1 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 1: Welcome to Money Making Conversations. It's the show that she 2 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: has the secrets of success experience firsthand by marketing and 3 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:13,360 Speaker 1: Brandon expert Rashaan McDonald. I will know he's given me 4 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: advice to many occasions. In the case you didn't notice, 5 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: I'm not broke, you know he'll be interviewing celebrity CEOs, 6 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: entrepreneurs and industry decision makers. It's what he likes to do, 7 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: it's what he likes to share. Now it's time to 8 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 1: hear from my man, Rashaan McDonald money Making Conversations. Here 9 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:33,520 Speaker 1: we go, absolutely absolutely welcome to Money Making Conversations masterclass. 10 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: As he stayed its stephen A. Smith, I am Rashaan McDonald, 11 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:39,800 Speaker 1: Welcome to my show. I theme today is there is 12 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 1: no perfect time to start following your dreams because I 13 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 1: recognize that we all have different definitions of success. For you, 14 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:48,880 Speaker 1: it may be the size of your paycheck. Mine really 15 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:51,279 Speaker 1: is inspiring you to accomplish your goals and live your 16 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: very best life. Actually, it's time to start reading other 17 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 1: people's success stories and really start living your own. People 18 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,880 Speaker 1: always talking about their purpose or gift. If you have 19 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 1: a gift, leave with your gift and don't let your friends, family, 20 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: or co workers stop you from planning or living your dreams. 21 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: My guests on the show today Melodie Brown. She's on 22 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: called She's on hold right now. If you don't know 23 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,319 Speaker 1: who Melandie Brown is, She's the Associate vice president of 24 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 1: Consumer Media Content at Blade Blade b l a v 25 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 1: I t Y, Incorporated. When my next guest is Melanie Brown. 26 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: She is the Associate vice president of Consumer Media Content 27 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:27,399 Speaker 1: at Lavide, a corporation that builds solutions for black and 28 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:31,319 Speaker 1: multicultural audiences and enterprises who want to reach them. She 29 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:33,839 Speaker 1: explained to every explaining to us exactly what all that means, 30 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:37,960 Speaker 1: because it's important because multicultural or black, understanding who your 31 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: voice is and the community out there is kind of 32 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 1: like dissecting and telling you where you should go and 33 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:45,400 Speaker 1: what you cannot do. As part of her role, Melandi 34 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 1: Lee's innovative editorial franchises and verticals where they focus on 35 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: driving affiliate revenue. It's all about money. This includes integrated 36 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 1: strategic strategies focused on inspiring and engaging audience in the 37 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: way that constantly drives action. She's gonna tell us about 38 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: all the projects the travel magazine she's involved. She's on 39 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: the show to discussed how she drives that revenue in 40 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: the ever changing world that we live in. Please walk 41 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 1: with the money Making Conversation Masterclass, Melanie Brown. How you doing, 42 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: Melandie Hayler, Sean, It's so great to be here. I'm 43 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 1: really excited about this conversation. I mean, following Sherry, I'm hyped. Well, 44 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:21,639 Speaker 1: you know, Sherry, I was. I said, I think Sharry 45 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: will keep talking. But I got Melandie home and not worried. No, no, 46 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 1: you know, because if I feel fortunate to have not 47 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 1: only her on the show, but you on the show 48 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 1: because of the fact that you drive a different medium 49 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 1: in this business and we're always talking about what can I, 50 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: what kind of business can I? What kind of careers 51 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 1: can our children have? Of color? And then we know 52 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 1: in this industry there's a general tendency to believe that 53 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,840 Speaker 1: we only do a certain type of career choices. And 54 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 1: when you when when we discuss what you're doing, I 55 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 1: wanted you to first explain to everybody what you do 56 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: and then we're gonna talk about how did you get there? Yeah? Absolutely, 57 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 1: thank you so much for Sean. I'm currently, as you mentioned, 58 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 1: the Associate vice president of consumer Media at Blavity. So 59 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 1: what does that mean? That means basically, I'd leave all 60 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 1: of the content strategy for our commerce and when you're 61 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 1: talking about shoppable content, things that you see online on 62 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:15,920 Speaker 1: our website, as well as content that includes lifestyle trending 63 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: topical stories for our brands, which include travel, New Hours, 64 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: that's our vacation brand twenty one ninety, which is like 65 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: our lifestyle beauty um wellness brand, and then our newest 66 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 1: brand which just launched two months ago, Home and Texture, 67 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: which is our home to core inspiration brand. So that's 68 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: my role they're at Blavity. Okay, that's your role there 69 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: at Blavity. But we know you one of these people. 