Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac

Joy Butts, VP & senior business consultant at JPMorgan Chase & Co joins the show on this week's episode of Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac.

Joy shares her inspiring career journey and drops valuable gems for small business owners. She emphasizes the power of relationships, the rise of Black women-owned businesses, and the importance of community in entrepreneurship.

Key takeaways:

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance is dedicated to promoting economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, practical advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and grow wealth. Join us on this transformative journey toward financial freedom and inclusive economic growth.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance is produced by John Tejada.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of "Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac," Ross Mac takes a look back at some noteworthy moments from the show.

Takeaways:

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance is dedicated to promoting economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, practical advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and grow wealth. Join us on this transformative journey toward financial freedom and inclusive economic growth.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance is produced by John Tejada.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting your own business is something many people dream of. Being an entrepreneur has its rewards, but it doesn't come without its challenges as well.

In this episode of "Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac," It's a 10 Haircare CEO and founder Carolyn Aronson discusses her journey in entrepreneurship and some of the important factors to creating a successful business.

Aronson started her career as a hairdresser, then owned a salon and became an entrepreneur. "It was really a progressive career that just evolved into more things," Aronson says.

"So really talking about growing the roots, that is absolutely such a key factor to any business for it to really have longevity," Aronson explains. "A problem with entrepreneurs sometimes," is that "they actually try to do too much by themselves and too fast."

Becoming a successful entrepreneur can be challenging. Aronson discusses some of the key aspects that can help make a successful entrepreneur. "The determination and grit is one thing. But having the ability to stay the course and to withstand time is a whole other thing... I think that really to be within the top 1 or 2%, it's a whole different mindset... It's more than just persistence, perseverance, all the Ps." Aronson explains that "the people that are in the top few percent just don't think the same. We think outside of the box, we think really, really big... We don't have the average fear."

A piece of advice Aronson gives is "don't listen, don't listen to your doubters. Don't listen to the people who tell you you can't or you won't. And ultimately, think about the possibilities. So always think big, but also basically dot your i's, cross your t's." "So much of success is really what you learn along the way because you're constantly learning," Aronson adds.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No two roads to financial literacy are the same. Some learn lessons in school, some from parents, others through trial and error.

In this episode of "Financial Freestyle," host Ross Mac is joined by Brandon Copeland, a former NFL player turned professor, author, and entrepreneur. Copeland, a 10-year NFL veteran, shares the motivation behind his financial literacy journey. "As I went into the league, it was all about startup capital," explains Copeland. "It was all about how to take this opportunity to make some money and how to flip it."

Copeland recounts his early experience with day trading, which he began during the early years of his NFL career. Armed with knowledge from his internship at UBS, he dives into the lessons learned, including a costly Nike-options trade that faltered due to geopolitical tensions in Greece. "I learned a tough lesson there, which was one don't get greedy," said Copeland. "I need to learn how to better understand leverage and de-risk some of my trades... I need to find things to invest in that I control." That lesson ultimately led him to real estate investing.

Today, Copeland and his wife, Taylor Copeland, are the founders of BTC Investments, which is a real estate investment portfolio holding $203 million.

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance is dedicated to promoting economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, practical advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and grow wealth. Join us on this transformative journey toward financial freedom and inclusive economic growth.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]

0:00 - Daniel Copeland joins.

1:30 - Who is Brandon Copeland?

2:30 - Day trading during practice; football isn’t forever.

4:30 - Day trading story and lessons.

7:55 - Utilizing the NFL funds for the future.

8:57 - Right place, right time, right preparation.

10:07 - From player to professor.

12:05 - Life 101.

14:45 - Three financial literacy principles.

17:20 - Book: Your Money Playbook.

20:05 - Athletes.org: Focusing on students.

23:20 - Closing remarks.

This episode of “Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance was produced by John Tejada, the author of this post.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ModernBlkGirl, a platform dedicated to empowering women through financial literacy, has been providing women with essential financial tools since its launch in 2020.

In this episode of "Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac," Tiffany James, the founder of Modernblkgirl, joins the show. James shares her journey of creating one of the largest investment communities for women of color, now boasting more than 125,000 active members.

