Strawberry Letter

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 Dr. Justin M. Lee.
Purpose of the Interview
To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur.
To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics.
To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities.
To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment.
Key Takeaways
Early Career & Education
Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals.
Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow.
Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker.

Social Media as a Business Tool
Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms.
Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility.
Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.”

Financial Literacy & Homeownership
African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge.
Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits.
Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit).

Real Estate Process
Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing.
Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days.
Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved.

Pooling Resources for Wealth
Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication.
Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends.
Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs.

Amazon DSP Opportunity
Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees).
Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant.
Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations.

Construction Business
Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects.
Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed.
Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta.
Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics.

Personal Background
Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents.
Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early.
Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency.

Notable Quotes
On embracing discomfort:
“I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.”

On social media:
“You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.”

On financial literacy:
“Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.”

On collaboration:
“Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.”

On planning:
“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Ashley M. Fox.
Summary of the Interview
In this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Ashley M. Fox—former Wall Street analyst, Howard University alum, financial educator, and founder/CEO of Emplify, a fintech platform focused on making wealth‑building accessible to everyday people.
Ashley shares her journey from working with ultra‑high‑net‑worth clients on Wall Street to becoming an entrepreneur determined to bring financial education and empowerment to communities traditionally excluded from wealth conversations. She discusses the creation of Amplify, her financial fall and recovery, her work in schools and prison systems, and how digital content has allowed her to scale her mission globally.
The discussion emphasizes mindset, self‑belief, access, and a practical path to wealth, even starting with as little as $20.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
1. Inspire financial empowerment
Ashley explains how anyone—regardless of background or starting point—can begin building wealth and shift generational outcomes.
2. Demystify investing and wealth-building
She breaks down how simple investing can be, the power of small consistent contributions, and how wealth isn’t limited to entrepreneurs or high earners.
3. Highlight her fintech platform Emplify
She shares how Amplify democratizes financial education through online tools, community, and accessible investing classes.
4. Encourage a mindset shift
Ashley stresses the importance of eliminating fear, building confidence, and using logic instead of emotion when making financial decisions.
Key Takeaways 1. Wealth Begins with Belief and Mindset
Ashley learned on Wall Street that the biggest difference between wealthy and non-wealthy people is not education—it's self-belief. Many people don’t believe wealth is possible for them because they've never seen it.
2. You Don’t Need a Lot of Money to Start Investing
She urges people to start with $20, even buying fractional shares. It’s consistency—not starting amount—that builds wealth.
3. You Can Invest in Others’ Ideas—Not Just Your Own
Building wealth doesn’t require launching a business. Buying stock is one of the easiest ways to participate in wealth creation.
4. Ashley’s Own Journey Included Failure
After leaving Wall Street, she was evicted, slept on her parents’ couch for two years, and maxed out credit cards. Her purpose kept her going.
5. Financial Education Should Start Early
She developed financial education programs for schools, prison systems, and everyday families because adults often learn too late.
6. Emplify Scales Wealth Education
Her platform offers 300+ hours of videos and tools, helping members open 3,000+ investment accounts and invest $7.4M collectively.
7. Social Media Is Her Biggest Access Point
Ashley reaches millions by being authentic, relatable, and consistent—meeting people where they are.
8. You Must Pay Yourself First
Most people pay bills, companies, and creditors before investing in themselves. She emphasizes reversing that pattern.
9. Logic Over Emotion
Wealth requires logical decision‑making, especially in the market. Emotional reactions undermine long-term financial growth.