70 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 1: You you you just as though, just as worse. I 71 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:45,680 Speaker 1: would say worse because it's a compliment when you develop 72 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,400 Speaker 1: multiple strains of income, because not only that, but you're 73 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: you're also involved in slime. I feel like, who's releasing 74 00:03:56,200 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: the secret? Well, you know, you know the title of 75 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 1: the show money Making Conversation mastercland I bring on people 76 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 1: who can tell you how you can sit up here 77 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 1: and say what do I do with twenty four hours? 78 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: You listen to my show and you will hear people 79 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 1: tell you what you do with your twenty four hours. 80 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 1: So tell us about this slime in your life. Yeah, 81 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: so this is a slime that kind of started my life, 82 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: if you will. So years and years ago, I graduated 83 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,280 Speaker 1: from the University of Central Florida, which is based in 84 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 1: Orlando where I live, right and got an internship at 85 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: Nickelodeon Studios, which was based here at the time, and 86 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: they did a reboot for those back in the days 87 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 1: who remember Double Bear, which was like this kid's game 88 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: show that was messy like slide boeiness, etc. And part 89 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 1: of my responsibilities as a intern starting out the sidescraft 90 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:48,919 Speaker 1: services that basically is like today's DoorDash and Eat For 91 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:52,479 Speaker 1: those who don't know, I had to make slime for 92 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: the show. Okay, you know you had to make slime. 93 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:56,919 Speaker 1: See I always tell people, like my first job, My 94 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: first job was unloading drugs. I tell people trucks. So 95 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:03,160 Speaker 1: I realized that once they put me on the back 96 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 1: of a truck head at one thousand inter twos or 97 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: fifty pounds each. After that job, right there, I realized, 98 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: that's not my career. That's not my career. Now you 99 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: were doing making slime. How old do you make slime? Listen? 100 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: I don't know if I can with all the secrets, 101 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,280 Speaker 1: but I will say it's all edible. And there are 102 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: two different versions at that time that they were used, 103 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 1: and one was kind of a pudding base and one 104 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:31,479 Speaker 1: was almost like the thick apple sauce base and other 105 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:34,880 Speaker 1: ingredients to you know, mix it together and it would 106 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 1: go on different slides and different cyber foam toys, et 107 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 1: cetera for the game. But that was, yeah, that was 108 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:43,200 Speaker 1: starting out. And I will say, like when you start 109 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 1: out in a career in an industry, sometimes you know, 110 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,039 Speaker 1: like the phone goes, start from the bottom, now we'll 111 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 1: hear it. Sometimes you have to get your foot in 112 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:53,480 Speaker 1: the door. And honestly, it was such a cool, fun 113 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 1: time to be in that environment fresh out of college. 114 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: I enjoyed it. But one you didn't have to travel 115 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:04,160 Speaker 1: across to get into the Hollywood you were involved in 116 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:06,919 Speaker 1: in the early stages of creativity. You see where Okay, 117 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: this is how people create content, This is how people 118 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:12,000 Speaker 1: reach a certain audience. That was a very strong and 119 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:15,159 Speaker 1: powerful learning curve for you, because you know they was 120 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 1: reaching a certain audience with this show. Absolutely absolutely, and 121 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,920 Speaker 1: I think, you know, it's so interesting you say that 122 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:26,280 Speaker 1: that was kind of my first makings of like media. 