Money Making Conversations Master Class

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

Here’s a summary of MMCMC Script File 18, an episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rushion McDonald, featuring special guest Kevin Bledsoe, founder of Bledsoe’s Barbecue and a two-time Hoodie Award winner.

🔥 Key Topics Discussed 1. The Hoodie Awards Legacy

• Kevin credits the Hoodie Awards for launching his national visibility.
• Describes the experience as “life-changing,” giving pride and validation to small business owners.
• Emphasizes how the awards brought community recognition, celebrity exposure, and lasting friendships.

2. Bledsoe’s Barbecue Journey

• Originated in Compton, CA, with family BBQ roots in Corsicana, TX.
• Now an international brand with locations in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and even Melbourne, Australia.
• Known for slow-smoked meats, authentic Southern sides, and consistent quality.

3. Celebrity Support & Customer Experience

• Celebrities frequent Bledsoe’s, but Kevin emphasizes treating everyone with respect.
• Consistency in food and service is key: “Every plate looks immaculate.”
• Rushion shares personal stories of bringing military and corporate guests to the restaurant.

4. Television Career

• Kevin’s TV debut came unexpectedly via a producer who overheard him joking in the kitchen.
• Became a regular on Bar Rescue and now stars on Netflix’s American Barbecue Showdown.
• His authenticity and humor made him a standout personality.

5. Philanthropy & Community Impact

• Bledsoe’s has paid for funerals, provided scholarships, and supported local causes.
• Kevin believes in giving back: “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
• Emphasizes the importance of teamwork, community, and uplifting others.

6. Entrepreneurship Real Talk

• Warns aspiring entrepreneurs: “Owning a business is the hardest job you’ll ever have.”
• Shares his early grind—working 24-hour days between BBQ and DJ gigs.
• Encourages building a strong team and trusting the process.

7. Civic Engagement

• Passionate about voting rights and Black empowerment.
• Urges listeners to vote in person and stay informed about political and social issues.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
• “Are you ready to go eight years without a day off?”
• “The Hoodie Awards made us feel like celebrities—like we mattered.”
• “You need fans in the stands. That’s called customers.”
• “If I’m making it and my people aren’t, then I’m not making it.”

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

 

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

The founder and artistic director of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective. This episode blends art, activism, education, and cultural preservation through the lens of Black history and dance.

Here are the key highlights:

🎭 About Stacey Allen

• Founder of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective, a professional dance company focused on art and wellness through the lens of Black women and girls.
• Author of two children’s books, including:
  • A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way (introduces children to Katherine Dunham)
  • D is for Dance and for the Diaspora (A–Z guide to African diaspora dance styles)
• Recipient of the 2024 Children’s Publication Award from the National Association of Multicultural Education.

🩰 Dance as Activism

• Stacy uses dance to tell stories of African American history, identity, and empowerment.
• Her performances are rooted in education, cultural preservation, and social justice.
• She emphasizes that dance is not just performance—it’s a tool for healing, storytelling, and activism.

🌍 Cultural Legacy & Freedom Colonies

• Stacy’s work includes performances like The Fairy Tale Project, which tells the love story of the founders of the Sankofa Freedom Colony in Texas.
• She collaborates with the Texas Freedom Colonies Project, which documents over 500 historically Black settlements in Texas.
• These colonies were founded by formerly enslaved people post-emancipation and are often overlooked in mainstream history.

🌊 Emotional Pilgrimage

• Stacy shares her transformative experience visiting Gorée Island in Senegal, a major slave port, and draws parallels to Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth originated.
• She reflects on the emotional weight of visiting ancestral lands and how it informs her art and mission.

📚 Educational Mission

• Through her books, performances, and workshops (including in juvenile detention centers), Stacy educates youth and communities about Black history and identity.
• She believes that knowing your history empowers your future.

📣 How to Connect with Stacy

• Website: www.niasdaughters.com
• Instagram: @niasdaughters
• Facebook: Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective

💬 Rushion’s Reflections

• Rushion expresses deep admiration for Stacy’s passion and educational impact.
• He emphasizes the importance of sharing her work widely, especially the history of Texas Freedom Colonies, which he compares to the Underground Railroad in significance.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Thomas Barnes.

A technology entrepreneur and franchise owner, shares his journey from corporate IT to owning an Experimax store, specializing in Apple product sales, service, and repairs. He discusses entrepreneurship, customer service, hiring strategies, and the challenges of competing in the tech repair industry.

