The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dave Charest.
Summary of the Dave Charest Interview
In this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, a leading digital marketing platform. Charest discusses the rising wave of entrepreneurship, the foundational importance of email and direct‑to‑customer channels, common mistakes new business owners make, and how AI is reshaping small‑business marketing. He provides practical guidance on marketing consistency, channel selection, building community relationships, and using technology to scale.
Throughout the conversation, Charest emphasizes that while small businesses often lack marketing expertise, they possess a valuable advantage: real, human relationships that can be strengthened through consistent communication.

Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of Rushion McDonald’s conversation with Dave Charest is to:
1. Educate new and aspiring entrepreneurs
Charest breaks down the basics of digital marketing—email, social, SMS—and how to begin building a strong marketing foundation.
2. Highlight the key trends driving the entrepreneurship boom
He explains motivations like work–life balance, independence, and financial potential that inspire people to launch businesses.
3. Provide practical, actionable marketing advice
Especially around consistency, choosing marketing channels, and building direct customer relationships.
4. Introduce how AI can simplify and amplify marketing
Charest showcases tools that help business owners quickly generate content, develop campaigns, and analyze customer behavior.
Key Takeaways 1. Direct relationships (email/SMS) outperform social media
Email offers ownership, stability, and higher ROI—unlike social platforms that can change algorithms or visibility overnight. Charest stresses that “the money is in the list.”
2. You don’t need huge numbers to be effective
Small businesses often see high open and engagement rates because followers know and trust them.
3. Consistency matters more than platform choice
Whether you choose Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or email, the biggest driver of marketing success is showing up regularly.
4. Start small—don’t overwhelm yourself
One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything at once. Begin with the basics and grow steadily.
5. Community is a crucial marketing asset
Local businesses thrive when they maintain strong connections with nearby businesses, customers, and community networks.
6. Entrepreneurs face challenges—but resilience wins
Charest notes that small business owners rarely have a “Plan B,” which pushes them to adapt and continue learning.
7. AI is transforming small‑business marketing
Constant Contact offers tools to:
Generate emails and content
Summarize content for social
Build full marketing campaigns
Analyze behavior from large email lists to recommend actions
Notable Quotes (from the transcript)
Here are direct paraphrases and key phrases—not copyrighted material but drawn from the transcript:
On email vs. social
“There’s a $36 return for every $1 invested in email—but what matters is that you own the relationship.”

“If a social platform goes away, so does your following. Email is a direct line.”

On audience size
“Big numbers aren’t necessary—small lists can see 50% open rates and strong engagement because those people actually care.”
On entrepreneurship motivations
“People want better work‑life balance, independence, and financial potential.”
On mistakes
“A big mistake is trying to do too much at once. Start small and stay consistent.”
On community
“Digital marketing should extend real relationships—not replace them.”
On choosing platforms
“Where your audience spends time matters, but so does where you can show up consistently.”
On AI’s role
“AI can generate emails, build campaigns, and analyze audience data—saving you time for what you’d rather be doing.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Pastor Dexter Jenkins.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aimed to educate and inspire listeners about wealth creation through real estate and financial literacy, particularly for individuals over 50. Pastor Jenkins shared strategies for building generational wealth, shifting mindsets about money, and leveraging real estate as a primary tool for financial independence.
Key Takeaways
Intersection of Faith, Finance, and Business
Pastor Jenkins emphasizes that faith and financial success are not mutually exclusive. He advocates using biblical principles as a success manual, especially from Proverbs.

Real Estate as “Low-Hanging Fruit” for Wealth
Real estate is one of the simplest and most effective ways to build wealth because land is finite and historically valuable.

Mindset Over Money
Wealth building starts with changing beliefs about money. Many misconceptions learned in childhood or church need to be unlearned.

Refire, Don’t Retire
For those over 50, Jenkins encourages leveraging life experience to create new income streams instead of slowing down.

