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

Author of Bootstrap Millionaire and CFO of Cadence Ventures, Inc.:

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To inspire and educate aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals by sharing Tim Mercer’s journey from humble beginnings to financial success, emphasizing the importance of hard work, faith, planning, and leveraging government contracts and nontraditional financing.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

1. Background & Journey

   • Tim Mercer grew up in Mullins, South Carolina, in modest circumstances.
   • His path to success began with military service, which broadened his worldview and led him to entrepreneurship.

2. Bootstrap Millionaire Philosophy

   • The term “bootstrap” symbolizes hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance.
   • Mercer emphasizes that success doesn’t come overnight—it requires grinding, planning, and faith.

3. Importance of a Business Plan

   • A solid business plan is essential for securing funding and guiding business growth.
   • Mercer shares real-life examples of people failing to secure support due to lack of planning.

4. Cadence Ventures, Inc.

   • A boutique private equity firm offering nontraditional financing for real estate investors.
   • Focuses on investment properties and uses the property itself as collateral.

5. Government Contracting

   • Mercer began in government contracting in 2012 and credits it with helping him scale his business.
   • He stresses that while it’s complex and paperwork-heavy, it’s a valuable opportunity for minority-owned businesses.
   • Free resources like SAM.gov and Georgia Tech’s GT PAC can help entrepreneurs navigate the process.

6. Success Requires Sacrifice

   • Mercer highlights that every successful person has a story of struggle and sacrifice.
   • His book’s first chapter, “See the Glory, Don’t Know the Story,” encapsulates this message.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “If you want to have the things tomorrow that other people won’t have, then you got to be willing to do the things today that other people won’t do.” — Tim Mercer quoting Les Brown
• “There’s no success without sacrifice.” — Tim Mercer
• “You can only make as much as the customer that you have.” — Tim Mercer on scaling through government contracts
• “See the glory, don’t know the story.” — Chapter title from Bootstrap Millionaire

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Founder and CEO of a leading employee engagement and workplace culture consulting firm:

🎙️ Interview Summary

Guest: Heather R. Younger
Role: CEO, workplace culture consultant, author, speaker
Topic: Employee engagement, workplace culture, self-leadership, and overcoming fear

🧭 Purpose of the Interview

To explore Heather Younger's journey as a workplace culture expert, her insights into employee engagement, and her new book The Art of Self-Leadership. The conversation centers on empowering individuals to lead themselves, navigate workplace challenges, and overcome fear to unlock personal and professional growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Employee Advocacy & Engagement

• Heather has read over 30,000 employee surveys and facilitated 100+ focus groups.
• She emphasizes active listening and creating safe spaces for employees to express concerns.
• Her mission is to amplify the voices of employees, especially during organizational transitions like mergers.

2. Self-Leadership & Personal Growth

• Heather encourages individuals to be their own advocates and not wait for others (including HR) to “save” them.
• She promotes intentional reframing—shifting negative thoughts into rational, empowering ones.
• Her new book, The Art of Self-Leadership, includes exercises like fear mapping to help readers identify and overcome internal barriers.

3. Navigating Fear in the Workplace

Heather outlines five ways fear holds people back professionally:

1. Fear of feedback – avoiding growth due to fear of criticism.
2. Fear of retribution – hesitating to speak up.
3. Fear of speaking truth to power – lacking psychological safety.
4. Inherited fears – generational or cultural fears that shape behavior.
5. Fear of regret – not taking action and living with “what ifs.”

4. Daily Practices for Mental Strength

• Reflect nightly on what went well and what you controlled.
• Practice gratitude and mindfulness.
• Prioritize sleep, hydration, and mental clarity.
• Treat each day as a chance to iterate and improve.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “I needed to be the change I was seeking.”
• “Feedback is a gift—even if it hurts.”
• “You have to fight tooth and nail for your own mental space.”
• “Don’t wait to be invited—ask.”
• “See yourself as a work in progress, not a finished product.”

📚 Book Mentioned

• Title: The Art of Self-Leadership
• Focus: Empowering individuals to lead themselves through fear, change, and uncertainty

📞 Contact Info

• Website: HeatherYounger.com
• LinkedIn: Heather R. Younger
• Social Media: Active on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, August 26th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open - Pink Or Salmon? | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "My Favorite Socks" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Newsome Trolls Trump | Random Questions | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Buttman" | Strawberry Letter - "How Could He Be So Cold Hearted?" Parts 1-2 | Sports Talk With Nephew Tommy | Social Media Advice | Airline Seats | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks

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