Plan before you Leap: Ayala is building her part-time business while still working full-time in the financial services field.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Audreanna Ayala. 🎙️ Episode Summary She shares her inspiring journey from corporate finance professional to creative entrepreneur and founder of Ayala Balloon Events. Specializing in balloon décor and modern bounce house rentals, she has carved a niche in gender reveal events, blending artistry, family inspiration, and business savvy to create unforgettable experiences. 🔑 Key Points 👩💼 Background & Business Launch Works full-time in financial services while building her balloon décor business. Started in 2018 after becoming a mother and wanting to create unique party experiences for her children. Learned balloon artistry through Pinterest inspiration and formal balloon décor classes. “I’m an artist—a balloon décor artist—not a balloon twister.” 🎈 Business Focus: Balloon Décor & Bounce Houses Offers custom balloon installations for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events. Provides modern bounce house rentals—elegant, white, and photo-friendly for adult events like bridal showers. Known for gender reveal setups with fireworks, detonators, and personalized backdrops. “I’m creating core memories for every event in your life.” 💡 Creative Process & Client Experience Clients often bring inspiration photos, which she adapts with her own artistic flair. Emphasizes originality and refuses to replicate others’ designs exactly. Offers consultation, setup, and follow-up to ensure satisfaction. “I want people to know me for my technique—not someone else’s.” 📣 Marketing & Branding Promotes primarily through Instagram, showcasing videos, stories, and behind-the-scenes content. Leverages her identity as a mother and perfectionist to connect with clients emotionally. “I know what it’s like to be a mom. I want everything to be perfect.” 🚩 Challenges & Pain Points Corporate Events: Time constraints and setup logistics. Gender Reveals: Ensuring the correct gender color and managing firework safety. Last-Minute Changes: Accommodated when possible, but with additional fees. “I don’t wear pink or blue to gender reveals—I stay neutral so I don’t give anything away.” 💰 Pricing & Operations Prices based on: Materials and equipment Labor and setup time Insurance and safety Additional staff for large events Emphasizes the importance of insurance and safety protocols, especially for fireworks and bounce houses. 🚀 Vision & Expansion Plans to expand gender reveal services beyond Georgia. Inspired by trends in Miami and aims to become a national leader in gender reveal experiences. Encouraged by Rushion to own her niche and market herself as the go-to expert. “You are the queen of gender reveals. Own it.” — Rashawn McDonald 📌 Quotes to Highlight “Life doesn’t always go in order, but we can still create core memories.” “I’m not in the business of replicating someone else’s art.” “I want to be at the head of the gender reveal movement.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
13 Maj 28min
Recapping Mothers Day, The Pastors, Sista O'Dell, Raymond In The Closet, and more - 05.12.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Monday, May 12th, 2025: Steve Harvey and the crew start the show off by recapping their Mothers days. The Pastors are in again to share a word. Steve Harvey has plenty of relationship advice in Ask The CLO & Social Media Advice. Sista O'Dell stops in to talk about her Mothers Day. Nephew Tommy runs back his classic "Raymond In The Closet" prank. There's Would You rather and a lot more!Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12 Maj 1h 32min
Discussing Smokey Robinson Accusations, Tommy IS Legendary, A$AP Rocky Shouts Out Black Fathers, & more - 05.09.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, May 9th, 2025: Steve starts off the show by discussing Tommy's "legendary" status. A$AP Rocky is catching criticism for shouting out Black fathers. Steve Harvey and the crew discuss the allegations against Smokey Robinson. There's Would You Rather, Tommy pranking a man about his laundry, and a lot more!Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Maj 1h 32min
Worst Mothers Day Gifts, Rihana & Ciara Had Beef But It's Over, Steve Harvey's Voicemail & more - 05.08.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Thursday, May 8th, 2025: Steve starts the show off answering Junior's question about knowing your worth. The CLO deals with a divorce question, a man who helped out a coworker and is catching heat for it, and an issue with a fence. Rihana & Ciara had beef, but they squashed it at the Met Gala. We'll take a listen to Steve Harvey's Voicemail, play some Would You Rather, and get a crazy Strawberry Letter about a woman who is mad that her boyfriend's wife won't leave them alone.Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 Maj 1h 32min