123 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: But then my career as far as starting out my 124 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:32,159 Speaker 1: full time gig, did kind of a parallel pivot. I 125 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: started out full time in TV news. So I started 126 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,679 Speaker 1: as an associate producer at the ABC station here in Orlando, 127 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:43,479 Speaker 1: which teams I was writing. I was editing for various newscasts. 128 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 1: Sometimes my shifts would be early in the morning talking 129 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 1: about the crocodile and I have to get in at 130 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: three am. Then sometimes I would have to fill in 131 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: at night. And then you know, worked my ranks up, 132 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,360 Speaker 1: transitioned to the NBC station in Georgia, where I worked 133 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:00,359 Speaker 1: up the ranks to executive producer and basically that the 134 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,160 Speaker 1: person who's in charge of all of the newscasts creating 135 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: content and storytelling. And after about ten years into that, Rashaun, 136 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:09,960 Speaker 1: you know, I got to the point where I love storytelling, 137 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 1: but I was over breaking news, crime and destruction content. 138 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: Love storytelling, but that was no longer for me after 139 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 1: doing it for ten years, and so then opportunity presented 140 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: itself for me to enter this you know, well known 141 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 1: hospitality company to create content from a publishing perspective, doing 142 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 1: their digital magazines, video content, and marketing campaigns. And I 143 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 1: did that for several years and then that brings me 144 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 1: to Blavity several months Melody. Now I'm talking to Melodies, 145 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: associated vice president of Continual Media Content and Blavity. Okay, 146 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: we talked about slam because you know, I gotta bring 147 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:48,160 Speaker 1: everybody up to speed. Anybody just rolled into this conversation. Slime, 148 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 1: Slime and the ice machine, some story like that. We 149 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 1: talked and you know what was your degree in. It 150 00:07:56,480 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: was in radio TV Communications. That was my degree from 151 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: the University of Florida. Okay, So but now you're talking 152 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: about you. When you was talking about marketing, you was 153 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: talking about news. So these were areas where they would 154 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: you say, they would tie to use a degree or 155 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: you were just taking the opportunity and making the most 156 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,520 Speaker 1: of it. Team and news was definitely tied to my degree. 157 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 1: You know, during my college years, back in the day, 158 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 1: we would do kind of a you know, on campus newscast, 159 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 1: and so at the Timershan I was like, I want 160 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 1: to be on air, I want to be a reporter, 161 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: I want to be an anchor. And work through that 162 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 1: and when the Nickelodeon's position opportunity came for intern, I 163 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: was like, oh, well, this is another avenue to venture out. 164 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 1: But it wasn't until I got the position, you know, 165 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:38,959 Speaker 1: my first full time gig as an associate producer, where 166 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 1: I was like, you know what, I liked this writing thing. 167 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: I like being able to put news casts together, to 168 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 1: put shows together, to lead teams. So it changed for me. 169 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: You know, I will say one of the things for 170 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: anybody who's fresh out of college or who's either doing 171 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 1: a trade or looking to get into an industry, being 172 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:01,680 Speaker 1: open minded, because here's the thing, the position or the 173 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 1: role you think you may want. Try things out, and 174 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 1: you may surprise yourself actually find out you're actually better 175 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 1: and blessed in another area. Right, And I've learned that, 176 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 1: you know, people always talk about how I do a 177 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: lot of different things. I've done a lot of different 178 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: things in my life, and I will do a lot 179 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:19,160 Speaker 1: of the things in my life. I always tell people 180 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 1: that I give one hundred percent when the opportunity is 181 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 1: being presented to me, and I will pivot when an 182 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: opportunity feels very comfortable and enjoyable. Because I'm always intrigued. 183 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 1: I'm always ready to accept the challenge, and that seems 184 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: to be a path in your life. You know, you're 185 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:37,559 Speaker 1: not intimidated by change, and a lot of people are. Absolutely. 