1 00:00:05,380 --> 00:00:08,180 Speaker 1: Welcome to the show. I am Rashawn McDonald, the host 2 00:00:08,220 --> 00:00:11,900 Speaker 1: of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, where we encourage people to 3 00:00:11,940 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: stop reading other people's success stories and start planning their own. 4 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:19,660 Speaker 1: Listen up as I interview entrepreneurs from around the country, 5 00:00:19,980 --> 00:00:22,779 Speaker 1: talk to celebrities and ask them how they are running 6 00:00:22,820 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: their companies and speak with nonprofits who are making a 7 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:29,120 Speaker 1: difference in their local communities. Now sit back and listen 8 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,300 Speaker 1: as we unlock the secrets to their success. on Money 9 00:00:32,340 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: Making Conversations Masterclass. 10 00:00:36,300 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 2: Hi there. 11 00:00:36,700 --> 00:00:37,659 Speaker 1: This is Rashawn McDonald. 12 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 3: Welcome. 13 00:00:38,260 --> 00:00:41,050 Speaker 1: Welcome to this Money Making Conversations Masterclass. I am your host, 14 00:00:41,090 --> 00:00:43,390 Speaker 1: Rashawn McDonald. And do we have a show for you. 15 00:00:43,909 --> 00:00:47,210 Speaker 1: People who have come from the back and now, hopefully, 16 00:00:47,430 --> 00:00:49,310 Speaker 1: standing in the front. That's what this show is all about. 17 00:00:49,710 --> 00:00:52,990 Speaker 1: I host this weekly Money Making Conversations Masterclass show. The 18 00:00:53,030 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 1: interviews and information that this show provides are for everyone. 19 00:00:56,420 --> 00:00:58,940 Speaker 1: It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and 20 00:00:58,980 --> 00:01:01,280 Speaker 1: start living your own. Now, If you want to be 21 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:03,420 Speaker 1: a guest on my show, and I love it when 22 00:01:03,460 --> 00:01:05,480 Speaker 1: people want to be a guest on my show, you 23 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:11,119 Speaker 1: just go to moneymakingconversations.com. That's a website, moneymakingconversations.com. You can 24 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:15,900 Speaker 1: also see old archived podcasts of episodes that air on WCLK. 25 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:19,620 Speaker 1: And click Be a Guest button. Click the Be a 26 00:01:19,660 --> 00:01:23,020 Speaker 1: Guest button. Fill out the information. The email will come 27 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 1: directly to me. And then guess what? You could be 28 00:01:26,220 --> 00:01:28,270 Speaker 1: sitting right next to me, or you could be calling 29 00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:31,170 Speaker 1: in and be a guest on WCLK. my show, Money 30 00:01:31,190 --> 00:01:34,390 Speaker 1: Making Conversations Masterclass. Well, let's get this show rolling. I 31 00:01:34,410 --> 00:01:36,850 Speaker 1: got guests that are on hold. And guess what? This 32 00:01:36,870 --> 00:01:39,670 Speaker 1: show is built for you, providing information about people who 33 00:01:40,270 --> 00:01:43,330 Speaker 1: are dreamers just like you, nonprofits and profits. And we 34 00:01:43,370 --> 00:01:46,310 Speaker 1: want to learn their secrets to success. My next guest 35 00:01:46,530 --> 00:01:51,190 Speaker 1: is a cookie and cookie dough mix brand. That's what 36 00:01:51,230 --> 00:01:54,210 Speaker 1: she built. She's recently went from 200 stores now, 200 37 00:01:54,210 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 1: stores to now more than 4,100 stores. An idea that 38 00:01:59,810 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 1: started in her kitchen, just like a lot of you 39 00:02:01,740 --> 00:02:04,860 Speaker 1: guys out there. The products are now available nationwide at 40 00:02:05,060 --> 00:02:08,399 Speaker 1: all home goods, TJ Maxx, all these stores. She's going 41 00:02:08,419 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: to tell you, even in Canada, it's a vegan cookie 42 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:16,180 Speaker 1: and looks and everybody wants it. According to go from 43 00:02:16,180 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 1: 200 to 4,100, a lot of people want it. Please 44 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,420 Speaker 1: welcome to Money Making Conversation Masterclass so she can tell 45 00:02:23,100 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: her story, how it all started. Dr. Sheikha Little. How 46 00:02:26,300 --> 00:02:26,980 Speaker 1: you doing, Dr. Sheikha? 47 00:02:28,060 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 3: I am doing great, Rashawn. How are you? 48 00:02:30,419 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: A vegan cookie. 49 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 3: Yes, a vegan cookie. 50 00:02:35,580 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 1: How did that idea start? 51 00:02:38,139 --> 00:02:42,540 Speaker 3: Oh, my gosh. Okay, so the idea of a vegan cookie, 52 00:02:42,620 --> 00:02:47,929 Speaker 3: we started right at 2020 after the pandemic. I was 53 00:02:48,050 --> 00:02:52,290 Speaker 3: an educator. I was in the field of education, education management. 54 00:02:53,130 --> 00:02:55,470 Speaker 3: And I'd always been baking on the side, baking on 55 00:02:55,510 --> 00:02:58,489 Speaker 3: the weekends, and been baking since I was a teenager 56 00:02:58,530 --> 00:03:01,070 Speaker 3: in the South, to be honest. But when I lost 57 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 3: my job, the company closed as a result of COVID. 58 00:03:04,820 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 3: And the marketing director, she was like, you know what? 59 00:03:07,139 --> 00:03:09,239 Speaker 3: You may as well go ahead and start your bakery 60 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 3: at this time. 61 00:03:09,940 --> 00:03:10,940 Speaker 1: You know what? 62 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:11,800 Speaker 3: The rest is history. 63 00:03:12,139 --> 00:03:15,580 Speaker 1: So basically, you were working a normal job, just like everybody, 64 00:03:15,580 --> 00:03:16,459 Speaker 1: 40 hours a week. 65 00:03:16,620 --> 00:03:16,840 Speaker 3: Yes. 66 00:03:17,180 --> 00:03:20,100 Speaker 1: They had no aspirations of a cookie business. 67 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,419 Speaker 3: No, I didn't really think I had it in me. 68 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 3: You know what I'm saying? I never really thought that 69 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:27,620 Speaker 3: that was something. 