Notable Quotes (Taken From the Transcript) On Wealth Mindset
“When you think and know and believe you have the power to create wealth and you deserve wealth, you move a different way.”
“There is no president that can build the wealth that you can create for your family.”
On Starting Small
“You don't have to have a lot of money to start. You just have to have the will to begin.”
“A whole lot of $20 can get you to a million—as long as you don’t stop.”
On Investing
“Consider the companies you give your money to and own them, because they are a lot cheaper than you think.”
“If I’m helping you build a billion‑dollar business by using your products, I deserve a piece of the pie.”
On Self-Reliance
“You pay everybody… the bartender, the mortgage company—and you’re the one without money. Who’s going to worry about you?”
On Purpose and Identity
“My story never changed. The mission was always dedicated to the people I didn’t see coming into that building on Wall Street.”
“Emplify is the movement. It just has my DNA.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Dr. Lynn Richardson.
Discussing financial literacy, entrepreneurship, wealth-building, tax strategies, multiple streams of income, and estate planning. Drawing from her own journey from financial struggle to financial success, Richardson shares practical advice designed to help individuals and business owners take control of their finances and build long-term wealth.
The interview centers on the idea that financial success is not simply about earning more money. Instead, it is about developing the right mindset, creating a plan, taking action, and making informed financial decisions.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview was designed to:
Educate listeners about financial literacy and wealth-building.
Encourage honest conversations about money and financial challenges.
Teach entrepreneurs how to properly build and operate businesses.
Share tax and financial strategies available to families.
Stress the importance of multiple income streams.
Explain the role of estate planning in creating generational wealth.
Key Takeaways 1. More Money Does Not Solve Money Problems
Richardson explains that income alone is not the solution to financial struggles. Poor money habits can exist at every income level, including among wealthy individuals.
Lesson:
Financial discipline and mindset are more important than income.
2. Stop Hiding Financial Problems
Many people remain stuck financially because of shame, fear, pride, or embarrassment.
Lesson:
The first step toward financial recovery is acknowledging the problem and seeking help.
3. Money Is Math
Richardson emphasizes that personal finance is largely a numbers game.
Lesson:
If expenses exceed income, a financial plan must focus on reducing expenses, increasing income, or both.
4. Teach Children About Money Early
She encourages families to involve children in financial discussions and business activities.
Lesson:
Children should learn how money works, where it comes from, and how to manage it responsibly.
5. Entrepreneurs Need Business Education
Many entrepreneurs have talent but lack business knowledge.
Lesson:
Success requires understanding accounting, marketing, legal structure, operations, financial planning, and business management.
6. Run Your Business Like a Business
Simply creating an LLC is not enough.
Lesson:
Business owners must maintain proper records, documentation, corporate procedures, and compliance practices to protect themselves legally.
7. A GoFundMe Is Not a Business Plan
Richardson pushes back against using crowdfunding as a substitute for proper planning.
Lesson:
Funding should support a strategy, not replace one.
8. Knowledge Requires Action
Information alone does not create success.
Lesson:
Learning must be followed by implementation.
9. Build Multiple Streams of Income
Both Richardson and McDonald stress the danger of depending on a single paycheck or income source.
Lesson:
Diversified income streams provide security, flexibility, and wealth-building opportunities.
10. Estate Planning Creates Generational Wealth
Estate planning is not just for wealthy individuals.
Lesson:
Everyone has an estate. Without a plan, the government determines how assets are distributed.
Memorable Quotes On Money Mindset
"More money doesn't solve a money problem. If it did, millionaires wouldn't go bankrupt."
On Wealth Habits
"Rich people stay rich because they act poor, and poor people stay poor because they act rich."
On Financial Recovery
"The first adjustment that we need to make is to open our mouths, speak up, talk to someone."
On Homeownership
"One of the quickest ways to homelessness is homeownership."
On Financial Reality
"Money is a simple function of mathematics."
On Entrepreneurship
"The number one mistake that we make is we don't get an education."
On Planning
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors, they succeed."
On Taking Action
"Knowledge is power when it's put into action."
On Income Diversification
"One stream of income is hazardous to your wealth."
On Estate Planning
"Everybody has an estate plan. The question is, who's in control of it?"
On Wealth Preservation
"If you don't have a plan, then the state, the government has a plan."
Executive Summary
The interview delivers a powerful message about personal responsibility, financial education, and intentional wealth-building. Dr. Lynn Richardson encourages listeners to be honest about their financial situations, educate themselves on money management and entrepreneurship, create multiple income streams, and protect their families through estate planning. Her central message is that financial success comes from planning, discipline, education, and consistent action.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 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 #BEST
