
Convert curious customers into buyers
Perform high‑energy demos
Showcase “activation flavors” like Lemon Pound Cake, which comes with instructions
These activations drew attention at Falcons games, arenas, conventions, and more.
6. Popcorn Remix Is in Major Venues Across Georgia
They have partnerships with:
Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (all levels)
Truist Park / Atlanta Braves
State Farm Arena
Atlanta Dream
Georgia World Congress Center
Georgia International Convention Center
They’re a favorite for cheer, volleyball, and large-scale events.
7. Their Brand Went Viral — Celebrities and even the White House Took Notice
Celebrity/luminary support includes:
Whoopi Goldberg
Daymond John
Sherri Shepherd
Anthony Hamilton
Cathy Hughes (Radio One/TV One founder)
The White House (Hip-Hop 50th celebration invitation)
Their popcorn has literally made it to the White House.
8. Their Fundraising Platform Is a Game-Changer
WePowerFundraisers.com gives:
Up to 50% of gross sales to organizations
Automated direct‑to-door delivery
No upfront costs
10‑day fundraiser windows
Ten curated flavors for easy purchase
They’re now targeting national Greek organizations (“Divine Nine”) to scale. [
9. Massive Growth: $1.5 Million in 3 Years
They realized they “had something” when they hit $1.5 million in revenue, without debt, and only two founders running things.
They even had to turn down a $4M deal because they didn’t yet have the production capacity—prompting them to invest heavily in a new warehouse.
10. They Reinvented Their Ops with Subscriptions & TikTok Shops
They recently added:
A monthly popcorn subscription
A TikTok Shop that allows creators to sell Popcorn Remix and earn revenue
These innovations help them scale nationally.
🗣 Notable Quotes (with citations) On their partnership
“He said, ‘I ain’t got a whole bunch of money… but I got all the hustle in the world.’”
On their role to each other
“I refuse to be outworked… whenever you call, I’m available.”
On Popcorn Remix’s purpose
“We want to remix popcorn… make it unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.”
On competition
“When you're going against a giant, you gotta have something real… We had a rocket launcher.”
On their breakthrough moment
“We grossed $1.5 million in three years… from popcorn. I knew we had something.”
On celebrity validation
“When Whoopi sent the picture… and then the White House… that was it.”
On entrepreneurship
“Dreams don’t expire. How you start is not how you finish.”
On community fundraising
“It’s one thing to ask for something. It’s another to give something back.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Leola Anifowoshe.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Educate listeners on the science and solutions behind hair loss.
Introduce Dr. Leola Anifowoshe’s work in functional medicine, trichology, and holistic hair restoration.
Share her personal journey and expertise.
Promote her clinic, products, and diagnostic approach to hair and scalp health.
🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Hair Loss is Treatable and Often Misunderstood
Hair follicles may be dormant, not dead—where there’s life, there’s hope.
Hair loss is often a symptom of deeper health issues, such as stress, inflammation, or liver dysfunction.
2. Holistic and Functional Approach
Dr. Leola emphasizes testing over guessing.
Her clinic uses microscopic scalp analysis, cell inflammation tests, and custom treatment plans.
She avoids pharmaceuticals, relying on natural remedies and nutraceuticals.
3. Hair Loss as a Health Crisis
Especially prevalent among Black women, often due to scarring alopecia from early perms.
The American Hair Loss Association had not studied this demographic adequately.
4. Innovative Technology
Her clinic developed a patented machine called the ResourciStation, which: Diagnoses scalp conditions.
Removes debris.
Stimulates follicles.
Can transform salons into restoration centers.

