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 Paul Dashevsky.

Serial entrepreneur and founder of Maxwell, a platform focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as tiny homes:

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To educate listeners on the growing trend of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), their practical uses, legal considerations, and how platforms like Maxwell help homeowners navigate the process of building or buying tiny homes—especially in light of new options like Amazon’s prefab homes.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

1. What Are ADUs?

   • Formerly known as tiny homes or granny flats, ADUs are small, secondary housing units built on residential properties.
   • They range from 150 to 1200 square feet and serve various purposes: rentals, studios, housing for aging parents, or personal retreats.

2. Growing Popularity

   • Driven by housing shortages and affordability issues, especially in states like California.
   • Governments are easing restrictions to allow more ADUs to be built, including San Diego’s initiative to allow unlimited ADUs if they’re affordable.

3. Use Cases

   • Rental income
   • Housing for retirees or aging parents
   • Studios (music, yoga), guest houses, or nanny quarters

4. Amazon’s Entry

   • Amazon now sells prefab two-story tiny homes under \$50,000.
   • While appealing, buyers must understand the additional costs and logistics: foundation, utilities, permits, and construction.

5. Legal & Practical Considerations

   • ADUs must be permitted and built to code to be safe and legally rentable.
   • Homeowners should consult their city’s building department before starting.
   • A certificate of occupancy is required for someone to legally live in the unit.

6. Maxwell Platform

   • Offers resources, videos, and guidance for anyone interested in building or buying ADUs.
   • Helps users find reliable contractors and understand the full scope of building an ADU.

7. Impact on Property Value

   • ADUs generally increase property value by adding rentable living space.
   • They are a viable wealth-building strategy through real estate investment.

8. Social Impact

   • ADUs could be a solution to homelessness by providing affordable housing options.
   • Cities like San Diego are already exploring this potential.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “You’re not building a Lego kit here.” — Paul Dashevsky on the complexity of constructing ADUs
• “There’s no success without sacrifice.” — Rushion McDonald, echoing the theme of entrepreneurship
• “Go down to your building department at your city and ask them what guidelines they have.” — Paul’s advice on starting an ADU project
• “If you invest in real estate… that’s a great way to build wealth.” — Paul on the financial benefits of ADUs
• “I wish America would look at the possibilities of seeing what ADUs can do for the homeless community.” — Rushion McDonald on the social potential of tiny homes

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed T. Dallas Smith.

Founder and CEO of T. Dallas Smith & Company, the largest African American-owned pure tenant rep commercial real estate firm in the U.S. The discussion focused on mentorship, breaking barriers in real estate, and transformative community development.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

Breaking Barriers in Commercial Real Estate

• Smith shared his journey as a trailblazer in commercial real estate, overcoming industry challenges as a Black entrepreneur.
• He emphasized the importance of representation and mentorship in helping minorities enter the field.

Transformative Community Development

• His firm is focused on revitalizing marginalized communities through strategic real estate investments.
• He discussed the impact of Microsoft’s land acquisition near Bankhead Highway, which has led to new development opportunities.

Mentorship & Leadership Growth

• Smith launched the Wisdom Circle, a mentorship initiative to educate young professionals about commercial real estate.
• He believes that exposure is key to increasing diversity in the industry.

Atlanta’s Commercial Real Estate Boom

• As President of the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS®, Smith highlighted the $47.6 billion in transactions completed by its members.
• He stressed that brokers play a crucial role in shaping urban development.

📘 About T. Dallas Smith

1. Dallas Smith is a visionary leader in commercial real estate, dedicated to mentorship, community uplift, and industry transformation. His firm specializes in tenant representation, office space, industrial facilities, and land acquisitions.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee.

Purpose of the Interview

• To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur.
• To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics.
• To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities.
• To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment.

Key Takeaways

1. Early Career & Education

   • Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals.
   • Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow.
   • Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker.

2. Social Media as a Business Tool

   • Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms.
   • Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility.
   • Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.”

3. Financial Literacy & Homeownership

   • African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge.
   • Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits.
   • Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit).

4. Real Estate Process

   • Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing.
   • Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days.
   • Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved.

5. Pooling Resources for Wealth

   • Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication.
   • Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends.
   • Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs.

6. Amazon DSP Opportunity

   • Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees).
   • Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant.
   • Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations.

7. Construction Business

   • Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects.
   • Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed.
   • Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta.
   • Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics.

8. Personal Background

   • Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents.
   • Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early.
   • Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency.

Notable Quotes

• On embracing discomfort:
  “I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.”

• On social media:
  “You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.”

