Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Crystal Victoria.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Showcase Crystal Victoria’s work in youth entrepreneurship through her nonprofit Target Evolution, Inc.
• Promote the Teen Biz Box, a hands-on business starter kit for kids.
• Inspire parents, educators, and community leaders to support alternative career paths for youth.
• Share Crystal’s personal journey from juvenile detention to becoming an author and entrepreneur.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Empowering Youth Through Entrepreneurship

• Target Evolution trains youth ages 8 to 18 to earn money and gain real-world experience.
• Programs include retail and culinary entrepreneurship, with plans to expand nationally starting in Dallas and Houston.

2. Teen Biz Box: A Practical Solution

• A $100 kit that includes everything a child needs to start a small business.
• Three product options: Friendship Bracelets, Craft Notebooks, and Ceramic Coasters.
• Kids can earn up to \$150–\$200 per box by selling customized products.

3. Alternative Pathways Matter

• Not all kids are tech-focused or college-bound.
• Entrepreneurship teaches soft skills like communication, customer service, and resilience.
• Victoria emphasizes the importance of in-person interaction over purely digital business models.

4. Personal Story of Redemption

• Crystal shares her background of being in and out of juvenile detention.
• Entrepreneurship gave her purpose and a way out of street life.
• Her journey is a testament to the power of second chances and vision-driven leadership.

5. Preparing for the Future of Work

• With AI and automation changing job markets, reskilling and adaptability are key.
• Entrepreneurship offers a mindset shift that prepares youth for career transitions every 3–5 years.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• On youth entrepreneurship:
  “An app will never replace food and eating. We need programs for culinary and hospitality entrepreneurs.”

• On her personal journey:
  “I didn’t have a Teen Biz Box. I had trouble. But I prayed to God: ‘Give me something to do with this story.’”

• On accessibility:
  “Some kids don’t have bootstraps to pull themselves up. Let’s slide down the ladder and help them climb.”

• On the Teen Biz Box:
  “Before you spend $1,000 on your kid’s business idea, give them a box. If they sell everything, maybe they’re serious.”

• On preparing for the future:
  “Long gone are the days of one career for life. Learning, unlearning, and reskilling is the new normal.”

📦 Teen Biz Box Highlights

• Contents: Product inventory, art supplies, business cards, signage, and educational materials
• Website: TeenBizBox.com
• Target Age: 8–18
• Goal: Teach entrepreneurship, communication, and self-reliance

#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 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.