Best of The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

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 Mela Lovett

• CEO of Family Lawn Services, a residential and commercial landscaping company. 
• Also a serial entrepreneur, mortgage lender, and business consultant. 

• Based in Georgia, with a mission to build generational wealth and educate others on business structure. 

💼 Entrepreneurial Journey 

• Mela and her husband left retail management jobs (Walgreens & Walmart) to start their lawn care business. 

• Inspired by her husband’s childhood experience cutting grass and a desire to leave a legacy for their children. 

• Despite early setbacks—including having their truck and equipment stolen—they persevered and rebuilt. 

🧘🏽‍♀️ Mental Health & Meditation 

• Mela emphasizes the importance of meditation to manage stress and maintain balance. 

• Her journey through postpartum depression led her to self-reflection, journaling, and healing. 

• She encourages others, especially entrepreneurs, to recognize their breaking points and prioritize mental wellness. 

🌱 About Family Lawn Services 

• Offers lawn maintenance, hedge trimming, edging, and more. 

• Known for high-quality work and attention to detail. 

• Operates year-round—not just seasonally—thanks to strong referrals and consistent service. 

🛠️ Lessons in Business 

• Mela stresses the importance of: 

• Multiple streams of income 

• Proper business structure 

• Quality over shortcuts 

• Resilience in the face of adversity 

• She also warns against hiring unverified service providers (like the infamous “mailbox note” landscaper story shared by Rushion). 

📞 How to Contact Family Lawn Services 

• Phone: 800-460-9158  

• Website: familylawnservices.com 

💬 Key Takeaways 

• Entrepreneurship is a journey of faith, flexibility, and fortitude. 

• Mental health is just as important as financial health. 

• Quality service and community trust are the foundation of long-term success. 

• Even when everything is taken from you, don’t quit—rebuild and keep going. 

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

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 Sahra S. Halpern.

Interview Purpose

The purpose of this interview is to educate small business owners—especially entrepreneurs of color—about equitable access to capital, alternative lending pathways, and how to become “capital ready.” Sahra Halpern, President and CEO of the Business Consortium Fund (BCF), explains how mission‑driven lending fills the gap left by traditional banks and helps small businesses survive, grow, and ultimately graduate into mainstream financing.

The conversation also aims to demystify lending, reduce fear around capital, and encourage entrepreneurs to build trusted financial relationships before entering moments of crisis.

Core Themes Discussed 1. Why Small Businesses Are Turned Down by Banks

Halpern explains that many small businesses are rejected by banks not because they lack potential, but because banks operate under strict underwriting and regulatory requirements. These systems often fail to account for resilience, experience, contracts, and future growth.

BCF exists to serve as a bridge—supporting businesses where banks cannot and preparing them to eventually return as qualified borrowers.

2. Capital Curious vs. Capital Ready

A key distinction introduced in the interview is the difference between businesses that are “capital curious” and those that are “capital ready.”

Many entrepreneurs know they need funding but lack:

• Financial organization
• Clear projections
• Proper documentation
• A capital strategy

BCF provides technical assistance to help businesses prepare for financing instead of setting them up to fail.

3. Mission‑Driven Lending and Community Impact

Halpern frames lending as an ecosystem, not a transaction. When small businesses succeed:

• Business owners gain stability
• Employees gain jobs
• Communities grow stronger
• Large corporations benefit from more diverse and capable supply chains

BCF focuses on long‑term economic impact, not short‑term profit.

4. CDFIs vs. SBA Loans

The interview draws a clear distinction between Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) like BCF and government entities such as the SBA.

Key differences highlighted:

• SBA programs shift based on political administrations
• SBA underwriting has tightened in recent years
• CDFIs are nonprofit, mission‑aligned, and relationship‑driven
• CDFIs look at the whole entrepreneur, not just credit scores

5. The Danger of Merchant Cash Advance Loans

Halpern strongly warns against Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) loans, which are often marketed as fast solutions but carry extremely high interest rates and long‑term consequences.

She explains that:

• MCAs disqualify borrowers from future SBA refinancing
• They often trap business owners in cycles of expensive debt
• CDFIs like BCF can help refinance and escape these loans

A real‑world case study (The Cut Buddy / Shark Tank entrepreneur) illustrates how BCF helped refinance over $1M in predatory debt and save a growing business.

6. Relationships Matter More Than Transactions

Both Halpern and McDonald emphasize the importance of building lender relationships early, not only when cash flow is tight. BCF underwrites the entire business and the entrepreneur, rather than seizing control of a contract or revenue stream, as some factoring companies do.

