1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,800 Speaker 1: My next guest. The thing I really was excited about this, 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 1: you know, I researched all my guests is the legacy, 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 1: the history and of what she's done and what she's 4 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 1: doing and what her family has done. And let me 5 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:15,240 Speaker 1: read the intro of my next guest. My next guest. 6 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:19,600 Speaker 1: Grandfather uh founded the family business in eighteen o five, 7 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,079 Speaker 1: her father took over in eighteen sixty eight, and her 8 00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 1: mother through the business Today. My next guest represents the 9 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: fifth generation of the family century old business. Kissak and mckissak, 10 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:37,280 Speaker 1: the oldest minority and woman owned design and construction firm 11 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: in the country. Her firm has involved with some of 12 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: the New York's largest projects. JFK Terminal One, Lagoria, Central 13 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 1: Terminal Building, Redevelopment, Lugordia. They can say say l g A. 14 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: That's that little term. If you fly a lot, you 15 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 1: know it's l g A. When you fly Central Terminal Building, 16 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:05,119 Speaker 1: redevelopment on the Island, Hospital redevelopment, HALLM Hospital, similar modernization. 17 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 1: The list goes on and on, and it's not just 18 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 1: in the New York area, but just throughout the entire country. 19 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: Please welcome to moneymaking Conversations. I'm deeply honored. They had 20 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: the president and CEO of Mchansic Mkissic, Mkissak and Mkissak. 21 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:26,319 Speaker 1: Sheryl mckissak, Daniel, Good morning, how were you? Good afternoon? 22 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 1: Maybe we're profoundly speaking. I'm speaking with success and how 23 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:39,400 Speaker 1: are you doing? I am doing terrific. Well, you know, oh, 24 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,680 Speaker 1: San Diego. Okay, it's early for you. Okay, I like that. 25 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 1: Now it's business taking you out there. You're on vacation 26 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: out there in San Diego. Because I always like to 27 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: talk about having that balanced life. That was something I 28 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 1: failed miserably on in my life, Sheryl, because I was 29 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 1: just out there with Steve Harvey was just grinding and 30 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 1: I never knew how to get off the wheel. And 31 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: since I've gotten away from managing him and I manage 32 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 1: other talents now as well that I got other hands 33 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 1: and a a lot of our National Guard contracts and all 34 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:08,959 Speaker 1: these type of things, I've learned how to balance more. 35 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 1: I learned how to slow down and enjoy my success. 36 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 1: You have a legacy of success. How do you balance that? Uh? Well, 37 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 1: I do take time for myself. Um, and you know, 38 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: while I'm out here on business on my way out here, 39 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 1: I stopped in Little Rock, Arkansas for girls trip that 40 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: you go, that can go. I love it. You're gonna 41 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: teach your shan on my main conversation to day. Okay, okay, 42 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 1: because because that's important that you say that, and you 43 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 1: and the reason I like about it because you smile 44 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: about it. That's the happiness that you're able to share 45 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,839 Speaker 1: your success. And sometimes if you don't share it, then 46 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 1: people will detach from you and and and gain a 47 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 1: perception of who you really are. Not and you just 48 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: used to scessful but still deep down God is giving 49 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: you a gift. But you're just a regular person and 50 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 1: a lot of people will put you on a mountain 51 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 1: because they don't know and so what But would you 52 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: carry that legacy though? And I have to go back 53 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 1: to eighteen o five? What does that mean to you personally? Yeah, well, 54 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:30,520 Speaker 1: I mean it's pretty incredible to be fifth generation. Most 55 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: family business can't make it to the second generation. I 56 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: think the statistics are um in the thirty or twenty 57 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: or thirty percent um and third generation is more like 58 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 1: four percent. And for us to be fifth generation, it 59 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: is incredible. Um. You know, it gives you a sense 60 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: of pride um the for me, it gives me the 61 00:03:55,160 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 1: ability to push through any situation that I have, knowing 62 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:06,960 Speaker 1: that my forefathers overcame slavery, Jim Crow, the segregation in 63 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: the South, bigotry, all of these things to build a business. UM, 64 