The Steve Harvey Morning Show

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dave Charest.
Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, shared practical advice for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and startup founders on marketing, customer engagement, business growth, and the future of AI in marketing.
Drawing from his experience helping small businesses worldwide, Charest explained why entrepreneurship is booming, how businesses can effectively market themselves with limited budgets, and why building direct customer relationships through email marketing remains one of the most valuable assets a company can own.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview was designed to:
Explain why more people are starting businesses and pursuing entrepreneurship.
Educate business owners on effective marketing strategies.
Highlight the advantages of email marketing over relying solely on social media.
Discuss common mistakes made by new entrepreneurs.
Help small businesses understand how to build customer relationships.
Explore how AI is transforming marketing and business operations.
Provide actionable guidance for growing a brand through consistency and community engagement.
Key Takeaways 1. Entrepreneurship Continues to Grow
According to Charest, people are increasingly motivated to start businesses because they want:
Greater independence
Better control over their schedules
Increased financial potential
Many entrepreneurs are turning side hustles into full-time businesses and pursuing ownership rather than traditional employment.
2. Email Marketing Is More Valuable Than Most Entrepreneurs Realize
One of the strongest themes of the interview is the importance of owning your audience.
While social media platforms can help businesses attract attention, email marketing provides direct access to customers without relying on platform algorithms.
Charest encourages entrepreneurs to use social media as a discovery tool but move customers into channels they control, such as email and text messaging.
3. The Real Asset Is the Relationship
Businesses that own customer contact information have a direct connection that cannot be disrupted by changes in social media platforms.
Unlike followers on a social network, email subscribers have chosen to hear from a business directly.
The stronger the relationship, the greater the opportunity for future sales and engagement.
4. Small Lists Can Produce Big Results
Charest challenges the belief that businesses need massive audiences to succeed.
A small, engaged audience often produces better results than a large, passive following.
For many local businesses, quality relationships matter more than audience size.
5. Consistency Beats Perfection
When marketing a business, consistency is more important than trying every available platform.
Business owners should:
Choose channels they can maintain consistently.
Show up regularly.
Stay visible to customers.
Build trust through repetition and reliability.
His message is simple: people can't buy from businesses they forget about.
6. New Entrepreneurs Often Try to Do Too Much
One of the most common mistakes startups make is attempting to launch every marketing tactic simultaneously.
Charest recommends:
Starting small.
Building a solid foundation.
Creating manageable marketing habits.
Avoiding unrealistic expectations.
Businesses grow more effectively when they focus on a few activities and execute them well.
7. Community Matters
Successful local businesses build relationships beyond customers.
Charest emphasized the importance of connecting with:
Other local businesses
Community organizations
Referral partners
Customers in person
Strong community connections often become a business's most reliable growth engine.
8. Choose Marketing Channels That Fit Your Strengths
Different social platforms serve different purposes.
Rather than chasing every trend, entrepreneurs should focus on:
Where their audience spends time
What content they naturally enjoy creating
Which platforms they can use consistently
A sustainable strategy beats an ambitious one that is quickly abandoned.
9. Marketing Is About Staying Top of Mind
Charest defines marketing in a straightforward way:
Businesses need to remain visible so customers think of them first when they need a product or service.
The more consistently a company appears in front of its audience, the stronger its brand becomes.
10. AI Is Becoming a Powerful Marketing Tool
Charest views AI as a major opportunity for small businesses.
He discussed how AI can help:
Generate marketing content
Create email campaigns
Build marketing plans
Repurpose content across multiple channels
Analyze customer behavior
Identify new opportunities
Rather than replacing entrepreneurs, AI allows them to save time and make smarter decisions.
11. Business Owners Must Continue Learning
Technology and marketing are evolving rapidly.
Charest advises entrepreneurs to stay informed and remain open to new tools and trends, even if they do not adopt every new technology immediately.
The key is to remain adaptable and avoid being left behind.
Memorable Quotes
"People are determined to become their own bosses."
"Our mission is to help the small stand tall."
"The money is in the list."
"Your goal should always be trying to move those people to channels that you own."
"The relationships you build with customers are always going to be your most valuable asset."
"You don't really need the big numbers."
"Start small."
"Consistency is the big thing that makes marketing work."
"Marketing at its simplest level is about keeping your business top of mind."
"Small business owners are resilient."
"There isn't a Plan B. Plan A is to own this business."
