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

A six-time award-winning author, motivational speaker, and business strategist known as the “business therapist.” Here's a detailed summary of the key insights and takeaways:

🎙️ Guest Overview: Charelle Lans

• Title: Business Strategist, Vision Strategist, and Founder of Vision Strategy Management (VSM)
• Background: Industrial engineering degree; former Fortune 500 employee (e.g., Johnson & Johnson)
• Mission: Helps individuals and businesses diagnose issues, define strategies, and drive performance.

💼 Core Concepts & Insights 🔍 What She Does

• Acts as a “business doctor” for small to mid-sized businesses.
• Helps clients uncover blind spots, streamline operations, and align personal purpose with business goals.

🧠 Key Philosophies

• “Profit is in the patterns, not in the panic”: Sustainable success comes from consistent systems, not reactive hustle.
• “You deserve to be paid, not just passionate”: Passion is important, but structured pricing and value delivery are essential for sustainability.
• “Rest is a revenue strategy”: Rest improves clarity, leadership, and long-term business health.

🛠️ Business Strategy Tips 1. Pricing & Value

• Research your market and understand the problem you solve.
• Avoid underpricing due to emotional ties or overpricing without value.
• Develop a pricing strategy that reflects your experience and the value you deliver.

2. Scaling Smartly

• Avoid “scaling chaos” — building a brand without infrastructure leads to burnout.
• Build systems, processes, and the right team before scaling.
• A platform (not just a brand) is sustainable and scalable.

3. Vision Execution

• A vision without a strategy and management is just a wish.
• Use metrics to track progress and ensure your vision is in motion.
• Surround yourself with:
  • Mentor
  • Sponsor
  • Coach
  • Network

🧩 Common Entrepreneurial Pitfalls

• Wearing “hustle” as a badge of honor can lead to burnout.
• Trying to do everything alone without a blueprint or support system.
• Fear of sharing ideas due to intellectual property concerns — instead, stay ahead by always working on the next idea.

📲 Connect with Charelle Lans

• Website: visionstrategymanagement.com
• Social Media: @CharelleLans on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

First Vice President and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She leads The Fears Group, a wealth management team specializing in alternative investments, retirement planning, and financial education.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

Building a Legacy Through Family Business

• Fears built a family practice at Morgan Stanley with her two daughters.
• She emphasized the importance of generational wealth and passing financial knowledge down.

Financial Education & Wealth Management

• Many in the Black community lack access to financial education, leading to lost wealth.
• Fears stressed that financial literacy is available to everyone, not just those with advanced degrees.

High-Yield Savings & Investment Strategies

• Traditional banks offer low interest rates, while Morgan Stanley’s Preferred Savings Program provides 4.6% on cash deposits.
• She explained how banks use deposited money for overnight lending, profiting more than account holders.

Power of Compound Interest

• Fears illustrated how starting early leads to significantly higher returns over time.
• She compared two individuals saving at different ages, showing how early investment grows exponentially.

529 Plans & Roth IRAs for College Savings

• A 529 plan helps families save for college, and unused funds can be rolled into a Roth IRA.
• Roth IRAs allow tax-free growth, making them a powerful tool for long-term wealth building.

Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) Financial Planning

• Young athletes earning NIL money need financial education to manage their earnings wisely.
• The Fears Group provides guidance for athletes and their families to ensure long-term financial stability.

📘 About Sonia Fears
Sonia Fears is a leading financial expert specializing in stocks, savings programs, compounded interest portfolios, and lines of credit. She has over 17 years of experience in wealth management, previously working at Merrill Lynch before joining Morgan Stanley.

She is a Global Sports & Entertainment Director, helping clients in sports, entertainment, and business navigate financial success.

#AMI

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. Subject: "My Neighbor's T-Shirt In Our Garage"

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Attorney Jalene Mack.

Widely known as “America’s Favorite Entertainment Attorney.” The episode focuses on protecting creative and business assets, avoiding scams, and building a solid foundation for success in the entertainment industry and beyond.

🎯 Key Themes & Takeaways 🔹 The Lure of the Bad Deal

• Jalene warns about scammers posing as producers or financiers in the entertainment industry.
• These individuals often:
  • Claim to have access to major networks or funding.
  • Ask creators to sign away rights or pay deposits under false pretenses.
  • Lack a verifiable digital footprint (e.g., no IMDb, LinkedIn, or credible references).
• Rushion emphasizes the danger of the “lottery mentality” — believing one deal will change everything.

🛡️ Legal Red Flags

• Never assign your copyright without legal review.
• Be cautious of contracts that require you to relinquish ownership or control.
• Escrow accounts can be manipulated if you don’t control the signature authority.
• Always verify the legitimacy of a deal and the people behind it.

🧠 Jalene Mack’s Top 10 Business Development Tips

1. Identify Your Project

   • Know what you’re creating (film, TV, product, etc.).
   • Define the scope and format clearly.

