Strawberry Letter

• Brand Building: She shares strategy and techniques in marketing to promote your business.

  Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Stephanie Stuckey. The chair of Stuckey’s, a historic snack and candy company. She shares her journey of revitalizing the brand, her family’s legacy, and the importance of entrepreneurship and branding. 🔑 Key Themes & Highlights Reviving an American Icon Stephanie took over Stuckey’s in 2019, aiming to restore its legacy. She discusses the challenges of rebuilding a brand that had lost its original assets. The History of Stuckey’s Founded by her grandfather during the Great Depression in 1937. Grew into a nationwide chain with 370 stores across 40 states. The Importance of Branding & Social Media Stephanie leveraged LinkedIn and other platforms to rebuild brand awareness. She emphasizes authenticity and storytelling in marketing. Business Strategy & Growth Transitioned from outsourcing products to owning a manufacturing facility. Expanded retail presence from 200 to 5,000 stores, including Hobby Lobby and Food Lion. Lessons in Entrepreneurship Discusses the importance of adaptability, partnerships, and strategic decision-making. Shares insights on overcoming setbacks and scaling a business. 📘 About Stephanie StuckeyStephanie Stuckey is an entrepreneur, author, and advocate for brand revitalization. She is dedicated to restoring Stuckey’s as a leading snack brand while preserving its rich history. #STRAW #BEST #SHMS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Follow Your Passion: Originally a nursing major, she transitioned to social work after realizing her passion was emotional care.

  Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Moniek Garside. A licensed clinical social worker and founder of Fit Life Wellness. Here's a comprehensive summary of the episode: 🎙️ Guest: Moniek Garside Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, South Carolina, and Minnesota. Founder of Fit Life Wellness, a private mental health and wellness practice. Author of the guided journal I Can, I Will. 🧠 Key Topics Discussed 🧘‍♀️ What Therapy Really Is Therapy is not just “talking on a couch”—it’s a safe space for vulnerability, healing, and personal growth. It involves unpacking emotional challenges, not just surface-level advice. 🔄 Life Transitions Includes shifts like: Moving from corporate to entrepreneurship Divorce or children leaving home Personal reinvention Therapy helps individuals navigate uncertainty and redefine stability. 🧑‍💼 Mental Health for Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs often neglect self-care in pursuit of success. Therapy helps them prioritize balance, manage burnout, and maintain mental clarity. Moniek emphasizes the importance of processing emotions and having a support system. 📘 About the Book: I Can, I Will A 30-day guided journal with weekly themes and daily prompts. Designed to help individuals: Reflect on their emotions Reset their mindset Overcome depression, anxiety, and life transitions Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and MoniekGarside.com 🧩 Common Mental Health Misconceptions Mental health is often oversimplified or trivialized on social media. Terms like “anxiety” and “boundaries” are used without understanding. Real healing requires professional guidance, not just affirmations or apps. 🧍‍♀️ Moniek’s Personal Journey Originally a nursing major, she transitioned to social work after realizing her passion was emotional care. She created Fit Life Wellness to have autonomy in how she supports clients. She is both a therapist and a therapy client—emphasizing the importance of self-work. 🧠 Mental Health Red Flags Depression: Irritability, isolation, loss of interest, low motivation. Anxiety: Racing thoughts, physical symptoms (e.g., heart palpitations), constant worry. 🧰 Therapy vs. Technology Apps and AI tools can supplement mental health care (e.g., affirmations, breathing exercises). But they cannot replace the human connection and insight of a trained therapist. 🌐 Connect with Moniek Garside Website: MoniekGarside.com Practice: Fit Life Wellness Services: Virtual therapy, clinical supervision, mental health resources #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Education: Provides test preparation for professional certifications, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and college admission exams.

  Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Christopher Gray. CEO and co-founder of Path. Gray discusses how his AI-powered platform is transforming test preparation for professional certifications, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and college admission exams. 🔑 Key Themes & Highlights The Vision Behind Path Path provides unlimited practice questions, full-length exams, and personalized study plans. Uses AI to generate high-quality test prep content at a fraction of traditional costs. Addressing Educational Barriers Many students struggle with standardized tests due to expensive prep courses. Path makes test preparation affordable, helping low-income students access scholarships and selective schools. Professional Certifications & Career Growth Covers IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and teaching certifications. Helps individuals pass exams like CompTIA Security+ and Praxis to secure high-paying jobs. AI-Powered Test Preparation Provides unlimited practice exams and step-by-step solutions. Predicts users’ test scores before they take official exams, reducing financial risk. Expanding Access to Education Offers prep for SAT, ACT, GED, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, and MCAT. Supports career changers and adults seeking new opportunities through certification programs. 📘 About Christopher Gray & PathChristopher Gray is an entrepreneur dedicated to making education more accessible. His platform, Path, leverages AI to provide affordable and effective test preparation for students and professionals. #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Overcoming the Odds: Her journey from dysfunction and cult-like environments to academic and personal success is a testament to resilience.

  Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed El' Deity Princey. 📝 Summary of the Interview El' Deity Princey is a transformational master coach, author, and speaker with a background in social science, neuroscience, and trauma recovery. In this powerful and deeply personal interview, she shares her journey from childhood trauma and dysfunction to becoming a high-achieving coach helping others reprogram their minds, cut toxic ties, and build wealth-driven lives. Her book, Monetize a Mind That’s Colonized, and her coaching business, 11 Master Consulting, are tools she uses to empower others to transcend adversity and manifest success. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Mindset is the Foundation of Wealth “Energy is currency.” True prosperity begins with internal transformation. Reprogramming the subconscious mind is essential to breaking free from societal conditioning and limiting beliefs. 2. Cutting Toxic Ties Toxic relationships—whether personal, familial, or professional—drain energy and hinder growth. “When you cut toxic ties, you thrive.” Applies to both employees and employers: focus on those who contribute positively to your mission. 3. Coaching vs. Therapy Coaching focuses on present and future goals, while therapy often addresses past trauma. El' Deity emphasizes accountability, strategy, and results in her coaching practice. 4. Routine Builds Wealth Daily habits, environment, and self-care routines are critical to building internal and external wealth. “Everyone has a gift. Everyone has a talent.” Routine helps unlock and monetize those gifts. 5. Healing from Trauma She shares her personal experience with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and how childhood PTSD mirrors veteran PTSD. Her journey from dysfunction and cult-like environments to academic and personal success is a testament to resilience. 6. Manifestation Requires Action Her concept of “Coagulation Law” emphasizes that belief alone isn’t enough—resources and action are required to manifest goals. Life is like Monopoly: strategy and movement are key to winning. 7. Empowering Language Words shape reality. Avoid saying “I’m struggling”—instead, affirm your intelligence and capability. “Speak life into yourself.” 8. Client Success Stories She helped a client leave a toxic home, pursue her talents, and attract a supportive partner—demonstrating how mindset shifts lead to real-world success. 9. Accessibility & Services Offers free live coaching on TikTok three times a week. Book: Monetize a Mind That’s Colonized is available on Amazon under her real name, Princess Halo. Coaching and courses available through 11 Master Consulting. 💬 Notable Quotes “When you master your emotions, you master your reality.” “Healing doesn’t take years—it takes intention.” “I got tired of begging for crumbs of love and began to give myself loads of love.” “Your self-image is what you attract.” “Are you tired yet? If yes, it’s time to pivot.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Brand Building: She created her hair care product at her kitchen and now it's a national brand.

  Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Miko Branch. 📝 Summary of the Interview Miko Branch shares the inspiring journey of building Miss Jessie’s, a premium hair care brand for curly hair, alongside her late sister Titi Branch. The brand was born at their kitchen table in Brooklyn and named after their paternal grandmother, Jessie Mae Branch. Miko discusses the importance of authenticity, education, and innovation in product development, and how Miss Jessie’s became a trusted name in the textured hair care industry. The conversation highlights the brand’s commitment to empowering individuals to embrace their natural hair and the evolving trends in beauty and self-expression. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To showcase the entrepreneurial journey behind Miss Jessie’s. To highlight the importance of authenticity, education, and innovation in building a brand. To discuss the impact of natural hair acceptance and evolving beauty standards. To inspire listeners with a story of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Authentic Beginnings Miss Jessie’s was founded in a Brooklyn brownstone at the kitchen table. Inspired by their grandmother Jessie Mae Branch, who was the first female CEO they ever saw. Quote: “She ran her family from her kitchen table.” 2. Product Innovation First product: Curly Pudding—a game-changer for curly hair. Products are designed for all textured hair types: wavy, curly, kinky, transitional, and multicultural. Quote: “We just try to come up with a solution to be helpful.” 3. Education is Key Miss Jessie’s provides detailed information on hair types and how to use products. The website includes guides for identifying hair texture and selecting the right products. Quote: “Information and communication is key to success.” 4. Social Media & Word of Mouth Early growth came from chat forums and word-of-mouth before social media existed. Social media is now an additional platform to connect and educate customers. Quote: “Way before social media, women were chatting and spreading the word.” 5. Inclusivity & Representation Products are for everyone—men, women, children, and all ethnicities. Focus on embracing natural beauty and rejecting outdated beauty ideals. Quote: “Hair has no color… we’re all looking for solutions.” 6. Salon as R&D Hub Their salon served as a testing ground for product development and customer feedback. Quote: “We built our business in the salon… it became our R&D and testing ground.” 7. Natural Hair Movement Natural hair is no longer a trend—it’s a cultural shift. Seen on public figures like Oprah and Michelle Obama. Quote: “Natural hair is preferred… it’s how people want to express themselves.” 💬 Notable Quotes “We started our business in our brownstone at our kitchen table.” “We didn’t go to business school—we went to Jessie Mae Branch’s kitchen.” “Curly Pudding did everything it said it was going to do.” “We realized our work was not finished—we had to educate.” “Natural hair is not a trend—it’s here to stay.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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