James shares how she began discussing financial literacy on the Clubhouse app during the pandemic, noting, "My voice was really loud, but also really unique. You didn't see a lot of black women my age talking about financial literacy." By breaking down the financial sector in a "really digestible way," James was able to book speaking engagements with some of the world's largest financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs (GS) and BlackRock (BLK). She then started teaching women. "We initially planned to teach a class for 50 people; 500 women showed up. Then 1,000. Then 10,000... A month later, we're like we should make this a thing—a business?" says James.

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac," on Yahoo Finance is dedicated to promoting economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, practical advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and grow wealth. Join us on this transformative journey toward financial freedom and inclusive economic growth.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]

0:00 - Intro

1:15 - Welcome

1:45 - Who is Tiffany James?

2:25 - Origins of Modernblkgirl

5:00 - Lockdown and Clubhouse

6:20 - Turning $10k into millions

8:55 - Investing advice for views at home

10:00 - Have. plan and stick to it

10:45 - Dear Mac: What sectors and companies would you recommend?

12:50 - ETF in certain sectors

14:10 - What’s your why?

17:50 - Opening the door for others

18:40 - What’s next for Tiffany J

19:30 - Moving into wealth management

21:20 - $75 Million undermanagement

22:25 - New book

This episode of “Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance was produced by John Tejada, the author of this post.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of "Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac," Lee Moulton, founder of The Mansa Fund, talks about his early career on Wall Street, where he learned key lessons in leadership, hard work, and teamwork while working under former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein. These experiences shaped his approach to success in the finance world.

Moulton also highlights Black and LatinX business owners' challenges in getting funding, which inspired him to start The Mansa Fund. The fund aims to close the financial gaps that hold these businesses back. His efforts quickly gained support, leading to a partnership with Bridge Marketplace and growth in his loan business.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]

1:20 Who is Lee Moulton?

1:50 Early career at Goldman Sachs

3:40 Investing Ethos

6:10 Origins of The Mansa Fund

8:30 Using the relationships to establish a partnership with Bridge marketplace

9:32 What's next for The Mansa Fund

11:25 What makes for a good investment?

12:50 The Founder’s Story 

13:20 Year-over-year growth

14:10 Price of Equity

16:55 The Uncle Nearest Story 

18:50 The importance of a powerful story

19:35 What made Uncle Nearest Special 

21:30 Tips for scaling business 

This episode of “Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance was produced by John Tejada.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of “Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac,” Grammy-nominated artist and tech entrepreneur Ryan Leslie shares his journey from Harvard prodigy to multi-industry success. Drawing on his experiences as a child genius, R&B sensation, and SuperPhone founder, Leslie reveals how cultivating meaningful relationships has been pivotal to his achievements in music, technology, and investing. He discusses his innovative approach to fan engagement, the power of mentorship, and his passion for spreading financial literacy. Leslie offers valuable insights on leveraging personal connections to drive success across diverse fields, emphasizing the importance of authentic relationship-building in today's media-driven business landscape.

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac," on Yahoo Finance strives for economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, actionable advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and accelerate wealth. Join us on a transformative journey towards financial freedom and inclusive economic growth.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]

00;00-RYAN LESLIE ON FINANCIAL FREESTYLE

02:20-WHO IS RYAN LESLIE

03:05-15 GOING TO HARVARD

05:37-BUSINESS ACUMEN

07;14-NIPSEY HUSSLE

08:22-SUPERPHONE

11:29-OWNERSHIP

12:14-PAY ME IN BITCOIN

14:07-MENTORSHIP: TURNING $15K TO $250K

15:47-WHISPERS TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF

17:07-THE BUFFETT STORY

17:47-WHAT’S YOUR Y?

20:28-CONFIDENCE

20:56-DEAR MAC

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance was created and produced by Jimi Corpuz

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the measure of a man? 

As the founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant has dedicated his life to empowering individuals and communities through financial education. His organization has provided millions with the tools and resources necessary to build wealth and achieve economic independence. His work has garnered national recognition and he has advised three sitting U.S. presidents on matters of economic empowerment and financial literacy for all.

On “Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac,” John Hope Bryant talks about life before the accolades and accomplishments. He vividly recounts his upbringing in South Central LA, where he witnessed the devastating impacts of domestic abuse, the dissolution of his family, and the murders of loved ones. These experiences, while profoundly tragic, ignited a vision within him—a source of inspiration and hope for a better life, not only for himself but for all.

