Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Melody Vaughn.  Melody Vaughn Interiors (MVI) is more than a design firm; it's a venture born from the desire to craft spaces that heal. At MVI, they believe in harmonizing and tuning into the energy of a space to create homes of peace and beauty. Each house has its rhythm, and we ensure the décor beautifully reflects it. Through the infusion of color, thoughtful space planning, and elements of Feng Shui, MVI transforms every project into a human sanctuary.

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Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Derrick D. Hayes.  The “Underdog Story”. Overcoming adverse beginnings to accomplish your dreams and make it in the world. This is the story that Big Dave Cheesesteaks’ founder Derrick Hayes shares as he guest stars on Money Making Conversations Master Class. Prepare to be uplifted with a tale of motivation and grit as Derrick recounts the decisions in his life that led him to become the man he is today and how he seeks to inspire those who come from backgrounds similar to his to stand up and do more for themselves.  He has been featured on many magazine covers, including Essence Magazine. His vision for his restaurant, Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, began in 2014 as he aimed to merge his passion for community, food, and business. What started as a small water-ice shop in a 749 sq. ft Shell gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia 2016, has now augmented into the nationally known Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, a thriving cheesecake empire with store and mobile locations all across metro Atlanta. Hayes is also the founder of the David & Derrick Hayes Foundation & Co-Owner of the vegan cheesesteak concept "Dinkies" with Slutty Vegan ATL CEO & Vegan restaurant phenom Pinky Cole. In 2021, Hayes's passion for community & food landed him an illustrious spot as a Forbes 2021 Next 1000 Honoree. Let's discuss his journey into Big Dave's Cheesesteaks being "Bigger Than Food." 

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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 Chef Marcus Samuelsson.

Interviewed centered around his book:

📘 The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food

Here are the key highlights:

🍽️ About the Book

• Purpose: To celebrate and document the legacy, creativity, and cultural impact of Black chefs in America.
• Structure: Divided into five chapters — Next, Remix, Migration, Legacy, Origin — each exploring different aspects of Black culinary history and innovation.
• Unique Feature: Includes profiles of 40 Black chefs and food storytellers, plus a directory of 200+ Black chefs and food writers with their Instagram handles — a first-of-its-kind resource.

🌍 Cultural and Historical Themes

• Black Culinary Legacy: From enslaved cooks to modern food innovators, the book traces the deep roots and wide influence of Black food culture.
• Diaspora Influence: African, Caribbean, and Southern U.S. flavors are explored, including dishes like plantains, oxtail pepper pot, and couscous with roasted figs.
• Food as Activism: Highlights figures like Georgia Gilmore and chefs who supported civil rights movements through food.

🍴 Mouthwatering Recipes Mentioned

• Coconut Fried Chicken
• Oxtail Pepper Pot with Dumplings
• Couscous with Roasted Figs
• Sweet Wild Berry Jam
• Hot Water Cornbread (Hoecakes)
• Gumbo à la Leah Chase (without a roux!)
• Shrimp & Grits with Piri Piri Sauce

💬 Conversation Highlights

• Rushion shares personal stories tied to food, family, and culture — from wild berry picking in Texas to his wife’s Belizean roots.
• Marcus emphasizes the importance of authorship and ownership in Black culinary contributions.
• They discuss the need for healthier eating, environmental awareness, and economic empowerment through food.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chairman and C.E.O. Dennis Earls and Vice President Mikåel Pyles of the Haltere Group.  Haltere Group offers access to high-value real estate assets once reserved for large investors.  They are committed to reshaping real estate opportunities for Black communities.  The interview explores Haltere Group's distinctive approach to empowering Black communities in cities nationwide.

• Share sophisticated insight into real estate investments within dynamic markets.
• We uncover Haltere Group's unique company culture and unwavering commitment to empowering minority communities through financial education and real estate investment opportunities tailored for experts and novices.
• Discuss the impact of the "H.O.W. With Haltere" Podcast, an extension of the company's mission and vision, and the transformative potential of real estate syndication through exclusive conversations with successful individuals from pro sports, business, and entertainment.
• HBCU connection – Tuskegee University project, some founders and team members are HBCU alums, and some attended an HBCU for one or more years.

