The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Monday, July 28th, 2025. Subject: "My Ungrateful, Young Employee"

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

Executive Vice President and Director of Lending for Arkansas Capital Corporation, a private nonprofit lending organization.

Key Highlights: 🏢 About Arkansas Capital Corporation

• Founded in 1957 by Governor Rockefeller to foster entrepreneurship and industrial growth in Arkansas.
• Focuses on underserved and rural communities, especially communities of color.
• Recently received an SPLC (Small Business Lending Company) license from the SBA, allowing them to lend nationwide.

💼 Services Offered

• Small Business Lending: Now expanding beyond Arkansas to surrounding SEC states.
• EB-5 Program: For immigrants investing in U.S. job-creating projects.
• New Market Tax Credits: For large-scale developments.
• Governor’s Cup: A Shark Tank-style pitch competition for college students.

💡 Business Advice & Lending Process

• Business Plan: Essential for loan approval. It should detail operations, challenges, and financial projections.
• Online Application: Full application available at capital.com, not just an inquiry form.
• Required Documents: Business plan, tax returns, bank statements, cost documents, resume, and more.
• Mentorship: They monitor applications and proactively reach out to assist applicants.

💳 Lines of Credit

• Recommended for small businesses to handle unexpected expenses.
• Especially critical for businesses with payroll or upfront costs like construction.

🏦 SBA Lending Clarification

• SBA does not lend money directly.
• SBA provides guarantees to approved lenders like Arkansas Capital, reducing lender risk.
• Programs discussed: 7(a) and 504, not PPP or disaster relief loans.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Know exactly what you need and why before applying for a loan.
• A well-thought-out business plan is your roadmap and proof of preparedness.
• SBA-backed loans are not free money—they must be repaid.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

A financial expert and former head of retirement solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The discussion focused on saving strategies, financial psychology, and overcoming behavioral biases to achieve long-term financial success.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

Overcoming Financial Mistakes

• Lester shared that despite managing billions in assets, she made every financial mistake possible early in her career.
• Her book, Your Best Financial Life, combines 30 years of asset management experience with lessons from her own financial missteps.

Saving Strategies & Behavioral Hacks

• She emphasized that saving is possible at any age, but requires commitment and planning.
• A key strategy: Save at least half of every raise to prevent lifestyle inflation.

Emergency Funds & Smart Spending

• Lester advised building an emergency fund of 3-6 months’ expenses before investing.
• She outlined three questions to ask before tapping into emergency savings:
  1. Is this truly an emergency?
  2. Do I absolutely need to spend this money?
  3. Do I need to spend it right now?

Subscription Detox & Hidden Expenses

• Many people unknowingly overspend on subscriptions, leading to financial waste.
• Lester recommended avoiding auto-renewals, using a credit card with an upcoming expiration date, and rotating streaming services to cut costs.

Investing vs. Traditional Savings

• She clarified that long-term savings should be invested, not kept in low-interest accounts.
• Retirement funds should be diversified across stocks and bonds for growth.

📘 About Anne Lester
Anne Lester is a financial strategist, speaker, and author, known for her expertise in retirement planning and behavioral finance. She spent over 30 years at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, leading retirement solutions and helping individuals build financial security.

Her book, Your Best Financial Life, provides practical strategies for saving, investing, and overcoming financial biases.

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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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 Dr. Shica.

Founder of Dr. Shica’s Bakery, and the conversation centers around her inspiring journey from educator to successful entrepreneur in the plant-based dessert industry.

Key Highlights from the Transcript:

• Origin Story: Dr. Shica began baking seriously after losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraged by a marketing director, she launched her bakery business.
• Why Vegan?: She chose to make vegan cookies to cater to people with dietary restrictions (e.g., lactose intolerance, dairy allergies) and to offer a healthier, inclusive dessert option.
• Celebrity Support: Her cookies gained popularity in L.A., attracting celebrity clients like Doug Allen (creator of Entourage) and Teri Weinberg (producer of The Office), and even making a birthday cake for Jessica Simpson.
• Product Line: Includes chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, lemon, confetti sugar cookies, and cookie dough mixes. She emphasizes premium ingredients and a unique signature flavor.
• Expansion: Her products are launching in over 4,100 stores including HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls across the U.S. and Canada.
• International Recognition: Selected to speak at the largest snacks and sweets show in Dubai and participate in Canada’s minority supplier program.
• Vision: Aspires to be the “Betty Crocker or Nabisco of plant-based cookies,” with a legacy brand featuring her face as the logo.
• Advice: Her secret to success is staying “prayed up” and working hard, especially as a minority female entrepreneur.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Friday, July 25th, 2025. Subject: "I Am Getting Weaker By The Minute"

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thursday, July 24th, 2025. Subject: "My Husband Leaves His Phone At Home"

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The Strawberry Letter for Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025. Subject: "Is His Girlfriend Still Mad He Left?"