Social Security Reality Check
The average Social Security check (~$1,400/month) is insufficient for most Americans, highlighting the need for personal wealth strategies.

The SHIP Method
Stewardship: Direct your money intentionally.
Ownership: Own assets that appreciate and generate cash flow.
Entrepreneurship: Consider business ownership as a wealth-building tool.

Education Before Action
Start with learning—books, podcasts, seminars—before diving into real estate or other ventures.

Community Wealth Building
Jenkins supports initiatives like “buying back the block” to revitalize neighborhoods and build collective wealth.

Secrets to Success
Desire, planning, education, and execution are essential. Dreams without plans remain dreams.

Upcoming Resources
Jenkins is releasing a book: The Real Estate Wealth Creation Blueprint, offering practical steps for using real estate to build wealth.

Notable Quotes
“Real estate is the lowest hanging fruit on the wealth creation tree.”
“People came here to work the land—now it’s time for us to own it.”
“It’s not time to retire; it’s time to refire.”
“Social Security was designed for a different era. You can’t live on $1,400 a month in America.”
“The Bible is more than religion—it’s a success manual.”
“If you don’t have a desire for wealth, we can talk all day and nothing will change.”
“Stewardship, Ownership, Entrepreneurship—those are the pillars of wealth.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mark Mascarenhas.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to educate listeners—especially entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring millionaires—on financial planning, wealth management, and risk mitigation strategies. It emphasizes the importance of discipline, clarity, and professional guidance in achieving financial success and sustaining wealth across generations.
Key Takeaways
Financial Planning is Foundational
A written financial plan is the first step before any investment portfolio is built.
Success is defined individually—financial, health, or lifestyle goals.

Diversification & Risk Management
Digital assets like Bitcoin should only make up 2–3% of a portfolio for high-net-worth clients with high risk tolerance.
Fear and greed drive markets; advisors help clients maintain discipline.

Long-Term Care & Insurance
Planning for long-term care is essential, typically starting in your 50s.
Term life insurance early locks in health; whole life policies provide stability and living benefits.

Tax Strategy
Use tax-loss harvesting, asset location strategies, and estate planning to minimize tax burdens.
Estate planning focuses on transferring wealth tax-efficiently to future generations.

Millionaire Mindset
Millionaires are clear, disciplined, optimistic, and collaborative.
74% of millionaires work with financial advisors vs. 34% of the general population.

Power of Compounding
Compounding interest is the cornerstone of wealth accumulation—requires patience and discipline.
Avoid lifestyle creep and impulsive spending, especially for younger millionaires and influencers.

Fiduciary Responsibility
Advisors act in the client’s best interest; success is mutual.
Trust and transparency are critical in client-advisor relationships.

Notable Quotes
On Risk & Bitcoin:
“You could potentially double your money, but you could also potentially lose 70% of it.”

On Financial Planning:
“Every dollar needs a job description.”

On Millionaire Mindset:
“Successful people view us as CFOs—they’re the CEOs.”

On Compounding:
“If you could win 72% of the time, would you play that game? Yes. That’s the stock market.”

On Retirement Success:
“Living the same or better lifestyle in retirement than you do today while working.”

On Fiduciary Role:
“We make more money when the client makes more money.”

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kevin Cohee.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aimed to:
Highlight OneUnited Bank’s mission as the largest Black-owned and first Black-owned internet bank in America.
Educate listeners on financial literacy, technology-driven banking, and economic empowerment in underserved communities.
Promote OneUnited Bank’s products and services as solutions for financial challenges faced by Black Americans and others lacking access to traditional banking.
Key Takeaways
Historical Context & Mission
The concept of a national Black-owned bank dates back to leaders like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Martin Luther King Jr., who emphasized economic empowerment.
OneUnited Bank was formed through acquisitions and later pivoted to technology-driven banking.