Segment Breakdown & Key Highlights Introduction & Background

• Host Rushion McDonald introduces Thomas Barnes as Atlanta’s Technology Guru, highlighting his love for math and science that led him into the tech industry.
• Thomas reflects on his 30+ years in IT, working with Fortune 50, 100, and 500 companies, and his decision to become a business owner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Entrepreneurial Journey & Franchise Ownership

• Shares his motivation to own a business instead of working for others, officially becoming an Experimax franchise owner in 2021.
• Explains his research process, initially exploring food and beverage franchises before discovering the Apple-focused Experimax model.
• Highlights the brand's niche market—specializing in Apple product repairs and sales, leveraging his tech and business expertise.

Challenges & Competitive Strategy

• Discusses the difficulty of hiring skilled technicians, emphasizing the need for Apple expertise but openness to training individuals with Android/Windows experience.
• Introduces John Goldwasser, his store manager, who is proficient in both Apple and Android technology.
• Differentiates Experimax from Apple Stores, offering shorter wait times, personalized service, and no mandatory appointments.
• Competes with local repair shops, emphasizing his store’s established reputation and specialized expertise.

Customer Service & Business Growth

• Emphasizes treating employees with respect to ensure loyalty and a strong team culture.
• Discusses customer acquisition costs and his strategy of actively networking and promoting his store.
• Highlights customer experiences, mentioning loyal Apple users seeking alternatives for repairs and upgrades.

Entrepreneurship & Lessons Learned

• Stresses the importance of faith, resilience, and risk-taking in business.
• Encourages entrepreneurs to step out on faith and not fear challenges.
• Talks about the importance of a business plan, sharing his experience of developing financial projections for securing loans.

About Thomas Barnes

• Atlanta-based technology entrepreneur with 30+ years in IT.
• Franchise owner of Experimax Sandy Springs, specializing in Apple product sales, service, and repairs.
• Passionate about customer service, mentorship, and business growth.
• Advocate for entrepreneurship, faith-based leadership, and strategic planning.

Thomas’ journey showcases determination, business acumen, and a commitment to providing quality tech services. His Experimax store serves as a go-to alternative for Apple users, offering expert repairs and personalized customer experiences.

Want to learn more? Visit Experimax Sandy Springs or follow Thomas Barnes' business updates online. #BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

 

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

A transformational speaker and founder of Redefining Wealth, discusses personal development, financial success, and the importance of setting intentional goals.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. Defining Success at Different Life Stages

   • Washington explains how her definition of success evolved from her 20s to her 40s.
   • Early success was driven by external validation, while later success focused on personal fulfillment.

2. The Importance of a Life Blueprint

   • Compares life planning to architectural blueprints—without a plan, success is difficult to achieve.
   • Encourages listeners to set clear goals for the year to avoid feeling lost by year-end.

3. The Six Pillars of Wealth

   • Washington emphasizes integrating financial success with personal well-being.
   • Advocates for balancing career, relationships, faith, and health to avoid burnout.

4. Avoiding Burnout & Setting Realistic Goals

   • Discusses the importance of safe goals (small, achievable steps) and support goals (seeking help from mentors or professionals).
   • Encourages people to set reasonable expectations rather than overwhelming themselves.

5. Results, Not Resolutions

   • Washington promotes her Results, Not Resolutions framework, helping individuals create tangible action plans.
   • Shares strategies for maintaining motivation and accountability throughout the year.

📘 About Patrice Washington
Patrice Washington is a personal finance expert, speaker, and author recognized by Success Magazine as one of the top 25 influential leaders in personal development. She is dedicated to helping individuals redefine wealth by focusing on well-being, purpose, and financial literacy.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

A serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses including:

• • Landscaping (Family Lawn Services)
  • Mortgage lending (commercial and residential)
  • Business consulting (especially on proper business structuring)

🌱 Entrepreneurial Journey

• Mela and her husband transitioned from retail management jobs (Walgreens and Walmart) to starting their own lawn care business.
• The motivation was to build generational wealth and leave a legacy for their children.
• They faced major setbacks, including the theft of their truck and equipment, but persevered and rebuilt.

🧘 Mental Health & Meditation

• Mila emphasizes the importance of mental health, especially for entrepreneurs.
• She shares her experience with postpartum depression and how meditation and journaling helped her heal and manage stress.
• She advocates for taking time to decompress and reset, especially when overwhelmed.

🌿 Lawn Care Insights

• Mila explains the difference between lawn maintenance and landscaping.
• She stresses the importance of quality work and customer trust.
• Rashawn shares a humorous but cautionary tale about hiring an unqualified landscaper who ruined his hedges.

💡 Business Advice

• Mela encourages:
  • Multiple streams of income
  • Proper business structure
  • Resilience in the face of adversity
• She highlights the importance of reputation and referrals in growing a service-based business.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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 Dr. Stephanie Wall.