• On financial literacy:
  “Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.”

• On collaboration:
  “Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.”

• On planning:
  “If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Franchising Journey

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

6. 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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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 share insights on entrepreneurship, access to resources, and strategies for scaling businesses.
• To inspire and educate small business owners and innovators on how to leverage opportunities for growth.

Key Takeaways

1. About Black Ambition

   • Founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.
   • Provides capital, mentorship, and masterclasses to help founders scale.
   • Has invested in 131 companies and awarded millions in funding.

2. Competition Structure

   • Annual national competition with 2,500–3,000 applications.
   • Categories include HBCU, National Finalists, Top Prize Winner, People’s Choice.
   • Process: Applications → 250 semifinalists → 3-month cohort → Demo Day for top 20–25 companies.

3. Unique Approach

   • Focus on high-quality mentorship, not “low vibrational” guidance.
   • Includes mental health and wellness support for entrepreneurs.
   • Partnerships with brands like Louis Vuitton for luxury retail insights.

4. Challenges for Entrepreneurs

   • Many fail by rushing applications and skipping info sessions.
   • Success requires clarity, traction, and persistence—sometimes multiple attempts.
   • Black women are the fastest-growing entrepreneurs but often remain solopreneurs; Black Ambition prioritizes team-building.

5. Pharrell’s Motivation

   • Believes in democratizing opportunity: “Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.”
   • Inspired by those who believed in him early in his career.

6. Felecia Hatcher’s Journey

   • Former founder of Center for Black Innovation and Black Tech Week.
   • Emphasizes resilience: “I’m a C student and a college dropout, but I never let that define me.”
   • Advocates for creative pathways to success and capital access.

Notable Quotes

• “Success leaves clues.” – On learning from past winners.
• “Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.” – Pharrell’s guiding principle.
• “If it doesn’t work on you in that moment, it works for you in that moment. Either way, it works.” – On persistence.
• “We have to start enjoying the process… be stretched, be cut by the process.” – On entrepreneurial growth.
• “Wealth has a need for speed.” – On urgency in closing the wealth gap.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Marsha Evans.

Purpose of the Interview

• To highlight Marsha Evans’ work as a licensed professional counselor and founder of Willow Tree Counseling and Educational Center.
• To explore strategies for navigating life’s complex stages, breaking generational patterns, and building authentic relationships.
• To provide actionable insights for entrepreneurs and individuals on self-awareness, fear management, and relationship dynamics.

Key Takeaways

1. Understanding Complexity

   • Life stages vary in complexity for each person—middle school for some, adulthood for others.
   • Evans emphasizes listening and identifying what balance, peace, or contentment means for each individual.

2. Early Awareness and Discipline

   • At age 12, Evans set a goal to earn a scholarship, showing intentionality and discipline.
   • Athletics taught her teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, shaping her leadership style.

3. Reading the Room

   • Start by reading yourself—know your energy and intentions.
   • Authenticity and confidence are key to building relationships and leveraging opportunities.

4. Fear and Family Systems

   • Fear often originates from family systems and generational patterns, not just personal experiences.
   • Example: Parents’ limited worldview can project fear of the unknown onto children.
   • Recognizing these patterns helps individuals break cycles and pursue their own paths.

5. Generational Patterns & Healing

   • Evans uses Genograms (visual family trees) to identify psychological and behavioral patterns across three generations.
   • Acceptance of parents and family history is crucial for personal and professional growth.
   • Rejecting parents = rejecting life and success; honor them while creating new narratives.

6. Practical Steps for Change

   • Build a relationship with yourself through solitude, meditation, yoga, and movement.
   • Reduce stress (cortisol levels) to improve clarity and decision-making.
   • Examine your money story—how family attitudes toward money shape your financial behavior.

7. Relationships

   • Romantic: Partners often mirror unresolved childhood issues; do inner work to avoid projecting.
   • Professional: Maintain boundaries; emotional needs should not be placed on workplace relationships.
   • Personal: Define roles clearly; avoid expecting friends to fill parental gaps.

8. Consistency and Authenticity

   • Success requires consistency with yourself before expecting it from others.
   • Ask: Are your goals truly yours or influenced by societal expectations?

Notable Quotes

• “I become a visitor in your world and start listening to your story.”
• “Reading the room starts with reading yourself.”
• “Fear is often not yours—it comes from your family system.”
• “You can’t reject your parents; when you reject your mother, you reject life.”
• “Consistency with yourself is key to achieving the results you desire.”
• “Your partner cannot carry the burden of your parents.”
• “People are divorced from themselves—I teach them how to get married to themselves.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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