5. Personal Story and Motivation
Dr. Leola experienced hair loss due to sarcoidosis, a form of lupus.
Her husband’s reaction to her baldness inspired her to create effective products.
She was raised by blind family members, teaching her to rely on senses beyond sight, influencing her product development.
6. Product Highlights
Ditch the Itch Shampoo: Detoxifies scalp.
Smooth & Restore Conditioner: Nourishes hair strands.
Awakening Complex: Stimulates dormant follicles using natural DHT blockers like pumpkin seed.
Meltdown Scalp Oxygen Foam: Clears buildup and energizes follicles.
💬 Notable Quotes
“Where there’s life, there’s hope—as it relates to hair follicles.”
“Hair loss is a bully. You can’t fight it with a butter knife.”
“We don’t guess—we test.”
“Hair loss is a whistleblower—it tells you something deeper is wrong.”
“I kill men back their wives. I give women back their husbands.”
“I was born on the 4th of July. I was born for this.”
“You can’t out-give God. Create a vacuum effect—give something to get something.”
🌱 Emotional and Cultural Impact
Dr. Leola’s work is deeply rooted in community healing, especially for underserved populations.
She challenges mainstream dermatology and beauty standards, advocating for natural, culturally aware solutions.
Her clinic offers telehealth, making her services accessible nationwide.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
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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Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Wendell Graham.
A stroke survivor, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and founder of Slight Edge Consulting, joins Rushion McDonald to share a deeply personal and powerful story of survival, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Graham recounts two life-altering experiences:
Surviving a fatal Amtrak train crash in which the person who took his place died, causing years of survivor’s remorse.
Suffering an anaphylactic shock and stroke in 2024, which temporarily robbed him of speech, memory, mobility, and independence.
Rather than allowing these moments to define him negatively, Graham reframed them as assignments—calling him to live intentionally, help others overcome “the hump,” and use his lived experience as intellectual property to serve, coach, and motivate people through adversity, business challenges, fear, and self-doubt.
The interview blends emotional storytelling with practical insights into personal growth, sales, mindset, recovery, faith, and entrepreneurship.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Inspire listeners to persevere through trauma, loss, and setbacks.
Demonstrate how adversity can become purpose and value, not limitation.
Show how lived experience translates into income and impact, especially for entrepreneurs.
Encourage patience during recovery, whether from health issues, career loss, or personal failure.
Promote Slight Edge Consulting as a resource for individuals stuck at the “15%” holding them back.
Key Takeaways 1. Survival Creates Responsibility
After narrowly avoiding the Amtrak crash that killed 47 people, Graham vowed not to waste his life and to live with intention.
Takeaway: Survival is not luck—it’s an assignment.
2. Trauma Is Real, but It Can Be Transformed
Graham openly discusses survivor’s remorse, PTSD, fear, discouragement, and self-doubt—especially after his stroke.
Takeaway: Healing is messy, slow, and honest—but possible.
3. Recovery Requires Patience With Yourself
Following his stroke, Graham had to relearn how to speak, walk, and think clearly. Progress came through patience, humility, and repetition.
Takeaway: Every recovery has its own timeline—don’t rush the process.
4. Money Is a Byproduct of Action and Value
Graham explains that income flows from prior action, knowledge, and intellectual property—not the other way around.
Takeaway: Focus on value first; money follows.
5. Most People Already Have 85% of What They Need
Through Slight Edge Consulting, Graham helps clients identify and fix the missing 15%—mindset, confidence, access, skills, or strategy.
Takeaway: You’re closer to success than you think.
6. Sales Is the Transfer of Feeling
Sales isn’t pressure or manipulation—it’s enthusiasm, belief, and confidence communicated clearly.
Takeaway: If you don’t believe in what you’re selling, no one else will.
7. Fear Grows When You Stand Still
Standing at the “hump” makes it feel larger. Movement shrinks fear.
Takeaway: Action reduces intimidation.
8. Give Yourself Permission to Be Great
Too many people wait for validation, approval, or perfect timing that never comes.
Takeaway: The cavalry is not coming—now is your time.
Notable Quotes
On surviving tragedy:
“I made a vow that I was not going to be irresponsible with the time that I have left.”

On the stroke and recovery:
“Physically, it was like being locked inside of your body.”

On honesty in healing:
“We tell the success story, but what about the middle?”

On patience:
“We have to be patient with ourselves in any recovery process.”

On mindset and entrepreneurship:
“Money is only the byproduct of something.”

On personal growth:
“Most people have 85% of what they need—it’s the 15% that’s holding them back.”

On sales:
“Selling is nothing more than transferring feeling.”

On fear and permission:
“Give yourself permission to be great. The cavalry is not coming.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Friday, May 22nd, 2026. Subject: "His Sister Or Secret Lover
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