Purpose of the Interview

• To share Dr. Wall’s expertise as a neuroscience coach, criminal justice professor, author, and mentor.
• To discuss her mission through 1 Million Lives Transform, a global movement helping women unmute their voices and lead with authenticity and confidence.
• To provide actionable strategies for overcoming self-doubt, fear, and imposter syndrome in professional and personal settings.

Key Takeaways

1. Background and Roles

   • Served 20 years in law enforcement and continues teaching criminal justice and ethical leadership.
   • Founder of 1 Million Lives Transform, focused on empowering women to reclaim their voices.

2. Unmuting Your Voice

   • Many professionals mute themselves due to fear, lack of confidence, or imposter syndrome.
   • Techniques:
     • Awareness: Recognize when you’re silencing yourself.
     • Pause and breathe before responding.
     • Stand up when speaking in meetings to command attention and project confidence.
     • Use phrases like “I’d like to build on that point” to engage respectfully.

3. Mindset and Fear

   • What you tell yourself matters more than external criticism.
   • Replace negative self-talk with affirmations and surround yourself with positive influences.
   • Neuroscience supports that repeated positive input rewires thought patterns.

4. Boundaries and Time Management

   • Learn to say “No” as a complete sentence.
   • Set boundaries for phone calls and social interactions to protect productivity.
   • Busy professionals should establish communication rules (e.g., “Do you have a minute?”).

5. Authenticity and Leadership

   • Authenticity is key—embrace your natural gifts and use them to transform spaces.
   • Leadership requires mindset shifts when moving from peer to manager roles.
   • Mentorship should be intentional and specific, not generic (“pick your brain” requests need structure).

6. 1 Million Lives Transform

   • A movement to help women rewrite their narratives, reclaim confidence, and lead boldly.
   • Focus on self-awareness, boundaries, and empowerment strategies.

Notable Quotes

• “Notice in that moment that you are muting yourself.”
• “Stand up when you speak—you command the room.”
• “No is a complete sentence.”
• “Our gifts are not for us; they are for other people.”
• “What you say to yourself does more damage than anything anyone else could say.”
• “Authenticity isn’t lip service—it’s showing up as who you truly are.”
• “Boundaries are not selfish; they are necessary.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

 

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

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 Christopher Gray.

CEO and co-founder of Path. Gray discusses how his AI-powered platform is transforming test preparation for professional certifications, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and college admission exams.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. The Vision Behind Path

   • Path provides unlimited practice questions, full-length exams, and personalized study plans.
   • Uses AI to generate high-quality test prep content at a fraction of traditional costs.

2. Addressing Educational Barriers

   • Many students struggle with standardized tests due to expensive prep courses.
   • Path makes test preparation affordable, helping low-income students access scholarships and selective schools.

3. Professional Certifications & Career Growth

   • Covers IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and teaching certifications.
   • Helps individuals pass exams like CompTIA Security+ and Praxis to secure high-paying jobs.

4. AI-Powered Test Preparation

   • Provides unlimited practice exams and step-by-step solutions.
   • Predicts users’ test scores before they take official exams, reducing financial risk.

5. Expanding Access to Education

   • Offers prep for SAT, ACT, GED, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, and MCAT.
   • Supports career changers and adults seeking new opportunities through certification programs.

📘 About Christopher Gray & Path
Christopher Gray is an entrepreneur dedicated to making education more accessible. His platform, Path, leverages AI to provide affordable and effective test preparation for students and professionals.

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, and author. The conversation centers around her memoir, I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To, and offers a rich blend of personal storytelling, cultural insight, and motivational wisdom.

📘 About the Memoir

Title: I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To
Tone: Comedic, honest, emotional, and empowering
Purpose: To share Loni’s journey from the Detroit projects to Hollywood, while inspiring readers to embrace their authentic selves.

🌟 Key Themes & Highlights 🏙️ Early Life & Upbringing

• Grew up in the Brewster Projects in Detroit.
• Raised by a strong community of Black women, including her mother, babysitter Miss Brooks (a Jehovah’s Witness), and other influential women like her Girl Scout leader and Miss Fever.
• Emphasizes the importance of the “village” in shaping her values and resilience.

🎓 Education & HBCU Experience

• Attended Prairie View A&M University (an HBCU), where she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
• Credits her college experience and sorority sisters for bailing her out of jail during a pivotal moment in her youth.
• Studied electrical engineering and later worked at General Motors before transitioning into entertainment.

😂 Humor & Hardship

• The memoir balances levity with serious topics like racism, wrongful arrest, and self-doubt.
• Chapter 8, where she’s thrown in jail for trespassing, is highlighted as both hilarious and eye-opening.
• Each chapter ends with a joke to bring levity to even the darkest moments.

