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

A financial expert and former head of retirement solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The discussion focused on saving strategies, financial psychology, and overcoming behavioral biases to achieve long-term financial success.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

Overcoming Financial Mistakes

• Lester shared that despite managing billions in assets, she made every financial mistake possible early in her career.
• Her book, Your Best Financial Life, combines 30 years of asset management experience with lessons from her own financial missteps.

Saving Strategies & Behavioral Hacks

• She emphasized that saving is possible at any age, but requires commitment and planning.
• A key strategy: Save at least half of every raise to prevent lifestyle inflation.

Emergency Funds & Smart Spending

• Lester advised building an emergency fund of 3-6 months’ expenses before investing.
• She outlined three questions to ask before tapping into emergency savings:
  1. Is this truly an emergency?
  2. Do I absolutely need to spend this money?
  3. Do I need to spend it right now?

Subscription Detox & Hidden Expenses

• Many people unknowingly overspend on subscriptions, leading to financial waste.
• Lester recommended avoiding auto-renewals, using a credit card with an upcoming expiration date, and rotating streaming services to cut costs.

Investing vs. Traditional Savings

• She clarified that long-term savings should be invested, not kept in low-interest accounts.
• Retirement funds should be diversified across stocks and bonds for growth.

📘 About Anne Lester
Anne Lester is a financial strategist, speaker, and author, known for her expertise in retirement planning and behavioral finance. She spent over 30 years at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, leading retirement solutions and helping individuals build financial security.

Her book, Your Best Financial Life, provides practical strategies for saving, investing, and overcoming financial biases.

 

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://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 Anne Lester.

A financial expert and former head of retirement solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The discussion focused on saving strategies, financial psychology, and overcoming behavioral biases to achieve long-term financial success.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

Overcoming Financial Mistakes

• Lester shared that despite managing billions in assets, she made every financial mistake possible early in her career.
• Her book, Your Best Financial Life, combines 30 years of asset management experience with lessons from her own financial missteps.

Saving Strategies & Behavioral Hacks

• She emphasized that saving is possible at any age, but requires commitment and planning.
• A key strategy: Save at least half of every raise to prevent lifestyle inflation.

Emergency Funds & Smart Spending

• Lester advised building an emergency fund of 3-6 months’ expenses before investing.
• She outlined three questions to ask before tapping into emergency savings:
  1. Is this truly an emergency?
  2. Do I absolutely need to spend this money?
  3. Do I need to spend it right now?

Subscription Detox & Hidden Expenses

• Many people unknowingly overspend on subscriptions, leading to financial waste.
• Lester recommended avoiding auto-renewals, using a credit card with an upcoming expiration date, and rotating streaming services to cut costs.

Investing vs. Traditional Savings

• She clarified that long-term savings should be invested, not kept in low-interest accounts.
• Retirement funds should be diversified across stocks and bonds for growth.

📘 About Anne Lester
Anne Lester is a financial strategist, speaker, and author, known for her expertise in retirement planning and behavioral finance. She spent over 30 years at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, leading retirement solutions and helping individuals build financial security.

Her book, Your Best Financial Life, provides practical strategies for saving, investing, and overcoming financial biases.

 

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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 Michaela Merrick.

 

---

🎙️ Interview Summary: Michaela Merrick on Money Making Conversations Masterclass 🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight Michaela Merrick, founder of Pretty Little Tacos, and her entrepreneurial journey from launching a food truck during the COVID-19 pandemic to building a thriving Creole-Mexican taco brand in Atlanta. The interview aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs by showcasing resilience, creativity, and family support.

---

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Origin of Pretty Little Tacos

• Inspired by a short-lived cooking show called Pretty Little Cooks.
• Launched in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
• Offers unique taco varieties including vegan options and dessert tacos like peach cobbler and strawberry shortcake.

2. Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Michaela did not attend culinary school but learned through experience and family influence.
• Her mother encouraged her to pursue the food truck idea, even waking her up to go buy one.
• Her father and brother are chefs, and her daughter is her biggest fan and motivator.

3. Challenges Faced

• Started with little to no money and reinvested daily.
• Faced licensing and permitting issues due to government shutdowns.
• Was misled by commissary kitchens lacking proper permits, resulting in financial loss.
• Her first food truck was stolen, but she bounced back with a new one.

4. Growth and Expansion

• Operates three locations in Atlanta: Colony Square, Union City (inside a gas station), and Moreland Avenue.
• Plans to expand into more gas stations and possibly mass production while maintaining quality and authenticity.

5. Business Philosophy

• Focuses on customer experience and generous portions.
• Requires all staff to sign NDAs to protect recipes and business integrity.
• Encourages staff to learn and grow, even if they aspire to start their own businesses.

---

💬 Notable Quotes

• “I didn’t really have a choice… it was survival.” – On launching her business during the pandemic.
• “You have to be resilient. You can’t give up.” – On overcoming obstacles.
• “My daughter is my biggest fan… I want her to understand she can do anything.” – On her motivation.
• “I thrive off competition… I level up every time.” – On the competitive food truck industry.
• “Business supersedes relationships… protect yourself always.” – On the importance of NDAs and business integrity.

---

 

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#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 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

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://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 Michaela Merrick.

 

---

🎙️ Interview Summary: Michaela Merrick on Money Making Conversations Masterclass 🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight Michaela Merrick, founder of Pretty Little Tacos, and her entrepreneurial journey from launching a food truck during the COVID-19 pandemic to building a thriving Creole-Mexican taco brand in Atlanta. The interview aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs by showcasing resilience, creativity, and family support.

