Money Making Conversations Master Class Podcast By Rushion McDonald cover art

Money Making Conversations Master Class

Money Making Conversations Master Class

By: Rushion McDonald
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Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success." I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

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Episodes
  • Brand Building: She aims to shift the fitness industry to include more diverse voices and accessible community wellness options.

    Brand Building: She aims to shift the fitness industry to include more diverse voices and accessible community wellness options.
    Feb 17 2026
    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 Tammeca Rochester. SUMMARY OF THE TAMMECA ROCHESTER INTERVIEW From “Money Making Conversations Master Class” with Rushion McDonald 1. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Spotlight Tammeca Rochester, founder and CEO of Harlem Cycle, and her journey from engineering and corporate marketing into entrepreneurship. Highlight the importance of holistic wellness, community‑based fitness, and representation within the fitness industry.Inspire entrepreneurs—especially Black women—to pursue business ownership, develop strong business plans, and stay committed to their vision despite barriers. Overall, the interview serves as both a success story and a lesson in entrepreneurship, community impact, and personal transformation. 2. Summary of Key Themes A. Re‑Defining Herself Through Education & Career Changes Tammeca explains why she pursued multiple degrees—from Spelman and Georgia Tech to NYU Stern—and how each phase of her life motivated a new direction. She began in engineering, shifted to business, and ultimately found her passion in wellness. B. The Birth of Harlem Cycle Launched out of personal stress relief and a desire for culturally inclusive fitness spaces.Indoor cycling reminded her of joyful childhood bike rides in Atlanta.She wanted a wellness space where Black people felt seen, represented, and culturally connected—something missing from other cycling studios she attended. C. Building a Community-Centered Fitness Brand Harlem Cycle blends movement, music, and culture, playing the genres she grew up with—reggae, soca, hip‑hop—and fostering a socially connected environment.She stresses that fitness isn’t just physical but also emotional and mental health. D. Entrepreneurship: The Real Story Tammeca self‑financed her business after being denied a bank loan.She built her studio while still working full‑time and caring for a young child.Her first year was grueling—waking up at 5:30am and working until after 9pm daily.She emphasizes the importance of writing a business plan, using realistic projections, and staying true to your vision. E. Mentorship, Representation, and Industry Impact Over 60% of her team began as Harlem Cycle clients she later trained to become instructors.She aims to shift the fitness industry to include more diverse voices and accessible community wellness options.She plans for expansion, opening a third Harlem Cycle location in Newark to serve another community with limited wellness options. 3. Key Takeaways 1. You can redefine yourself at any point in life. “We can always redefine ourselves at any moment in life.” 2. Wellness must address the whole person. “Fitness is not just physical… it’s emotional and mental well‑being.” 3. Create community spaces where people feel represented. Tammeca built Harlem Cycle because she felt isolated in other fitness spaces as the only person of color. She wanted a studio rooted in Black culture and community. 4. Entrepreneurship requires discipline, planning, and sacrifice. “Write out your plan… and stay true to your plan.” “Just because you build it doesn’t mean they’ll come.” 5. Community impact drives her business model. Harlem Cycle isn’t just a workout studio—it's a culturally rooted community center focused on mental, emotional, and physical health. 6. Representation & mentorship matter. “60% of my team started as clients that we trained.” 4. Memorable Quotes Here are the strongest, most quotable lines from Tammeca: On Reinvention “Each time has been a moment in life where I evolved because of a goal I personally wanted.” On Holistic Fitness “Fitness to me is all about how we take care of our bodies—not just our physical body, but our emotional well‑being, our mental well‑being.” On Creating Harlem Cycle “I didn’t want to be the only person of color in the room—again. I wanted a place where my community could be seen.” On Entrepreneurship “Just because you build it doesn’t mean they’ll come… back down those numbers by 90%.” On Community Impact “We’re changing the fitness industry… starting here in Harlem by training our clients to be part of the wellness industry.” On Cultural Integrity “We don’t care about competition here—it’s about community.” #SHMS...
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    33 mins
  • Brand Building: He overcame poverty and now discusses his new $1M AI Health Equity Prize.

