Strawberry Letter

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ingrid Jacobs.
A veteran enterprise leader, former HR executive, and Chief Growth Officer for The Revenue Retreat, a luxury boutique retreat for executive women who want to build profitable businesses without burnout. She and Rushion discuss her corporate background, her unique approach to customer integration, the challenges women face in entrepreneurship, pricing psychology, common business mistakes, age-related limiting beliefs, and the transformational design of her retreat program.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of Ingrid’s appearance was to:
1. Share her expertise in helping high‑achieving women build sustainable, profitable businesses
Ingrid works with corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and women ready to transition from corporate careers into entrepreneurship.
2. Highlight The Revenue Retreat
She explains how the retreat helps women clarify their offer, price correctly, identify customers, and prepare mentally and emotionally for entrepreneurship.
3. Educate listeners on business fundamentals
Rushion brings her on to break down pricing, customer targeting, confidence, and transitioning from corporate “9–5” to entrepreneurship.
4. Address issues unique to women, executives, and people of color
Especially around pricing themselves correctly, recovering from burnout, and building confidence in their value.
💡 Key Takeaways
1. Corporate experience can translate powerfully into entrepreneurship
Ingrid spent two decades at companies like Raytheon, Whirlpool, and JLL, working in HR, human capital, and DEI.
She emphasizes she wasn’t a traditional HR leader—she focused on customer integration, business growth, and improving client outcomes.
2. High‑achieving women aren’t only executives
They can be community leaders, nonprofit leaders, or entrepreneurs who excel in their areas but may not have formal corporate titles.
3. Entrepreneurship requires more work—especially early on
New entrepreneurs often don’t realize they must handle every aspect of the business themselves: operations, marketing, sales, pricing, and delivery.
4. Pricing is one of the biggest challenges for women and people of color
Key problems:
Undervaluing their expertise
Fear of charging what they’re worth
Worrying clients won’t pay higher rates
Getting mentally stuck in low pricing
Ingrid says women often dramatically underprice themselves and need help adjusting their mindset.
5. Knowing your customer matters more than trying to sell to everyone
Selling to “anybody” makes entrepreneurs sound desperate; true growth comes from targeting the right buyer and offering a solution they value.
6. Avoid common first‑year business mistakes
These include:
Poor pricing
Not knowing your ideal customer
Doing everything for everyone
Expanding into too many offerings too fast
Operating out of desperation rather than strategy
7. Age is an asset—not a liability
Older entrepreneurs bring wisdom, experience, critical thinking, and problem‑solving ability.
She argues people use age as a cover for deeper fears about failure and judgment.
8. The Revenue Retreat combines luxury, education, and wellness
The retreat model includes:
A luxury residential environment
Chef‑prepared meals
12‑woman cohorts
Business planning rigor
Pricing clarity
Customer identification
Mental and emotional readiness
Wellness activities
8‑weeks of virtual follow‑up coaching
It’s intentionally structured as not a workshop but a holistic transformation experience. [
9. She priced her retreat through competitive research + self‑awareness
She studied other programs, benchmarked pricing, calculated expenses, and aligned it with her unique “sweet spot”—monetization skill + passion for helping women + love of hosting experiences.
🗣 Notable Quotes (with citations) On her corporate background
“Bring me on board if you're looking for figuring out how do we get better customer integration… so that we can zero in on more sales.”
On defining high‑achieving women
“There are movers and shakers who don’t necessarily have a corporate pedigree, but they are still getting things done.”
On underpricing
“Many times women… fall in this trap where they're scared to put out the real amount.” [
On realizing she was undercharging
“I wasn't even charging half of what she was saying… that epiphany changed the game for me.”
On first‑year mistakes
“Desperation is palpable… and that is a turnoff.” [
On age
“Age to me is an asset… you’ve got cognitive rigor.”
On burnout
“A lot of people who are interested in this work are already burned out and don’t even recognize their own signs.”
On what the retreat delivers
“We help everyone come up with their pricing, what is their product… and wrap up where people have a plan forward.” [
Her core sales pitch
“I offer executive women a retreat where they can experience luxury and end with a business plan they can use Monday morning to drive revenue.”
#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 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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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 Diane Strand