70 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,489 Speaker 1: I could do. Wow. And so, but why vegan? You know, 71 00:03:31,350 --> 00:03:33,950 Speaker 1: like I said, I've tasted your cookies. They do taste, 72 00:03:34,790 --> 00:03:38,529 Speaker 1: they taste, I have to say, fantastic. And with that 73 00:03:38,570 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 1: being said, and I'm not a vegan guy. And so, 74 00:03:43,100 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: and I'm, you know, someone tells me when I say 75 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:46,700 Speaker 1: I'm not a vegan guy, I don't know what that means. 76 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,550 Speaker 1: All I know is I like Things are the good. 77 00:03:49,590 --> 00:03:52,470 Speaker 1: I like good desserts. This dessert hit a home run 78 00:03:52,500 --> 00:03:55,900 Speaker 1: with me. Now, with that being said, there are a 79 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: lot of cookies out there you could have made that 80 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:00,100 Speaker 1: are non-vegan. Why did you choose vegan? 81 00:04:01,140 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 3: Okay, so we wanted to make a cookie that is 82 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:07,190 Speaker 3: delicious and flavorful for everybody to enjoy. 83 00:04:07,550 --> 00:04:07,790 Speaker 1: Right. 84 00:04:07,810 --> 00:04:10,030 Speaker 3: Okay. So I know that there are people out there 85 00:04:10,090 --> 00:04:14,520 Speaker 3: with dairy allergies. Some people have lactose intolerance. Some people 86 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 3: don't want the cholesterol. Some people are looking for it. 87 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:20,580 Speaker 3: You know, we're in the age of everybody wants something different. 88 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:20,940 Speaker 2: Right. 89 00:04:20,960 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 3: But what I do know is that people want something 90 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:27,480 Speaker 3: delicious and flavorful, and we wanted to be able to 91 00:04:27,540 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 3: have something that everybody enjoyed. So that's why we came 92 00:04:30,540 --> 00:04:32,620 Speaker 3: out with the plant-based cookies. 93 00:04:33,150 --> 00:04:36,490 Speaker 1: Now, it's called Dr. Shika's Bakery. That's the name of 94 00:04:36,550 --> 00:04:39,940 Speaker 1: the brand, correct? Now, I would like to hear a 95 00:04:39,940 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: back story on people because, like I said, and we're 96 00:04:42,580 --> 00:04:45,460 Speaker 1: going to get to how it all got launched because 97 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: I'm sure there's more to this great story. But where 98 00:04:47,740 --> 00:04:48,580 Speaker 1: are you originally from? 99 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:53,219 Speaker 3: I'm originally from Easley, South Carolina. Many people have not 100 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:53,950 Speaker 3: heard about it. 101 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 1: I'm about to say I've been all over South Carolina. 102 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:59,359 Speaker 1: I've never been there, okay? Maybe drove past it real fast, 103 00:04:59,420 --> 00:05:00,720 Speaker 1: but I've never stopped. Yes. 104 00:05:01,390 --> 00:05:04,690 Speaker 3: You've never been there. So Easley is like in between 105 00:05:04,850 --> 00:05:07,810 Speaker 3: Greenville and Clemson. And so if you've ever heard of 106 00:05:07,850 --> 00:05:09,170 Speaker 3: the Clemson Tigers and that's an. 107 00:05:09,170 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 1: Old alma mater. 108 00:05:10,860 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 2: Yeah. 109 00:05:11,180 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 3: So it's in between, in between, it's a small city 110 00:05:13,860 --> 00:05:14,580 Speaker 3: in between those. 111 00:05:15,740 --> 00:05:17,260 Speaker 1: And then you made your way to Atlanta. 112 00:05:18,420 --> 00:05:21,859 Speaker 3: Yes, I made my way to Atlanta. Lived there in 113 00:05:21,900 --> 00:05:25,039 Speaker 3: Atlanta for about eight years. And then I always had 114 00:05:25,100 --> 00:05:28,340 Speaker 3: this dream of moving to L.A. Always had a dream 115 00:05:28,380 --> 00:05:32,410 Speaker 3: of moving to L.A., ended up taking a teaching position. 116 00:05:32,430 --> 00:05:35,450 Speaker 3: I taught college in Phoenix, Arizona, did that while I 117 00:05:35,490 --> 00:05:38,710 Speaker 3: was finishing my doctorate. I was finishing my PhD. And 118 00:05:38,750 --> 00:05:41,270 Speaker 3: then I had an opportunity to move out to L.A. 119 00:05:41,310 --> 00:05:44,020 Speaker 3: And I was like, OK, this is my time to 120 00:05:44,100 --> 00:05:45,339 Speaker 3: actually move to L.A. 121 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:48,380 Speaker 1: Now, here's the fun part, because I do know a 122 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:53,460 Speaker 1: little about her story. Now, she's been laid off. No 123 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:58,630 Speaker 1: aspirations of starting a cookie business. So basically she's doing 124 00:05:58,670 --> 00:06:00,669 Speaker 1: a rock and a hard place. What's your next dream? 125 00:06:00,870 --> 00:06:04,090 Speaker 1: You know, entrepreneurship wasn't a plan. And I always like 126 00:06:04,130 --> 00:06:08,750 Speaker 1: to tell people all dreams, all plans aren't always planned. 127 00:06:08,930 --> 00:06:11,930 Speaker 1: Sometimes they happen. When you see it happening, you got 128 00:06:11,950 --> 00:06:15,040 Speaker 1: to realize that moment. Tell us what happened in Los Angeles. 129 00:06:16,450 --> 00:06:16,890 Speaker 2: Okay. 130 00:06:16,950 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 3: So in Los Angeles, again, I was doing an education 131 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:25,040 Speaker 3: job here, got laid off. Marketing director said, go for it. 132 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 3: I started doing pop-ups around LA, and so I started 133 00:06:27,700 --> 00:06:31,660 Speaker 3: having a celebrity clientele. So I had some people, really 134 00:06:31,700 --> 00:06:36,469 Speaker 3: interesting people that came out, like the creator of the show, Entourage, 135 00:06:36,550 --> 00:06:39,460 Speaker 3: Doug Ellen. He was one of my biggest cheerleaders and 136 00:06:39,500 --> 00:06:42,780 Speaker 3: still is today. And that's one of my favorite shows 137 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:44,940 Speaker 3: for him to come by one of our pop ups 138 00:06:45,020 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 3: and actually taste our cookies and brownies and give it 139 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:49,860 Speaker 3: a check off. You know, that was a big thing 140 00:06:49,900 --> 00:06:50,180 Speaker 3: to me. 141 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:50,539 Speaker 1: Right. 