Brand Building: Share how she built the first Black woman-owned, fully licensed character brand in major retail.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed April Showers. Founder of Afro Unicorn, joins Money Making Conversations Masterclass to share how she built the first Black woman-owned, fully licensed character brand in major retail. With over $20 million in sales, Afro Unicorn celebrates diversity and empowers women and children of color. 🔑 Key Themes & Highlights Origins of Afro Unicorn April was inspired by a friend's repeated reference to her as a "unicorn," highlighting her extraordinary ability to balance multiple businesses and raise two children. Noticing existing unicorn imagery lacked representation, she created Afro Unicorn to uplift young girls of color. Challenges & Early Growth Despite facing personal hardships—including her son's hospitalization and several family losses—April remained committed to her mission. Her persistence led to a viral moment where a young girl wearing an Afro Unicorn shirt caught Walmart’s attention, resulting in a licensing deal. Licensing & Expansion Instead of manufacturing herself, April strategically partnered with licensees to distribute Afro Unicorn merchandise. Within a year, she secured 45+ licensing agreements, expanding into books, bedding, hair care, party supplies, and more. Business Strategy & Advice Trademarking Afro Unicorn early, hiring an accountant and lawyer, and writing a business plan were critical to her success. She advises entrepreneurs to visualize success, stay consistent, and never quit. Future Plans April is developing Miss April’s Crown, an animated series teaching young entrepreneurs business skills through affirmations and mentorship. 📘 About the BrandAfro Unicorn is available at major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Amazon. #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27 Joulu 33min
News You Can Use: She emphasizes the importance of authentic branding, visual storytelling, and community engagement.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Itiona Scott. 🔹 Purpose of the Interview To highlight Itiona Scott’s entrepreneurial journey, her branding philosophy, and her commitment to helping others—especially women—build authentic, impactful brands through storytelling and strategic visibility. 🔹 Summary of the Interview Itiona Scott shares her background, including her transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of authentic branding, visual storytelling, and community engagement. Her work centers around helping women entrepreneurs clarify their brand identity and use digital platforms effectively to grow their businesses. She discusses the challenges of pivoting careers, the power of storytelling in branding, and the need for entrepreneurs to align their personal values with their business goals. Itiona also touches on the importance of email marketing, auditing social media presence, and collaborating with other small businesses to build sustainable growth. 🔹 Key Takeaways 1. Authenticity Is Key Branding should reflect who you are, not just what you sell. “You are the brand. People buy into you before they buy your product.” 2. Storytelling Builds Connection Sharing personal stories (e.g., struggles, growth, wins) helps build trust and relatability. “Your story is your superpower.” 3. Social Media Isn’t Everything While social media is important, it shouldn’t be the only platform for engagement. Email marketing and community building are essential for long-term success. 4. Brand Audits Are Crucial Entrepreneurs should regularly review their digital presence to ensure consistency and alignment. “Your social media should tell a cohesive story from start to finish.” 5. Collaboration Over Competition Small businesses should work together to amplify their reach. “We’re not competing—we’re collaborating.” 6. Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Itiona is passionate about helping women pivot into entrepreneurship, especially those affected by economic shifts. “You’re not too old. You’re experienced. Use that.” 🔹 Notable Quotes “You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be valuable.” “Experience is the best teacher. I didn’t go to college, but I learned from life.” “If you stop learning, you stop growing.” “Your brand should be a reflection of your values and your vision.” #AMI #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27 Joulu 28min
Marketing and Cooking Tips: Celebrity Chef debunks myth that holiday meals must take 12 hours to prepare.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Celebrity Chef Jernard Wells. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The episode showcases: Chef Jernard Wells’ entrepreneurial journey in the culinary industry. His approach to building a brand through food products, media, and publishing. Practical cooking tips and recipes from his cookbook Southern Inspired. Encouragement for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs to simplify their process and stay true to their vision. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Brand Building Through Culinary Products Chef Jernard started with a seasoning line and expanded into sauces and cookbooks. He emphasizes volume-based sales and quality ingredients to grow his brand. 2. Leveraging Media Exposure TV appearances (e.g., Food Network, Cleo TV) helped him build visibility. He uses media as a platform to drive traffic to his brand, not just for fame. 3. Simplifying Cooking for Home Chefs Chef Jernard advocates for —organizing ingredients before cooking—to save time. He debunks the myth that holiday meals must take 12 hours to prepare. 4. Cultural Roots of Southern Cuisine He shares the African-American origins of macaroni and cheese, tracing it back to Thomas Jefferson’s chef. Emphasizes pride and heritage in traditional dishes. 5. Signature Recipes from His Cookbook Chef Jernard highlights three standout dishes from Southern Inspired: Creole Barbecue Shrimp: Jumbo prawns baked in a rich broth of garlic, Worcestershire, butter, and Creole seasoning. Whiskey Cranberry Glazed Ribs: St. Louis-style ribs brushed with a glaze made from cranberry juice and whiskey. Seafood Mac & Cheese: A decadent blend of lobster, shrimp, crab, and smoked Gouda, topped with breadcrumbs. 🗣️ Notable Quotes “Cooking is about bringing people into my world.” “You can’t win if you don’t understand yourself.” “We are refrigerator and pantry cooks… that’s why our kitchens look chaotic.” “We romanticize mac and cheese… but it’s all about the cheese.” #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27 Joulu 22min
Education: Provides test preparation for professional certifications, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and college admission exams.
