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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
  • Financial Tips: Her platform offers 300+ hours of videos and tools, helping members open 3,000+ investment accounts and invest $7.4M collectively.

    Financial Tips: Her platform offers 300+ hours of videos and tools, helping members open 3,000+ investment accounts and invest $7.4M collectively.
    Feb 18 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 Ashley M. Fox. Summary of the Interview In this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Ashley M. Fox—former Wall Street analyst, Howard University alum, financial educator, and founder/CEO of Emplify, a fintech platform focused on making wealth‑building accessible to everyday people. Ashley shares her journey from working with ultra‑high‑net‑worth clients on Wall Street to becoming an entrepreneur determined to bring financial education and empowerment to communities traditionally excluded from wealth conversations. She discusses the creation of Amplify, her financial fall and recovery, her work in schools and prison systems, and how digital content has allowed her to scale her mission globally. The discussion emphasizes mindset, self‑belief, access, and a practical path to wealth, even starting with as little as $20. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: 1. Inspire financial empowerment Ashley explains how anyone—regardless of background or starting point—can begin building wealth and shift generational outcomes. 2. Demystify investing and wealth-building She breaks down how simple investing can be, the power of small consistent contributions, and how wealth isn’t limited to entrepreneurs or high earners. 3. Highlight her fintech platform Emplify She shares how Amplify democratizes financial education through online tools, community, and accessible investing classes. 4. Encourage a mindset shift Ashley stresses the importance of eliminating fear, building confidence, and using logic instead of emotion when making financial decisions. Key Takeaways 1. Wealth Begins with Belief and Mindset Ashley learned on Wall Street that the biggest difference between wealthy and non-wealthy people is not education—it's self-belief. Many people don’t believe wealth is possible for them because they've never seen it. 2. You Don’t Need a Lot of Money to Start Investing She urges people to start with $20, even buying fractional shares. It’s consistency—not starting amount—that builds wealth. 3. You Can Invest in Others’ Ideas—Not Just Your Own Building wealth doesn’t require launching a business. Buying stock is one of the easiest ways to participate in wealth creation. 4. Ashley’s Own Journey Included Failure After leaving Wall Street, she was evicted, slept on her parents’ couch for two years, and maxed out credit cards. Her purpose kept her going. 5. Financial Education Should Start Early She developed financial education programs for schools, prison systems, and everyday families because adults often learn too late. 6. Emplify Scales Wealth Education Her platform offers 300+ hours of videos and tools, helping members open 3,000+ investment accounts and invest $7.4M collectively. 7. Social Media Is Her Biggest Access Point Ashley reaches millions by being authentic, relatable, and consistent—meeting people where they are. 8. You Must Pay Yourself First Most people pay bills, companies, and creditors before investing in themselves. She emphasizes reversing that pattern. 9. Logic Over Emotion Wealth requires logical decision‑making, especially in the market. Emotional reactions undermine long-term financial growth. Notable Quotes (Taken From the Transcript) On Wealth Mindset “When you think and know and believe you have the power to create wealth and you deserve wealth, you move a different way.” “There is no president that can build the wealth that you can create for your family.” On Starting Small “You don't have to have a lot of money to start. You just have to have the will to begin.” “A whole lot of $20 can get you to a million—as long as you don’t stop.” On Investing “Consider the companies you give your money to and own them, because they are a lot cheaper than you think.” “If I’m helping you build a billion‑dollar business by using your products, I deserve a piece of the pie.” On Self-Reliance “You pay everybody… the bartender, the mortgage company—and you’re the one without money. Who’s going to worry about you?” On Purpose and Identity “My story never changed. The mission was always dedicated to the people I didn’t see coming into that building on Wall Street.” “Emplify is the movement. It just has my DNA.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee ...
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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 18 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 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 ...
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    29 mins
  • Marketing Tips: He discusses the rising wave of entrepreneurship and common mistakes new business owners make.

    Marketing Tips: He discusses the rising wave of entrepreneurship and common mistakes new business owners make.
    Feb 18 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 Dave Charest. Summary of the Dave Charest Interview In this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, a leading digital marketing platform. Charest discusses the rising wave of entrepreneurship, the foundational importance of email and direct‑to‑customer channels, common mistakes new business owners make, and how AI is reshaping small‑business marketing. He provides practical guidance on marketing consistency, channel selection, building community relationships, and using technology to scale. Throughout the conversation, Charest emphasizes that while small businesses often lack marketing expertise, they possess a valuable advantage: real, human relationships that can be strengthened through consistent communication. Purpose of the Interview The purpose of Rushion McDonald’s conversation with Dave Charest is to: 1. Educate new and aspiring entrepreneurs Charest breaks down the basics of digital marketing—email, social, SMS—and how to begin building a strong marketing foundation. 2. Highlight the key trends driving the entrepreneurship boom He explains motivations like work–life balance, independence, and financial potential that inspire people to launch businesses. 3. Provide practical, actionable marketing advice Especially around consistency, choosing marketing channels, and building direct customer relationships. 4. Introduce how AI can simplify and amplify marketing Charest showcases tools that help business owners quickly generate content, develop campaigns, and analyze customer behavior. Key Takeaways 1. Direct relationships (email/SMS) outperform social media Email offers ownership, stability, and higher ROI—unlike social platforms that can change algorithms or visibility overnight. Charest stresses that “the money is in the list.” 2. You don’t need huge numbers to be effective Small businesses often see high open and engagement rates because followers know and trust them. 3. Consistency matters more than platform choice Whether you choose Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or email, the biggest driver of marketing success is showing up regularly. 4. Start small—don’t overwhelm yourself One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything at once. Begin with the basics and grow steadily. 5. Community is a crucial marketing asset Local businesses thrive when they maintain strong connections with nearby businesses, customers, and community networks. 6. Entrepreneurs face challenges—but resilience wins Charest notes that small business owners rarely have a “Plan B,” which pushes them to adapt and continue learning. 7. AI is transforming small‑business marketing Constant Contact offers tools to: Generate emails and contentSummarize content for socialBuild full marketing campaignsAnalyze behavior from large email lists to recommend actions Notable Quotes (from the transcript) Here are direct paraphrases and key phrases—not copyrighted material but drawn from the transcript: On email vs. social “There’s a $36 return for every $1 invested in email—but what matters is that you own the relationship.” “If a social platform goes away, so does your following. Email is a direct line.” On audience size “Big numbers aren’t necessary—small lists can see 50% open rates and strong engagement because those people actually care.” On entrepreneurship motivations “People want better work‑life balance, independence, and financial potential.” On mistakes “A big mistake is trying to do too much at once. Start small and stay consistent.” On community “Digital marketing should extend real relationships—not replace them.” On choosing platforms “Where your audience spends time matters, but so does where you can show up consistently.” On AI’s role “AI can generate emails, build campaigns, and analyze audience data—saving you time for what you’d rather be doing.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    22 mins
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