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

A real estate broker and entrepreneur who overcame a challenging upbringing in foster care, teen motherhood, and systemic adversity to become a successful businesswoman. Kimberly shares her journey of resilience, faith, and determination, offering inspiration to anyone facing difficult circumstances. Her story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of believing in oneself.

🧭 Key Points 🌱 Early Life & Adversity

• Raised in foster care from a young age due to her mother’s struggles with addiction.
• Took on a caregiver role for her younger brothers at age 9.
• Became a mother at 15 and had two children by 18, while still caring for her siblings.

💪 Resilience & Mindset

• Developed a survival mindset early on, driven by responsibility and love for her family.
• Found faith and spiritual grounding during her time in foster care.
• Never doubted her ability to succeed despite overwhelming odds.

🎓 Education & Career Path

• Returned to complete her high school diploma and pursued technical education.
• Earned a degree in electronics engineering and transitioned into the IT world.
• Later became a licensed real estate agent and opened her own brokerage.

🏡 Business Ventures

• Founder of a real estate brokerage in McDonough, Georgia.
• Focuses on educating and empowering first-time homebuyers and entrepreneurs.
• Co-owner of a property preservation company, Get Adventurous, with her husband.

🤝 Leadership & Branding

• Leads a small team of agents with a hands-on, mentorship-driven approach.
• Emphasizes adaptability, personal growth, and celebrating small victories.
• Operates within a price range of $250K–$750K and above, adapting to market trends.

💬 Notable Quotes

“I’m superwoman. I’m phenomenal.”

“Foster care is supposed to be temporary, but sometimes it becomes permanent.”

“It never dawned on me that I wouldn’t be successful.”

“You can do anything. There is nothing you can’t do in this life.”

“Practice resilience. If you don’t have a support system, look in the mirror and talk to yourself.”

“I’m always in the mindset of staying adaptable.”

“My goal is to educate, motivate, and teach people that we can own real estate.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Dr. Farrah Laurent. 

A former emergency room nurse turned entrepreneur and career coach, shares her journey from bedside care to building a six-figure business helping new nurses land high-paying jobs and launch their own ventures. The conversation explores nursing as a lucrative and flexible career path, the importance of mindset, and the power of personal branding.

🔑 Key Points 💼 Career Journey & Motivation

• Dr. Laurent was inspired by the TV show Trauma: Life in the E.R. to become an emergency nurse.
• She worked 13 years in ER nursing, including at a Level 1 trauma center in Detroit.
• Transitioned into education and leadership before launching her coaching business.

💰 Nursing as a High-Income Career

• New nurses in cities like NYC and Northern California can earn $100K–$175K starting salaries.
• National average is around $70K, but opportunities vary by region and specialization.
• Nurse anesthetists can earn $200K–$300K+.

“New graduate nurses today… are making baseline at least $100,000, up to $175K.”

🧠 Mindset & Coaching

• Emphasizes abundance mindset over scarcity.
• Coaches nurses on resume writing, interview prep, and personal branding.
• Encourages nurses to invest in themselves through coaching and professional development.

“If I can do it, you can do it too. It all starts with an idea and the mindset.”

📈 Entrepreneurship for Nurses

• Nurses are increasingly turning to consulting, coaching, and telehealth for flexibility.
• Dr. Laurent founded the Nurses Making Money Moves conference and authored a workbook by the same name.
• Organized her first conference in just 10 weeks, attracting 70 nurses from 20 states.

“You’re using your intellectual property—what you already know—to monetize.”

🌍 Diversity & Representation

• Advocates for racial, gender, and linguistic diversity in nursing and leadership.
• Notes that patient outcomes improve when care providers reflect the communities they serve.

“We need more diversity in nursing and nursing leadership to close the gaps in healthcare inequalities.”

💡 Advice for New Nurses

1. Get clear on your goals and ideal work environment.
2. Prepare thoroughly for interviews—don’t wing it.
3. Build a strong LinkedIn presence—95% of recruiters check it.
4. Negotiate: Know your worth, research salaries, and pitch your value.

“Don’t just settle. Go after what you want.”

🚩 Red Flags in Job Offers

• Disorganized interview process
• Unwelcoming management
• High turnover
• Rushed job offers without clarity on responsibilities

📣 Closing Quote

“Nurses are big problem solvers. Find the problem you want to solve and go for it.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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