186 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:39,760 Speaker 1: I think you have to kind of go with your gut. 187 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 1: Same reason I said, you know, after TV News love 188 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:44,319 Speaker 1: storytelling people, I'm like, you know, this is not the 189 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:47,959 Speaker 1: type of stories I want to tell. And then moved 190 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:51,240 Speaker 1: to Hospitality and then several months ago I found an 191 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:54,080 Speaker 1: opportunity at Blavity. Ain't that interests me? And even more 192 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 1: so the fact that the company is all in, Rashan, 193 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 1: all in when it comes to blast multicultural customers. You know, 194 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 1: that set out to me because in my twenty year career, 195 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:10,280 Speaker 1: I've never ever worked for a company where diversity, equity 196 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 1: inclusion goes beyond like HR policies or social injustice moments. 197 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 1: That's literally Blavity's brand and it just jumps out at me. 198 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 1: And you know, I least at the opportunity. I was 199 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 1: glad that they had me. So as you said, you know, 200 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: my career has had different you know, paths and parallels, 201 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: all in communication or storytelling to some degree, but it's 202 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 1: so broad and I'm just so excited about what's still 203 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: to come with my time here at Bravity. We know 204 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 1: it's really interesting because Blavity, you know, as a industry medium, 205 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 1: and that has a voice for us, you know, because 206 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:51,439 Speaker 1: we realized today how important that voice plays out because 207 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: so many people are trying to shift a narrative of 208 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: what really is black culture or black history. Now, what 209 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:00,560 Speaker 1: is the importance of your role? I know you involved 210 00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 1: in different brands and different scales at Blavity, What is 211 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:08,080 Speaker 1: your role when you're talking about storytelling it, making it 212 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,960 Speaker 1: or think and making it accurate? I think so my 213 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:15,559 Speaker 1: role is like listening to our customers, see what's resonating 214 00:11:15,559 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 1: with them, see where they are in the journey. I think, 215 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 1: for example, our Newness brand, home and texture. Sometimes we're 216 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: trying When people think about millennials, they're like, all they 217 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:25,440 Speaker 1: are these young kids in their twenties. No, millennials are 218 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 1: straight up mid thirties plus early forties. They're setting up roots, 219 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 1: they're becoming entrepreneurs, they're buying homes, they're traveling, they're interested 220 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 1: about their health and wellness. And so those are the 221 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,680 Speaker 1: pieces of content and the storytelling that I want to 222 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:46,960 Speaker 1: tell for our audience, Like where are they in the 223 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 1: various funnels of journey. Also black and multicultural folks. We're 224 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:55,439 Speaker 1: not monolithic, We're not the same. There's some folks. Even 225 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:58,679 Speaker 1: when you talk about home right home ownership, that can 226 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:03,200 Speaker 1: be a condo, that could be a remodeled home, that 227 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 1: could be a new spec home, that could be an apartment. 228 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:10,920 Speaker 1: Like there's different variables and variations to what it means 229 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:13,200 Speaker 1: to set up roots in your home, and those are 230 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: the stories who want to tap into. Absolutely when we 231 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:17,960 Speaker 1: come back, I want to talk about more than the 232 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 1: travel aspect because I think that's where the African American 233 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:24,520 Speaker 1: community has grown so much and travel because they know 234 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:25,840 Speaker 1: I grew up in the era. You know you're hopping 235 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: the back of the car with mom music, go down 236 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: to your cousins in the next state, and that was 237 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: your vacation, that was your extent of traveling. Well, we're 238 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: world travelers now in the African American community, of the 239 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:37,079 Speaker 1: community of color. When we come back, we're asked Melanie 240 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: about that, and we also talked about the home and 241 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,079 Speaker 1: texture why that brand is so special. Be right back 242 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 1: with more money making conversation masterclass with the Queen. I 243 00:12:44,040 --> 00:12:45,520 Speaker 1: had the Queen of talk show. Now, I got the 244 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:54,079 Speaker 1: Queen of Blavity, Melanie b. Maybe Princess the Princess. We'll 245 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 1: be right back with the Princess Oblade Melanie Brown. Please 246 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 1: don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more Money 247 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:07,080 Speaker 1: Making Conversations Masterclass. Let me tell you about the host 248 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: of Money Making Conversations Rushan McDonald. He's a social media influencer. 