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

The founder of Paint Your Heaven, on Money Making Conversations Masterclass. Here’s a breakdown of the key topics, highlights, and an about section:

Key Themes & Highlights

1. Origins of Paint Your Heaven

   • Salaam explains the inspiration behind the company name, emphasizing the power of vision and positive thinking.
   • He shares how the phrase Paint Your Heaven motivated him at 22 years old to pursue entrepreneurship.

2. Full-Stack Development Expertise

   • Salaam discusses his skills as a full-stack developer, differentiating his work from basic web design.
   • He explains the importance of front-end and back-end development, particularly in creating complex applications like Uber.

3. Challenges & Representation in Tech

   • He highlights the lack of Black full-stack developers and attributes it to self-belief and limited exposure.
   • He shares his personal journey growing up in a challenging neighborhood and how his mother and a supportive teacher encouraged him.

4. AI & Software Innovation

   • Salaam discusses his company’s use of AI and APIs to enhance software development.
   • He reveals a project aimed at simplifying audio production, allowing users to clean up sound with one-click technology.

5. Entrepreneurial Advice & Community Impact

   • He encourages young people to embrace change and pursue careers in programming and AI.
   • His company aims to serve businesses worldwide while also promoting positive thinking in inner-city communities.

About Suli Salaam & Paint Your Heaven

Suli Salaam is a full-stack developer and entrepreneur based in Kansas City. His company, Paint Your Heaven, specializes in web, app, and software design and development. The company combines technical expertise with creative design, making it a valuable resource for businesses looking to scale. Beyond business, Salaam is passionate about mentoring young people, promoting positive thinking, and helping communities embrace technology.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

President and CEO of Electro Soft Incorporated, an electronics manufacturing and engineering firm. The discussion focused on breaking barriers for women and minority business owners in manufacturing and closing the racial wealth gap.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

Redefining Manufacturing

• Manufacturing isn’t just industrial factories—it includes baking, cabinet-making, and assembling office furniture.
• Trotman’s company specializes in electronics assembly, wiring harnesses, and circuit board manufacturing.

Challenges in Domestic Manufacturing

• U.S. manufacturing has been outsourced overseas, making it difficult to bring production back.
• Policies supporting domestic manufacturing must include workforce training and component production.

Workforce Development & Training

• Many trade schools and apprenticeship programs are growing to meet demand.
• Electro Soft trains employees within 90 days to work in electronics assembly.

Closing the Racial Wealth Gap

• Wealth transfer is hindered by lack of financial planning, such as GoFundMe funerals and unclear property titles.
• Entrepreneurship and business ownership are key to building generational wealth.

Acquiring Businesses as a Path to Wealth

• Minority entrepreneurs should buy existing businesses rather than starting from scratch.
• Many retiring business owners are willing to finance deals, allowing buyers to use business profits to pay off acquisitions.

📘 About Karla Trotman
Karla Trotman is a third-generation entrepreneur who took over her family’s business, Electro Soft Incorporated. She has a background in logistics, purchasing, and e-commerce, with experience at Honeywell, Gap, and IKEA.

She is also the author of Dark, Dirty, Dangerous, a book about manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building strategies.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Monday, July 7th, 2025. Subject: "he Doesn't Cover All the Bases"

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

A transformational speaker and founder of Redefining Wealth, discusses personal development, financial success, and the importance of setting intentional goals.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. Defining Success at Different Life Stages

   • Washington explains how her definition of success evolved from her 20s to her 40s.
   • Early success was driven by external validation, while later success focused on personal fulfillment.

2. The Importance of a Life Blueprint

   • Compares life planning to architectural blueprints—without a plan, success is difficult to achieve.
   • Encourages listeners to set clear goals for the year to avoid feeling lost by year-end.

3. The Six Pillars of Wealth

   • Washington emphasizes integrating financial success with personal well-being.
   • Advocates for balancing career, relationships, faith, and health to avoid burnout.

4. Avoiding Burnout & Setting Realistic Goals

   • Discusses the importance of safe goals (small, achievable steps) and support goals (seeking help from mentors or professionals).
   • Encourages people to set reasonable expectations rather than overwhelming themselves.

5. Results, Not Resolutions

   • Washington promotes her Results, Not Resolutions framework, helping individuals create tangible action plans.
   • Shares strategies for maintaining motivation and accountability throughout the year.

📘 About Patrice Washington
Patrice Washington is a personal finance expert, speaker, and author recognized by Success Magazine as one of the top 25 influential leaders in personal development. She is dedicated to helping individuals redefine wealth by focusing on well-being, purpose, and financial literacy.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Nina Sossamon-Pogue.

A former elite gymnast, Emmy-winning news anchor, bestselling author, and resilience expert.

Here’s a summary of the key themes and insights from the episode:

🎙️ Guest Introduction: Nina Sossamon-Pogue

• Former USA Gymnastics team member and Emmy-winning news anchor.
• Author of This Is Not the End and host of the podcast This Seriously Sucks.
• Focuses on helping people navigate life’s toughest transitions with resilience.

🧠 Mental Health & Daily Routines

• Nina emphasizes the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and limiting early phone use to start the day with clarity.
• Rushion shares his own structured morning routine and how it helps him manage stress and stay productive.

💪 Resilience and Personal Growth

• Nina defines resilience as the ability to adapt positively and grow stronger from adversity.
• She encourages people to reflect on what’s going right, what needs attention, and how to move forward with purpose.

🧍‍♀️ Body Image, Athletics & Social Media

• Nina shares her experience with body dysmorphia and bulimia during her gymnastics career in the 1980s.
• She discusses the long-term impact of being judged by appearance in both sports and television.
• Offers advice to parents and young athletes on navigating body image in the age of social media.

📘 Her Book: This Is Not the End

• Written for people facing major life setbacks—job loss, injury, grief, or personal failure.
• Nina shares five personal “this is the end” moments, including:
  • Not making the Olympic team.
  • Career-ending knee injury.
  • Losing her job as a news anchor.
  • A traumatic accident at age 37.
• The book provides seven strategies and a four-step framework (T.H.I.S.) to help readers move forward:
  • Timeline: Gain perspective on your life journey.
  • Humans: Lean on others—don’t go it alone.
  • Isolate: Focus on the present moment.
  • Story: Reframe your internal narrative to stay empowered and hirable.

🎧 Podcast Highlight

• Nina’s podcast This Seriously Sucks features guests who’ve overcome major life challenges.
• She highlights Joe Delagrave, a Paralympian and coach, whose story of resilience and transformation deeply inspired her.

💬 Closing Thoughts

• Rushion praises Nina’s authenticity, voice, and ability to connect.
• Nina encourages listeners to embrace their “this” moment and remember: “This is not the end.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Friday, July 4th, 2025. Subject: "She's Too Phony & Bony Now"

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. Subject: "My Neighbor's T-Shirt In Our Garage"

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025. Subject: "She's Got One More Time"

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