2. Make Sure You Have a Plan

   • Create a business and finance plan.
   • Know where your funding will come from and how it will be used.

3. Form a Team

   • Surround yourself with experts (lawyers, accountants, producers).
   • Avoid “yes people” — you need honest feedback.

4. Prepare a Budget

   • Hire a line producer or financial expert.
   • Account for everything: cast, crew, locations, marketing, etc.

5. Form a Business Entity

   • Establish an LLC or corporation to protect your personal assets.

6. Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   • Required for tax and banking purposes.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

   • Keep personal and business finances separate.

8. Protect Your Assets

   • Register copyrights and trademarks.
   • Use NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) to safeguard ideas.

9. Contracts

   • Always put agreements in writing.
   • Hire an attorney experienced in your specific industry (e.g., film, music, TV).

10. Marketing

    • Don’t assume people will show up just because your product is good.
    • Build a brand and promote it strategically.

📚 Jalene’s Book

• Title: The Business of Stage Screen and In Between
• A practical guide for performers, playwrights, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs.

🗣️ Final Thoughts

• Rushion praises Jalene’s decades-long expertise and her role in protecting creatives.
• Jalene encourages listeners to invest in legal protection and business planning to avoid costly mistakes.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025. Subject: "She's Got One More Time"

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Tuesday, July 1st, 2025. Subject: "I Don't Like To Share"

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

The managing partner of Guardian Due Diligence.  Here’s a breakdown of the key topics and highlights:

Key Themes & Highlights

1. Buying Small Businesses vs. Franchises

   • Holland explains the differences between purchasing a franchise and acquiring an independent business.
   • He highlights the risk-reward balance, noting that franchises offer a structured model, while independent businesses can be more lucrative but require deeper due diligence.

2. Financial Strategies for Business Acquisition

   • He discusses the SBA 7(a) loan program, which allows buyers to acquire businesses with 90-95% financing, making ownership more accessible.
   • Holland explains how leveraging financing can turn a small investment into a million-dollar business.

3. Due Diligence & Avoiding Bad Deals

   • He emphasizes the importance of financial diligence to ensure buyers don’t acquire failing businesses.
   • Holland shares red flags to watch for, such as misleading financials and sellers masking poor performance.

4. Masterclass for First-Time Buyers

   • Holland introduces his Business Buying Masterclass, designed to educate entrepreneurs on the acquisition process.
   • He provides one-on-one coaching, helping buyers navigate financing, negotiations, and deal structuring.

5. Success Stories & Case Studies

   • He shares examples of clients who successfully acquired businesses, including a 24-year-old entrepreneur and a 60-year-old investor.
   • Holland highlights how his expertise helped buyers secure financing, conduct due diligence, and close profitable deals.

About Elliot Holland & Guardian Due Diligence

Elliot Holland is a Harvard MBA, private equity investor, and business acquisition expert. He founded Guardian Due Diligence to help first-time buyers confidently purchase profitable businesses. His firm specializes in financial diligence, ensuring buyers make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Through his masterclass and consulting, Holland empowers entrepreneurs to build wealth through business ownership.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Monday June 30th, 2025.Subject: "My Man Moves Mysteriously"

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

Founder of The Mentor Method and author of Mentorship Unlocked: The Science and Art of Setting Yourself Up for Success. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways:

🔑 Key Themes & Insights 1. Janice’s Background & Vision

• Former defense contractor and management consultant.
• Founded The Mentor Method to address the lack of inclusive mentorship in corporate America.
• One of the first Black women in the U.S. to raise over $1 million in seed funding for a tech startup.

2. What Is a Mentor?

• A mentor helps you become the best version of yourself.
• They don’t have to be older, in the same location, or even in the same industry.
• The key is values alignment, mutual respect, and a willingness to grow together.

3. The Problem with Traditional Mentorship

• Often exclusionary and based on superficial traits like race or gender.
• Many mentorship programs are performative, not transformative.
• True mentorship should be about growth, not conformity.

🌟 The 7 Types of Mentors You Need

1. Company Insider
   Knows the internal politics, culture, and history of your organization.

2. Skill Master
   Helps you refine a specific skill (e.g., public speaking, coding).

3. Money-Minded Mentor
   Guides you on financial literacy, wealth building, and independence.

4. Industry Mentor
   Offers insights into your field and helps you stay competitive.

5. Network Mentor
   A connector who expands your professional circle.

6. Influential Ally
   Uses their reputation to advocate for you and open doors.

7. Peer Mentor
   A trusted equal who provides emotional safety and real-time support.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Mentorship is not about fixing you—it’s about amplifying who you already are.”
• “If someone is trying to change your values, they’re not mentoring you.”
• “You deserve to feel good about the work you do every day.”

📘 Book Mentioned

• Mentorship Unlocked: The Science and Art of Setting Yourself Up for Success
  A guide to building meaningful mentor relationships and advancing your career with intention.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.

Listen here and subscribe to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!

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