"AI can save time so you can get back to the things you'd rather be doing."
Bottom Line
Dave Charest's interview is a practical playbook for entrepreneurs looking to grow a business in a crowded digital marketplace. His core message is that successful marketing is not about chasing every trend or building massive social media followings. Instead, businesses win by building genuine relationships, creating direct connections with customers through email and text marketing, staying consistent, embracing new technology like AI, and becoming a trusted part of their community. For entrepreneurs seeking sustainable growth, Charest advocates focusing on ownership, relationships, and long-term customer engagement.
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviews Jackson Dunbar.
Entrepreneur, author, and chronic pain advocate, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss his book Race Matters in Pain Medicine, his experience living with chronic pain following a serious car accident and failed back surgery, and the lessons he learned about resilience, health, and financial success. The conversation combines personal testimony, healthcare advocacy, and practical strategies for overcoming adversity.
Dunbar shared how chronic pain dramatically changed his life but ultimately pushed him to develop new approaches to physical health, financial stability, and personal growth. His story demonstrates how determination, self-education, and adaptability can help individuals thrive despite significant challenges.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aimed to:
Discuss Dunbar's book Race Matters in Pain Medicine.
Raise awareness about disparities in pain management and healthcare treatment.
Share his experience navigating chronic pain and recovery.
Inspire people facing personal, health, or professional setbacks.
Encourage financial literacy, self-help, and personal accountability.
Provide practical strategies for creating success under difficult circumstances.
Key Takeaways 1. Resilience Is a Choice
Dunbar emphasizes that while people cannot always control what happens to them, they can control how they respond. Rather than focusing on what he lost, he concentrated on what he could still accomplish.
2. Create a New Normal
A central theme of the discussion is that recovery does not always mean returning to life exactly as it was before. Success often comes from adapting and building a sustainable new reality.
3. Race Matters in Healthcare
Dunbar highlights disparities in pain treatment and argues that race can influence how patients are treated, diagnosed, and prescribed medication. His book explores these inequities and their consequences.
4. Chronic Pain Affects Every Aspect of Life
Pain impacts more than physical health. It affects emotional well-being, family relationships, work performance, finances, and overall quality of life.
5. Self-Advocacy Is Essential
Patients must become informed participants in their own healthcare. Dunbar encourages people to ask questions, seek information, and actively engage in treatment decisions.
6. Financial Education Creates Opportunity
Dunbar believes financial literacy is a critical life skill. He encourages continuous learning about investing, wealth creation, and economic trends regardless of one's circumstances.
7. Health and Wealth Are Connected
His journey demonstrates that improving health and improving finances can occur simultaneously through discipline, education, and consistent effort.
8. Apply Business Thinking to Personal Challenges
Dunbar credits much of his success to using a solutions-focused, analytical approach to managing his health, finances, and personal goals.
Memorable Quotes
"If you're about to make a change in your life and you feel uncomfortable, that's the best feeling you can have because for the first time in your life, you'll make a decision that's going to be best for you."
"I made money, lost 90 pounds, and thrived in chronic pain."
"Race matters in pain medicine."
"A strong believer in self-help, Jackson Dunbar applied solutions-focused business logic to his own health."
Bottom Line
The interview is a powerful discussion about overcoming adversity through resilience, self-advocacy, financial literacy, and personal responsibility. Jackson Dunbar's message is that while chronic pain and life-changing setbacks may alter a person's path, they do not have to define their future. By creating a new normal, staying informed, and focusing on solutions, individuals can continue to grow, succeed, and make a positive impact on others.
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Janice Omadeke.
Founder of The Mentor Method and author of Mentorship Unlocked: The Science and Art of Setting Yourself Up for Success. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways:
🔑 Key Themes & Insights 1. Janice’s Background & Vision
Former defense contractor and management consultant.
Founded The Mentor Method to address the lack of inclusive mentorship in corporate America.
One of the first Black women in the U.S. to raise over $1 million in seed funding for a tech startup.
2. What Is a Mentor?
A mentor helps you become the best version of yourself.
They don’t have to be older, in the same location, or even in the same industry.
The key is values alignment, mutual respect, and a willingness to grow together.
3. The Problem with Traditional Mentorship
Often exclusionary and based on superficial traits like race or gender.
Many mentorship programs are performative, not transformative.
True mentorship should be about growth, not conformity.
🌟 The 7 Types of Mentors You Need
Company Insider
Knows the internal politics, culture, and history of your organization.