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 1: And if they could do that, there's nothing I can do. 65 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 1: So UM. You know, the company actually goes back to 66 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 1: the seventeen nineties when the first descendant of my family 67 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 1: came here as a slave. UM was taught the trade 68 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: of making bricks by his slave master, William McKissick. Um. 69 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:42,720 Speaker 1: We believe at some point he uh got his freedom 70 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 1: because he gave three hundred and sixty five thousand bricks 71 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: to the Cheers family in Nashville, Tennessee, a very prominent family. UM, 72 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: and they built a mansion and that mansion is still standing. Um. 73 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 1: His son was a master carpenter, Calvin mckizic. I mean, 74 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 1: most of the second I've enjoyed this conversation, it's like, Okay, 75 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: I can't go past Street Port, Louisiana. Okay, I can't 76 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: go past my grandmother. You all way back talking about 77 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 1: when he came over and got out with some bricks. 78 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:20,600 Speaker 1: This is incredible information. So what documentary are we working 79 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 1: on on this radio show right now? What documented? Because 80 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: you know this is a story you're talking to the 81 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: personal story. This is a story, and we are working 82 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 1: on something and as soom as we get it ready, 83 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: we will let you know. There you go. You got 84 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: to but to continue to the story, I don't want to. 85 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 1: I just want to let you know that that part 86 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:44,080 Speaker 1: of this interview, what's your legacy, what's your history? The 87 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: historical past? That because I know, you know we're dealing 88 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: with racism today. When you know to sit up and 89 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 1: say I'm smart, that I can do something, that I 90 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:58,840 Speaker 1: can build something. Unfortunately, you know, the the the being 91 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 1: able to over get per myths, being denied, being denied 92 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 1: the right unions coming in, tearing down I know exactly 93 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: or some of the experiences, because that's what that period delivered, 94 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 1: if delivered rejection physically publicly for people of color, Lindens 95 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:18,840 Speaker 1: and all the things burning down your success stories and 96 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 1: all that stuff. So when when you talk about your 97 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 1: journey and where you're at today, your female minority on 98 00:06:27,360 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 1: what what what? What? What story stands out about your 99 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: your your history in this fifth generation accomplishment of this company. Well, 100 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 1: the The story for me is my grandfather Moses mckizic 101 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: the third and Calvin McKissick. They incorporated US in nineteen 102 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:53,719 Speaker 1: o five and architectural licensing boards did not go into 103 00:06:53,800 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: affect in the state of Tennessee until so they would 104 00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:04,120 Speaker 1: have lost their business if they did not get architectural license. 105 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 1: They ended up going to Correspondent School at M I. 106 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 1: T To receive architectural degrees and then they go to 107 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:16,280 Speaker 1: apply to take their license and they're told no, you 108 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 1: can't take your license the tests for the license because 109 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 1: you're black. Um. And so they were able to lobby 110 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 1: the board and they found one board member who said, 111 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 1: we cannot prevent these men from taking this test um 112 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 1: just because they're black. And then he said, you know, 113 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 1: kind of flipping, well, they're not going to pass it anyway, 114 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 1: just hidding figures again right here, this h uh. And 115 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: so they take the exam. Of course they passed, and 116 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: then they don't want to give them the license, but 117 00:07:56,320 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: they have to. UM. So they received a licensed one 118 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 1: seventeen and one eighteen in the state of Tennessee, and 119 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 1: the same board that did not want them to have 120 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 1: the license when they did receive their license, and the 121 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: state of Tennessee receives so much notoriety that board went 122 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 1: to bat for them to get licensed in twenty two 123 00:08:22,080 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 1: other states. Wow, the blessings just kept growing. The blessings 124 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:35,599 Speaker 1: just kept on growing. Correct, Yes, Now, so that that 125 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: the story is uh one of being able to um 126 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: persevere against all odds. Basically, Now, when you look at 127 