Financial Tip: He provides key trends driving the entrepreneurship boom and how AI can amplify your marketing.

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

Summary of the Dave Charest Interview

In this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, a leading digital marketing platform. Charest discusses the rising wave of entrepreneurship, the foundational importance of email and direct‑to‑customer channels, common mistakes new business owners make, and how AI is reshaping small‑business marketing. He provides practical guidance on marketing consistency, channel selection, building community relationships, and using technology to scale.

Throughout the conversation, Charest emphasizes that while small businesses often lack marketing expertise, they possess a valuable advantage: real, human relationships that can be strengthened through consistent communication.

Purpose of the Interview

The purpose of Rushion McDonald’s conversation with Dave Charest is to:

1. Educate new and aspiring entrepreneurs

Charest breaks down the basics of digital marketing—email, social, SMS—and how to begin building a strong marketing foundation.

2. Highlight the key trends driving the entrepreneurship boom

He explains motivations like work–life balance, independence, and financial potential that inspire people to launch businesses.

3. Provide practical, actionable marketing advice

Especially around consistency, choosing marketing channels, and building direct customer relationships.

4. Introduce how AI can simplify and amplify marketing

Charest showcases tools that help business owners quickly generate content, develop campaigns, and analyze customer behavior.

Key Takeaways 1. Direct relationships (email/SMS) outperform social media

Email offers ownership, stability, and higher ROI—unlike social platforms that can change algorithms or visibility overnight. Charest stresses that “the money is in the list.”

2. You don’t need huge numbers to be effective

Small businesses often see high open and engagement rates because followers know and trust them.

3. Consistency matters more than platform choice

Whether you choose Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or email, the biggest driver of marketing success is showing up regularly.

4. Start small—don’t overwhelm yourself

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything at once. Begin with the basics and grow steadily.

5. Community is a crucial marketing asset

Local businesses thrive when they maintain strong connections with nearby businesses, customers, and community networks.

6. Entrepreneurs face challenges—but resilience wins

Charest notes that small business owners rarely have a “Plan B,” which pushes them to adapt and continue learning.

7. AI is transforming small‑business marketing

Constant Contact offers tools to:

Generate emails and content
Summarize content for social
Build full marketing campaigns
Analyze behavior from large email lists to recommend actions

Notable Quotes (from the transcript)

Here are direct paraphrases and key phrases—not copyrighted material but drawn from the transcript:

On email vs. social

“There’s a $36 return for every $1 invested in email—but what matters is that you own the relationship.”
“If a social platform goes away, so does your following. Email is a direct line.”

On audience size

“Big numbers aren’t necessary—small lists can see 50% open rates and strong engagement because those people actually care.”

On entrepreneurship motivations

“People want better work‑life balance, independence, and financial potential.”

On mistakes

“A big mistake is trying to do too much at once. Start small and stay consistent.”

On community

“Digital marketing should extend real relationships—not replace them.”

On choosing platforms

“Where your audience spends time matters, but so does where you can show up consistently.”

On AI’s role

“AI can generate emails, build campaigns, and analyze audience data—saving you time for what you’d rather be doing.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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FULL SHOW_ Blaming Steve Harvey, Strawberry Letter_ They Went To See The Place Without Me - 1.23.26

23 Tammi 1h 32min

Overcoming the Odds: She worked for free to learn the biz and now owns several Nothing Bundt Cakes franchises.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Charlie Shabazz. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Showcase Charlie Shabaaz’s journey from CPA to bakery franchise owner. Inspire listeners to overcome fear and pursue entrepreneurial dreams. Educate the audience on franchising, financial discipline, and community engagement. Highlight the importance of adaptability and vision in business success. 🧠 Key Takeaways 1. From CPA to Cake Boss Charlie is a Temple University graduate with a master’s in taxation. She worked in corporate accounting before pivoting to entrepreneurship. Her transition was sparked by a desire to fill a community need in Tucker, GA. “I was committed to bringing a bakery… I was kind of on the hook.” – Charlie Shabaaz 2. Overcoming Fear and Taking Leaps Charlie moved from Philadelphia to Atlanta with no job contract—just faith. She offered to work for free to learn business taxes, showing initiative and humility. Her story emphasizes that fear is natural, but planning and persistence are key. “I took a temp job. It took a leap of faith.” – Charlie Shabaaz“Fear drives so many people from reaching their ultimate dream.” – Rushion McDonald 3. Franchise Journey Initially planned a pie business, but pivoted to Nothing Bundt Cakes after discovering the brand. She researched and connected with the franchise team, ultimately choosing it over another bakery concept. “I Googled bakery franchise… and it morphed into Nothing Bundt Cakes.” – Charlie Shabaaz 4. Financial Discipline & Real Talk Despite being a CPA, Charlie shared her own struggles with money and credit card debt. She used spreadsheets and strategic payments to eliminate debt. “I had a spreadsheet… I was committed to the $200 here, $250 there.” – Charlie Shabaaz 5. Community Engagement & Leadership Charlie is active in local business associations and chambers of commerce. She believes in giving back to the community and building relationships. “Businesses come to communities and take… I want to give back.” – Charlie Shabaaz 6. Franchising Explained Franchising is about buying a proven business model. The founders of Nothing Bundt Cakes created a replicable system that franchisees can follow. “You buy the blueprint… once you prove the concept can be done by anyone, anywhere.” – Charlie Shabaaz 7. Empowering Black Women Entrepreneurs Charlie attributes her drive to her mother’s encouragement and the desire to break out of North Philly. She highlights how Black women are the fastest-growing segment in entrepreneurship. “Our mothers are the backbone of why we’re so successful.” – Charlie Shabaaz 💬 Memorable Quotes “I didn’t bake. I used to just cut the cookie roll and spray the pan.” “You don’t have to be a baker. You just have to have the passion and the ability to work hard.” “Know what you’re good at and what you’re not good at.” 🌟 Impact of the Interview This episode resonated deeply with listeners, sparking live call-ins from aspiring entrepreneurs. It served as a masterclass in courage, adaptability, and community-driven business. #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Tammi 27min