Junior's Mothers Day Poem, Paul Pierce On Marriage, Strawberry Letter - I'm In Love With A Beautiful Liar - 05.07.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, May 7th, 2025: Steve starts off the show answering Junior's question about sticking to a plan. Chief Love Officer, Steve Harvey answers questions about having a boss you had sex with before they were your boss and more. Pail Pierce had some interesting thoughts on marriage and Steve Harvey had some things to say about his words. Junior has a new Mother's Day poem. Steve Tommy & Junior draft their fantasy NBA teams. There's Would You Rather, and plenty more!Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7 Maj 1h 28min
Met Gala Recap, Bill Belichick's Young Girlfriend, How Do You Know It's God - 05.06.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, May 6th, 2025: Steve starts off the show answering Junior's question about people who don't believe in God. Mr. Harvey also dishes out relationship advice in Ask The CLO. The Met Gala was last night and the stars were out. The crew discuss all of the fashion and talk about why Steve Harvey was absent from the Met Gala this year. Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett responds to President Trump. Bill Belichick has a new girlfriend who is much younger that he is, and some people are questioning things about their relationship.Nephew Tommy pretends to be from the security alarm company to prank a woman. Junior talks NBA playoffs with Steve & Tommy. There's Would You Rather, lots of inspiration and more!Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 Maj 1h 32min
Uplift: She oversees largest Black owned bank where paycheck paid 2 days early and 100,000+ Surcharge-Free ATMs.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Teri Williams. President, COO, and owner of OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the United States. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways: 🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. OneUnited Bank’s Mission & Reach Formed by merging four Black-owned banks in Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles. First Black-owned digital bank (since 2005). Serves customers in all 50 states. Offers accessible, affordable financial services and promotes financial literacy. 2. Digital Banking for Underserved Communities OneUnited provides: Mobile check deposit (via smartphone). Early direct deposit (get paid 2 days early). Access to 100,000+ surcharge-free ATMs (including Walgreens, 7-Eleven, Chase, Citibank). Designed to combat financial deserts and predatory check-cashing services in Black communities. 3. Financial Literacy & Trust Teri emphasizes the need for Black communities to trust Black-owned institutions. OneUnited is FDIC-insured and uses cutting-edge technology, including AI. Financial literacy is key to building generational wealth. 4. WiseOne AI Tool An AI-powered financial assistant that: Tracks spending and subscriptions. Offers insights on saving and debt reduction. Aggregates data from multiple accounts to show net worth, cash flow, and financial health. 5. Youth Financial Literacy – “I Got Bank” Contest 15th annual contest for kids ages 8–12. Participants submit an essay or artwork based on a financial literacy book. Ten winners receive $1,000 savings accounts. Book: I Got Bank by Teri Williams (available free at oneunited.com/book). 6. OneTransaction Concept Focuses on six key financial transactions to build generational wealth: Homeownership Life Insurance Investments Profitable Business Credit Score Savings Encourages individuals to focus on just one to start their wealth-building journey. Learn more: oneunited.com/onetransaction 💬 Notable Quotes “We are a real bank, not a fintech. We are FDIC-insured.” “We are great with money. We just haven’t always had access.” “Focus on one transaction. That’s all it takes to start building generational wealth.” #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 Maj 26min
Diddy Trial Starts Today, Jussie Smollett Settles With Chicago, Ask The CLO, Would You Rather, & more - 05.05.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Monday, May 5th, 2025: Steve starts the show off with a new intro and it has Tommy feeling some kind of way. There's some really good relationship advice from Steve Harvey in Ask The CLO and Social Media Advice, The crew discuss the Diddy trial starting and also Jussie Smollett's settlement with the Cist of Chicago. Nephew Tommy pranks an HVAC man. The Strawberry Letter, "He Needs Hennessy To Holla" is from a woman who's fed up with MOST of the things that come from her husband's excessive drinking. There's Would You Rather, and a lot more!Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5 Maj 1h 32min