    Brand Building: He overcame poverty and now discusses his new $1M AI Health Equity Prize.
    Feb 17 2026
    Listen and Subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 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 Demond Martin. Co‑founder and CEO of Well With All, a Black‑owned purpose‑driven wellness brand—joins Rushion McDonald to discuss health equity, entrepreneurship, his life story, his upcoming book Friends of the Good, and his new $1M AI Health Equity Prize. Martin shares how his difficult upbringing in the projects and rural North Carolina shaped his commitment to giving back. After a successful 21‑year career as the only Black partner at a major hedge fund, he launched Well With All to merge consumer products, wellness, and social impact. The brand donates 20% of its profits to health‑equity initiatives. He discusses product innovation, the importance of supplements in underserved communities, the power of Black longevity, and the need to prepare younger generations for healthier futures. He also explains his upcoming book—which uses Aristotle’s philosophy of “friends of the good” to show how meaningful relationships enable success. The conversation is energetic, inspirational, and focused on using business as a force for social good. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: 1. Introduce Well With All A wellness company offering supplements and energy drinks while funding health‑equity solutions. 2. Share Martin’s Personal Journey From poverty, trauma, and instability → to White House, Harvard Business School, and a top hedge fund. 3. Promote His Book, Friends of the Good A philosophy‑driven exploration of friendship, mentorship, and community. 4. Announce the $1 Million AI Prize A major initiative to scale AI tools that close health‑equity gaps. 5. Encourage Health Awareness in Underserved Communities Particularly around longevity, dietary choices, energy consumption, and supplement use. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Health Equity Drives the Mission Martin emphasizes that health is a human right and disparities in nutrition, maternal health, and mental‑health access must be addressed. 2. Well With All = Social Impact + Consumer Products The company donates 20% of profits and creates healthier alternatives (energy drinks, supplements) to replace harmful daily habits like sugary sodas. 3. Personal Story Fuels Commitment He overcame poverty, a traumatic home life, and limited opportunity—and believes he survived because others poured into him. 4. Mentorship Changed His Life Major turning points included: Student body president at UNC CharlotteAssistant to the White House Chief of StaffHBS acceptanceTraining under hedge‑fund leader Phil Gross 5. Expertise Matters His success with Well With All is grounded in 21 years as an investor specializing only in consumer companies. 6. AI Can Close Health Gaps The $1M Well With All Prize supports AI tools already impacting at least 1,000 lives with the potential to scale to 100,000+. 7. Black Longevity Documentary His company created a film (NAACP Image Award–nominated) featuring Black elders aged 85–106 to redefine narratives around Black health. 8. The Power of Friendship His book teaches readers how to identify “friends of the good,” the relationships that define one’s path and joy. 🗣️ Notable Quotes from Demond Martin (from the transcript) (All quotes sourced from:) On Health Equity “Health is a human right. Everyone deserves nutritious food… everyone deserves to see a doctor.”“Where With All is not just a brand—it's a movement.” On His Upbringing “I grew up in the projects… lived in a trailer… had a heroin addict as a stepfather. I’ve seen things that gave me perspective.” On Perspective and Survival “If this was me at 14… I’d be dead or in jail.” On His Mission “I need to start giving back today. I’ve lived a life of giving back—my parents and grandparents instilled that in me.” On Product Philosophy “Small, incremental choices add up. Replacing one sugary soda a day is 45,000 fewer calories a year.” On Expertise “All I did for 21 years is invest in consumer companies. That was my expertise.” On Friendship & His Book “Show me your friends, I’ll show you your future.”“Friendship is one of the most essential elements of joy.” On Confidence & Mastery “Five years into my career, I knew I knew what the hell I was doing.” On AI “We’re not rewarding ideas—we’re rewarding impact.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    33 mins
  • Brand Building: Working part-time they grossed $1.5 million in three years… from gourmet popcorn. They knew we had something