💪 Empowerment & Mentorship

• Encourages readers to trust themselves and not conform to others’ expectations.
• Discusses the importance of mentorship and how someone saw potential in her beyond her factory job.
• Shares how Rushion McDonald personally mentored her during a difficult time in her TV career.

🎭 Career & Creativity

• Talks about her journey into comedy, acting, and co-hosting The Real.
• Reflects on her first film role in Soul Plane and the realities of the entertainment industry.
• Advocates for journaling and documenting personal history, especially for Black voices.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “This is a love letter to my fans.”
• “If you feel hopeless, if you need some inspiration… understand that you are from a strong stock of people.”
• “We have to share our stories to show them the experiences that we've come through.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

A stroke survivor, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. He shares his journey of overcoming challenges, from surviving a deadly train accident to battling health setbacks and rebuilding his life and career.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. Surviving the Amtrak Disaster

   • Wendell recounts narrowly avoiding a fatal train crash that claimed 47 lives.
   • He reflects on the survivor’s remorse he felt and how it motivated him to dedicate his life to helping others.

2. Overcoming a Stroke

   • In 2024, Wendell suffered a stroke triggered by an anaphylactic shock.
   • He describes his struggle with memory loss and the inability to speak, as well as his determined recovery process.

3. Lessons in Resilience & Purpose

   • Wendell shares how he transformed personal hardships into a mission to inspire and educate others.
   • He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, patience, and self-belief.

4. Entrepreneurial Journey & Business Philosophy

   • Wendell founded Slight Edge Consulting, a business development firm helping individuals unlock their full potential.
   • He explains the “85-15” principle—most people already possess 85% of what they need for success; his firm helps with the remaining 15%.

5. Sales & Influence

   • Wendell breaks down sales as “transferring feelings” and teaches strategies for effective persuasion.
   • He highlights the importance of confidence, enthusiasm, and knowledge in selling ideas and products.

📘 About Slight Edge Consulting
Slight Edge Consulting provides personalized coaching to entrepreneurs and professionals, focusing on business development, public speaking, and mindset transformation.

 

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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 Dr. Kurt Jones.

Purpose of the Interview

The conversation aims to highlight the importance of mental health and wellness, particularly in the Black community, elite sports, and entrepreneurial spaces. It focuses on mental resilience, confidence building, and strategies for handling stress and setbacks, while introducing Dr. Jones’ methodology and his mission through Play 21 Wellness Academy.

Key Takeaways

1. Mental Health in the Black Community

   • Historically stigmatized; seen as weakness or negativity.
   • Today, awareness is improving, but significant work remains.

2. Customized Approach

   • Dr. Jones does individualized analysis and treatment plans for athletes and business professionals.
   • Rejects “cookie-cutter” solutions—tailors strategies to personal circumstances.

3. The Shelving Method

   • A mental organization system with four shelves:
     • Immediate Shelf: Urgent tasks within 24 hours.
     • Active Shelf: Important but less urgent tasks.
     • Holding Shelf: Items to revisit later.
     • Elimination Shelf: Thoughts/tasks to discard permanently.
   • Helps clients focus on the present and avoid dwelling on past mistakes.

4. Confidence & Setbacks

   • Confidence can collapse after major losses or failures.
   • Strategy: Remind clients of their greatness, review past successes, and rebuild momentum.
   • Consistency and adaptability are key to sustaining success.

5. Play 21 Wellness Academy

   • Founded in memory of Ben Wilson, a top basketball player and Dr. Jones’ best friend.
   • Mission: Support youth athletes, address issues like parent/teacher abuse, and provide mental health resources.
   • Operates as both a nonprofit and for-profit entity.

6. Broader Client Base

   • Works with elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and high-level professionals.
   • Mental clarity and emotional control are critical for success in any field.

7. Health & Balance

   • Encourages regular medical checkups, stress management, and work-life balance.
   • Advocates for self-reward and stepping out of comfort zones while maintaining wellness.

8. Upcoming Projects

   • Book: Chi-Town Blueprints (personal story and mental resilience).
   • Workbook on the Shelving Method for schools, universities, and professionals.

Notable Quotes

• On Mental Health Stigma:
  “When people talked about mental health, the first thought was negative.”

• On Focus:
  “You can’t take the last play to the next play.”

• On Success:
  “Mental thinking is a huge part of success.”

• On Confidence:
  “Remind yourself of what got you to the point where you were winning.”

• On Consistency:
  “You’ve never seen a Brinks truck behind a funeral car—the graveyard is the richest place because people die with million-dollar dreams.”

• On Purpose:
  “Walk in your purpose. When you walk in your purpose, there’s no stopping you.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.