Perseverance: Yo‑Yo’s evolution as an artist and entrepreneur, personal transformation and love for cooking.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker. SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEW In this interview on Money Making Conversations Master Class, host Rushion McDonald speaks with Dr. Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker—Grammy‑nominated rapper, actress, radio host, philanthropist, and now the star of Downright Delicious with Yo-Yo, a cooking series on Aspire TV. The conversation moves through Yo‑Yo’s evolution as an artist and entrepreneur, her spiritual and personal transformation, her love for food and cooking, and the creation of her television cooking show. She reflects on surviving and thriving in an unpredictable entertainment industry, learning discipline, overcoming fear, and discovering new purpose later in life through cooking. Yo‑Yo also shares her philosophy on authenticity, family, and faith. She describes how the pandemic deepened her love for cooking, how her show blends food + family + culture, and offers practical cooking tips. PURPOSE OF THE INTERVIEW According to the interview content, the purpose is to: Highlight Yo‑Yo’s transition from iconic hip‑hop entertainer to food‑focused TV personality. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] Promote her Aspire TV series “Downright Delicious with Yo‑Yo.” [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] Share insights on career longevity, entrepreneurship, reinvention, and personal growth. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] Inspire listeners with actionable advice on fearlessness, budgeting, confidence, and purpose‑driven living. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] Celebrate cooking as an expression of love, culture, peace, and family connection. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Reinvention Requires Honesty & Letting Go Yo‑Yo stresses that overcoming fear came from “getting real” with herself, abandoning trying to look successful, and restructuring her finances and lifestyle.She had to “let the old me die so the money could grow.” [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] 2. Entrepreneurship Is a Lifelong Reality for Artists She and McDonald emphasize that entertainers are entrepreneurs, without the stability of 40‑hour jobs, making resilience essential. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] 3. Purpose Matters More Than Fame She encourages people to seek purpose—not just fame or quick money—and do the work that builds confidence and personal foundation. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] 4. Cooking Became Her “Happy Place” and Divine Gift Yo‑Yo says cooking is a God‑given gift and a therapeutic practice that began thriving during the pandemic.It helped her through depression and opened new creative fulfillment. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] 5. Her Cooking Show Blends Food + Family + Culture The show features: Her mother Her partner Her kids Celebrity friends Authentic cultural dishes with her unique twistIt’s not guest‑driven; it’s family‑driven storytelling in the kitchen. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] 6. Technique & Tools Matter She emphasizes: Good knives (sharpen weekly) Quality pots Measuring ingredients Understanding seasonings Building confidence by cooking regularly [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] 7. Simplicity + Love = Great Food According to Yo‑Yo, love is the secret ingredient, and cooking is about joy, connection, and comfort, not rigid perfection. [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] NOTABLE QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW (All quotes drawn exactly or near‑exactly from the transcript.) [Dr. Yoland…' Whitaker | Txt] On Fear and Growth “I had to let the old me die so that the money could grow.” “What I did to overcome my fear was to call myself fearless.” “You have to get real with yourself. You really have to do the work.” On Purpose and Success “If you don’t find your purpose, you’re just job hunting.” “God told me, because of your obedience, I’m going to give you the desires of your heart.” On Cooking “Cooking is my happy place.” “I’m not a chef—I just love to cook.” “If you don’t love what you cook, we don’t want to taste it.” On Family “More than serving a meal, I’m serving family.” “When mama’s in the house and they can smell food cooking… that’s everything.” On Her Show “You get to see Dr. Yolanda ‘Yo‑Yo’ Whitaker for the first time.” “I only cook things I love—things I’m comfortable with.” “The food is the star.” On Technique “Great knives will save your life.” “If you use your knives a lot, sharpen them every week.” On Pandemic Transformation “I started really cooking during the pandemic… it took me out of my depression.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Tammi 32min

FULL SHOW: Steve Harvey's Voicemail, Strawberry Letter: My Mom Is For The Streets - 1.22.26

22 Tammi 1h 31min

FULL SHOW_ Pastor Keion Henderson & Shaunie Henderson, Strawberry Letter_ I Want Him To Talk To Me - 1.21.26

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, January 21st, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back- "The Drs Visit" | Ask The CLO | Pastor Keion Henderson & Shaunie Henderson Parts 1-3 | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "My Auntie's Bike" | Strawberry Letter - "I Want Him To Talk To Me" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Winter Weather | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Tammi 1h 32min

FULL SHOW: Childhood Memories, Strawberry Letter: 1 Husband 3 Men - 1.20.26

20 Tammi 1h 31min

Celebrating The Life & Legacy Of Dr Martin Luther King Jr - 1.19.26

19 Tammi 1h 32min

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