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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Showcase Blayther Sabbat’s mission through his nonprofit Pillars of Success, which empowers returning citizens and at-risk youth.
• Discuss strategies for reducing recidivism and creating pathways to success via mentorship, financial literacy, and career development.
• Inspire individuals and communities to take action toward social impact and economic empowerment.

Key Takeaways

1. Background and Motivation

   • First-generation Haitian-American from Washington, D.C.
   • Athletic background (DeMatha Catholic High School football) instilled discipline and leadership.
   • Personal experiences with family and community challenges inspired his commitment to mentorship and reentry programs.

2. Pillars of Success

   • A 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing wraparound services:
     • Mentorship
     • Financial literacy
     • Life and work skills
     • Career development and housing support
   • Focus on empowering returning citizens and at-risk youth to reintegrate successfully into society.

3. Challenges and Misconceptions

   • Common stigma: People assume returning citizens are “bad individuals.”
   • Reality: Many are in survival mode and lack resources, not character.
   • Success requires personal accountability and willingness to change.

4. Impact and Measurement

   • Success is defined as progress, even small steps like consistent routines or positive mindset.
   • Emphasis on action: “The difference between success and failure is taking action.”

5. Affordable Housing Advocacy

   • Sabbat worked at D.C. Housing Authority for 8 years, rising from clerical assistant to certified housing inspector.
   • Purchased property at age 26, faced conflict-of-interest issues, and resigned to pursue real estate and community impact full-time.

6. Career Development and Partnerships

   • Promotes trades (plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, IT) as sustainable career paths.
   • Partnerships with Google for digital literacy tools and scholarships.
   • Collaborates with local universities and organizations for training and job placement.

7. Financial Literacy

   • Learned through personal experience buying property on a $35K salary.
   • Advocates understanding credit, banking, and responsible money management.

8. Call to Action

   • Support through donations, mentorship, volunteering, and spreading awareness.
   • Website: www.pillarsofsuccess202.com

Notable Quotes

• On stigma:
  “People judge returning citizens as bad individuals without knowing their story. Many are just in survival mode.”

• On success:
  “Progress—any form of it—is success. The difference between success and failure is taking action.”

• On leadership:
  “We don’t succeed unless they succeed.”

• On financial literacy:
  “It’s not about how much you make—it’s about what you do with it.”

• On courage:
  “I walk by faith. Fearless. Failure and fear are the same—you learn from mistakes.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight Lamar Tyler’s entrepreneurial journey, the growth of his platform Traffic, Sales & Profit (TSP), and to share actionable insights for Black entrepreneurs on building scalable, profitable businesses from side hustles.

🧭 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Branding with Purpose

• Lamar emphasizes the importance of clear, relatable branding.
• His previous brand, Black and Married with Kids, succeeded because the name instantly resonated with its audience.
• Quote:

“If they can hear the name, they can see it and say, ‘Hey, that’s for me.’”

2. Side Hustle to Main Hustle

• Most Black entrepreneurs start businesses while working full-time jobs.
• Success requires treating the side hustle like a real business from day one.
• Quote:

“There is no perfect time. The time to get started is now.”

3. Consistency & Growth

• TSP’s first event in 2016 had only 47 attendees, half of whom came for free.
• Growth came from consistency and listening to the community.
• Quote:

“Sometimes all you need is confirmation.”

4. Customer Experience & Branding

• Inspired by Disney’s “unexpected touchpoints,” Lamar expanded branding beyond the event space to include the hotel exterior and even airport baggage claim.
• Quote:

“We brand everything from the lobby to the pool… to make it feel like home.”

5. Faith & Execution

• Faith plays a central role in Lamar’s business philosophy.
• He encourages entrepreneurs to act on the opportunities they pray for.
• Quote:

“You pray to get the opportunity, now you want to do all the work too.”

6. Scaling vs. Growing

• Growth increases revenue and expenses; scaling increases revenue without proportional expense growth.
• TSP Scale is a new event focused on helping businesses reach this level.
• Quote:

“Scale is where the real money comes in.”

7. Lever-Driven Growth System

• Lamar outlines systems for:
  • Proposal processes
  • Upselling
  • Referral systems
  • Creating experiences that justify premium pricing
• Quote:

“If you create an experience around what you do, you can charge two, three, four times more.”

8. Platform & Community

• Lamar transitioned from doing all the speaking to empowering others in his community.
• He believes in giving others a platform to grow.
• Quote:

“Too many artists try to hold on too tight… and miss out on the blessing.”

🌟 Notable Guests & Surprises at TSP Events

• Surprise appearances by Magic Johnson, Issa Rae, Master P, Jermaine Dupri, Janice Bryant Howroyd, and Ambassador Andrew Young.
• Quote:

“If you want to be it, you need to see it.”

📍 Event Details

• New Event: TSP Scale
• Location: Atlanta Westin Gwinnett, Gwinnett County, GA
• Website: TSPScale.com

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Renard “Ray” Sims.

Topic: Entrepreneurship, property management, and building generational wealth through real estate.

Ray Sims shares his journey from government employee to entrepreneur, founding a property management company in the Metro DC area. He discusses the challenges of transitioning into business ownership, the structure of his company, and the importance of networking, automation, and community service.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

1. Showcase Ray’s entrepreneurial journey and how he turned a layoff into a business opportunity.
2. Educate listeners on property management and real estate investment strategies.
3. Inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to take calculated risks and build sustainable businesses.
4. Promote financial literacy and generational wealth through real estate.

🔑 Key Takeaways 💼 Entrepreneurship & Transition

• Ray was laid off from a government job and used the opportunity to launch his business.
• He emphasizes the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.

“I got forced to do it. And I'm kind of glad that that happened to me.”

🏠 Property Management Defined

• Manages real estate portfolios for absentee owners.
• Handles everything from tenant screening to maintenance coordination and invoicing.

“I manage people’s assets… Most of the homeowners don’t even want to know who the tenants are.”

🔍 Tenant Screening Process

• Includes credit checks, employment history, landlord references, and even social media reviews.

“I go on your Facebook page or Instagram page… see how you want to treat that property.”

🧰 Business Structure

• Licensed in DC; structured as an LLC in Maryland.
• Works with a network of trusted vendors (plumbers, electricians, etc.).
• Uses automation and a third-party admin for newsletters and monthly reports.

“I’m really big on automation… I don’t want to have a bank account with \$30,000 on August 1st.”

🤝 Networking & Growth

• Attends real estate events across DC, New York, and Atlanta.
• Uses Instagram and podcasting to build his brand and connect with clients.

“I cannot leave a networking event without connecting with five different people.”

🎙️ Podcast & Branding

• Podcast started organically from a conversation with a landscaper.
• Focuses on real estate and business conversations.

“I call it ‘The Creator’… just conversations with different people in the real estate field.”

📈 Investment Advice

• Recommends duplexes and townhomes as top investment choices.
• Notes that single-family homes are less popular for rentals due to maintenance concerns.

“Duplex, duplex, duplex… it’s an easy way to gain revenue.”

🌍 Vision & Expansion

• Plans to expand beyond DC by learning local regulations and networking.
• Attends Invest Fest in Atlanta for exposure and connections.

“I want to be the face of property management in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.”

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “All money is not good money.”
• “Life is risky. Like waking up in the morning is risky.”
• “You have to step out of your comfort zone.”
• “I’m proud of you… I’m glad you got laid off.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.