Power comes from having options—and informed decision‑making.

Key Takeaways

• Banking rejection is not the end of the road
• Small businesses must prepare themselves to be capital ready
• CDFIs serve as critical bridges between entrepreneurs and traditional banks
• Fast money often leads to expensive, dangerous debt
• Merchant cash advances should be avoided whenever possible
• Mission‑driven lenders look at the whole entrepreneur, not just numbers
• Strong lender relationships protect businesses during uncertainty
• Capital should empower growth—not take control of your company

Notable Quotes

“Just because a bank says no doesn’t mean that’s the end of your road.”

“We’re not just looking at your credit score—we’re looking at you as a whole entrepreneur.”

“Capital readiness is not about desperation; it’s about preparation.”

“If you’re sitting on a merchant cash advance loan right now, you are not stuck.”

“Nothing makes me happier than seeing clients realize their dreams and grow into multimillion‑dollar businesses.”

“You should talk to multiple lenders—but you should always understand the real cost of the money.”

Conclusion

Sahra Halpern’s interview serves as a practical roadmap and a cautionary lesson for small business owners navigating today’s uncertain economic landscape. It reinforces that access to capital is about strategy, education, and relationships, not just approval or rejection.

The conversation encourages entrepreneurs to reclaim power, avoid predatory financing, and partner with institutions that are committed to their long‑term success and community impact.

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

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 Kelsey Nicole Nelson.

Award‑winning sports media personality, and entrepreneur.  She joins Rushion McDonald to discuss her journey in sports journalism, entrepreneurship, branding, and building a successful multi‑hyphenate career. She details how she built her media presence from the DMV area, launched her branding and digital communications company, navigated a male‑dominated industry, and leveraged authenticity, work ethic, and strategic networking to grow both her journalism and business ventures.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview was designed to:

• Highlight how Kelsey built a career in sports journalism, on‑air talent, content creation, and entrepreneurship.
• Explore the creation and mission of her digital branding and communications company, KryptiaNN.
• Provide guidance for aspiring journalists and entrepreneurs navigating today’s evolving media landscape.
• Discuss the importance of authenticity, networking, representation, and strategic risk‑taking in developing a long‑term career.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Building a Media Career Starts with Identity, Roots & Confidence

• Her upbringing in the DMV and her HBCU‑rich family culture shaped her early exposure to sports.
• She emphasized being confident in spaces where representation is limited and carrying the responsibility of opening doors for others.

2. Entrepreneurship Grew Out of Demand for Her Skills

• KryptiaNN was born when people repeatedly sought her help for branding, social media, and communications—and her tax professional advised formalizing it as an LLC.
• The name “KryptiaNN” is a tribute to Black history, Egyptian culture, and her own branding identity.

3. Career Growth Comes from Work Ethic + Relationships + Visibility

• She built her national profile after a podcast interview with LaVar Ball went viral, leading to coverage on major platforms.
• Networking, showing up at events, and being active in the sports community helped her become a Heisman Trophy voter.

4. Journalism Today Requires Branding, Storytelling & Ethical Grounding

• She teaches sports media at George Washington University and stresses ethics, objectivity, and authenticity.
• She explained that today’s journalists must also be content creators, with employers evaluating social media presence as part of hiring.

5. Entrepreneurship Requires Client Base, Visual Branding & Courage

• She advised new entrepreneurs to secure initial clients before launching.
• Strong online visuals and consistent content creation are essential for credibility.

6. Relationship‑Building Matters in Athlete and Nonprofit Work

• Working with athletes requires trust, knowledge of sport, and navigating personal brands.
• A decade of nonprofit communications experience helped her develop the communications and relationship‑management skills that fuel her company today.

🗣️ Notable Quotes from the Interview On Career Confidence & Identity

• “There’s never been a room I haven’t walked in with confidence… I own being a Black woman and love it.”

On Journalism

• “There are two things no one can teach you—work ethic and passion.”
• “Ethics means being unbiased, being objective… leaving your biases at the door.”

On Entrepreneurship

• “Fear is always real… but the field called me into entrepreneurship.”
• “You need to have some clientele—you don’t want to start entrepreneurship with your bank account negative.”.

On Branding & Social Media

• “Brand yourself. Don’t think people are just going to come to you.”
• “Have at least one piece of content posted every day.”

On Athletes & Image

• “The first thing people do is look you up—your track record matters.”
• “Some things you have to soak in silence and take the higher road.” (Discussing athlete PR mistakes).

On Her Purpose

• “I’m driven by one word—legacy.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.