Strawberry Letter

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Demond Martin.
Co‑founder and CEO of Well With All, a Black‑owned purpose‑driven wellness brand—joins Rushion McDonald to discuss health equity, entrepreneurship, his life story, his upcoming book Friends of the Good, and his new $1M AI Health Equity Prize.
Martin shares how his difficult upbringing in the projects and rural North Carolina shaped his commitment to giving back. After a successful 21‑year career as the only Black partner at a major hedge fund, he launched Well With All to merge consumer products, wellness, and social impact. The brand donates 20% of its profits to health‑equity initiatives.
He discusses product innovation, the importance of supplements in underserved communities, the power of Black longevity, and the need to prepare younger generations for healthier futures. He also explains his upcoming book—which uses Aristotle’s philosophy of “friends of the good” to show how meaningful relationships enable success.
The conversation is energetic, inspirational, and focused on using business as a force for social good.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
1. Introduce Well With All
A wellness company offering supplements and energy drinks while funding health‑equity solutions.
2. Share Martin’s Personal Journey
From poverty, trauma, and instability → to White House, Harvard Business School, and a top hedge fund.
3. Promote His Book, Friends of the Good
A philosophy‑driven exploration of friendship, mentorship, and community.
4. Announce the $1 Million AI Prize
A major initiative to scale AI tools that close health‑equity gaps.
5. Encourage Health Awareness in Underserved Communities
Particularly around longevity, dietary choices, energy consumption, and supplement use.
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Health Equity Drives the Mission
Martin emphasizes that health is a human right and disparities in nutrition, maternal health, and mental‑health access must be addressed.
2. Well With All = Social Impact + Consumer Products
The company donates 20% of profits and creates healthier alternatives (energy drinks, supplements) to replace harmful daily habits like sugary sodas.
3. Personal Story Fuels Commitment
He overcame poverty, a traumatic home life, and limited opportunity—and believes he survived because others poured into him.
4. Mentorship Changed His Life
Major turning points included:
Student body president at UNC Charlotte
Assistant to the White House Chief of Staff
HBS acceptance
Training under hedge‑fund leader Phil Gross
5. Expertise Matters
His success with Well With All is grounded in 21 years as an investor specializing only in consumer companies.
6. AI Can Close Health Gaps
The $1M Well With All Prize supports AI tools already impacting at least 1,000 lives with the potential to scale to 100,000+.
7. Black Longevity Documentary
His company created a film (NAACP Image Award–nominated) featuring Black elders aged 85–106 to redefine narratives around Black health.
8. The Power of Friendship
His book teaches readers how to identify “friends of the good,” the relationships that define one’s path and joy.
🗣️ Notable Quotes from Demond Martin (from the transcript)
(All quotes sourced from:)
On Health Equity
“Health is a human right. Everyone deserves nutritious food… everyone deserves to see a doctor.”
“Where With All is not just a brand—it's a movement.”
On His Upbringing
“I grew up in the projects… lived in a trailer… had a heroin addict as a stepfather. I’ve seen things that gave me perspective.”
On Perspective and Survival
“If this was me at 14… I’d be dead or in jail.”
On His Mission
“I need to start giving back today. I’ve lived a life of giving back—my parents and grandparents instilled that in me.”
On Product Philosophy
“Small, incremental choices add up. Replacing one sugary soda a day is 45,000 fewer calories a year.”
On Expertise
“All I did for 21 years is invest in consumer companies. That was my expertise.”
On Friendship & His Book
“Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future.”
“Friendship is one of the most essential elements of joy.”
On Confidence & Mastery
“Five years into my career, I knew I knew what the hell I was doing.”
On AI
“We’re not rewarding ideas—we’re rewarding impact.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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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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Listen and Subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 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 Dawnn Lewis.
Summary of the Interview
On Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Dawnn Lewis—iconic actress, singer, songwriter, voice actress, philanthropist, and founder of the A New Day Foundation. The conversation traces her extraordinary career, starting from her childhood as a singer, dancer, and actor, through her rise to fame on A Different World, her decades-long voiceover career (including The Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek: Lower Decks), and her ongoing philanthropic work supporting youth nationwide.
Dawnn discusses the challenges of being a multi-talented artist in an industry eager to box people into one lane, how A Different World both elevated and pigeonholed her, and how animation opened a vast new chapter for her that has lasted more than 30 years. She shares her philosophy on longevity, discipline, relationships, and the responsibility to give back. The interview also highlights her foundation’s programs supporting students, HBCUs, and underserved communities.
Purpose of the Interview
1. Celebrate Dawnn Lewis’s multi-decade, multi-disciplinary career
The interview showcases the depth of her talent—from singing and songwriting to acting, animation, and Broadway.
2. Highlight representation and legacy
Dawnn discusses the cultural impact of A Different World and her groundbreaking role as a Black female captain in Star Trek: Lower Decks.
3. Inspire audiences with her journey from Bed-Stuy to global success
Her story emphasizes perseverance, big dreaming, and ignoring limitations others impose.
4. Promote the A New Day Foundation
Dawnn details programs empowering youth, HBCU students, and underserved communities.
5. Provide insight into surviving and thriving in entertainment
She shares the importance of relationships, versatility, and constant self-improvement.
Key Takeaways
1. She was a “triple threat” long before Hollywood discovered her
Singing, dancing, and acting from age 7–11, she began performing professionally at 10 and even launched her own musical theatre degree program at the University of Miami.
2. A Different World brought fame but also typecasting
While it launched her into global visibility, it also led people to underestimate her songwriting, music, and voiceover abilities.