249 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 1: Eighty percent of his one million plus social media followers 250 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: are female. Rushawn's a two time Emmy Award winner, three 251 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:22,679 Speaker 1: time in double ACP, Emmage Award winner, sitcom writer, stand 252 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 1: up comic, and former IBM executive, and he has a 253 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:30,720 Speaker 1: degree in mathematics. More importantly, Rushan McDonald will interview his 254 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:34,640 Speaker 1: business and celebrity relationships to empower you with tips to 255 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 1: succeed in your career that you can only hear in 256 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: The Money Making Conversations Masterclass show. Welcome back to the 257 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:46,320 Speaker 1: Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rushawn m Sean McDonald. 258 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 1: Welcome back to Money Making Conversation Masterclass. You know, you know, 259 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 1: always try to hype yourself off, try to hype your 260 00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 1: show off, trying to make it, you know, as big 261 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:55,680 Speaker 1: as as possible. See, I got the Queen and the 262 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:58,520 Speaker 1: Princess on my show today. The Queen of Daytime talks 263 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: the Princess a Black. Now, when I talk about the Blavity, 264 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 1: I'm talking about an e commerce brand that is totally 265 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:07,719 Speaker 1: focused on the African American community from the standpoint of 266 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 1: travel as far as Home and Texture. Talk to us 267 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 1: about that brand and what makes that so special and 268 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:16,559 Speaker 1: then we're going to go back to travel. Okay, sure, sure, 269 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 1: So in talking about Home and textuare you know it's 270 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 1: about our community. The brand launched two months ago, and 271 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 1: we know the home buying and designing industry generates millions 272 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:30,080 Speaker 1: rashan upon millions of dollars, but none of that goes 273 00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: really all in for us, right, So when we're talking 274 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 1: about homeowners, home seekers and designers and that demographic is 275 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 1: setting up roots. It's one of the reasons we chose 276 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: to have the Home and Texture launch party event and 277 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 1: Atlanta at the Garden Room last month. When you talk 278 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,520 Speaker 1: about the Black home buying journey, the atail is one 279 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: of the city's experiencing significant growth. Plus, not only is 280 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: this branch share information that's really unique to our community. 281 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:57,520 Speaker 1: So whether it's disparities and mortgage lending, how to embrace 282 00:14:57,560 --> 00:15:00,720 Speaker 1: your personal file and culture you know, and bring light 283 00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:04,240 Speaker 1: to your space, but also given a platform to entrepreneurs 284 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 1: in this space, so rashan when we're talking about real 285 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 1: estate agents and designers. Matter of fact, today we just 286 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 1: launched our social first series called Homo Texture House Tours, 287 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,760 Speaker 1: which is so amazing. It features for fabulous designers from 288 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: the Memphis area showcasing their homes and so for listeners 289 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 1: listening who want to check that out, go to homotextu 290 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 1: dot com. But what I'm excited about this brand is 291 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 1: that it's showing how we are building equity as a community. Wow. 292 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 1: You know, I tend to believe like I've been in 293 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 1: the person who has been been in the home buying industry. 294 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 1: I've been out there trying to buy the right furniture, 295 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: trying to get to the right also contractor trying to 296 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: But then when you look at TV these uh do 297 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:51,120 Speaker 1: it yourself shows our vision of our colors and always 298 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 1: showcase what what what what role? And why is that 299 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: why there's such a popularity, there's such a need for 300 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 1: what you We launched just months ago. Yes, we saw 301 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:05,200 Speaker 1: that it was definitely an empty space. You know, we 302 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: talk about Blavity, the Queen of Blavity, she'd probably you know, 303 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: disagree with me, but I think she is is market 304 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 1: to bond our CEO. She is so forthinking as well 305 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 1: as our executives about where can we spread our blavity 306 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: ache influence. And we saw the need. You know, I 307 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: mentioned earlier for those just joining the conversation that when 308 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 1: you're talking about millennials, they're not babies. These are folks 309 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:34,000 Speaker 