Technology & Innovation
OneUnited embraced AI and data aggregation over a decade ago to create products that help customers understand assets, liabilities, and net worth in real time.
Banking has shifted from physical branches to digital platforms, enabling nationwide access.

Financial Literacy Crisis
90% of Americans lack financial literacy, largely because it’s not taught in schools.
Cohee advocates for mandatory K–12 financial literacy education, citing studies showing it can add $126,000 to lifetime net worth.

Products Designed for Real Needs
CashPlease: Short-term emergency loans at affordable rates.
Second Chance Checking: Helps rebuild credit.
Savings Programs: Often in collaboration with employers.
These products address real-life challenges like low emergency savings and predatory check-cashing fees.

Accessibility & Reach
OneUnited offers nationwide banking via oneunited.com, surcharge-free ATMs, and partnerships with major networks.
Customers can deposit checks online and access services without visiting physical branches.

Economic Empowerment
Technology enables entrepreneurship without owning physical products—leveraging branding and e-commerce.
Cohee draws parallels between today’s tech opportunities and the historical wealth-building of Black Wall Street.

Notable Quotes
“We are FDIC insured, commercial bank like them. The only difference is we’re smarter and we have better technology.”
“Technology and AI allow anyone to make decisions like they were an expert.”
“If we taught financial literacy in schools, it would create over $100,000 in net worth per person over their lifetime.”
“You don’t have to go to check cashers and get ripped off. Just go to oneunited.com.”
“We’ve been working on AI for over a decade. We’re not coming to the party—we are the party.”
“Our generation has technology and communication skills. We can change society.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Valerie Obaze.
Founder of R&R Skincare.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Highlight Valerie Obaze’s entrepreneurial journey in founding R&R Skincare.
Challenge stereotypes about Africa’s capabilities and resources.
Promote African-made beauty products and their global relevance.
Inspire others, especially women and diaspora Africans, to invest in and build businesses rooted in African heritage.
🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Breaking African Stereotypes
Valerie and Rushion discuss how Africa is often misrepresented in Western media.
Valerie emphasizes that ignorance is not always malicious, but it’s time to reframe the narrative through firsthand experience and platforms like social media.
“Ignorance doesn’t always have to be an insult. If you don’t know, you just don’t know better.” – Valerie Obaze
2. The Birth of R&R Skincare
Inspired by the birth of her daughter, Valerie sought natural skincare solutions.
She discovered liquid shea oil, which became her first product.
The brand name “R&R” stands for Rebecca Rose (her daughter’s name) and also Rest & Relaxation.
“I wanted to create a product that makes using these raw materials from the continent enjoyable.” – Valerie Obaze
3. From Garage to Global
Valerie started in her mother-in-law’s garage, turning it into a compliant mini factory.
She had no formal business plan, relying on her PR and branding background.
The brand now has three stores: one in Lagos and two in Accra, including one at the airport.
4. Authenticity and African Pride
Valerie insists on maintaining the African identity of her brand.
She uses locally sourced ingredients and ensures cruelty-free testing.
The brand supports women in the supply chain, creating economic opportunities.
“We don’t intend to hide that in any way. We just wanted to make raw materials sexy.” – Valerie Obaze
5. Expansion to the U.S.
Valerie is expanding R&R Skincare to the U.S., leveraging social media, activations, and PR expertise.
Products are manufactured in Africa, but distributed from U.S. warehouses to ensure timely delivery.
“We found our tribe over here… and this was the right time to come back to America.” – Valerie Obaze
🧴 Product Highlights
Shea Oil – First product, moisturizing and healing.
Body Butter – Whipped, light, and rich in essential oils.
Liquid Black Soap – Modern take on traditional African cleansing.
Hand Cream – Convenient and portable for dry conditions.
🌍 Big Picture Vision
Valerie’s goal is to grow an African brand globally, showcasing the richness of African resources and empowering local economies.
“This is just a small representative of the entire continent and what it is capable of.” – Valerie Obaze
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.