Strawberry Letter

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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
To highlight the entrepreneurial journey of Taia Rashid and Daphne Carter, co-founders of Cassie Beverage, a premium vodka-based drink brand. The interview explores their inspiration, challenges as Black women in a male-dominated liquor industry, and their commitment to quality and authenticity.
🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Founders’ Background & Bond
Taia and Daphne met as dance moms in Houston, Texas.
Their friendship grew through shared experiences at dance competitions.
Their cocktail-making hobby evolved into a business idea.
2. Cassie Beverage Origins
Inspired by family traditions involving alcohol (moonshine and wine coolers).
The brand name “Cassie” is a blend of their last names.
Their products include Daphne Limoncello and Daphne Berrycello.
3. Business Launch & Support
The idea was sparked during a trip to the Amalfi Coast.
Their husbands, both entrepreneurs, helped launch the business and provided initial capital.
They entered a white male-dominated industry with determination and humility, seeking mentorship and doing extensive research.
4. Commitment to Quality
Their drinks use natural ingredients like fresh lemon juice and cane sugar.
They resisted pressure to use cheaper alternatives like concentrates or preservatives.
Their goal: create a premium product they’re proud to consume themselves.
5. Challenges in the Liquor Industry
High startup costs and tight margins.
Strategic decisions around packaging, pricing, and market positioning.
Balancing premium quality with affordability for consumers.
6. Academic & Professional Backgrounds
Daphne: Advanced degrees in chemistry and mathematics; former charter school executive and state superintendent.
Taia: Degree in chemical engineering; worked for Frito-Lay and later became a stay-at-home mom.
7. Empowerment & Representation
They emphasized the importance of supporting women, especially in non-traditional roles like bartending and mixology.
Encouraged others to pivot careers and pursue passions regardless of societal expectations.
Advocated for creating space at the table when none is offered.
8. Community Impact
A caller shared how the interview inspired her to support her daughter’s bartending career.
The founders responded with encouragement and emphasized redefining success beyond traditional roles.
💬 Notable Quotes
“We found the perfect cocktail—the cure was liquor. A cup of joy.”
“We wanted something of quality that we could stand proud of.”
“If there’s no room at the table, bring a folding chair.”
“Your degrees give you soft skills—you can pivot and do whatever you want.”
“We’re winning because we’re doing something we love, even with the struggles.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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 Gerron Duhon.
Purpose of the Interview
The conversation aimed to:
Highlight the importance of financial literacy for young adults.
Share Jerron Duhon’s personal journey from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Yale University and into holistic financial planning.
Promote his book “The Purpose of Paper”, which focuses on building generational wealth and breaking harmful financial habits.
Key Takeaways
Personal Journey & Identity Shift
Jerron used football as a “meal ticket” to escape his hometown, but a concussion ended his athletic career, causing an identity crisis.
He pivoted toward financial education and wealth creation, emphasizing long-term planning.

Misconceptions About Wealth
Many young adults believe wealth comes quickly through gambling, sports betting, or flashy investments.
Social media fuels the desire to display wealth rather than build wealth, leading to poor financial decisions.

Financial Habits & Framework
Jerron introduced his AIMS framework: Awareness: Know your current financial state.
Intention: Set clear goals and reverse-engineer steps.
Mindset Change: Focus on future self, not old habits.
Systems: Automate savings and investments to reduce reliance on willpower.


Faith and Finance Connection
Principles like self-control, patience, and hope—fruits of the spirit—are essential for financial discipline.
“Faith without works is dead” applies to money: belief must be paired with action.

Generational Wealth
Gerron stresses taking ownership of your financial future rather than leaving the burden to your children.
Investing should be strategic and long-term, not like playing the lottery.

Practical Advice
Start small but consistent (e.g., $150/month).
Use modern tools like Robinhood for stock investing.
Shift from being a consumer to an owner (invest in companies you use).

Notable Quotes
“Football was my meal ticket… but I realized I didn’t dream far enough.”
“We connect our financial decisions to display wealth instead of to build wealth.”
“Faith without works is dead—just like in finances.”
“Are you going to be the one that changes your generation, or will you leave that pressure on your children?”
“Good advice is timeless.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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. Willie Jolley.
SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEW
In this energetic and motivational conversation, Hall of Fame speaker Dr. Willie Jolley joins Rushion McDonald on Money Making Conversations Masterclass to discuss his new book, “Rich Is Good, Wealthy Is Better.” The interview covers the difference between being rich and being wealthy, the mindsets required for long-term financial growth, and how individuals—no matter their background—can build generational wealth. Jolley also emphasizes discipline, humility, planning, multiple streams of income, overcoming setbacks, and the importance of insurance and protection of assets.
PURPOSE OF THE INTERVIEW
The interview aims to:
1. Introduce and promote Dr. Jolley’s new book
“Rich Is Good, Wealthy Is Better” and the teachings within it.
2. Educate listeners on the distinction between rich and wealthy
Jolley wants audiences to understand wealth in generational, not short-term, terms.
3. Motivate individuals to shift their financial mindset
From “working money” to “mailbox money.”
4. Empower entrepreneurs and families
To adopt discipline, drop pride, and create multigenerational financial systems.
5. Share Jolley’s personal setback‑to‑success story
To reinforce that anyone can grow wealth with the right principles.
KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Rich vs. Wealthy
Being rich = high income, often tied to active labor (e.g., athlete contracts).
Being wealthy = passive income, ownership, generational sustainability.
A rich football player earns millions; the team owner earns billions and doesn’t have to “run up and down the field.”
2. The Five Money Mindsets
Jolley explains five financial mindsets:
One‑day mindset – living day to day.
30‑day mindset – fixed incomes/check-to-check living.
One‑year mindset – annual thinking (raises, annual income).
Decade mindset – typical for entertainers/athletes with multi‑year contracts.
Generational mindset (Wealth Mindset) – building wealth to last multiple generations.
Jolley’s goal: move people up just one level at a time.
3. Five Types of Wealth
Jolley breaks wealth into five categories:
Financial Wealth
Health Wealth (“A sick person has one dream; a healthy person has a thousand.” – Les Brown)
Relationship Wealth
Reputational Wealth (Brand)
Intellectual Capital Wealth (What you know and can charge for)
4. Discipline Is the Key
Wealth requires:
Living below your means
Investing the difference
Consistency
Avoiding arrogance and ignorance
5. Pride Is an Enemy of Wealth
Pride leads people to overspend to keep up appearances.
Jolley argues that pride “kills wealth” and must be replaced with planning and humility.
6. The Three Legs of Wealth
To build sustainable wealth, you need:
Income
Investment (letting money work for you)
Insurance (life, health, car, disability, long-term care)
7. Multiple Streams of Income
Jolley urges everyone to build at least two streams of income from:
Stocks
Bonds
Real estate
Crypto
Collectibles
Jewelry
Art
Content creation
8. Overcoming Setbacks
Jolley details his own journey from unemployed nightclub singer to globally recognized motivational speaker.
He reinforces that a setback is a setup for a comeback—the core message of his earlier bestselling book.
9. It’s Never Too Late to Start
He cites examples of:
A secretary who retired with $8M by investing small amounts over time
Invested $12,000 at age 65 and grew it to $890,000 by age 72
NOTABLE QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW On Time & Opportunity
“I have only just a minute… but it’s up to me to use it.”
On Mindset
“Wealth starts in your mind.”
On Rich vs. Wealthy
“Regular folks work for their money. Wealthy people make their money work for them.”
On Pride
“My pride was killing my wealth.”
On Growth & Learning
“If you’re willing to learn, no one can stop you.” [On Setbacks
“A setback is a setup for your greater comeback.”
On Starting Late
“When is the best time to plant a tree? Eighty years ago. The second-best time? Today.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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 Cathy Yoder

SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEW (CATHY YODER x RUSHION McDONALD)
In this Money Making Conversations Masterclass episode, Rushion McDonald interviews Cathy Yoder, known as the Queen of Air Fryers—a mother of eight whose air‑fryer passion turned into a thriving social‑media‑driven business. Cathy explains how she learned to master air fryers, built a YouTube channel with massive growth, developed ebooks and cookbooks, and built a business through authenticity and service-oriented content. The conversation blends cooking education, digital‑branding lessons, entrepreneurship, and personal purpose.
PURPOSE OF THE INTERVIEW 1. Educate Viewers About Air Fryers
Cathy breaks down what an air fryer is, how it works, how to choose one, and common mistakes.
2. Highlight How Social Media Can Build a Business
Rushion explores how she grew from a blogger to a YouTube creator with hundreds of thousands of followers and multiple revenue streams.
3. Inspire Entrepreneurs to Pursue Authentic Branding
Cathy’s journey shows how consistency, authenticity, and audience connection can turn a simple idea into a successful brand.
4. Illustrate the Emotional Impact of Serving an Audience
Her stories of widowers, overwhelmed parents, and new cooks show how content can genuinely empower people.
KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Air Fryers Are Mini Convection Ovens
They cook faster, often require no preheat, and can grill, bake, roast, and more—but not everything (like wet batters or funnel cakes).
2. All Air Fryers Are Not Equal
Cathy stresses choosing 6‑quart, ~1700‑watt models and avoiding units that are too small or underpowered. Size and wattage matter more than brand.
3. Her Content Strategy Was Data‑Driven
Initial uploads in various recipe categories revealed that air‑fryer recipes consistently outperformed, so she went all‑in on that niche.
4. YouTube Growth Takes Time
Her first monetization check was $1.36, rising to $146, then $300, then to $8,000–$9,000/month by the time she reached 100,000 subscribers.
5. She Generates Multiple Revenue Streams
YouTube AdSense
Amazon affiliate links
E‑books (first launch made $15,000 in a weekend)
Physical cookbooks (first batch of 500 sold out immediately)
6. Authenticity Builds Trust
She films mistakes, includes her kids’ real reactions (including spitting out bad food), and refuses to promote products she doesn’t believe in.
7. Listen to Your Audience
Comments guided her content direction (like dropping background music, creating cookbooks, responding to questions). Audience feedback = brand refinement.
8. Digital Marketing Tip: Serve People, Not Algorithms
She emphasizes helping overwhelmed home cooks first—consistent service leads to trust, community, and natural growth.
9. Emotional Impact Matters
Her biggest motivators are heartfelt messages, especially widowers learning to cook for the first time because of her tutorials.
NOTABLE QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW On Air Fryers & Cooking
“All air fryers are not created equal.”
“If you can grill it or bake it, you can usually air‑fry it.”
“Buying too small can make you come back and want to upgrade—now you’re wasting money.”
On Starting Her Channel
“My first check was $1.36… that’s a lot of work for $1.36.”
“I believed I was filling a gap… there wasn’t enough good content.”
On Content Strategy
“They need to know within the first three seconds that you’re going to deliver on your promise.”
“In the beginning, you just need to start publishing some crappy videos.” (On practicing, learning, and improving)
On Authenticity
“I will only share what I can authentically stand behind.”
“If I make mistakes, I show them.”
On Impact
“If I was in a room with 10,000 people, that’s still a lot of impact.” (Perspective on viewer counts)
“What matters is that person who felt hopeless now feels empowered.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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 Latrease Price-Gistard.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to educate listeners on the mortgage industry, highlight the role and benefits of working with an independent mortgage broker, and provide practical advice on home financing options, credit challenges, and programs that support homeownership. It also shares Latrease’s entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned.
Key Takeaways
Background and Career Path
Latrease has a finance degree and started in investment operations in 1999.
Transitioned from auto financing and co-owning a car dealership to mortgage lending.
Became an independent mortgage broker in 2022 after being laid off during rising interest rates.

Role of an Independent Mortgage Broker
Holds her own license and partners with multiple lenders to offer tailored loan products.
Advocates for borrowers to ensure they get the right product, not just approval.
Specializes in helping first-time buyers, self-employed individuals, and those with unique challenges.

Home Financing Insights
Reverse Mortgages: Typically for seniors 62+, often used by those 75+ with equity and limited retirement funds. Provides tax-free cash without monthly payments; debt settled upon sale or refinance.
Zero Down Payment Programs: Offers up to 3% for down payment, attached to the mortgage; other programs provide up to 5% for down payment and closing costs.
FHA 203K Program: Allows buyers to finance home purchase and renovations in one loan—ideal for fixer-uppers.

Credit Challenges
Programs exist for credit scores as low as 500, but require higher down payments (10–20%) and result in higher interest rates.
Latrease consults and provides “what-if” scenarios to help clients improve credit over time.

Entrepreneurial Lessons
Mistakes: Starting without enough capital and a strong pipeline; economic timing matters.
Advice: Build capital, secure a solid client pipeline, and understand market conditions before going independent.

Notable Quotes
On independence:
“As a broker, you serve as that advocate for your borrower to make sure they’re getting the right loan product.”

On reverse mortgages:
“The beauty of it is there are no monthly payments going back to the institution. The debt is paid off when the home is sold or refinanced.”

On credit challenges:
“Programs go as low as 500 credit score, but those borrowers need 10–20% down.”

On entrepreneurial advice:
“Make sure you have strong capital and a solid pipeline before stepping out on faith.”

On perseverance:
“It’s all about follow-through. It’s all about your dream and whether you want to make it happen.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.