Skill Master
Helps you refine a specific skill (e.g., public speaking, coding).

Money-Minded Mentor
Guides you on financial literacy, wealth building, and independence.

Industry Mentor
Offers insights into your field and helps you stay competitive.

Network Mentor
A connector who expands your professional circle.

Influential Ally
Uses their reputation to advocate for you and open doors.

Peer Mentor
A trusted equal who provides emotional safety and real-time support.

💬 Notable Quotes
“Mentorship is not about fixing you—it’s about amplifying who you already are.”
“If someone is trying to change your values, they’re not mentoring you.”
“You deserve to feel good about the work you do every day.”
📘 Book Mentioned
Mentorship Unlocked: The Science and Art of Setting Yourself Up for Success
A guide to building meaningful mentor relationships and advancing your career with intention.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michael Woodward.
Interview Overview
Guest: Michael Woodward
Host: Rushion McDonald
Show: Money Making Conversations Masterclass
Focus: Entrepreneurship, real estate, education, overcoming poverty, and building generational wealth
Company Featured: Woodward Property Group
Michael Woodward shares his journey from growing up in low‑income neighborhoods in Miami to becoming a successful real estate investor, contractor, and property management entrepreneur based in Atlanta. The conversation blends personal history, mindset lessons, and practical business guidance, especially for listeners from underserved communities.
Purpose of the Interview
The purpose of the interview is to:
Demystify success for everyday people by showing how discipline, education, and calculated risk can lead to financial freedom
Inspire listeners to move beyond circumstances of poverty or limitation
Teach practical strategies around education choices, real estate investing, side hustles, credit management, and seizing opportunity
Highlight community impact, mentorship, and “reaching back” to help others
Rushion McDonald consistently frames the discussion around helping the audience “stop reading other people’s success stories and start planning your own."
Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Poverty Is Relative — and Often Invisible
Woodward explains that many people grow up in poverty without realizing it because everyone around them shares the same conditions. He distinguishes between government definitions of poverty and lived experience.
Takeaway: Awareness is the first step to change; normal does not always mean acceptable.
2. Early Business Lessons Came from the Community
Woodward credits his grandmother—who ran an informal candy business in the housing projects—as his first exposure to entrepreneurship. Watching her manage inventory, customers, and cash taught him foundational business principles.
Takeaway: Entrepreneurship often begins long before formal education—especially in underserved communities.
3. Education as a Strategic Tool, Not Just a Degree
Initially planning to become a lawyer, Woodward changed direction after realizing law school would not provide the financial or social return he hoped for unless he reached elite status. A mentor guided him toward education as a pathway for impact.
He strongly recommends the Occupational Outlook Handbook as a practical guide for choosing careers based on income, longevity, and demand.
Takeaway: Choose education intentionally—based on outcomes, not prestige.
4. Service Before Profit: Two Decades in Education
Woodward spent over 20 years as a teacher and assistant principal, mentoring students, organizing college tours, and running summer STEM programs—often during his breaks.
Takeaway: Long‑term service builds perspective, discipline, and purpose that later pays dividends in business.
5. Turning a Side Hustle into Financial Freedom
While working in education, Woodward renovated homes at night and on weekends. Over time, rental income exceeded his school salary, allowing him to retire from education and focus on real estate full‑time.
Takeaway: Side hustles can become exit strategies when managed consistently and patiently.
6. Opportunity Comes from Relationships
A chance relationship with a Lowe’s executive changed Woodward’s business trajectory. When asked if he could do high‑end kitchens, he said yes—then partnered with the right experts to deliver. This led to contracts in seven Lowe’s stores across metro Atlanta.
Takeaway: You don’t have to know everything—just know who to call.
7. High‑End Thinking Changes Income Ceilings
Woodward explains the difference between standard and high‑end construction, describing six‑figure kitchens and appliances that cost more than many homes.
Takeaway: Understanding premium markets unlocks entirely different financial opportunities.
8. Two Core Business Rules: Persistence and Credit
When asked what advice he gives most often, Woodward gives two principles:
Never give up
Protect your credit
He shares how poor credit once forced him to reinvest profits just to buy tools, slowing growth. Managing credit later removed those barriers.
Takeaway: Credit is leverage. Without it, growth is harder and more expensive.
Notable Quotes
On poverty:
“A lot of people living in poverty don’t know that they’re impoverished because everybody around them looks just like them.”

On education choices:
“I wanted to make a difference… and education allowed me to do that.”

On opportunity and courage:
“You don’t have to know everything. Just get the people in your corner that do.”

On advice to entrepreneurs:
“Never give up. And protect your credit. Credit is everything.”

On consistency:
“My phone number has been the same for 23 years. I ain’t going nowhere.

Overall Impact
The interview positions Michael Woodward as a practical role model—someone who combines humility, preparation, faith, and execution. Rather than promoting quick wins, the conversation emphasizes long‑term discipline, community uplift, and strategic decision‑making.
Core message: Sustainable success is built step‑by‑step—through education, relationships, credit discipline, and the courage to say yes before you feel ready.
#SHMS #BEST #STRAW

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday August 10th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open - Cast Intros | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "Is That Your Husband?" | Ask The CLO | Trending & Entertainment News | Voting | Steve Harvey's Voicemail | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Repo Man" | Strawberry Letter - "Should I Include My Wife Or Not?" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | White House Ballroom | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
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