---

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Origin of Pretty Little Tacos

• Inspired by a short-lived cooking show called Pretty Little Cooks.
• Launched in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
• Offers unique taco varieties including vegan options and dessert tacos like peach cobbler and strawberry shortcake.

2. Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Michaela did not attend culinary school but learned through experience and family influence.
• Her mother encouraged her to pursue the food truck idea, even waking her up to go buy one.
• Her father and brother are chefs, and her daughter is her biggest fan and motivator.

3. Challenges Faced

• Started with little to no money and reinvested daily.
• Faced licensing and permitting issues due to government shutdowns.
• Was misled by commissary kitchens lacking proper permits, resulting in financial loss.
• Her first food truck was stolen, but she bounced back with a new one.

4. Growth and Expansion

• Operates three locations in Atlanta: Colony Square, Union City (inside a gas station), and Moreland Avenue.
• Plans to expand into more gas stations and possibly mass production while maintaining quality and authenticity.

5. Business Philosophy

• Focuses on customer experience and generous portions.
• Requires all staff to sign NDAs to protect recipes and business integrity.
• Encourages staff to learn and grow, even if they aspire to start their own businesses.

---

💬 Notable Quotes

• “I didn’t really have a choice… it was survival.” – On launching her business during the pandemic.
• “You have to be resilient. You can’t give up.” – On overcoming obstacles.
• “My daughter is my biggest fan… I want her to understand she can do anything.” – On her motivation.
• “I thrive off competition… I level up every time.” – On the competitive food truck industry.
• “Business supersedes relationships… protect yourself always.” – On the importance of NDAs and business integrity.

---

 

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

 

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://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 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

 

---

🎙️ Interview Summary: Michaela Merrick on Money Making Conversations Masterclass 🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight Michaela Merrick, founder of Pretty Little Tacos, and her entrepreneurial journey from launching a food truck during the COVID-19 pandemic to building a thriving Creole-Mexican taco brand in Atlanta. The interview aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs by showcasing resilience, creativity, and family support.

---

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Origin of Pretty Little Tacos

• Inspired by a short-lived cooking show called Pretty Little Cooks.
• Launched in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
• Offers unique taco varieties including vegan options and dessert tacos like peach cobbler and strawberry shortcake.

2. Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Michaela did not attend culinary school but learned through experience and family influence.
• Her mother encouraged her to pursue the food truck idea, even waking her up to go buy one.
• Her father and brother are chefs, and her daughter is her biggest fan and motivator.

3. Challenges Faced

• Started with little to no money and reinvested daily.
• Faced licensing and permitting issues due to government shutdowns.
• Was misled by commissary kitchens lacking proper permits, resulting in financial loss.
• Her first food truck was stolen, but she bounced back with a new one.

4. Growth and Expansion

• Operates three locations in Atlanta: Colony Square, Union City (inside a gas station), and Moreland Avenue.
• Plans to expand into more gas stations and possibly mass production while maintaining quality and authenticity.

5. Business Philosophy

• Focuses on customer experience and generous portions.
• Requires all staff to sign NDAs to protect recipes and business integrity.
• Encourages staff to learn and grow, even if they aspire to start their own businesses.

---

💬 Notable Quotes

• “I didn’t really have a choice… it was survival.” – On launching her business during the pandemic.
• “You have to be resilient. You can’t give up.” – On overcoming obstacles.
• “My daughter is my biggest fan… I want her to understand she can do anything.” – On her motivation.
• “I thrive off competition… I level up every time.” – On the competitive food truck industry.
• “Business supersedes relationships… protect yourself always.” – On the importance of NDAs and business integrity.

---

 

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

 

---

🎙️ Interview Summary: Michaela Merrick on Money Making Conversations Masterclass 🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight Michaela Merrick, founder of Pretty Little Tacos, and her entrepreneurial journey from launching a food truck during the COVID-19 pandemic to building a thriving Creole-Mexican taco brand in Atlanta. The interview aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs by showcasing resilience, creativity, and family support.

---

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Origin of Pretty Little Tacos

• Inspired by a short-lived cooking show called Pretty Little Cooks.
• Launched in May 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
• Offers unique taco varieties including vegan options and dessert tacos like peach cobbler and strawberry shortcake.

2. Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Michaela did not attend culinary school but learned through experience and family influence.
• Her mother encouraged her to pursue the food truck idea, even waking her up to go buy one.
• Her father and brother are chefs, and her daughter is her biggest fan and motivator.

3. Challenges Faced

• Started with little to no money and reinvested daily.
• Faced licensing and permitting issues due to government shutdowns.
• Was misled by commissary kitchens lacking proper permits, resulting in financial loss.
• Her first food truck was stolen, but she bounced back with a new one.

4. Growth and Expansion

• Operates three locations in Atlanta: Colony Square, Union City (inside a gas station), and Moreland Avenue.
• Plans to expand into more gas stations and possibly mass production while maintaining quality and authenticity.

5. Business Philosophy

• Focuses on customer experience and generous portions.
• Requires all staff to sign NDAs to protect recipes and business integrity.
• Encourages staff to learn and grow, even if they aspire to start their own businesses.

---

💬 Notable Quotes

• “I didn’t really have a choice… it was survival.” – On launching her business during the pandemic.
• “You have to be resilient. You can’t give up.” – On overcoming obstacles.
• “My daughter is my biggest fan… I want her to understand she can do anything.” – On her motivation.
• “I thrive off competition… I level up every time.” – On the competitive food truck industry.
• “Business supersedes relationships… protect yourself always.” – On the importance of NDAs and business integrity.

---

 

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.