This is the full unedited interview. John Hope Bryant invokes Dr. Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln as the tall shoulders that we stand on. Their collective goal should be our goal of uplifting all people. Bryant discusses “The Promised Land’ speech and states that financial literacy should be the new civil rights movement.

Ultimately, the measure of John Hope Bryant can be seen in his unwavering commitment to making a difference. He embodies the idea that a person's worth is determined not just by their personal achievements, but by their ability to uplift others and contribute to the greater good. His life serves as a powerful reminder that true success lies in the impact one has on the lives of others.

Ultimately, the measure of John Hope Bryant is within his name.

00:00-John Hope Bryant on Financial Freestyle

00:56-Dr. King

02:15-Abraham Lincoln

02:57 Financial literacy, new civil rights movement

04:50-God’s child

05:19-Aspiration generation

06:25-Financially illiterate

06:55-Where math should not work

07:25-A child of violence and divorce

09:15-Pride before the fall

09:36-Witness to murder

09:55-Insulting

10:44-Best friend murdered

11:42-New business plan

12:42-A bankers influence

14:50-Black Capitalists Matter

15:55-The computer will say yes

16:11-”Promised Land”

15:45-Pride and self-esteem

17:13-Black Jewish business plan

18:20-Bond between Blacks and Jews

19:43-Poor whites, Native Americans and African Americans

21:35-Blacks and whites pitted against each other

23:30-Women saved America

25:53-Inclusive economics

Thoughts? Questions? Email us at [email protected]

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance was created and produced by Jimi Corpuz

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of, "Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac,” Sekou Kaalund, head of branch and small business banking at U.S. Bank, discusses his mission-driven life. He shares his journey from aspiring to hold public office at age five to becoming an influential figure in banking. Driven by his mantra of making a difference, he discusses the creation of "Advancing Black Pathways," a program designed to close the racial wealth gap, and his current role in purpose-driven banking at U.S. Bank.

Kaalund also discusses the importance of financial literacy, emphasizing the power of compound interest and the significant impact of early investing. He addresses common financial pitfalls and misconceptions, offering practical strategies to overcome them. Kaalund's passion for empowering communities through financial education and access to capital shines through, demonstrating how banking can be a tool for positive social change.

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance strives for economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, actionable advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and accelerate wealth. Join us on a transformative journey towards financial freedom and inclusive economic growth.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]

00:00-Sekou Kaalund's Freestyle

01:17-From aspiring senator to banking leader

02:18-Anchoring on your 'why' in any role

03:28-How family struggles shaped his path

07:11-Being present and intentional

13:21-Providing resources for success

15:08-Whispers to your younger self

17:45-Finding accountability partners

19:59-It's what you keep and grow that counts

22:07-Start investing conversations early

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance was created and produced by Jimi Corpuz

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oftentimes individual success is seen as overall success for one's family and loved ones. Kai Cunningham, co-founder and partner at Limited Ventures has lived this first hand. He recalls, "When I got my first check... my family was like... 'we made it'." Knowing the importance of creating generational wealth to maintain success, Cunningham takes his experience from humble beginnings in Baltimore to Goldman Sachs to Limited Ventures, and uses it to become a force in wealth management for athletes and entertainers.

He recognized the unique influence that athletes and entertainers have and sought to leverage this influence in venture capital and private equity deals. This innovative approach helped bridge the gap between his clients and high-level investment opportunities, making it easier and sustainable for the success story of everyone to continue.

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance strives for economic prosperity for all. Through expert insights, actionable advice, and inspiring success stories, we empower you to build and accelerate wealth. Join us on a transformative journey towards financial freedom and inclusive economic growth.

00:00-Kai Cunningham on "Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac"

02:15-From B'more to Wall Street

04:25-Lebron, Steph & KD "as a culture"

06:58-Setting the trend

08:05-The family 'made it'

10:48-Adversarial ecosystem

12:18-Kids like us

14:16-Importance of access

16:25-Beyonce, if you are not her

18:30-AR/VR space

20:04-Whispers to my younger self

21:09-Dear Mac

"Financial Freestyle with Ross Mac" on Yahoo Finance was created and produced by Jimi Corpuz

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices