The Steve Harvey Morning Show

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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Ledwith. She is the founder of Scholar Ready, whose mission is to help students excel in standardized testing and scholarship applications. 🔑 Key Themes & Highlights The Inspiration Behind Scholar Ready Ledwith founded Scholar Ready after realizing many students struggled with scholarships due to weak essay-writing skills. She personally secured scholarships to fund her college education, graduating with minimal student debt. The Importance of Standardized Test Preparation Scholar Ready helps students prepare for PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams to unlock scholarship opportunities. Ledwith emphasized that test scores are crucial for college admissions and financial aid. Overcoming Barriers to Higher Education Many students fear essay writing and test-taking, limiting their scholarship potential. Ledwith’s program provides personalized tutoring to build confidence and improve scores. Scholarship Application Strategies Students must research scholarship providers and tailor their essays accordingly. She advises applicants to highlight unique qualities beyond grades and test scores. Encouraging Persistence & Resilience Ledwith stresses that rejection is part of the scholarship process and should not discourage students. She encourages students to apply widely and refine their applications based on feedback. 📘 About Jennifer LedwithJennifer Ledwith is an education entrepreneur dedicated to helping students succeed in college admissions and scholarship applications. Through Scholar Ready, she provides tutoring and workshops to improve test scores and essay-writing skills, ensuring students have the financial resources to pursue higher education.  #BEST #STRAW #SHMS    Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Jacque Rushin and Robyn Donaldson. Below is a polished, thorough summary of the interview featuring Jacque Rushin and Robyn Donaldson discussing the career and legacy of Dr. Gladys West with Rushion McDonald—along with its purpose, key takeaways, and notable quotes, all drawn directly from the transcript.(Citations reference the uploaded file.) Summary of the Interview On Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald welcomes Dr. Jacque Rushin (award‑winning business executive, educator, mental health professional, humanitarian) and Robyn Donaldson (2025 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award honoree for global STEM education) to discuss their celebration of Dr. Gladys B. West, a pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for the GPS (Global Positioning System). The conversation explores the intersection of Juneteenth, Black excellence, STEM education, and Dr. West’s life story, captured in her memoir It Began with a Dream. The guests highlight Dr. West as one of America’s last living “hidden figures”—a brilliant yet historically overlooked Black woman whose mathematical genius revolutionized everyday life. They detail how Dr. West rose from sharecropper roots, excelled academically at Virginia State University, earned her master’s and PhD, spent 39 years contributing to government research, and ultimately developed the algorithms and modeling processes that power GPS. They also describe their collaborative effort to create the Westward Bound Program, a life‑skills and STEM‑focused curriculum inspired by Dr. West’s principles of wisdom, endurance, strategy, and precision. Through humorous, emotional, and deeply insightful dialogue, the episode uplifts Dr. West’s accomplishments while discussing mental health, technology dependence, the importance of exposure to STEM pathways for underserved youth, and how the legacy of Black innovators must remain central in cultural celebrations like Juneteenth. Purpose of the Interview 1. To honor and amplify Dr. Gladys West’s legacy She is a living mathematical pioneer whose GPS contributions transformed global navigation and modern technology. 2. To connect her story to Juneteenth’s spirit of liberation and recognition The guests highlight the “delayed recognition” of Black innovators and the importance of acknowledging hidden figures whose brilliance shaped society. 3. To promote STEM exposure in underserved communities Robyn Donaldson emphasizes equitable access to STEM opportunities so children can compete in a global, tech‑driven world. 4. To introduce and promote the Westward Bound Program The curriculum teaches STEM principles, life skills, and personal development inspired by Dr. West’s methodologies. 5. To highlight themes of resilience, humility, and lifelong learning Dr. West’s quiet determination and academic persistence serve as a blueprint for young people and adults alike. Key Takeaways 1. Dr. Gladys West is a “living hidden figure.” Her research and mathematical modeling are the backbone of GPS, impacting navigation, transportation, military systems, and everyday digital tools. 