1: who are making money, good money, who are looking to 310 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: buy homes, who are looking to even buy second homes, 311 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: right investment homes, and we feel like there needs to 312 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 1: be an avenue in a vehicle to them or vehicle 313 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:45,520 Speaker 1: for them, and not just how they design their home, 314 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: but even the nuances of insurance. You know. One of 315 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:50,720 Speaker 1: the stories I tell, you know, my team members is 316 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: like when me and my husband bought our home. You know, 317 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: it's little things. We have all of these windows. I'm like, oh, 318 00:16:56,240 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 1: we need curtains and window treatments like the defense, large 319 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: insurance and lending to kind of those you know, smaller 320 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 1: things that you don't think about. And we're trying to 321 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:09,159 Speaker 1: fill that space because there's obviously a need for it 322 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 1: with this demographic. Well, you know, it's really interesting because 323 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,160 Speaker 1: you know, you learned so much about home buying, and 324 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,280 Speaker 1: you know, like all African Americans, I started in my 325 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: little apartment. I remember my very first apartment. It was 326 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,159 Speaker 1: kind of like a studio, had that little wall. It 327 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 1: wasn't really one bedroom because if you looked around, the 328 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 1: wall didn't have a door. But I was happy in 329 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 1: my little seven hundred graat feedo. I was I was 330 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: rocking and rolling in there. It was mine. It was mine, 331 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 1: you know, technically in rent it was mine. And then 332 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:39,440 Speaker 1: what did you realize is that we are renting all 333 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:41,919 Speaker 1: the time. And really, when you do the math and 334 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 1: you take care of your credit, then you can become 335 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 1: take that rent and turn it into a mortgage and 336 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: then you have equity. And that's the part of the 337 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,439 Speaker 1: conversation that I really love about when you talk about 338 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:56,479 Speaker 1: home and texture, because it educates a process to you 339 00:17:56,520 --> 00:17:59,399 Speaker 1: that you may not be thinking about. And it's also 340 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: when you talk about millennials. I think the media has 341 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: has time time trapped millennials to some some twenty five 342 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 1: there's twenty seven year old person who who wants to 343 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 1: skip the line and wants to wants to what, don't 344 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 1: want to work hard. That's what the millennials have been 345 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 1: trapped into that world. Like you said, excuse me, that's 346 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:21,639 Speaker 1: not us. That's not us. With homebuyers, you know, we 347 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 1: buy stock. We were about our retirement and we make 348 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:28,520 Speaker 1: a contribution to society. And that's that's the stereotype that 349 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 1: you're dennouncing right now, and you're doing a very good 350 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 1: job of it. But another stereotype that you're announcing, it's 351 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:37,840 Speaker 1: the whole travel concept because people like me, I'm older 352 00:18:37,840 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: than you, so I know the traditional travel that we 353 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 1: used to do and in the Europe travel wasn't part 354 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:48,680 Speaker 1: of my mantra going out of town, the Camcoon wasn't 355 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: part of the Jamaica wasn't part of it. But now 356 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:54,760 Speaker 1: that's part of the regular routine. What excites you about 357 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:59,880 Speaker 1: that growing a very explosive component of your brand. Yeah, 358 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:03,199 Speaker 1: I think everything I mean in full transparency, Rashaun. Like 359 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: our vacations where at the time I lived in New York, 360 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,359 Speaker 1: was taking a road trip down south that we called 361 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:12,199 Speaker 1: to South Carolina to visit family, which you know I 362 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:15,240 Speaker 1: loved at the time. But now when you look at travel, Yes, 363 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: people want these international experiences, especially now post COVID people 364 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:22,679 Speaker 1: are trying to fly and get away. But also what 365 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: we're finding out with our Blovity audience, particularly for travel 366 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:30,159 Speaker 1: new are for that brand, is that they also want 367 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:33,160 Speaker 1: unique experiences where they don't feel like a tourist. Right. 