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Dr. Clarence Lee.
Physician, entrepreneur, speaker, and co-founder of Social Media for Doctors, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss perseverance, entrepreneurship, personal branding, and the future of healthcare marketing.
Dr. Lee shares his inspiring journey from repeatedly being rejected from medical school to becoming a physician, Air Force flight surgeon, business owner, and advocate for physician branding. The conversation highlights how professionals, especially physicians, can build powerful personal brands that create opportunities, expand their influence, improve patient education, and generate multiple streams of income.
The interview is ultimately about believing in yourself, staying committed to your vision, and creating value beyond your primary profession.
Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of the interview was to:
Share Dr. Lee's journey of persistence and overcoming rejection.
Inspire listeners to remain committed to their goals despite setbacks.
Introduce the concept of personal branding for physicians.
Discuss entrepreneurship as a pathway to greater professional freedom.
Highlight how social media can educate the public and strengthen healthcare communication.
Encourage professionals to view themselves as brands rather than simply employees.
Key Takeaways 1. Persistence Is the Difference Maker
Dr. Lee revealed that it took him five years of applying to medical school before he was accepted.
Lesson:
Success often comes to those who refuse to quit, even when progress is slow.
2. Believe in Yourself Above All Else
Despite pressure from friends and family to move on, Dr. Lee continued pursuing his dream of becoming a physician.
Lesson:
The best investment anyone can make is betting on themselves and their vision.
3. Don't Settle for a Plan B That Isn't Your Dream
Although he was accepted into optometry school, Dr. Lee declined the opportunity because it wasn't his true calling.
Lesson:
Sometimes achieving your goal requires turning down good opportunities that distract from your ultimate purpose.
4. Challenges Do Not Mean You're on the Wrong Path
Dr. Lee believes many people abandon their dreams when obstacles appear.
Lesson:
Difficulty is often part of the process, not a sign that you should quit.
5. Physicians Need Personal Brands
Many doctors rely entirely on hospitals or healthcare systems to market their services.
Lesson:
Building a personal brand allows physicians to establish authority, visibility, and stronger connections with patients.
6. Patients Search for Information Online
Today's patients often research symptoms and medical conditions before visiting a doctor.
Lesson:
Qualified medical professionals should have an online presence to provide accurate and trustworthy information.
7. Branding Creates Professional Independence
A strong personal brand belongs to the individual, not the employer.
Lesson:
Doctors who build recognizable brands create career flexibility and opportunities beyond traditional employment.
8. Entrepreneurship Helps Combat Burnout
Dr. Lee discussed how many physicians struggle with stress, burnout, and limited control over their schedules.
Lesson:
Business ownership and additional income streams can provide greater freedom, control, and professional satisfaction.
9. Multiple Income Streams Create Stability
Beyond practicing medicine, Dr. Lee earns income through speaking, training, education, and business ventures.
Lesson:
A strong personal brand can open doors to various revenue opportunities.
10. Humanizing Professionals Builds Trust
Dr. Lee emphasized that doctors are more than medical experts.
Lesson:
Sharing personal interests, hobbies, values, and life experiences helps patients connect with healthcare providers on a more human level.
Memorable Quotes On Persistence
"If you do not quit, you will get closer and closer."
On Challenges
"Not being confused when challenges come your way, not turning around and deciding that's not for you."
On Self-Belief
"I really had to make a decision to say no to a plan B."
On Personal Investment
"It was really about me believing and betting on myself."
On Purpose
"Everybody doesn't want the same thing. I wanted to become a doctor."
On Branding
"You are the expert, not the system that you're under."
On Visibility
"You need to be where your patients are."
On Ownership
"I wanted to brand myself. It is something that I can take from employer to employer."
On Career Freedom
"Building a brand allows you then to have other sources of income."
On Human Connection
"Yes, I am a doctor, but I'm a father too."
On Individuality
"We're professionals, we're experts in what we do. But we're people as well."
Executive Summary
Dr. Clarence Lee's interview is an inspiring lesson in perseverance, entrepreneurship, and personal branding. His story demonstrates that success often comes after repeated setbacks and that unwavering belief in one's vision can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Beyond medicine, Dr. Lee advocates for professionals to build recognizable personal brands, create multiple streams of income, and use digital platforms to educate and serve others. His central message is clear: your expertise has value, your story matters, and investing in yourself is one of the most powerful decisions you can make.

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.