Darlene McCoy, Santia Deck & Dave Anderson aka the Business Bully

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Tremayne Thompson. A co-owner of Perfect Note, a dinner supper club with locations in Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia. The conversation is a rich blend of entrepreneurship, community service, music, and food culture. 🎶 About Perfect Note Concept: A dinner supper club offering live music and Southern cuisine, catering to a mature audience (ages 30+). Locations: Birmingham, AL (original) and Marietta, GA (Atlanta metro). Atmosphere: Grown folks’ vibe—no hookah, no club chaos, just good music, good food, and good company. 🧑🏾‍🤝‍🧑🏾 Founders & Origins Co-owned by Tremayne Thompson and his wife Karen (hence “TK Productions”). Started as gospel concert promoters in Chicago. Moved to Alabama in 2008 after a family loss and launched Perfect Note in Bessemer with a Gerald Albright concert. Initially operated out of a banquet hall, setting up and breaking down everything themselves. 📈 Growth & Expansion Perfect Note evolved into a full-fledged venue in 2016. Expanded to Atlanta due to demand from patrons traveling from Georgia to Alabama. Featured in the Huffington Post as one of the top 100 businesses to visit in the U.S. 🍽️ Food & Hospitality Offers Wednesday–Saturday dinner service and Sunday brunch with live music. Website: perfectnoteliveatl.com Tremaine’s culinary journey began at Waffle House, where he learned speed cooking and kitchen management under pressure. Emphasizes quality and consistency in food service, even during high-volume events. 💬 Philosophy & Community Impact Business is rooted in service, not profit. During COVID, they pivoted to drive-up service with $5 meals, feeding the community. Believes in mentorship and sharing knowledge freely with aspiring entrepreneurs. 🗣️ Key Takeaways Mentorship is vital: Learn from those who’ve walked the path. Serve first: Community support follows genuine service. Plan wisely: Dreams need operational structure and financial planning. Create culture: Music and food unite people across demographics. #SHMS #STRAW # #AMISupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Sep 23min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dominique Leonard. Founder of Jus' Free, a parole package provider. Here are some key highlights and themes from the conversation: 🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. From Incarceration to Inspiration Dominique Leonard was sentenced to life in prison for a non-aggravated robbery. He discovered that “life” sentences can vary, and his was eligible for parole after 5.5 to 6 years. He was denied parole initially, which led him to take control of his own legal journey. 2. Birth of “Jus' Free” After being denied parole, Dominique created his own parole package with the help of his family. He realized many inmates are unaware of how they are presented to the parole board. This inspired him to found Jus' Free, a service that helps inmates humanize themselves through custom parole packages. 3. Faith, Family, and Redemption Dominique credits his faith and family for his transformation. He emphasizes that making a bad decision doesn’t make someone a bad person. His story is a testament to second chances and the power of self-advocacy. 4. Entrepreneurial Journey After release, he started with humble jobs and gradually built Just Free into a business. He took a paralegal course to deepen his legal knowledge. He began by contacting inmates directly and now boasts an 82% success rate in helping clients secure parole. 5. Impact and Legacy Dominique’s work not only helps inmates but also supports their families. His story is a reminder of the importance of empathy, support systems, and believing in redemption. #AMI #STRAW #BEST #SHMS Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Sep 25min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Tiffani Neal. Founder of Barlow’s Foods. Here's a detailed summary of the key themes and takeaways from this episode: 🥞 Guest Spotlight: Tiffany Neal, Founder of Barlow’s Foods 🚀 From Corporate Sales to Pancake Mix Tiffany transitioned from a corporate sales career to launching a food brand from her home kitchen. The idea sparked when friends raved about her homemade pancakes, prompting her to explore turning it into a business. 🧁 The Birth of Barlow’s Named after her grandfather, whose photo inspired the brand name. Started by testing pancake mix recipes and packaging them in ice cream pint containers for friends and family. Positive feedback (except from one friend!) encouraged her to refine the product and move forward. 🛒 Product Line & Expansion 🥞 Barlow’s 3-in-1 Mix One mix, three uses: pancakes, waffles, and biscuits. Vegan-friendly base—no dairy or animal byproducts. Just add milk, egg, and butter (or alternatives) to prepare. 