2. Her journey exemplifies brilliance shaped by humility and hard work. Born in 1930 to sharecropper parents, she excelled academically despite segregation, pursued multiple degrees, and overcame racial and gender barriers in government research settings. 3. Juneteenth is the perfect backdrop for honoring Dr. West. Jacque stresses that Juneteenth represents “delayed freedom,” paralleling the delayed recognition of Black inventors and innovators. 4. STEM exposure is vital to equity. Robyn insists that Black children are fully capable of STEM success—they simply lack exposure, not aptitude. Without STEM skills, young people risk being left behind in a robotics‑driven economy. 5. Technology should complement—not replace—human thinking. Jacque cites Dr. West’s personal preference for physical maps over GPS to maintain cognitive sharpness and critical thinking, a warning about over‑dependence on AI and automation. 6. The Westward Bound Program bridges STEM, life skills, and personal development. Built on the acronym “WEST”—Wisdom, Endurance, Strategy, Tracking—the program supports youth, adults, and entrepreneurs seeking direction and resilience. 7. Mentorship, community, and relationships are central themes. Dr. West’s success was nurtured by professors and role models at her HBCU—mirroring how Jacque and Robyn now uplift the next generation. 8. Her story resonates globally and intergenerationally. From college students to young children to adults, the principles from her memoir and program promote self‑belief, vision, discipline, and perseverance. Notable Quotes (All taken directly from the transcript.) On Dr. West’s impact “She’s a living hidden figure… her accomplishments have actually changed our way of living in every discipline of life.” “Her technology… makes these things possible.” On Juneteenth and recognition “Juneteenth is about the delayed freedom of African Americans… and what Dr. West represents is the quiet, often overlooked brilliance that changes the world.” On STEM access “Our kids are not pursuing high‑paying STEM careers, not because of their aptitude, but simply because they have not been exposed.” On Dr. West’s genius “You don’t have to be loud to be a legacy.” “She is just so humble, but she’s just brilliant. She’s like a mathematical genius.” On technology & mental health “She didn’t want to lose her critical thinking by depending on GPS… everything has a place, and it should complement you, not take over.” On resilience & aspiration “You have to believe there is something greater than what you’re standing in.” “From sharecropper to pioneer—you can be someone from humble beginnings and change the world.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Stacey Allen. The founder and artistic director of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective. This episode blends art, activism, education, and cultural preservation through the lens of Black history and dance. Here are the key highlights: 🎭 About Stacey Allen Founder of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective, a professional dance company focused on art and wellness through the lens of Black women and girls. Author of two children’s books, including: A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way (introduces children to Katherine Dunham) D is for Dance and for the Diaspora (A–Z guide to African diaspora dance styles) Recipient of the 2024 Children’s Publication Award from the National Association of Multicultural Education. 🩰 Dance as Activism Stacy uses dance to tell stories of African American history, identity, and empowerment. Her performances are rooted in education, cultural preservation, and social justice. She emphasizes that dance is not just performance—it’s a tool for healing, storytelling, and activism. 🌍 Cultural Legacy & Freedom Colonies Stacy’s work includes performances like The Fairy Tale Project, which tells the love story of the founders of the Sankofa Freedom Colony in Texas. She collaborates with the Texas Freedom Colonies Project, which documents over 500 historically Black settlements in Texas. These colonies were founded by formerly enslaved people post-emancipation and are often overlooked in mainstream history. 🌊 Emotional Pilgrimage Stacy shares her transformative experience visiting Gorée Island in Senegal, a major slave port, and draws parallels to Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth originated. She reflects on the emotional weight of visiting ancestral lands and how it informs her art and mission. 📚 Educational Mission Through her books, performances, and workshops (including in juvenile detention centers), Stacy educates youth and communities about Black history and identity. She believes that knowing your history empowers your future. 📣 How to Connect with Stacy Website: www.niasdaughters.com Instagram: @niasdaughters Facebook: Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective 💬 Rushion’s Reflections Rushion expresses deep admiration for Stacy’s passion and educational impact. He emphasizes the importance of sharing her work widely, especially the history of Texas Freedom Colonies, which he compares to the Underground Railroad in significance. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ingrid Jacobs. A veteran enterprise leader, former HR executive, and Chief Growth Officer for The Revenue Retreat, a luxury boutique retreat for executive women who want to build profitable businesses without burnout.  She and Rushion discuss her corporate background, her unique approach to customer integration, the challenges women face in entrepreneurship, pricing psychology, common business mistakes, age-related limiting beliefs, and the transformational design of her retreat program. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The purpose of Ingrid’s appearance was to: 1. Share her expertise in helping high‑achieving women build sustainable, profitable businesses Ingrid works with corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and women ready to transition from corporate careers into entrepreneurship. 2. Highlight The Revenue Retreat She explains how the retreat helps women clarify their offer, price correctly, identify customers, and prepare mentally and emotionally for entrepreneurship. 3. Educate listeners on business fundamentals Rushion brings her on to break down pricing, customer targeting, confidence, and transitioning from corporate “9–5” to entrepreneurship. 4. Address issues unique to women, executives, and people of color Especially around pricing themselves correctly, recovering from burnout, and building confidence in their value. 💡 Key Takeaways 1. Corporate experience can translate powerfully into entrepreneurship Ingrid spent two decades at companies like Raytheon, Whirlpool, and JLL, working in HR, human capital, and DEI.She emphasizes she wasn’t a traditional HR leader—she focused on customer integration, business growth, and improving client outcomes.  2. High‑achieving women aren’t only executives They can be community leaders, nonprofit leaders, or entrepreneurs who excel in their areas but may not have formal corporate titles.  3. Entrepreneurship requires more work—especially early on New entrepreneurs often don’t realize they must handle every aspect of the business themselves: operations, marketing, sales, pricing, and delivery.  4. Pricing is one of the biggest challenges for women and people of color Key problems: Undervaluing their expertise Fear of charging what they’re worth Worrying clients won’t pay higher rates Getting mentally stuck in low pricing Ingrid says women often dramatically underprice themselves and need help adjusting their mindset.  5. Knowing your customer matters more than trying to sell to everyone Selling to “anybody” makes entrepreneurs sound desperate; true growth comes from targeting the right buyer and offering a solution they value.  6. Avoid common first‑year business mistakes These include: Poor pricing Not knowing your ideal customer Doing everything for everyone Expanding into too many offerings too fast Operating out of desperation rather than strategy  7. Age is an asset—not a liability Older entrepreneurs bring wisdom, experience, critical thinking, and problem‑solving ability.She argues people use age as a cover for deeper fears about failure and judgment.  8. The Revenue Retreat combines luxury, education, and wellness The retreat model includes: A luxury residential environment Chef‑prepared meals 12‑woman cohorts Business planning rigor Pricing clarity Customer identification Mental and emotional readiness Wellness activities 8‑weeks of virtual follow‑up coaching It’s intentionally structured as not a workshop but a holistic transformation experience. [ 9. She priced her retreat through competitive research + self‑awareness She studied other programs, benchmarked pricing, calculated expenses, and aligned it with her unique “sweet spot”—monetization skill + passion for helping women + love of hosting experiences.  🗣 Notable Quotes (with citations) On her corporate background “Bring me on board if you're looking for figuring out how do we get better customer integration… so that we can zero in on more sales.” On defining high‑achieving women “There are movers and shakers who don’t necessarily have a corporate pedigree, but they are still getting things done.”  On underpricing “Many times women… fall in this trap where they're scared to put out the real amount.” [ On realizing she was undercharging “I wasn't even charging half of what she was saying… that epiphany changed the game for me.”  On first‑year mistakes “Desperation is palpable… and that is a turnoff.” [ On age “Age to me is an asset… you’ve got cognitive rigor.”  On burnout “A lot of people who are interested in this work are already burned out and don’t even recognize their own signs.”  On what the retreat delivers “We help everyone come up with their pricing, what is their product… and wrap up where people have a plan forward.” [ Her core sales pitch “I offer executive women a retreat where they can experience luxury and end with a business plan they can use Monday morning to drive revenue.”  #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.