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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 & PathChristopher 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 #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27 Joulu 28min
Uplift: At 24, she pivoted into financial services, has mentored over 250 life insurance agents.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brianna Johnson. A dynamic entrepreneur and founder of Legend Life Financial. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and insights from the episode: 🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Early Entrepreneurship By age 22, Brianna owned two clothing stores and a hair salon in Chicago. Inspired by her father, a long-time financial services professional, she developed a strong entrepreneurial spirit early on. 2. Transition to Financial Services At 24, she pivoted into financial services, initially resistant to the idea due to its lack of “cool” appeal. She passed her state licensing exam and is now licensed in over 30 states. Her company, Legend Life Financial, focuses on life insurance and financial education. 3. Insurance Education & Transparency Brianna emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between: Term Life Insurance: Affordable, fixed for a set term (e.g., 20–30 years), but can increase if it's an annual renewable term. Whole Life Insurance: Permanent, more expensive, builds cash value slowly. Indexed Universal Life (IUL): Tied to stock market performance with capped gains and protected downside. Universal Life: Flexible premiums, moderate cash value growth. Final Expense Policies: For individuals with health or legal issues, typically lower coverage. 4. Client Advocacy She stresses the need to ask questions like “What type of policy is this?” and to avoid blindly trusting agents—especially those who may not stay in the business long-term. She follows up with clients regularly and educates them on evolving insurance needs. 5. Mentorship & Impact Brianna has mentored over 250 life insurance agents and served more than 5,000 families. She’s passionate about empowering people of color through financial literacy and entrepreneurship. 💬 Notable Quotes “Fear is just false expectations appearing real.” “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” “You don’t have to work more to make more—you just have to work smarter.” 📍 Contact & Resources Website: LegendLife.com (spelled with a “Z” – LegzendLife.com) Phone: (312) 768-3604 Social Media: @BriannaKaylaJ on all platforms #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27 Joulu 24min
FULL SHOW: When Black Folks Leave, Strawberry Letter: I Can't Do That Often - 12.26.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, December 26th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Truck Driver Exchange" | Ask The CLO | When Black Folks Leave Somewhere | Would You Rather | Old Arguments With Your Spouse | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Panty Party" | Strawberry Letter - "I Can't Do That Often" Pt. 1-2 | One Has To Go | Social Media Advice | Having Fewer Kids | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
26 Joulu 1h 34min
FULL SHOW: Christmas Classics, Strawberry Letter: She's In The Middle Stirring Up Mess - 12.24.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, December 24th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Christmas Decorations" | Ask The CLO | Christmas Drunks | Would You Rather | Comedy Roulette: Something An Elf Might Complain About | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Truck Driver Exchange" | Strawberry Letter - "She's In The Middle Stirring Up Mess" Pt. 1-2 | Junior - No Black Elves | J Anthony Brown Murders The Hits: "Give It Up On Christmas" | Couples Who Have Each Other's Back | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
24 Joulu 1h 31min
FULL SHOW: Christmas With Sista O'Dell, Strawberry Letter: It's The D For Me - 12.23.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Eggnog" | Ask The CLO | Christmas Traditions With Sista O'Dell | Would You Rather | Santa's Schedule | Nephew Tommy's Prank - Christmas Decorations | Strawberry Letter - "It's The D For Me" Pt. 1-2 | Murder The Hit - "Sidepiece Santa Claus" | Christmas Songs With Roscoe Wallace | City With The Most Rats | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
23 Joulu 1h 32min