    Brand Building: Working part-time they grossed $1.5 million in three years… from gourmet popcorn. They knew we had something
    Feb 17 2026
    Listen and Subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 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 Ryan Richmond and Greg Bowman. Co‑owners of Popcorn Remix, a Georgia‑based gourmet popcorn brand known for more than 60 innovative flavors ranging from King Crab Legs to Charlene’s Banana Pudding to chocolate‑covered strawberry. Together they share their partnership story, the origin of Popcorn Remix, the explosive growth of their brand, how they built a powerhouse fundraising platform (WePowerFundraisers.com), their expansion into major sports and entertainment venues, and the unique combination of hustle, creativity, faith, and community service that drives their success. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: 1. Highlight the Popcorn Remix brand and its explosive growth From a storefront in Conyers, GA, to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Truist Park, the Georgia World Congress Center, the Atlanta Dream, and major convention centers. 2. Showcase their entrepreneurship journey as Black founders They share how they partnered, overcame limitations, created their own lane, and scaled a product category long dominated by major national brands. 3. Promote their fundraising platform (WePowerFundraisers.com) A system that gives organizations up to 50% of gross sales, ships popcorn directly to supporters, and supports churches, schools, nonprofits, cheer teams, and more. 4. Inspire entrepreneurs Greg and Ryan share candid advice on partnership, sacrifice, differentiating your product, and believing in your gifts. 💡 Key Takeaways 1. A Powerful Partnership Built on Hustle, Trust & Alignment Greg and Ryan met years ago through a men’s empowerment group and eventually partnered after Greg conceived the popcorn concept.Ryan didn’t have the money but had “all the hustle in the world”—and that’s the partnership foundation. They call themselves the Visionary & Executioner, committing to outwork anyone and always show up for each other. 2. Popcorn Remix Was Created to “Remix” What Popcorn Could Be The brand name came from their church’s theme, “Year of the Remix.”They wanted flavors never seen before: butter pecan, crab legs, chocolate‑covered strawberry, cookies and cream, lemon pound cake, jerk chicken, etc. [ Only three people in the world know the signature butter pecan formula. 3. Their Innovation Extends Beyond Flavors — Even the Kernels Are Different They use “mushroom” kernels (round, fluffy) instead of standard “butterfly” kernels to prevent breakage, reduce seed fragments, and support orthodontic patients. [ Their popcorn is fluffier, smoother, and more versatile for gourmet coating. 4. The Storefront Is an In‑Person Experience The Conyers, GA store provides: Free sampling of all 60+ flavorsMusic based on the time of dayEngaging, fun staffFresh gourmet popcorn made on-site The storefront is intentionally designed to be a “vibe.” 5. Live Activations Are Their Secret Weapon Their background in music and entertainment helps them: Work crowdsConvert curious customers into buyersPerform high‑energy demosShowcase “activation flavors” like Lemon Pound Cake, which comes with instructions These activations drew attention at Falcons games, arenas, conventions, and more. 6. Popcorn Remix Is in Major Venues Across Georgia They have partnerships with: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (all levels)Truist Park / Atlanta BravesState Farm ArenaAtlanta DreamGeorgia World Congress CenterGeorgia International Convention Center They’re a favorite for cheer, volleyball, and large-scale events. 7. Their Brand Went Viral — Celebrities and even the White House Took Notice Celebrity/luminary support includes: Whoopi GoldbergDaymond JohnSherri ShepherdAnthony HamiltonCathy Hughes (Radio One/TV One founder)The White House (Hip-Hop 50th celebration invitation) Their popcorn has literally made it to the White House. 8. Their Fundraising Platform Is a Game-Changer WePowerFundraisers.com gives: Up to 50% of gross sales to organizationsAutomated direct‑to-door deliveryNo upfront costs10‑day fundraiser windowsTen curated flavors for easy purchase They’re now targeting national Greek organizations (“Divine Nine”) to scale. [ 9. Massive Growth: $1.5 Million in 3 Years They realized they “had something” when they hit $1.5 million in revenue, without debt, and only two founders running things. They even had to turn down a $4M deal because they didn’t yet have the production capacity—prompting ...
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    29 mins
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