Uplift: Explores how she created a network of childcare centers in Maryland.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Keanna Sanders. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To highlight Keanna Sanders’ entrepreneurial journey from fashion merchandising to founding Sandbridge Early Learning Center, a network of childcare facilities in Maryland. The interview explores her motivations, challenges, and vision for empowering families and communities through early childhood education. 🧭 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Early Inspiration & Passion for Children Keanna’s love for children began at age 13, helping her grandmother care for infants and toddlers. Quote: “I was always around children… babysitting cousins, neighbors, and helping my grandmother with single moms’ kids.” 2. Education & Certifications Studied Fashion Merchandising at University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Fashion Institute of Technology. Earned childcare certifications (e.g., 45-hour and 90-hour credentials) to qualify as a teacher in Maryland. Quote: “I went and got my certifications in childcare so I could make a little extra money.” 3. Entrepreneurial Drive Keanna always knew she wanted to be her own boss, even before understanding what entrepreneurship meant. Quote: “I didn’t want to work a 9 to 5. I wanted to travel and make my own schedule.” 4. Serial Entrepreneurship Owned a car dealership called Trendy Motors before launching Sandbridge. Used profits from car sales and a bank loan to fund her childcare business. Quote: “I sold my first car and said, ‘I’m going to start a car business.’ That success helped me launch Sandbridge.” 5. Founding Sandbridge Early Learning Center The name “Sandbridge” combines her last name (Sanders) with the concept of “bridging the gap” between parents and children. Quote: “Sandbridge means bridging the gap between parents and kids.” 6. Curriculum & Learning Philosophy Uses Frog Street Curriculum for infants to age 5. Employs certified public school teachers through grants to prepare children for elementary school. Quote: “We want children to be ready for school. We teach through themes, tummy time, reading, and physical activities.” 7. Family Engagement & Community Impact Hosts family nights, festivals, and educational field trips. Offers financial support, discounts, and free meals to families in need. Quote: “We go above and beyond… sometimes I waive fees or help with scholarship applications.” 8. Franchise Vision & Branding Plans to franchise Sandbridge nationally with consistent branding across locations. Quote: “I want every Sandbridge to look the same—like Chick-fil-A or Walgreens.” 9. Overcoming Bias & Embracing Identity Initially hid her ownership due to fear of bias but later embraced her identity and impact. Quote: “You didn’t work this hard not to be recognized. People deserve to know who you are.” 10. Faith, Risk-Taking & Advice Attributes her success to faith, persistence, and taking risks. Quote: “Out of ten no’s, you’ll get one yes. Be consistent, be persistent, and lean on God.” 📍 Current Status Operates six locations in Maryland: three full sites and three before/after care programs. Serves nearly 400 children. Actively working on franchising the business. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brand Building: He emphasizes discipline, emotional intelligence, and people skills - AI is not a threat..
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To highlight Dr. Will Moreland’s journey from combat veteran to global leadership expert, and to share his insights on executive coaching, building winning cultures, overcoming fear, and turning passion into profit through his Million Dollar Speaker Framework. 🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Background & Credentials Two-time combat military veteran (Bosnia and Iraq). Business Hall of Fame inductee. Founder of Moreland Training & Associates. Holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership. Based in Phoenix, Arizona. 2. Leadership Philosophy Leadership begins with self-leadership. Civility—defined as “intentional respect for others”—is key to productivity and profitability. “People respected are more productive.” Focus on people before profit to build sustainable success. 3. Building Winning Cultures Uses the Civility Advantage Framework with six pillars: Clarity: Define how you want your culture to feel. Communication: Reinforce cultural values consistently. Consistency: Embed values into daily operations. Offers anonymous assessments to audit company culture and align leadership with employee experience. 4. Executive Coaching & Leadership Development Helps leaders transition from task-based roles to people-based leadership. Uses his book Leading with Civility and the CHAMPS Framework in a six-month curriculum. Emphasizes discipline, emotional intelligence, and people skills. 5. Overcoming Fear Fear is often a result of lack of information. Encourages leaders to confront fear with clarity and education. Example: AI is not a threat, but a tool to enhance productivity. “You won’t be replaced by AI—you’ll be replaced by someone who embraced AI.” 6. Million Dollar Speaker Framework (PAM Formula) Positioning: Define your unique message (e.g., Les Brown’s “You gotta be hungry!”). Advantage: Identify your competitive edge. Marketing: Deliver consistent messaging to build brand recognition. 7. Living from Your CORE A personal decision-making framework: C – Clarity O – Opportunities R – Relationships E – Experiences “If it doesn’t align with your CORE, it’s a no.” 8. Legacy & Impact Committed to training better humans and promoting the Golden Rule. Believes in empowering others through leadership, civility, and education. 💬 Notable Quotes “Civility is profitable. Incivility costs billions.” “Discipline is the bridge from where you are to where you want to be.” “Fear is just information. The more you know, the less you fear.” “You don’t need a lot of people—you need the right people.” “Live from your CORE: Clarity, Opportunities, Relationships, Experiences.” 📌 Final Thoughts Dr. Will Moreland’s interview is a masterclass in leadership, personal growth, and business strategy. His frameworks and philosophies offer practical tools for entrepreneurs, executives, and aspiring speakers to build impactful careers and cultures. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brand Building: A national initiative founded by Grammy winner Pharrell Williams that funds and mentors Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Felecia Hatcher. Purpose of the Interview To spotlight Black Ambition, a national initiative founded by Pharrell Williams that funds and mentors Black and Brown entrepreneurs. To promote the upcoming Black Ambition Demo Day and Fundable Founders Forum in Miami. To inspire entrepreneurs by sharing insights on scaling businesses, accessing resources, and building wealth. Key Takeaways About Black Ambition Founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Has invested in 131 companies over five years. Provides capital, mentorship, and holistic support (including mental health). Event Details Demo Day (Nov 14): Entrepreneurs pitch and receive funding. Fundable Founders Forum (Nov 15): Masterclasses with industry leaders like Steve Stoute, Nancy Twine, and Linda Clemens. Focus on actionable strategies, not just inspiration. Competition Structure Annual national competition with 2,500–3,000 applications. Categories include HBCU founders, national finalists, top prize winners, and people’s choice. Process: Applications → 250 semifinalists → 3-month cohort → Top 20–25 awarded funding. Challenges & Advice Many entrepreneurs fail due to rushed applications and lack of preparation. Success requires persistence: “Apply again” if you fail. Building a team is essential—Black Ambition does not invest in solopreneurs. Impact on Black Women Fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs but often limited by resources. Need to shift from solopreneurship to team-building for scalability. Pharrell’s Motivation Believes in democratizing opportunity. Inspired by those who invested in him early in his career. Goal: Close wealth and opportunity gaps quickly—“Wealth has a need for speed.” How to Get Involved Visit blackambitionprize.com and join the newsletter for alerts and resources. Past winners share insights in info sessions. Notable Quotes On closing gaps:“People are too comfortable wasting the time of Black entrepreneurs with misaligned resources and low vibrational mentorship.” On persistence:“If it doesn’t work on you in that moment, it works for you in that moment. Either way, it works.” On Pharrell’s vision:“Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.” On entrepreneurship mindset:“We have to start enjoying the process that molds us, not just say, ‘I didn’t make it, I’m upset.’” On Black women entrepreneurs:“They’re the fastest growing, but largely solopreneurs. We need them to think about building teams.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Financial Tip: Discusses private nonprofit lending organization that focuses on underserved and rural communities.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Craig Calafati. Executive Vice President and Director of Lending for Arkansas Capital Corporation, a private nonprofit lending organization. Key Highlights: 🏢 About Arkansas Capital Corporation Founded in 1957 by Governor Rockefeller to foster entrepreneurship and industrial growth in Arkansas. Focuses on underserved and rural communities, especially communities of color. Recently received an SPLC (Small Business Lending Company) license from the SBA, allowing them to lend nationwide. 💼 Services Offered Small Business Lending: Now expanding beyond Arkansas to surrounding SEC states. EB-5 Program: For immigrants investing in U.S. job-creating projects. New Market Tax Credits: For large-scale developments. Governor’s Cup: A Shark Tank-style pitch competition for college students. 💡 Business Advice & Lending Process Business Plan: Essential for loan approval. It should detail operations, challenges, and financial projections. Online Application: Full application available at capital.com, not just an inquiry form. Required Documents: Business plan, tax returns, bank statements, cost documents, resume, and more. Mentorship: They monitor applications and proactively reach out to assist applicants. 💳 Lines of Credit Recommended for small businesses to handle unexpected expenses. Especially critical for businesses with payroll or upfront costs like construction. 🏦 SBA Lending Clarification SBA does not lend money directly. SBA provides guarantees to approved lenders like Arkansas Capital, reducing lender risk. Programs discussed: 7(a) and 504, not PPP or disaster relief loans. 🧠 Key Takeaways Know exactly what you need and why before applying for a loan. A well-thought-out business plan is your roadmap and proof of preparedness. SBA-backed loans are not free money—they must be repaid. #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brand Building: She challenges stereotypes about Africa’s capabilities and resources.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Valerie Obaze. Founder of R&R Skincare. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Highlight Valerie Obaze’s entrepreneurial journey in founding R&R Skincare. Challenge stereotypes about Africa’s capabilities and resources. Promote African-made beauty products and their global relevance. Inspire others, especially women and diaspora Africans, to invest in and build businesses rooted in African heritage. 🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Breaking African Stereotypes Valerie and Rushion discuss how Africa is often misrepresented in Western media. Valerie emphasizes that ignorance is not always malicious, but it’s time to reframe the narrative through firsthand experience and platforms like social media. “Ignorance doesn’t always have to be an insult. If you don’t know, you just don’t know better.” – Valerie Obaze 2. The Birth of R&R Skincare Inspired by the birth of her daughter, Valerie sought natural skincare solutions. She discovered liquid shea oil, which became her first product. The brand name “R&R” stands for Rebecca Rose (her daughter’s name) and also Rest & Relaxation. “I wanted to create a product that makes using these raw materials from the continent enjoyable.” – Valerie Obaze 3. From Garage to Global Valerie started in her mother-in-law’s garage, turning it into a compliant mini factory. She had no formal business plan, relying on her PR and branding background. The brand now has three stores: one in Lagos and two in Accra, including one at the airport. 4. Authenticity and African Pride Valerie insists on maintaining the African identity of her brand. She uses locally sourced ingredients and ensures cruelty-free testing. The brand supports women in the supply chain, creating economic opportunities. “We don’t intend to hide that in any way. We just wanted to make raw materials sexy.” – Valerie Obaze 5. Expansion to the U.S. Valerie is expanding R&R Skincare to the U.S., leveraging social media, activations, and PR expertise. Products are manufactured in Africa, but distributed from U.S. warehouses to ensure timely delivery. “We found our tribe over here… and this was the right time to come back to America.” – Valerie Obaze 🧴 Product Highlights Shea Oil – First product, moisturizing and healing. Body Butter – Whipped, light, and rich in essential oils. Liquid Black Soap – Modern take on traditional African cleansing. Hand Cream – Convenient and portable for dry conditions. 🌍 Big Picture Vision Valerie’s goal is to grow an African brand globally, showcasing the richness of African resources and empowering local economies. “This is just a small representative of the entire continent and what it is capable of.” – Valerie Obaze #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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