3. Her voice acting career spans more than 30 years
She has voiced characters on The Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Craig of the Creek, Fairly OddParents, Mortal Kombat, and many more.
Her entry into animation came from imitating her young niece for a role.
4. Representation matters deeply to her
Seeing Nichelle Nichols on Star Trek inspired her as a child; today, Dawnn is one of the very few Black captains in the Star Trek universe.
5. The industry rewards resilience and relationships
Dawnn emphasizes that her longevity comes from consistently doing excellent work and nurturing her professional network.
6. She founded the A New Day Foundation to uplift youth
Her programs serve teens, HBCU students, and communities nationwide, providing mentorship, laptops, scholarships, and life skills training.
7. Dawnn’s journey is one of intentional growth and constant reinvention
She never stopped expanding—into Broadway, television, songwriting, animation, philanthropy, and leadership.
Notable Quotes
(All quotes from the uploaded transcript.)
On talent and early training
“I was singing, dancing at seven, acting at eleven… doing all three professionally since I was about ten years old.”
“I thought I was going to be a recording artist… I had my own single out. I was charting on Billboard.”
On being boxed in
“I didn’t start getting pigeonholed until I did A Different World… now you’re just an actress.”
On entering animation
“There weren’t very many people of color in the animation world… the director said, ‘Who are you? How come I never met you before?’”
“I get to voice characters they wouldn’t hire me visually to play.”
On representation and Star Trek
“In the legacy of Star Trek, it’s me and Avery Brooks as the Black captains.”
“Seeing Nichelle Nichols made me hopeful… she was my hero.”
On career longevity
“You quiet the naysayers by just showing up and doing the work.”
“God keeps opening doors and giving me what I need to walk through them successfully.”
On giving back
“I am my best investment.” (also used in her foundation’s mission)
“Where you were yesterday is not where you have to end up today.”
@#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and Subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 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
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and Subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 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 Rhonda Spratt.
Founder of Bella Luv, a Georgia‑based nonprofit (referred to in the transcript as Ghost Pink / Bella Luv) dedicated to year‑round breast cancer awareness, early detection advocacy, and compassionate support for women undergoing treatment. Inspired by her mother’s experience and eventual passing from metastatic breast cancer, Spratt explains her mission to move beyond October awareness campaigns and create continuous impact through education, community engagement, and personalized care boxes for women in active treatment.
The conversation touches on her personal grief journey, her motivations, the work required to run a nonprofit, her practices for emotional balance, and her vision to normalize year‑round breast cancer education.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview 1. To Share Rhonda Spratt’s Motivation for Founding Bella Luv
Her mother's breast cancer journey—early detection success followed by recurrence due to lack of ongoing screenings—motivated her to create a nonprofit that centers early detection and support.
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2. To Educate Listeners About the Realities of Breast Cancer
She discusses stages, recurrence, survival rates, and the importance of consistent mammograms beyond October.
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3. To Promote Year‑Round Awareness and Action
Spratt stresses that breast cancer does not “take a break” and that communities must stop limiting education and advocacy to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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4. To Highlight the Work and Impact of Her Nonprofit
Bella Luv has supported 76+ women nationwide with tailored care boxes that meet their personal treatment needs.
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5. To Inspire Others to Balance Purpose, Grief, Community Work, and Personal Wellness
She shares how golf, yoga, and intentional self‑care allow her to manage emotional weight while serving others.
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📌 Key Takeaways 1. Early Detection Saves Lives
Breast cancer’s 5‑year survival rate is 99% with early detection.
Rhonda’s mother survived over 10 years after her first early diagnosis but passed when the cancer returned aggressively and was not caught in time.
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2. Breast Cancer Awareness Should Be Year‑Round
October provides visibility, but many women are diagnosed in every month.
Limiting awareness to one month creates desensitization, not education.
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3. Bella Luv Provides Tailored Support for Women in Treatment
Care boxes include mastectomy bras, aluminum‑free deodorant, skincare, ginger tea for chemo nausea, journals, and motivational items.
Boxes are customized based on the woman’s stage, treatment, and needs.
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4. Running a Nonprofit Requires Community, Consistency & Help
Spratt initially did everything alone and highlights the importance of partnerships, sponsors, and consistent supporters.
Sustainably operating a nonprofit goes far beyond obtaining 501(c)(3) status.
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5. Emotional Balance Is Essential
Supporting women “fighting for their lives” is heavy work.
Spratt uses yoga 3‑4 times per week and golf for mental balance and rejuvenation.
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6. Nationwide Impact From a Georgia Base
Bella Luv has sent care boxes to women across the U.S., including Colorado and Houston.
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7. Personal Loss Transformed Into Purpose
Spratt honors her mother without living in grief, finding healing in helping others.
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💬 Notable Quotes (from the transcript) On early detection
“If you detect breast cancer early, the five‑year survival rate is 99%.”
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On her mother’s recurrence
“She didn’t schedule a mammogram… she was distracted, caught up with life instead of making her health a priority.”
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On year‑round awareness
“Breast cancer doesn’t wait until October to be diagnosed. Women are diagnosed every day.”
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On founding her nonprofit
“I wanted to be more hands‑on… intentionally gift women with items they need as they’re going through breast cancer.”
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On emotional healing
“It is very healing… I get joy from helping other women as they’re going through their healing journey.”
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On running a nonprofit
“You have to ask for help… in the beginning I was a one‑woman show.”
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On women’s identity and mastectomy
“It’s like losing a part of yourself… you feel like a part of your womanhood has been taken away.”
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On faith and purpose
“Faith is definitely driving this… I felt a strong call that I needed to step up and do more.”
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#STRAW #SHMS #BEST
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