142 00:06:50,740 --> 00:06:53,980 Speaker 3: And so from there, you know, he told Terry Weinberg 143 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,179 Speaker 3: she was a producer of the TV show The Office, 144 00:06:56,220 --> 00:06:59,940 Speaker 3: which is another favorite show of mine. I've even even 145 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:02,659 Speaker 3: got all the way around to making birthday cake for 146 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:05,830 Speaker 3: Jessica Simpson and delivering it at her house. These are 147 00:07:05,870 --> 00:07:09,250 Speaker 3: things I never thought that I would do because my 148 00:07:09,430 --> 00:07:12,510 Speaker 3: initial goal was not to have a bakery. I was 149 00:07:12,570 --> 00:07:15,110 Speaker 3: an educator. I had three degrees in education. I have 150 00:07:15,150 --> 00:07:19,580 Speaker 3: a bachelor's, a master's, and a PhD. And so that 151 00:07:19,620 --> 00:07:22,540 Speaker 3: was my career path. But God said otherwise. 152 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:25,340 Speaker 1: But I love the fact that you're going to say, look, 153 00:07:26,050 --> 00:07:28,150 Speaker 1: I'm still going to keep doctor in my name here. 154 00:07:28,330 --> 00:07:30,770 Speaker 1: I may not be using it academically. I might not 155 00:07:30,790 --> 00:07:33,270 Speaker 1: be losing it a job, but it's going to be Dr. 156 00:07:33,310 --> 00:07:34,530 Speaker 1: Sheikah's bakery. Okay. 157 00:07:35,250 --> 00:07:35,590 Speaker 3: Yes. 158 00:07:35,770 --> 00:07:36,050 Speaker 2: Yes. 159 00:07:36,210 --> 00:07:39,420 Speaker 3: I earned it. I went to school for 17 years 160 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,220 Speaker 3: to get that degree. And, you know, being able to 161 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:45,940 Speaker 3: still educate people on having a better for you option, 162 00:07:46,020 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 3: you know, I'm still educating people, you know, so I'm 163 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,260 Speaker 3: bringing that education to the fill of cookies. 164 00:07:51,340 --> 00:07:53,820 Speaker 1: Now, let's talk about the different brands because, you know, 165 00:07:54,340 --> 00:07:57,900 Speaker 1: you were out there, pop-up, and now I see you 166 00:07:57,940 --> 00:08:02,340 Speaker 1: have a chocolate chip, an oatmeal, raisin, a lemon, and 167 00:08:02,360 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 1: a confetti sugar. Did you have that back when you 168 00:08:05,340 --> 00:08:06,340 Speaker 1: started with your pop-up? 169 00:08:07,620 --> 00:08:11,790 Speaker 3: No, I didn't. And this is so funny because, again, 170 00:08:11,810 --> 00:08:15,290 Speaker 3: I always baked in the South, started from when I 171 00:08:15,310 --> 00:08:19,330 Speaker 3: was with my mother and grandmother. And I didn't always 172 00:08:19,390 --> 00:08:21,870 Speaker 3: have all these recipes. Like my family's known for making 173 00:08:21,910 --> 00:08:23,790 Speaker 3: great red velvet cake, you know what I mean? And 174 00:08:23,830 --> 00:08:28,610 Speaker 3: making delicious chocolate cakes, pound cakes, things like that. But honestly, 175 00:08:29,390 --> 00:08:32,410 Speaker 3: the time where people would come and ask me, hey, 176 00:08:32,450 --> 00:08:34,410 Speaker 3: you know, word got around. Can you make me this? 177 00:08:34,450 --> 00:08:37,030 Speaker 3: Can you make me that? You would never believe some 178 00:08:37,050 --> 00:08:38,949 Speaker 3: of the things that I made the first time back 179 00:08:38,990 --> 00:08:42,670 Speaker 3: then I had never made before. Right, right. Never made before. 180 00:08:42,700 --> 00:08:46,100 Speaker 3: And so it was like a learning experience. And one 181 00:08:46,140 --> 00:08:48,210 Speaker 3: thing that I do know is is I put my 182 00:08:48,250 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 3: heart and soul into everything that I make. And so, 183 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 3: you know, if it wasn't perfect, I would make it again. 184 00:08:53,500 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: Right. 185 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:57,060 Speaker 3: If it wasn't to my satisfaction, I would make it again. 186 00:08:57,140 --> 00:09:00,820 Speaker 3: So my goal was to make sure that someone would say, 187 00:09:00,860 --> 00:09:03,460 Speaker 3: you know what, this is the best cookie I ever had. Right. 188 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:05,180 Speaker 3: This is the best brownie I ever had. And I 189 00:09:05,250 --> 00:09:07,349 Speaker 3: really still stand on that principle today. 190 00:09:07,370 --> 00:09:10,970 Speaker 1: Right. Now let's talk about developing the different flavors. So 191 00:09:11,309 --> 00:09:14,650 Speaker 1: when the person from the office came by, the person 192 00:09:14,670 --> 00:09:18,230 Speaker 1: from the series entourage came by, What cookies or what 193 00:09:18,270 --> 00:09:20,989 Speaker 1: desserts were they eating that they were, you know, just 194 00:09:21,050 --> 00:09:23,930 Speaker 1: appraising you for your desserts? 195 00:09:25,100 --> 00:09:28,050 Speaker 3: Okay. So they love the chocolate chip cookies. They love 196 00:09:28,100 --> 00:09:31,980 Speaker 3: the oatmeal. They love the lemon cookies. And they love 197 00:09:32,020 --> 00:09:34,260 Speaker 3: our brownies. And we're going to come out with them 198 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:36,540 Speaker 3: one day soon. Not right now, but a little bit later. 199 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:41,340 Speaker 3: But they really love the wholesomeness of everything that I 200 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:45,290 Speaker 3: bake because they I use premium ingredients. And actually, we 201 00:09:45,330 --> 00:09:48,410 Speaker 3: have a signature flavor. We have our own flavor line 202 00:09:48,429 --> 00:09:51,910 Speaker 3: that's actually built into every product that we make. So 203 00:09:52,170 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 3: it has a unique taste. And you won't find that 204 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:59,459 Speaker 3: anywhere else because it's our unique flavor. 205 00:10:00,500 --> 00:10:04,339 Speaker 1: Now, so you have chocolate chip, oatmeal, raisin. Oatmeal, raisin, 206 00:10:04,420 --> 00:10:06,920 Speaker 1: I don't know why I'm separating it because oatmeal, raisin 207 00:10:06,940 --> 00:10:10,120 Speaker 1: is one of my favorite cookies. Lemon and confetti sugar. 208 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:14,700 Speaker 1: Then you also have cookie dough mix. So one can 209 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: buy the cookie, As is, or you can make the cookie. 