The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Paul Rainey.
He holds a powerful executive role in the media world, shaping the future of iconic brands like Billboard, Rolling Stone, and SXSW.
🏆 Paul Rainey’s Executive Career at Penske Media Corporation (PMC)
Current Role
Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance at Penske Media Corporation (PMC).
Oversees operations and financial strategy for Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Vibe, SXSW, and more.
Provides strategic input across PMC’s global media brands and live events, including the Billboard Music Awards, SXSW, and American Music Awards.
Key Responsibilities
Leads financial decision-making, acquisitions, and operational procedures across PMC’s portfolio.
Serves on several boards, including as Audit Committee Chair of Redaptive, Inc. and a Director at SXSW.
Background & Education
Holds a Master of Science in Accountancy and a BBA in Finance and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame.
Formerly held leadership roles at General Electric, Global Eagle, and Harris CapRock Communications, managing billion-dollar operations across five continents.
📘 About PMC & Cultural Influence
PMC is a global media powerhouse, reaching over 350 million people monthly. Its brands shape culture through journalism, entertainment, and live events, including SXSW
Paul Rainey is a rare blend of creative storyteller and corporate strategist, bridging the worlds of graphic novels and global media leadership. Whether he’s crafting a sci-fi twist in a comic or guiding the future of Billboard and SXSW, his influence is both wide-reaching and deeply personal. Let me know if you’d like a visual timeline of his career or a deeper dive into one of his roles. 🎬📈✨

#STRAW
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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 Brand
Afro Unicorn is available at major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

#STRAW
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ken Taunton.
Founder and president of The Royster Group, a nationally recognized, certified Black-owned professional staffing firm. Here's a breakdown of the key themes and takeaways:
🎯 Key Highlights from the Interview 🏢 About The Royster Group
Founded in 2001, the firm specializes in: Executive Search (C-suite to Director level)
Healthcare Staffing (physicians, nurses, ancillary staff)

Operates nationally, serving both public and private sectors.
💼 Executive Search Insights
Royster is a retained executive search firm, meaning they are hired by companies to find top-tier talent.
Focuses on diverse, seasoned professionals with 7–10+ years of experience.
Clients include major corporations like Home Depot, Merck, and Pfizer.
Emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership and actively includes women and people of color in candidate pools.
🏥 Healthcare Staffing
Healthcare remains a high-demand field due to an aging population and workforce shortages.
Royster recruits nationally and advertises through their website, conferences, and referrals.
There’s a growing need for diverse healthcare professionals to reflect the population they serve.
🧾 Resume & Job Search Tips
Resumes should be keyword-optimized to match job descriptions.
Candidates should reach out to recruiters, follow up, and apply through multiple channels.
Avoid vague resumes—include specific achievements and metrics.
🏆 Business Philosophy & Certification
Thornton emphasizes the value of being a certified Black-owned business, not as a crutch but as a strategic advantage to gain access to opportunities.
He acknowledges the challenges and scrutiny minority businesses face and the importance of capacity and execution.
Advocates for mentorship, SBA resources, and relationship-building as keys to success.
📈 Entrepreneurial Journey
Thornton transitioned from pharmaceutical sales and HR to founding his own firm after noticing a lack of diversity in executive placements.
Started Royster with a bootstrap model—a desk, a phone, and determination.
Now leads a $20M+ company and was named Small Business Person of the Year in Georgia.

#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Travis T. Wade.
CEO of The Guardian, a private security corporation. The discussion focused on hiring the right people, leadership strategies, and the importance of HR in business success.
🔑 Key Themes & Highlights
The Importance of HR in Hiring
Wade emphasized that HR is the backbone of any business, ensuring the right people are hired and retained.
He shared insights on how HR principles translate into building a strong security team.
Finding the Right Employees
The Guardian uses a conversational interview approach rather than traditional questioning.
Wade believes that getting candidates comfortable reveals their true personality, helping assess their suitability for security roles.
Key Traits for Security Professionals
Patience is the most important quality—impatient candidates are not a good fit for security work.
Security officers must be calm, observant, and able to de-escalate situations rather than react impulsively.
Reducing Employee Turnover
Wade stressed that treating employees well after hiring is just as important as selecting the right candidates.
He shared strategies for lowering turnover by fostering a supportive work environment.
📘 About Travis T. Wade & The Guardian
Travis T. Wade is a seasoned HR professional with over 25 years of corporate experience. His company, The Guardian, operates in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina, providing armed and unarmed security, personal protection, and private investigations.
#BEST
#STRAW
#SHMS
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Keith Milner.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs by sharing Keith Milner’s journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship. It emphasizes discipline, leadership, risk-taking, and strategies for building generational wealth, particularly for underrepresented communities.
Key Takeaways
Foundational Lessons from Childhood
Growing up in a disciplined, hardworking family taught Keith accountability, integrity, and the principle of choices and consequences.
Education was highly valued in his household, shaping his drive for success.

Corporate vs. Entrepreneurial Mindset
Corporate careers can feel secure but are often riskier because you lack control over your destiny.
Entrepreneurship offers greater control and potential for generational wealth.

Leadership and Teamwork
Lessons from sports—teamwork, discipline, and leadership—translate directly into business success.
Establishing a common goal and coaching employees is crucial, but underperformers must eventually be let go.

Risk and Value
Many African-Americans view entrepreneurship as risky, but Keith argues it’s less risky than employment in an at-will state.
Success depends on creating value that customers are willing to pay for.

Franchising Journey
Relationships opened doors to Jersey Mike’s franchise ownership.
Entrepreneurship requires hands-on involvement—Keith still works in his stores when needed.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Adopt a growth mindset and positive attitude.
Follow the Five P’s: Plan, Prepare, Produce, Pivot, Persevere.
Understand that entrepreneurship is a daily grind—“Every morning in the jungle, the lion wakes up running.”

Notable Quotes
On discipline and accountability:
“If you said you were going to do something, you did it. If you were told to do something, you got it done.”

On choices:
“We make choices every day, and if you don’t make the right choice, there are consequences.”

On entrepreneurship vs. employment:
“Entrepreneurship and small business ownership is the best way to create generational wealth.”

On leadership:
“There are very few things in life you can do alone. You need people, you need a team.”

On success formula:
“You control the inputs, and therefore you can charge what you want—as long as you generate enough value.”

On entrepreneurial mindset:
“Plan, Prepare, Produce, Pivot, Persevere.”

Swahili proverb:
“Every morning in the jungle, the lion wakes up running… The question becomes, who’s going to run the fastest?”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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