🍯 Syrup Line Started with a homemade peach cobbler syrup that won the Flavor of Georgia 2023 Product of the Year. Now includes seven syrups, such as: Peach Cobbler (flagship) Strawberry Bourbon Blueberry Lemon Sweet Potato Gingerbread Maple (imported from Canada) Seasonal flavors rotate throughout the year. 🏪 Retail Growth & Strategy 🛍️ From Trunk Sales to Store Shelves Began selling out of her car and at local farmer’s markets. Entered contests to gain exposure—winning Flavor of Georgia led to a deal with Fresh Market. Now in 45+ Food Lion stores across Georgia and expanding. 📦 Packaging & Branding Designed to be bold and nostalgic, with a red label and illustrated pancake stack. Packaging is intentionally clear to help customers easily identify the product. 🧠 Business Insights & Advice 🛠️ Operations & Manufacturing Recently expanded to a larger production facility. Works with UGA and food scientists to ensure quality and compliance. Handles everything from production to in-store demos and staff training. 👥 Team Building Focuses on hiring people who are passionate about startups and flexible with evolving processes. Emphasizes the importance of documentation and clear expectations. 📈 Keys to Success “Do the work.” Tiffany credits her success to hard work, focus, and persistence. Believes in setting goals and taking consistent action to achieve them. 🌍 Vision for the Future Tiffany aims to make Barlow’s a global pantry staple and a legacy brand that evokes nostalgia and family tradition. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Sep 30min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Yahya Muhammad. Topic: Entrepreneurship, legacy, and community impact through his ice cream business, Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream Yahya Muhammad shares his journey from tasting unforgettable homemade ice cream as a child to founding one of Chicago’s most beloved ice cream brands. His story is one of perseverance, cultural pride, and community service, rooted in faith and inspired by family and fraternity. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview Highlight Yahya’s entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream. Inspire small business owners and creatives to pursue their passions despite obstacles. Showcase the importance of community engagement and mentorship. Celebrate Black excellence and cultural legacy through food and service. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🍨 The Origin Story Inspired by a woman selling homemade ice cream in Avalon Park, Chicago. Spent six years perfecting his own recipe. First flavor: Honey Cinnamon Graham Cracker “I had no idea it would take about six years to learn how to make it.” 🎓 Education & Influence Holds a Master’s in Sociology from Western Illinois University. Influenced by teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Minister Louis Farrakhan. Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which instilled discipline and perseverance. “I learned principles… immutable principles that I’ve been striving to apply.” 🚗 From Trunk to Storefront Started selling ice cream out of the trunk of his car in 1996. Grew from renting a room in a beauty salon to multiple storefronts. Now operates in Bronzeville, a historic Chicago neighborhood. “I didn’t even have a business license… I just believed.” 🏆 Signature Flavors Known for nostalgic, Southern-inspired flavors: Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Vanilla Banana Pudding Georgia Peach Cobbler Bourbon Butter Pecan Southern Black Walnut “Our goal is to take you right back down memory lane.” 💡 Business Philosophy Focuses on customer experience over product. Staff are trained as helpers, not just workers. Emphasizes service, quality, and pricing — but prioritizes service. “The food is not the number one thing. The number one thing is the service.” 🌍 Community Impact Grew up in an underserved area of Chicago. Hires from the community and mentors youth. Dedicated the business to his late sister, Shawn Michelle, who inspired his culinary journey. “I want to be a part of that inspiration… to give the baton to the next generation.” 📈 Expansion Plans Looking to expand to Atlanta, calling it “the Mecca.” Envisions taking the brand nationwide while maintaining its cultural and community roots. “The future of Shawn Michelle’s is to be national.” 💬 Memorable Quotes “Faith over fear — I believed, I committed, I accepted the challenge.” “You have to see something different to be something different.” “I don’t have workers. I have helpers.” “I want to be a part of that that helps give them a new idea.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Sep 34min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Charisse M. Williams. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To explore Charisse Williams’ journey from law and nonprofit leadership to becoming a certified leadership and wellbeing coach. The interview highlights her work with women of color through her brand Everyday Yellow Sanctuary, her book The Joy of Thriving While Black, and her mission to help others reclaim joy, clarity, and purpose. 