210 00:10:19,540 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: Why was that part of the plan? 211 00:10:22,660 --> 00:10:26,080 Speaker 3: Okay. So you know how one thing always leads to another. 212 00:10:26,100 --> 00:10:28,360 Speaker 1: No, I don't. No, I don't. Dr. 213 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:28,699 Speaker 4: Sheeker. 214 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:32,540 Speaker 1: I am interviewing you. Okay, please. I'm very naive about 215 00:10:32,590 --> 00:10:35,350 Speaker 1: this whole development. So please explain it to me and 216 00:10:35,370 --> 00:10:35,930 Speaker 1: the audience. 217 00:10:36,910 --> 00:10:40,030 Speaker 3: Okay. So after we were doing the pop-up, so we 218 00:10:40,070 --> 00:10:42,490 Speaker 3: had an opportunity where we can open up a small 219 00:10:42,530 --> 00:10:44,569 Speaker 3: kiosk at one of the malls here in LA and 220 00:10:44,900 --> 00:10:47,660 Speaker 3: So we took that opportunity. We did a small kiosk 221 00:10:47,740 --> 00:10:49,440 Speaker 3: at the mall for like a year and a half. 222 00:10:49,500 --> 00:10:51,870 Speaker 3: And it was great because it was a great testing ground. 223 00:10:52,250 --> 00:10:54,490 Speaker 3: People would come by, try the products. We would get 224 00:10:54,530 --> 00:10:57,929 Speaker 3: the feedback. And, of course, I couldn't be there like 225 00:10:58,030 --> 00:10:59,960 Speaker 3: all the time, but I wanted to make sure that 226 00:11:00,020 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 3: I hired bakers that could make the desserts like I could. 227 00:11:03,800 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 3: So in order to have the consistency, I started making 228 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:10,429 Speaker 3: these cookie mixes and putting them in the bag. So 229 00:11:10,470 --> 00:11:12,890 Speaker 3: the person would only have to add the dry, the 230 00:11:12,929 --> 00:11:15,010 Speaker 3: wet ingredients. They would only have to add the butter 231 00:11:15,130 --> 00:11:19,150 Speaker 3: and the water. And eventually I started thinking, I was like, 232 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,199 Speaker 3: you know what? I'm really making cookie mix. I should 233 00:11:22,220 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 3: be putting this in the bag to sell this as well. 234 00:11:25,220 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 3: So that's how that came about because we will have 235 00:11:27,980 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 3: customers at the mall who they would come by and say, oh, 236 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,340 Speaker 3: I love this, but I wish I could ship something 237 00:11:33,380 --> 00:11:37,689 Speaker 3: to my sister in Brooklyn, or I wish my relative 238 00:11:37,710 --> 00:11:40,550 Speaker 3: in North Carolina could have some of these cookies. So 239 00:11:40,570 --> 00:11:43,050 Speaker 3: I started thinking more about it, and I was like, 240 00:11:43,070 --> 00:11:45,070 Speaker 3: you know what, the cookie mix is the answer. You know, 241 00:11:45,110 --> 00:11:47,189 Speaker 3: we can ship that anywhere. They can just add their 242 00:11:47,270 --> 00:11:49,710 Speaker 3: own butter and water. It's super easy to make. 243 00:11:50,210 --> 00:11:52,730 Speaker 1: So it's one stick of vegan butter, right? It's one 244 00:11:52,750 --> 00:11:55,910 Speaker 1: stick of soft vegan butter, and it's two tablespoons of 245 00:11:56,010 --> 00:11:57,820 Speaker 1: warm water. That's it. 246 00:11:57,850 --> 00:11:59,689 Speaker 3: Yes, exactly. Yeah, that's it. 247 00:11:59,750 --> 00:12:00,190 Speaker 4: That's it. 248 00:12:00,429 --> 00:12:03,930 Speaker 3: And it tastes just like we would bake it. Wow. 249 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:09,780 Speaker 1: Now, to my understanding that community, giving back to the community, 250 00:12:10,179 --> 00:12:12,739 Speaker 1: being able to give community options is very part of 251 00:12:12,780 --> 00:12:16,099 Speaker 1: your brand over at Dr. Sheeker's Bakery. You want to 252 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:24,180 Speaker 1: give schools, organizations, parents opportunities to raise funds using your product. 253 00:12:24,210 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: Tell us about that. 254 00:12:26,020 --> 00:12:26,329 Speaker 4: Yes. 255 00:12:26,380 --> 00:12:30,850 Speaker 3: So we are exploring a new fundraising opportunity where you 256 00:12:30,890 --> 00:12:34,770 Speaker 3: can actually go on our website, which is coming very, 257 00:12:34,830 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 3: very soon. If you're interested, just go to our website, 258 00:12:38,250 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 3: hit the fundraiser button, fill out an inquiry, and we 259 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 3: will be getting back with you as soon as we 260 00:12:43,540 --> 00:12:46,460 Speaker 3: get that going. But that's about two weeks away. But 261 00:12:46,500 --> 00:12:51,390 Speaker 3: the interesting thing is that customers can be able to 262 00:12:51,429 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 3: fundraise and be able to buy our ready-to-eat cookies as 263 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:57,260 Speaker 3: well as our cookie mixes and be able to raise 264 00:12:57,320 --> 00:12:58,940 Speaker 3: some money for the organization. 265 00:12:59,300 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 1: We're giving away 50%. Because I get the flyers say 266 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:05,340 Speaker 1: the sales that they get, they get 50% of the sales. 267 00:13:06,300 --> 00:13:09,449 Speaker 3: Yes, they get 50% of the sales. And it's a 268 00:13:09,490 --> 00:13:10,770 Speaker 3: fantastic way to raise money. 269 00:13:10,790 --> 00:13:13,510 Speaker 1: And you do all the delivery. You do all the packaging. 270 00:13:14,010 --> 00:13:16,550 Speaker 1: So if they do a sale, the product is delivered 271 00:13:16,590 --> 00:13:19,070 Speaker 1: directly to that person's door. And so all they have 272 00:13:19,110 --> 00:13:21,230 Speaker 1: to do now is, The site you said will be 273 00:13:21,250 --> 00:13:23,080 Speaker 1: ready in a couple of weeks or a week. It 274 00:13:23,100 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 1: might be ready tomorrow. Who knows? When this airs, you 275 00:13:26,220 --> 00:13:27,980 Speaker 1: know what I'm saying? Because I don't want people to 276 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:30,900 Speaker 1: hear this a week from now and next week it starts. 277 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:33,960 Speaker 1: But I think you are allowing people to go to 278 00:13:34,059 --> 00:13:37,380 Speaker 1: your website and fill out an inquiry form, which means 279 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 1: fill out the email address and their name, and then 280 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:43,370 Speaker 1: let them know what type of fundraiser they want to do, 281 00:13:43,390 --> 00:13:45,430 Speaker 1: the amount of people, how much they're trying to raise. 282 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:49,120 Speaker 1: We don't want any personal security information. This is just 283 00:13:49,179 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: typical information to contact you when the site's up and ready, 284 00:13:53,420 --> 00:13:57,660 Speaker 1: the fundraising site, and that site allows the person who participates, 285 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:01,780 Speaker 1: that organization, the forever funds that they raise, they get 50% 286 00:14:01,780 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 1: of those fund dollars, and they don't have to do 287 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:07,210 Speaker 1: any work. All the product is shipped directly to them. 288 00:14:08,230 --> 00:14:11,729 Speaker 3: Absolutely. It's the easiest money you can make. And a 289 00:14:11,750 --> 00:14:12,589 Speaker 3: delicious way. 290 00:14:12,470 --> 00:14:15,290 Speaker 1: To do it. It's fantastic. I'm glad you're doing that. 291 00:14:15,309 --> 00:14:17,829 Speaker 1: I'm glad you're offering that to the community because a 292 00:14:17,870 --> 00:14:20,090 Speaker 1: lot of people are looking for different ways, especially a 293 00:14:20,090 --> 00:14:22,270 Speaker 1: lot of schools are being underfunded. You know, school teachers 294 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,180 Speaker 1: don't have supplies. They can get in the classroom. And 295 00:14:25,220 --> 00:14:27,860 Speaker 1: this is a way where parents can support teachers and 296 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:31,380 Speaker 1: teachers can get the students to support themselves and also 297 00:14:32,020 --> 00:14:35,140 Speaker 1: football uniforms and all those things. So, again, Dr. Shika, 298 00:14:35,460 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: that's an amazing part of what you're doing with your brand. 299 00:14:37,980 --> 00:14:39,540 Speaker 1: When we get back, we're going to find out about 300 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:42,140 Speaker 1: this lunch. I see Dubai on here. I see Canada 301 00:14:42,180 --> 00:14:43,850 Speaker 1: on here. All I'm just trying to do is just 302 00:14:43,890 --> 00:14:45,650 Speaker 1: go around the corner and get me some. That's all 303 00:14:45,670 --> 00:14:47,510 Speaker 1: I'm just saying. We'll be right back with more Money 304 00:14:47,550 --> 00:14:51,570 Speaker 1: Making Conversations Masterclass. Talking to Dr. Shika. Dr. Shika Little. 305 00:14:52,050 --> 00:14:55,430 Speaker 1: Been here in L.A., got laid off because of COVID. 306 00:14:55,630 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 1: Didn't stop her. Went over to L.A. I mean, was 307 00:14:57,820 --> 00:15:00,460 Speaker 1: in Atlanta. And COVID got to her. Went to L.A., 308 00:15:00,580 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 1: opened pop-up stores. Now she's nationwide. 309 00:15:03,820 --> 00:15:06,980 Speaker 2: Please, don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more 310 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 2: Money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making 311 00:15:18,340 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 2: Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashawn McDonald. 312 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 1: A person who I talk about all the time on 313 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 1: the show. I talk about people who have an idea 314 00:15:28,420 --> 00:15:30,930 Speaker 1: and a lot of people are naysayers. They tell them 315 00:15:31,610 --> 00:15:34,090 Speaker 1: that don't make any sense. That would never happen. But 316 00:15:34,110 --> 00:15:36,530 Speaker 1: that didn't stop her. COVID didn't stop her. Being laid 317 00:15:36,610 --> 00:15:40,070 Speaker 1: off didn't stop her. She was highly, she is highly educated, 318 00:15:40,430 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 1: but that didn't mean that she couldn't switch gears, because 319 00:15:44,100 --> 00:15:45,570 Speaker 1: a lot of people stay in that track. Well, this 320 00:15:45,590 --> 00:15:46,890 Speaker 1: is what I went to school for. This is what 321 00:15:46,910 --> 00:15:49,310 Speaker 1: I was told to do. This is the relationship I'm 322 00:15:49,330 --> 00:15:52,830 Speaker 1: supposed to be in, but not her. But she saw 323 00:15:53,190 --> 00:15:56,250 Speaker 1: an opportunity and people motivated you. And I think that's 324 00:15:56,270 --> 00:15:58,740 Speaker 1: the key in this conversation with you, Dr. Sheikha, is 325 00:15:58,770 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 1: that people... unknowingly, and their compliments inspired you to get 326 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:09,030 Speaker 1: to this point here, because you didn't know. You just 327 00:16:09,070 --> 00:16:12,050 Speaker 1: was doing something that you were talented at. But when 328 00:16:12,390 --> 00:16:16,110 Speaker 1: a moment arised, you didn't hesitate to deliver. Is that correct? 329 00:16:17,330 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 3: Yes, that is correct. That is correct. And honestly, like 330 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,340 Speaker 3: I told you, I came from a family of bakers. 331 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:27,950 Speaker 3: But just to be honest with you, Rishon, Even when 332 00:16:28,010 --> 00:16:30,530 Speaker 3: I lived in Atlanta, I didn't even know I really 333 00:16:30,590 --> 00:16:32,770 Speaker 3: had the talent of baking. You know what I mean? 334 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 3: I always baked cookies with my daughters and, you know, 335 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:39,340 Speaker 3: baked for family, you know, for family gatherings and things 336 00:16:39,380 --> 00:16:41,920 Speaker 3: like that. But I didn't know that I had this 337 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 3: hidden talent until I was laid off from my job. 338 00:16:45,380 --> 00:16:47,570 Speaker 3: And I had to make a move at that point. 339 00:16:47,590 --> 00:16:50,130 Speaker 3: I was like, you know what? I got to do something. 340 00:16:50,410 --> 00:16:50,590 Speaker 2: Right. 341 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:53,860 Speaker 1: Right. And in doing that, and so when I see, 342 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,980 Speaker 1: I'm just going down this resume of things, because you've 343 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,109 Speaker 1: got to launch these cookies now. Let's talk about that launch, 344 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:03,430 Speaker 1: you know, because you're going to be in over 4,100 stores. 345 00:17:03,490 --> 00:17:06,370 Speaker 1: I mentioned some of the brands, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, 346 00:17:06,790 --> 00:17:09,370 Speaker 1: throughout the U.S. and Canada. What is a launch? What 347 00:17:09,410 --> 00:17:12,369 Speaker 1: exactly do you have to do? Because a lot of 348 00:17:12,390 --> 00:17:16,340 Speaker 1: people need to realize that just because stores have your product, 349 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:18,360 Speaker 1: you still have a lot of work to do. Tell 350 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:19,220 Speaker 1: us about the process. 351 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 3: Oh, yes, absolutely. So these cookies have shipped about two 352 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:26,180 Speaker 3: and a half weeks ago. And right now we're like 353 00:17:26,220 --> 00:17:28,899 Speaker 3: going into the stores and, you know, every day I'm 354 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:31,740 Speaker 3: going into a store. Are they here yet? Are they 355 00:17:31,790 --> 00:17:34,910 Speaker 3: here yet? Are they here yet? And they should be 356 00:17:34,970 --> 00:17:37,930 Speaker 3: there any day now. But the thing is, as an 357 00:17:37,990 --> 00:17:41,689 Speaker 3: entrepreneur and having a business like this, you can't wait 358 00:17:41,750 --> 00:17:44,410 Speaker 3: to start marketing when a product gets on the shelf. 359 00:17:44,790 --> 00:17:48,300 Speaker 3: Your marketing efforts need to start way before that product 360 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:51,590 Speaker 3: gets to the store. And so that's one tidbit that 361 00:17:51,650 --> 00:17:54,810 Speaker 3: I can give to people. You know, when you have 362 00:17:54,850 --> 00:17:57,199 Speaker 3: a product that's going on the shelves, you want to 363 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:59,100 Speaker 3: make sure that it flies off the shelf. 364 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:03,020 Speaker 1: And that's important because of the fact that, and you don't, 365 00:18:03,100 --> 00:18:05,860 Speaker 1: you know, and that's what you're doing right now. You're saying, Rashawn, 366 00:18:06,260 --> 00:18:08,620 Speaker 1: as I do this interview right now, my product may 367 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:11,670 Speaker 1: not be where somebody is hearing it, but they need 368 00:18:11,690 --> 00:18:14,260 Speaker 1: to know, go in and ask for it. Go and say, hey, 369 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: I heard about a Dr. Sheeker's Bakery is coming here. 370 00:18:17,940 --> 00:18:20,050 Speaker 1: Cookies are coming here. Do you have them? Because that's 371 00:18:20,090 --> 00:18:23,230 Speaker 1: what you want, right? You want people to want your cookies. 372 00:18:23,250 --> 00:18:25,429 Speaker 1: You want people to ask for your cookies. And then 373 00:18:25,470 --> 00:18:27,609 Speaker 1: when it gets there, somehow they get moved to the 374 00:18:27,790 --> 00:18:31,590 Speaker 1: front a little quicker because people know. Because these stores, 375 00:18:31,670 --> 00:18:33,650 Speaker 1: as she's mentioned, are in the business of making money, 376 00:18:33,710 --> 00:18:36,980 Speaker 1: ladies and gentlemen. They want whatever they put on their 377 00:18:37,020 --> 00:18:39,820 Speaker 1: shelf to get sold. Now, if people are coming and 378 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:43,010 Speaker 1: asking for the cookie, then guess what? They get excited. 379 00:18:43,130 --> 00:18:45,410 Speaker 1: And they want to make sure next time you come 380 00:18:45,470 --> 00:18:48,130 Speaker 1: in and ask, you find it. And so that's what 381 00:18:48,150 --> 00:18:49,300 Speaker 1: this is all about, correct? 382 00:18:50,420 --> 00:18:52,139 Speaker 3: Correct. Yep, absolutely. 383 00:18:52,540 --> 00:18:56,940 Speaker 1: Now, let's talk about the roadshow. Now, I hear my 384 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,679 Speaker 1: wife's favorite store is Costco. We go to Costco all 385 00:18:59,700 --> 00:19:01,980 Speaker 1: the time. Now, Costco, you're going to be doing a 386 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:04,400 Speaker 1: roadshow in Costco. What exactly is that? 387 00:19:05,619 --> 00:19:08,490 Speaker 3: So the roadshow in Costco is going to start next 388 00:19:08,650 --> 00:19:11,960 Speaker 3: month here in L.A., And basically what a road show is, 389 00:19:11,980 --> 00:19:15,510 Speaker 3: it's like a demonstration. It's almost like whenever you're walking 390 00:19:15,550 --> 00:19:20,070 Speaker 3: around and you're tasting everything new. Yeah, it's the fun 391 00:19:20,090 --> 00:19:23,310 Speaker 3: part of Costco. It's where you get full, you walk around, 392 00:19:23,369 --> 00:19:25,100 Speaker 3: you get full, and you're like, hey, I don't even 393 00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 3: need to eat dinner anymore because I'm full. 394 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:29,980 Speaker 1: Yes, yes, yes, yes. 395 00:19:30,020 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 3: That's a road show. 396 00:19:32,540 --> 00:19:36,020 Speaker 1: Oh, yes. She's had to stop me several times. Rochelle, 397 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:37,800 Speaker 1: you know you're not going to buy that. Well, they 398 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: offered it to me. Can I just try it? 399 00:19:40,100 --> 00:19:40,320 Speaker 2: Okay. 400 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:41,060 Speaker 1: Try it. 401 00:19:41,380 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 3: Just taste it. 402 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:44,670 Speaker 1: Just taste it. And so now this is the thing 403 00:19:44,690 --> 00:19:48,570 Speaker 1: that really got me excited about you. You was recently 404 00:19:48,590 --> 00:19:51,899 Speaker 1: selected to be a speaker. at the largest snacks and 405 00:19:52,020 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 1: sweet show in the Middle East called ISM. And that's Dubai. 406 00:19:59,220 --> 00:20:02,200 Speaker 3: Yes, that is in Dubai. Now, I kid you not, 407 00:20:02,380 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 3: earlier this year, I did not even have a passport. 408 00:20:05,020 --> 00:20:09,470 Speaker 3: I did not even have a passport. But because I'm 409 00:20:09,510 --> 00:20:13,109 Speaker 3: a dreamer, like you've introduced me, I'm a dreamer. First 410 00:20:13,190 --> 00:20:14,929 Speaker 3: and foremost, I was like, you know what, let me 411 00:20:14,950 --> 00:20:17,310 Speaker 3: go ahead and get this passport because I'm going to 412 00:20:17,369 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 3: prepare myself for the doors that the Lord is about 413 00:20:19,980 --> 00:20:23,300 Speaker 3: to open up for me. Now, also keep in mind, 414 00:20:23,340 --> 00:20:25,680 Speaker 3: Dubai is like a place I've always wanted to go. 415 00:20:25,770 --> 00:20:28,369 Speaker 3: But when I got that email about a month ago 416 00:20:28,750 --> 00:20:31,290 Speaker 3: that said, hey, we would like for you to be 417 00:20:31,650 --> 00:20:35,270 Speaker 3: an expert speaker on our, not even a panel, they're 418 00:20:35,310 --> 00:20:39,020 Speaker 3: giving me the floor to speak for 30 minutes based 419 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:43,879 Speaker 3: on green snacking, based on, you know, a plant-based approach. 420 00:20:44,380 --> 00:20:47,240 Speaker 3: I'll have the stage for that long of a time 421 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:51,460 Speaker 3: to be able to talk about what I've been crafting here. Delicious, flavorful, 422 00:20:51,500 --> 00:20:54,680 Speaker 3: plant-based dessert. Look at that. 423 00:20:54,859 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: I'll tell you something. My mouth is dropped open because 424 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:02,240 Speaker 1: that is like, you can't buy that. That is awesome. 425 00:21:02,270 --> 00:21:04,429 Speaker 1: You don't know how you were submitted. You don't know 426 00:21:04,490 --> 00:21:07,210 Speaker 1: how they contacted you. But the opportunity is going to 427 00:21:07,230 --> 00:21:11,530 Speaker 1: be made available for you to present your tartar now internationally. 428 00:21:12,770 --> 00:21:17,430 Speaker 3: Yes, internationally. So they're going to have 30,000 buyers from 429 00:21:17,430 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 3: 50 different countries at the show. So that tells you 430 00:21:20,580 --> 00:21:22,040 Speaker 3: the magnitude of this show. 431 00:21:23,540 --> 00:21:23,700 Speaker 2: Wow. 432 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:26,240 Speaker 1: Okay. That's one place, ladies and gentlemen. I'm just telling 433 00:21:26,260 --> 00:21:30,860 Speaker 1: you about the dreamer here. Dr. Sheikha's Bakery. Cookies. Canada 434 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:33,459 Speaker 1: Minority Program. You were selected to be part of the 435 00:21:33,530 --> 00:21:37,010 Speaker 1: trade show for the Minority Supplier Program in Toronto. 436 00:21:39,540 --> 00:21:44,400 Speaker 3: Yes. That's in Toronto, Canada. That's the first week of September. Again, 437 00:21:44,420 --> 00:21:45,680 Speaker 3: this is an opportunity. 438 00:21:45,820 --> 00:21:48,540 Speaker 1: Dr. Chica, what you want to do to me is like, no, no, 439 00:21:48,700 --> 00:21:53,240 Speaker 1: this is amazing stuff. You just said Dubai, now you're 440 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:56,359 Speaker 1: in Canada and you just, and you just the cookie lady. 441 00:21:56,700 --> 00:22:00,419 Speaker 3: Okay. Yes. I'm the cookie lady. Yes. And there are 442 00:22:00,460 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 3: very few brands that are plant-based, but there are a 443 00:22:03,660 --> 00:22:07,530 Speaker 3: lot of people in Canada that are plant-based. And so 444 00:22:07,609 --> 00:22:10,780 Speaker 3: they have an initiative to, to bring as many products, 445 00:22:10,900 --> 00:22:13,560 Speaker 3: even if they have to import them, into the country. 446 00:22:14,180 --> 00:22:16,600 Speaker 3: And we were selected for this program. And being a 447 00:22:16,619 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 3: minority female, oh, my gosh, that really just floored me 448 00:22:21,060 --> 00:22:24,090 Speaker 3: to be a part of this program in general to 449 00:22:24,109 --> 00:22:26,710 Speaker 3: bring more plant-based products to Canada. 450 00:22:27,270 --> 00:22:29,350 Speaker 1: And so when you go there with your product, you 451 00:22:29,369 --> 00:22:31,710 Speaker 1: talk about the number of buyers that are going to 452 00:22:31,730 --> 00:22:36,340 Speaker 1: be in Dubai, potentially internationally. What is the Canada Minority Program? 453 00:22:36,380 --> 00:22:38,740 Speaker 1: What are you presenting to them and who's going to 454 00:22:38,780 --> 00:22:39,459 Speaker 1: see your product? 455 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:43,430 Speaker 3: Okay, so we have appointments. They already have appointments set 456 00:22:43,490 --> 00:22:46,490 Speaker 3: up with buyers that are already ready for our product. 457 00:22:46,609 --> 00:22:50,150 Speaker 3: They're already ready. We're going to be closing deals in Canada. 458 00:22:52,550 --> 00:22:56,790 Speaker 1: Congratulations. Thank you. Just an idea. You didn't think you 459 00:22:56,830 --> 00:23:00,070 Speaker 1: was a cook. I just got to keep rehashing your story. 460 00:23:00,210 --> 00:23:04,179 Speaker 1: Got laid off. COVID. One of the darkest moments in 461 00:23:04,220 --> 00:23:07,590 Speaker 1: the history of this country. And then you just started 462 00:23:07,619 --> 00:23:10,470 Speaker 1: doing pop-ups in L.A. And when somebody asked you to 463 00:23:10,490 --> 00:23:13,330 Speaker 1: do something, you didn't hesitate. If you didn't do it right, 464 00:23:13,369 --> 00:23:14,970 Speaker 1: you learned how to do it. If that cake didn't 465 00:23:14,990 --> 00:23:16,570 Speaker 1: taste good, you threw it in the trash. You was 466 00:23:16,630 --> 00:23:19,030 Speaker 1: not going to deliver a cake that didn't taste good. 467 00:23:20,109 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 1: And now some major corporations speaking. Let's talk about that. Kellogg's. 468 00:23:30,580 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 2: Yes. 469 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:31,480 Speaker 1: Mars. 470 00:23:32,510 --> 00:23:32,830 Speaker 2: Yes. 471 00:23:34,090 --> 00:23:38,290 Speaker 1: On the green snacking. Now, this is a young lady. 472 00:23:38,670 --> 00:23:41,350 Speaker 1: Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Sheikah didn't even have a passport 473 00:23:41,369 --> 00:23:49,070 Speaker 1: in January. And I'm not saying that as a put down, 474 00:23:49,170 --> 00:23:51,350 Speaker 1: I'm just saying that it could all it could happen 475 00:23:51,369 --> 00:23:54,810 Speaker 1: for anyone who's listening to this show. If they believe it, 476 00:23:54,940 --> 00:23:57,540 Speaker 1: if they. Don't let naysayers step in the way of 477 00:23:57,700 --> 00:24:01,379 Speaker 1: their opportunities. Don't let negative moments say, this is it. 478 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:03,619 Speaker 1: I'm going back to whatever I was supposed to do. 479 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:06,080 Speaker 1: This is not going to work. And now you are 480 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:09,060 Speaker 1: being presented to yourself. So what's the end game for this? 481 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:13,290 Speaker 1: When I'm sending all this information to you, you're having 482 00:24:13,410 --> 00:24:17,250 Speaker 1: fundraising opportunities presented for your product. You're going to be 483 00:24:17,290 --> 00:24:21,350 Speaker 1: in Dubai. You're going to be in Canada, Kellogg's, Mars. 484 00:24:21,390 --> 00:24:24,129 Speaker 1: You're going to be in 4,100 stores. What is the 485 00:24:24,250 --> 00:24:27,450 Speaker 1: ultimate blessing there? for your future, my friend, because you 486 00:24:27,530 --> 00:24:28,810 Speaker 1: are definitely being blessed. 487 00:24:30,050 --> 00:24:34,040 Speaker 3: Yes, God is good. All glory to him. My goal 488 00:24:34,100 --> 00:24:37,060 Speaker 3: really is to be like the Betty Crocker or the 489 00:24:37,100 --> 00:24:40,680 Speaker 3: Nabisco of plant-based cookies. So whenever you walk into your 490 00:24:40,700 --> 00:24:44,359 Speaker 3: grocery store, whether you're looking for a cookie mix, brownie mix, 491 00:24:44,460 --> 00:24:47,629 Speaker 3: cake mix, you're looking for cookies ready to eat, whatever 492 00:24:47,670 --> 00:24:50,730 Speaker 3: you're looking for, we're able to provide that. But to 493 00:24:50,890 --> 00:24:54,450 Speaker 3: also be able to have my face is the logo 494 00:24:54,470 --> 00:24:57,699 Speaker 3: of on the product, you know, for my kids and 495 00:24:57,760 --> 00:25:01,460 Speaker 3: grandkids legacy. I mean, that's, that's my goal as well 496 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:03,369 Speaker 3: as to be able to give back to the community. 497 00:25:03,740 --> 00:25:06,290 Speaker 1: Yeah. And that's really important. So the flavors are, do 498 00:25:06,790 --> 00:25:08,250 Speaker 1: you have any, like, are you going to do any 499 00:25:08,330 --> 00:25:11,190 Speaker 1: seasonal stuff? Because time of the year, some people do like, 500 00:25:11,230 --> 00:25:14,649 Speaker 1: you know, Chick-fil-A, they got the seasonal stuff and a 501 00:25:14,650 --> 00:25:17,810 Speaker 1: lot of products do that. What are your seasonal products 502 00:25:17,830 --> 00:25:18,470 Speaker 1: you have coming up? 503 00:25:19,530 --> 00:25:21,090 Speaker 3: Let me tell you a little bit about it. So 504 00:25:21,130 --> 00:25:23,990 Speaker 3: for like our holiday flavors, we have a really nice, 505 00:25:24,500 --> 00:25:27,920 Speaker 3: hot chocolate cookie. It kind of reminds you of a 506 00:25:27,980 --> 00:25:32,600 Speaker 3: cup of hot chocolate. It has chocolate, dark chocolate chips, 507 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:35,239 Speaker 3: white chocolate chips. But when you have one, I promise 508 00:25:35,290 --> 00:25:38,969 Speaker 3: you can't eat just one. We have red velvet cookies 509 00:25:39,010 --> 00:25:42,369 Speaker 3: coming down the pipeline. We also have our banana pudding cookies. 510 00:25:42,470 --> 00:25:45,369 Speaker 3: So we have some really good flavors that are going 511 00:25:45,390 --> 00:25:48,720 Speaker 3: to be around for the holidays. So, yeah, get ready. 512 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:51,420 Speaker 1: And they become popular. They become part of the regular. 513 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:53,580 Speaker 1: If they become that popular, they're just going to stay seasonal. 514 00:25:54,890 --> 00:25:57,540 Speaker 3: Oh, well, you know what? If we need to continue to, 515 00:25:57,580 --> 00:26:00,840 Speaker 3: we would like to roll them out as a permanent item. 516 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:03,040 Speaker 3: But we have a lot of plans for, you know, 517 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:07,479 Speaker 3: definitely limited editions as well. So we'll see how it goes. 518 00:26:08,380 --> 00:26:10,460 Speaker 1: Well, my friend, I can tell you how it's going 519 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:12,879 Speaker 1: right now. It seems like it's going fantastic. And I'm 520 00:26:13,260 --> 00:26:16,300 Speaker 1: so happy you took the time in your busy schedule 521 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:19,629 Speaker 1: because obviously you need a passport because you're about to 522 00:26:19,670 --> 00:26:24,230 Speaker 1: go on your road show. You bought 4,120 stores. You're 523 00:26:24,250 --> 00:26:29,490 Speaker 1: going to Canada. You're going to Dubai. And I've interviewed 524 00:26:29,580 --> 00:26:32,879 Speaker 1: a lot of people on this show. And, you know, 525 00:26:32,940 --> 00:26:34,960 Speaker 1: everybody has a dream. I have a dream. And this 526 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:38,780 Speaker 1: show is about money-making conversation masterclass. And people tell their 527 00:26:38,820 --> 00:26:41,320 Speaker 1: secrets to success. And if you had to say your 528 00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:44,020 Speaker 1: secret is to success, what would you say it is? 529 00:26:45,420 --> 00:26:49,940 Speaker 3: I'm going to say stay prayed up. That's the most important. 530 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,919 Speaker 3: Like before I start my day, When I sit in 531 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:56,260 Speaker 3: my chair in front of this computer, I'm like, Jesus, 532 00:26:56,580 --> 00:27:00,609 Speaker 3: take the wheel. Because, like, you're challenged throughout the day. 533 00:27:00,670 --> 00:27:04,290 Speaker 3: You're working with vendors. You're working with retailers. You're working 534 00:27:04,310 --> 00:27:08,350 Speaker 3: with buyers. You're working with so many personalities, so many timelines. 535 00:27:08,450 --> 00:27:12,190 Speaker 3: So you got to have faith. You know what I mean? 536 00:27:12,210 --> 00:27:15,719 Speaker 3: Because it's not easy. It's not an easy thing. And 537 00:27:15,780 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 3: especially for, you know, a minority female, it's even harder. 538 00:27:19,340 --> 00:27:23,359 Speaker 3: It's even harder for us. And so, you know, just 539 00:27:23,820 --> 00:27:26,439 Speaker 3: stay prayed up. That's the best advice I can give. 540 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:29,280 Speaker 1: And then follow that up with a lot of hard work, okay? 541 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:31,640 Speaker 3: Yes, exactly. A lot of hard work. 542 00:27:31,660 --> 00:27:33,740 Speaker 1: Dr. Chica, thank you for coming on my show, Money-Making 543 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:37,909 Speaker 1: Conversation Masterclass, and good luck. And send me some postcards, 544 00:27:37,950 --> 00:27:39,890 Speaker 1: you know, when you're in Dubai, when you're in Canada. 545 00:27:39,910 --> 00:27:42,670 Speaker 1: You know, don't forget about a brother. This has been 546 00:27:42,730 --> 00:27:47,310 Speaker 1: another edition of Money-Making Conversation Masterclass, hosted by me, Rashawn McDonald. 547 00:27:47,650 --> 00:27:49,619 Speaker 4: Thank you to our guests on the show today. And 548 00:27:49,700 --> 00:27:52,420 Speaker 4: thank you, our listening audience. Now, if you want to 549 00:27:52,460 --> 00:27:54,540 Speaker 4: listen to any episode or want to be a guest 550 00:27:54,660 --> 00:28:00,830 Speaker 4: on the show, visit MoneyMakingConversations.com. Our social media handle is MoneyMakingConversations. 551 00:28:01,210 --> 00:28:03,629 Speaker 4: Join us next week. And remember to always lead with 552 00:28:03,650 --> 00:28:04,100 Speaker 4: your gifts. 553 00:28:04,580 --> 00:28:05,100 Speaker 1: Keep winning.