Growth & Grace

Brandon Ward, a leader, community advocate, business owner, speaker, and coach, explains how replacing competition with collaboration can help individuals and organizations grow. He traces his “We Mentality” to a personal shift away from jealousy and rivalry toward teamwork, strategic partnerships, and complementary skill sets, noting how personality assessments can match communication styles, motivations, and strengths. Brandon outlines the foundations of a successful business: solving a valuable problem for a clearly defined niche, communicating clearly, aligning systems, securing capital, and building a team that offsets your weaknesses. He also warns against common mistakes like marketing to everyone, and stresses financial literacy, from personal money management to understanding business margins and profits. He discusses his five books, including The Pain of a Man, the Manifesting Playbook, and the Lemonade Stand Business Plan, and shares how difficult life experiences became books, businesses, and solutions. The Lemonade Stand program, which teaches youth entrepreneurship, is currently offered in seven middle schools and is being aligned with CTE requirements, with a goal of reaching 100 schools by the end of the school year. The conversation also touches on mentorship, coaching, vulnerability, and building a lasting legacy. 

Voting is a community effort, and this episode explores how faith and fellowship can bring more Nevadans to the polls. Shaunda and Marcus discuss what it means to put faith into action through practical community care, and they announce Souls to the Polls on October 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Doolittle Community Center, a day of music, food, entertainment, and encouragement to vote early with friends and family once early voting opens October 17. They also describe weekly outreach at One Love Motorcycle Club every Tuesday and the push to engage Clark County and Nevada beyond the historic West Side. Along with Leaha and Julian, they dig into the barriers to participation, from misinformation and a lack of candidate research to confusion over which elected offices shape everyday issues like schools, prices, and regulations, and they ask how to make voting feel relevant to younger residents and build stronger multigenerational connections.

This episode of Growth and Grace features Dr. Rhea Watson breaking down how students and families can pursue college—or trade and career training—without taking on overwhelming debt. The conversation covers how scholarship committees evaluate applicants beyond just GPA, weighing factors like test scores, class rank, volunteerism, leadership, and essays, and reassures families that a 4.0 isn't required to find funding. Dr. Watson points listeners toward trustworthy resources, including .org and .gov sites, schools, employers, churches, and community organizations, while noting that STEM fields offer more scholarship opportunities though funding exists across majors and career paths, including newly FAFSA-eligible trade and audiovisual programs. The episode also emphasizes strategic decision-making—choosing a school based on fit and affordability rather than reputation alone, and factoring in costs like room, board, and books that awards may not cover—while highlighting local resources like the HBCU college fair at Doolittle, My Scholarship Solutions, and an upcoming Scholarship Power workshop designed to help families start planning for a debt-free education. 

In this episode, hosts Leaha Crawford and Julian Rosado explore how to reset plans without abandoning long-term goals when circumstances change. Leaha distinguishes resetting from giving up, explaining that the goal stays constant while the process changes, and the discussion draws on examples such as adapting a business after an office fire, managing family changes, and adjusting work arrangements. They contrast true perseverance with stubbornly repeating an approach that is not working, and they show how large goals become manageable when broken into smaller steps and supported by daily discipline. Leaha emphasizes confronting fear, opening difficult notices, planning expenses, and using budgets to maintain consistency, while the hosts also encourage business owners to assess profitability, spending, and return on investment, including when they reinvest profits.

Leaha Crawford and John Edmond discuss the history of Ruby Duncan Manor and its role in providing affordable senior housing on the West Side.

Personal History

John shared his background as a native Las Vegan who moved to Seattle in the late 1960s to work for Bourne's Aircraft. During his time in Seattle, he worked in accounting at Rainier Brewery, where he developed strong inventory management skills. After leaving Seattle due to a management dispute regarding training a replacement, John returned to Las Vegas and transitioned into the gaming industry. He became a baccarat dealer at the Stardust after receiving training through an Economic Opportunity Board program.

Property Management

John currently works with Operation Life to manage Ruby Duncan Manor, a senior living complex on the historic West Side.

• Property Details: The manor was built in 1987 and consists of 30 units, including 22 one-bedroom apartments and eight studios.
• Affordability: As a HUD project, rent is subsidized, typically ranging from $240 to $300 per month for qualifying seniors or individuals with disabilities.
• Current Improvements: Under the direction of Operation Life, several upgrades are underway to improve the facility, including: 
  • New lighting installations.
  • Upscale landscaping.
  • The addition of a barbecue grill area.

Community Impact

John emphasized the importance of providing dignity and independence to seniors through high-quality housing. He noted that while many properties in the historic West Side suffer from neglect by outside landlords, Operation Life focuses on maintaining the property as a premier location for seniors. The discussion highlighted the legacy of Ruby Duncan, a women's rights pioneer who envisioned this senior complex to serve the local community.

What are the specific contact details for prospective residents to join the waiting list?

Chef Walker Smith of Sadie's Kitchen and Catering discussed his business growth and the launch of his hot salt-free seasoning, which has doubled sales of the regular seasoning. The seasoning, inspired by his mother's recipe, has gained popularity for its versatility and health benefits, including helping to lower blood pressure. Walker emphasized the importance of dedication, quality, and reliability in the catering business. He also shared the challenges of balancing business with personal life and the impact of COVID-19, which led to a pivot to delivery services. Walker highlighted an upcoming Labor Day weekend special in honor of his mother's legacy.

Leaha Crawford and Julian Rosado discuss the importance of voting, emphasizing the need for accurate registration and understanding one's voting rights. They highlight the significance of local elections, mentioning key races like the governor's race between Joe Lombardo and Aaron Ford, and the state assembly. They stress the importance of researching candidates and issues, and address common issues like moving and updating voter information. Leaha shares her experiences with legislative advocacy, particularly on community gardens and professional licensing. They conclude by urging listeners to verify their registration, research candidates, and participate actively in the voting process.