An award‑winning serial entrepreneur, media producer, speaker, and coach. She is the co‑founder of JDS Video & Media Productions, a seven‑figure production company, and the creator of DigiFest, a major digital‑media and arts festival in Temecula, California.
Diane shares her journey from a dyslexic child discouraged from pursuing the arts, to a Hollywood professional working on television hits like Friends, General Hospital, and Veronica’s Closet, to a successful entrepreneur empowering creative to turn their passions into profitable businesses. She discusses resilience, visibility, storytelling, leadership, the power of the arts, and how she built DigiFest into a hub for digital creators, students, and industry professionals.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview highlights:
1. Diane’s evolution from Hollywood talent to business owner
Her shift from TV and production work to launching her own media company and coaching others.
2. The mission behind DigiFest
Why she created an annual digital media festival to bridge Hollywood and emerging creators.
3. How the arts empower people personally and professionally
Diane explains how creativity builds communication skills, confidence, resilience, and community.
4. Her framework for turning passion into profit
Through storytelling, visibility strategies, networking, and stepping outside comfort zones.
5. Advice for future generations of creatives and entrepreneurs
Her approach to learning, mentorship, and launching ideas before feeling “ready.”
💡 Key Takeaways
1. Creativity + Storytelling = Universal Power
Diane defines the arts broadly: anything involving storytelling—painting, acting, photography, filmmaking, writing, animation, design, music, digital content.
She emphasizes that the arts are inclusive, accessible to all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
The arts train:
Communication
Confidence
Problem‑solving
Thick skin
Resilience
Adaptability
These skills transfer directly to business and leadership.
2. Overcoming Dyslexia and Early Discouragement
As a child, she struggled with reading and undiagnosed dyslexia.
People—including her parents—told her she shouldn’t pursue the arts. She refused to listen.
Her determination led to winning the role of Betsy Ross in her second‑grade play, igniting her lifelong creative path.
3. A Successful Run in Hollywood
When Showtime rejected her, she went back to school to get her bachelor’s degree, then returned and worked on major productions such as:
Friends
General Hospital
Veronica’s Closet
Hollywood taught her professionalism, creativity, and authenticity—but also that the industry can be cutthroat and subjective.
4. Passion → Purpose → Profits
Diane explains that passion alone isn’t enough.
The real breakthrough comes when passion turns into a purpose, which then creates profits. [
She discovered this when she left Hollywood within 15 seconds of agreeing to start her own production business after realizing reality TV’s lifestyle conflicted with being a present parent.
Her success framework includes:
High visibility
Networking
Leveraging the “Hollywood effect”
Storytelling as authority
Consistency
Constant learning
5. Building a Seven‑Figure Media Company
JDS Productions creates professional video content, marketing media, casting calls, and digital products.
She used door‑to‑door outreach, chamber of commerce networking, public speaking, and visibility strategies to grow.
6. Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Diane repeatedly stresses:
Growth happens in discomfort
Saying yes leads to opportunity
Visibility requires vulnerability
Today she speaks on national stages, podcasts, and industry events—something that once required tremendous courage.
7. DigiFest: Her Digital Media Festival
DigiFest was created when the long‑running Temecula film and music festival shut down, and the city asked her to take over. She refused to run a traditional film festival and instead created something aligned with her expertise—digital media.
DigiFest is:
A competition
A networking event
An educational conference
A celebration of digital storytelling
Festival features include:
Workshops (AI, film, podcasting, animation, scriptwriting)
Celebrity speakers (Curtis Young, Colin Egglesfield, Sam Larsen, Justin Guarini)
Film screenings
Performances
Red carpet
Awards
Professional‑student collaboration
It spans three days every April (Fri–Sun) at her 10,000 sq ft studio space in Temecula.
8. Women in Hollywood & Finding Her Voice
Diane acknowledges that Hollywood can be sexist, abusive, and insensitive to women.
She faced inappropriate situations during her work on reality TV—but quickly made clear she “does not play like that.” [
She helps other women and young creatives find confidence, courage, and professional boundaries.
9. Resilience, Ethics, and “Haters”
Diane remains grounded in:
Ethical behavior
Professionalism
Strong documentation
Karma
Leading by example
She believes leadership gets more public as you climb, and criticism is inevitable when you challenge others.
10. Advice for the Next Generation
Her advice is timeless:
“Start before you’re ready.”
If she waited for perfection, she never would’ve launched DigiFest or her company.
Say yes, show up, be visible, and trust that your purpose will reveal itself through action.
🗣 Notable Quotes On dreams and action
“A dream is direction, realization, evaluation, and taking action to create momentum.”
On the power of the arts
“The arts are inclusive. They teach resilience, confidence, and how to get back up.”
On her Hollywood departure
“I said yes within 15 seconds… I wanted something more for me and my family.” [
On growth
“When you get comfortable being uncomfortable, you’re going to grow.”
On DigiFest
“It’s anything that lives in the digital space—from film to AI to podcasting to animation.”
On overcoming discouragement
“I was told I shouldn’t or couldn’t… but I said, ‘Just watch me.’”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Tuesday, March 24th, 2026. Subject: "I Love My Two Men Equally"
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 Jasmine Hood
Founder of Better Bodies Massage in Atlanta (originally from Greenville, South Carolina), joined Rushion McDonald on Money Making Conversations Masterclass to share her journey from CNA to licensed massage therapist, the realities of being a traveling service provider, and the wellness benefits of massage therapy.
She discusses body alignment, stress, trauma release, the differences between massage modalities, alternative treatments like cupping, entrepreneurship during COVID‑19, safety considerations for mobile therapists, corporate/wellness partnerships, and her long‑term goal of building a scalable massage brand supported by contractors.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Highlight how massage therapy supports physical and emotional wellness, including stress, posture, and pain relief.
Educate listeners on the types of massages, proper stretching techniques, and how body tension accumulates.
Explore entrepreneurship in the wellness space, including launching a business during COVID‑19.
Discuss safety and professionalism in mobile massage therapy.
Show how Jasmine is building a sustainable small business through networking, corporate events, and contractor partnerships.
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Shift & Fearless Beginnings
Jasmine switched from working as a CNA to moving to Atlanta alone with no support system—motivated by a desire for change and inspired by her mother’s independence.
She emphasized overcoming fear and taking leaps even when circumstances are uncertain.
2. Massage Therapy Is Both Physical & Emotional Healing
Massage releases tension, trauma, and stress stored in the body, especially in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
Many people carry pain from work, daily habits, or emotional strain—and massage helps restore balance.
3. The Three Most Popular Massage Types
Jasmine explained the differences clearly:
Swedish Massage — Gentle, relaxing, ideal for beginners and stress relief.
Deep Tissue — Targets chronic pain and trigger points but may be intense for clients who are not accustomed to it.
Sports Massage — Faster movements, stretching, and ideal for athletes.
She stressed that deep tissue should not be rushed—the muscle needs warming before intense pressure.
4. Stretching Is Critical—Most People Do It Wrong
Stretching should be held 30 seconds to 1 minute, not quick movements or rolling the neck.
Consistent stretching prevents the “tight forward lean” posture many people develop.
Lower‑body stretches (glutes, hamstrings, hips) dramatically improve back pain.
5. Travel Massage: Safety, Boundaries & Professionalism
Jasmine screens new clients by phone before accepting appointments.
She immediately declines inappropriate requests (e.g., sexualized services).
She only sees first‑time clients during daylight and shares her location with trusted contacts.
She maintains a clear, therapeutic-only brand despite public misconceptions.
6. Entrepreneurship Journey & Business Model
She built her business during COVID‑19, initially offering lower prices, then raising them as her brand grew.
Corporate wellness events and golf tournaments became a major revenue stream.
She hires contractors to scale for events.
Her long‑term goal is “mailbox money”—a business run by a team while she steps away from hands-on work.
7. Alternative Treatment: Cupping Therapy
Cupping uses suction to pull stagnant blood, loosen muscle tissue, and improve circulation.
Cups can remain stationary or be moved along the back to flush tension.
8. The Jasmine Experience
Sessions are designed around clients’ comfort, in their own homes, with their preferred music and ambiance.
Post‑massage, clients can immediately rest—no stress of getting dressed or driving home.
🗣️ Notable Quotes ✔ On taking risks
“I just jumped up and moved. I didn’t know anyone… I just said I’m going to start over.”

✔ On stress in the body
“We all carry trauma. When you’re stressed, it all ends up in your body.”

✔ On deep tissue massage
“If it gets to be too much, let me know. Don’t be afraid to speak up.”

✔ On stretching
“If you don’t use it, you’re going to lose it.”

✔ On business growth
“Some days are easy and some days are like… alright, don’t know. But you keep going.”

✔ On long‑term goals
“I don’t plan on being hands-on forever. The goal is to build my brand and have a team I can send out—like Amazon.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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