🧠 Interview Summary 1. Background & Career Path Charisse is a lawyer by training who transitioned into nonprofit leadership. Her coaching journey began after a donor offered to pay for her to receive coaching, which transformed her life. She now helps women of color overcome burnout and reconnect with their purpose. Quote: “That coach was transformative for me… it planted the seed that maybe I would like to be the guide I wish I had.” 2. Everyday Yellow Sanctuary A community for trailblazing women of color to find joy and support. Inspired by her color-coded calendar where yellow represents joy and fun. Trademarked the brand after a branding expert recognized its potential. Quote: “Every day there has to be yellow… even a moment of joy in every single day.” 3. Coaching Philosophy Coaching is a partnership to help clients achieve specific goals. Focuses on asking the right questions to help clients unlock their own answers. Emphasizes clarity, confidence, and joy as outcomes. Quote: “Where are you now? Where do you want to be? What’s getting in the way?” 4. Mental Health & Social Justice 2020 was a turning point for Black mental health awareness. Her book was inspired by the trauma of witnessing police violence and the need for joy as resistance. Quote: “I was literally having nightmares about encounters with the police… I saw the hashtag Black Joy… and I got a download: write a book called Thriving While Black.” 5. Age & Fear Charisse started her business at age 48 and encourages others not to let age be a barrier. Most of her clients are in their 40s and 50s, seeking transformation and fulfillment. Quote: “It is not too late and you are not too old.” 6. Burnout & Overperformance Burnout is common among women of color due to societal pressure to overperform. Differentiates high performance (healthy ambition) from overperformance (driven by unworthiness). Quote: “Overperformance is trying to outrun unworthiness… we need to do some unlearning.” 7. Dream in Color Visioning Framework A tool to help clients articulate what a meaningful life looks like across multiple dimensions: career, relationships, joy, spirituality, etc. Encourages intentional planning and action toward that vision. Quote: “Pain pushes until the vision pulls.” 8. Community & Accountability The sanctuary offers weekly check-ins, goal setting, and accountability. Research shows that writing and speaking goals increases success rates dramatically. Quote: “If you have a vision, a plan, and accountability, your success can go up by 95%.” ✅ Key Takeaways Coaching is transformative and helps unlock clarity and purpose. Joy is essential and should be intentionally cultivated daily. Mental health matters, especially for communities of color. Age is not a limitation—transformation can happen at any stage. Burnout is real, and overperformance is often rooted in deeper issues. Community support and accountability are powerful tools for growth. Intentional living through frameworks like Dream in Color can lead to lasting change. 📚 Resources & Links Website & Community: charissemwilliams.com/community Book: The Joy of Thriving While Black – available on Bookshop and other retailers. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Sep 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, September 25th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Sick & Shut In" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Would You Rather | Ask The CLO | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Hooking Up At The Daycare" | Strawberry Letter - "My Boyfriend Hates The Word No" Parts 1-2 | Good Relationships | Social Media Advice | Steve Harvey's Voicemail | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Sep 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Thursday, September 25th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Pump Yo Brakes, Mama" | Ask The RTLO & Junior | Entertainment News | Jimmy Kimmel's Return | Random Questions | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Sick & Shut In" | Strawberry Letter - "I'm The Captain Of This Ship" Parts 1-2 | Sports Talk With Junior | Social Media Advice | Grandma Baby Showers | Would You Rather | Nephew Tommy's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Sep 1h 31min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, September 24th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Bump & Grind" | Ask The RTLO & Junior | Special Guest: Sheryl Underwood Parts 1-3 | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Bump & Grind" | Strawberry Letter - "The Kitchen & The Bedroom" Parts 1-2 | Sports Talk With Junior | Social Media Advice | Wellness Wednesday sponsored by Pfizer | Would You Rather | Nephew Tommy's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Sep 1h 31min