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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, interviews Yolanda Adams.  She is an award-winning gospel singer, actress, and small businesswoman.  Entrepreneur Yolanda Adams discusses why she started her line of affordable handbags and skin care products and details the importance of taking care of yourself while staying within budget.  She is one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, having sold over 10 million albums worldwide. In addition to achieving multi-platinum status, she has won four Grammy Awards, four Dove Awards, five BET Awards, six NAACP Image Awards, six Soul Train Music Awards, two BMI Awards, and sixteen Stellar Awards. She was the first Gospel artist to be awarded an American Music Award.  

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Ash Cash.

In Part 2, Ash Cash Exantus builds off Dr. George CFraser's technical discussion to make it easier for the audience to understand and implement. He also details the paradigm shift that has occurred since parents' days of" "saving-vs-investing" one's money: namely, how, in the 21st century, investing in one's money has become the new "saving." Finally, Ash Cash lets the audience know they don't have to save money alone; one can get those around them whom they trust to help them invest in wealth-building programs for all benefits.

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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 Dr. George C. Fraser.  

In this two-part special, the “Money” in the “Money Making Conversations Master Class” title is emphasized as Business Leader Dr. George C. Fraser and Wealth Coach Ash Cash Exantus educate the audience on financial literacy.

In Part 1, Dr. George C. Fraser explains how important it is to use his skills to educate the African American community on building generational wealth in the 21st century. He considers this matter his “top priority,” especially considering the stigma that the average African American person has against learning new kinds of wealth management programs. With his technical knowledge, he also demystifies the digital currency known as cryptocurrency and expounds on the importance of investing in wealth-building programs that have a large-scale return on investment.

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Mela Lovett.  CEO of "Family Lawn Services, a distinguished Metro Atlanta landscape company, excels in providing top-tier lawn care solutions explicitly tailored for both residential and commercial properties. Their dedication to elevating outdoor aesthetics shines through meticulous lawn maintenance, innovative landscape design, and reliable ground-keeping. With a strong foothold in the heart of Georgia, our expert team pledges an unparalleled commitment to green brilliance. Trust us to redefine your terrain with our landscaping artistry, serving as a testament to the community's trust in our eco-centric vision. Enlist Family Lawn Services to transform your garden into a verdant oasis."

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald.  

A Special Episode… ” Whatever you decide to call it, Rushion McDonald hosts and stars in this exceptional episode of the Money Making Conversations Master Class Podcast.

Truly emphasizing the namesake of his show, Rushion shares stories of how his various failures in running a small business have taught him important lessons that he continues to keep with him to this day. From the importance of budgeting your business correctly to the dangers of hiring unqualified family members to ensure you fully understand the person you are going into business with, Rushion McDonald weaves a cautionary tale outlining the dangers of ignorance and the importance of proper planning. This way, regardless of what entrepreneurial endeavor you wish to go into, you can do what Rushion always encourages his listeners to do and “Keep Winning.”

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interview Benny Pough. Among the most successful, innovative business leaders in the music industry, veteran music executive and DVERSE Media CEO, Benny Pough, has shaped the sound and culture of music worldwide.

Topics Covered

THE KEY TO BUILDING MENTOR RELATIONSHIPS

THE VALUE OF PERSONAL BRANDING

REAL ESTATE INVESTING

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

WORKING IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

ABOUT BENNY POUGH

Benny Pough is a respected entertainment industry veteran with decades of experience propelling the careers of some of today's leading superstars, including Jay-Z, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Travis Scott, Future, DJ Khaled, Yo Gotti, and 21 Savage. Pough has left an indelible mark on the music industry, holding executive roles at Motown, Def Jam, Epic Records, and MCA Records, culminating in his role as President of Roc Nation Music before pivoting to entrepreneurship. Over two years later, Pough's multi-tiered entertainment company DVERSE Media is home to record labels, distribution platforms, publishing, management, and more. This powerhouse entity comes in addition to Al J. Britt Enterprises, Pough's real estate management company that has garnered over 100 doors as part of its portfolio. For more information on Benny Pough, visit www.BennyPough.com.

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