368 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: So when somebody's traveling, whether it's going to DC, they 369 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: don't want to go to eight cheen restaurants. They want 370 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 1: to have that localized experience where they feel like they're 371 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 1: really being part of the community there. Yes, they like luxury, 372 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 1: they like the finer things. And even when those who 373 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:55,680 Speaker 1: want to road trip, like I said, black and multicultural, 374 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 1: our demographic's not monolithic. So one of the franchises that 375 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,640 Speaker 1: we're looking at is hidden jams. So these are those 376 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:05,199 Speaker 1: unique destinations, whether it's going to New Mexico, going up 377 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 1: to Montana, that are very unique and also where black 378 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:12,639 Speaker 1: and multicultural skill they can be their authentic self. You 379 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 1: know the interesting thing about when I hear you talk 380 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:17,920 Speaker 1: about travel and it's a little note about me. I 381 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: used to be I should do stand up and let's 382 00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:22,359 Speaker 1: just stand up on cruise ships. I've done performing on 383 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 1: probably eight different cruise ships, eighty different eighty different cruise ships. 384 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 1: And it was always funny because from from like September 385 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:33,280 Speaker 1: to April, the audience I had performing in front of 386 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:38,399 Speaker 1: me was white. When it got made to September, the 387 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 1: cruise ship was predominantly black. I don't care if it 388 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:43,360 Speaker 1: was I don't care where cruise like was Norwegian, it 389 00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:46,399 Speaker 1: was raw Caribbean. That those are the two out dominantly 390 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: performed on. But it was always let me know that 391 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:52,840 Speaker 1: the black culture was very seasonal, very summer oriented. When 392 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:55,520 Speaker 1: we did our vacation and with Blavity, you're starting to 393 00:20:55,520 --> 00:20:58,159 Speaker 1: open up those chains as we wrapped this interview, and 394 00:20:58,200 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 1: I want to tell you thank you for coming on 395 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:01,320 Speaker 1: the show. How can we get in touch with you. 396 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:03,359 Speaker 1: How can we learn more about and give us some 397 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:05,679 Speaker 1: websites of Blavity that we can that we can go 398 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 1: and start adding to that amazing website traffic did y'all 399 00:21:09,359 --> 00:21:12,919 Speaker 1: have every month? Yes? Absolutely so. For let's start with 400 00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: Home and Text, our news brand. You can follow us 401 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,679 Speaker 1: at Home and Texture also our website Home and Texture 402 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 1: dot com. Same handles for Travel NEWIR vacation brand at 403 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 1: Travel Newir and at twenty one ninety for me. Just 404 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: look me up, hit me up on LinkedIn, Melody Bostic Brown, 405 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:32,239 Speaker 1: you can find me there. And you know, I'm just 406 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 1: excited about what's to come with Blovity and it's house 407 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:39,160 Speaker 1: of brands, because again Blovity Inc. Has dozens of brands 408 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 1: in the lifestyle space from travel to home, to court, 409 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 1: to beauty, to news, the information, to politics to entertainment 410 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:49,280 Speaker 1: where we're serving up the content that we know our 411 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: audience craves and needs. Well, you know, if summer's coming, 412 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:55,080 Speaker 1: so I'm going to reach out back to you, miss 413 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:58,399 Speaker 1: Melody Bostic Brown, and we're gonna talk about travel and 414 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:00,280 Speaker 1: we're gonna call them call you the Princess and get 415 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 1: you the right title. I'm bringing the Princess back on 416 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:04,840 Speaker 1: your show from Blavity and we're gonna have a lot 417 00:22:04,880 --> 00:22:06,480 Speaker 1: more fun. But again, thank you for coming on Money 418 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:11,040 Speaker 1: Making Conversations Masterclass. You are fantastic. Thank you so much 419 00:22:11,040 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 1: for shan enjoyed it, appreciate it. Let me tell you 420 00:22:16,640 --> 00:22:20,760 Speaker 1: about the Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashaan McDonald. 421 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 1: People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you 422 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: have a gift, lead with your gifts and don't let 423 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:29,400 Speaker 1: your friends, family, or co workers stop you from planning 424 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:32,119 Speaker 1: or living your dreams. The interviews and information on his 425 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 1: show are for everybody. Don't let change scare you. He's 426 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 1: here to educate you because it's time to put you 427 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:42,160 Speaker 1: your dreams into action. The show Money Making Conversations Masterclass 428 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:47,399 Speaker 1: interviews CEOs, small business owners, influencers and celebrities. They share 429 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:51,159 Speaker 1: financial and career success tips with Rushan McDonald, which you 430 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:55,200 Speaker 1: can only hear in The Money Making Conversations Masterclass show