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: your company, you know I at the beginning in the 128 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:52,680 Speaker 1: in the intro, I listed some of the projects that 129 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 1: you involved in the New York area. But you you 130 00:08:54,880 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: are a nationwide from correct. Yes, Um we our our 131 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 1: triumphant group. Um we are practicing nationwide. Um we're we're 132 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:13,679 Speaker 1: looking at projects in um California, their Barda, um Miami, 133 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:21,200 Speaker 1: um so Seattle. Um so, Yes we are nationwide. Okay. Cool. 134 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 1: Now when I when I land in uh Lagori or tomorrow, 135 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: I mean I fly up there probably twice a month 136 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: to New York. Um. Okay, I see all this construction 137 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 1: going on. When you say the word redevelopment, are you 138 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 1: are you Are you a part of the overall construction? 139 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: Are you carry the entitled task of the reconstruction or redevelopment. Yes, 140 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:49,079 Speaker 1: we are part of the construction team with Skanska Corporation UM, 141 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:54,160 Speaker 1: and that was pretty significant for us because that was 142 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 1: the first airport UM that the Government of New York 143 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:04,079 Speaker 1: was redeveloping UM. But the biggest airport is jfk O. 144 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: I love that airport. That's one of my favor It's 145 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 1: like walking into your mall. I love that airport. You're 146 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 1: walking that mall. You can get everything you want, suits, fine, 147 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 1: shoot good food, walk out there looking good. You're walking 148 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:24,559 Speaker 1: out of looking You're walking several TURSUK has several terms. Absolutely, 149 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 1: it's one of my favorite airports. It's one of your 150 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:30,959 Speaker 1: favorite airports. Absolutely, have to look because I love the shop. 151 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:32,559 Speaker 1: You know. So there's a couple of more's a couple 152 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 1: of areas where I can look like going there and 153 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:38,480 Speaker 1: shopping look good. I'm a fashion person. I saw a 154 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:41,440 Speaker 1: couple of photos you you know you got the fashion 155 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: tip going to now, don't fool yourself. I know elegance 156 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:52,839 Speaker 1: when I see it. We go, We're gonna go to 157 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: break right here. I will come back. I don't wanna 158 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 1: talk a little bit more about your your your goals 159 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,720 Speaker 1: of the future, how you're mentoring young people out there 160 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:02,960 Speaker 1: to be successful it and how old that your legacy 161 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 1: is more than just overcoming that ours about changing the future. 162 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:09,480 Speaker 1: She's talented. She's on my show. She is the owner 163 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 1: at president UH the Kissak and the Kissak Sheryl the Kissak. Daniel. 164 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:19,199 Speaker 1: This was Sean McDonald. You're back. I'm back listening to 165 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: money making conversations and UH have the very talented president 166 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 1: uh CEO of Mkissak the Kissak. It's a design and 167 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:30,199 Speaker 1: construction firm. What exactly when I when I say the 168 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: work designed and construction firm, sryl, what exactly is does 169 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 1: that mean? Well? Um, we are actually program and construction 170 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 1: managers in general contractors. Um, so we managed the construction process. Um, 171 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 1: if they're multiple projects, then they call that a program manager. 172 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 1: And then we actually build. We hold contracts with subcontractors 173 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 1: like concrete, you know, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, dry wall. We 174 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 1: hold all those contracts and guide all those contractors through 175 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 1: the process. You know, when I when I was just 176 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:11,559 Speaker 1: going through your bio, I'm a person about building brands, 177 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: recognizing brands, and acknowledging that that in today's society of 178 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: social media, digital recognition, that it seems that you're starting 179 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:27,199 Speaker 1: to allow your brand of who you are to be acknowledged, 180 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 1: Am I right? Because? And and why is that? Because it? 181 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 1: Believe me, that's a beautiful thing. Because we need to 182 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: have individuals like you to come out of the I 183 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 1: wouldn't say the dog, but just come out and represent 184 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: and let us know that there is a possibility. And 185 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 1: that's why I would saying your legacy leads us to 186 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: believe that impossible is possible and to here you articulated 187 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 1: so cleanly allows us to know that it's possible today. Yes, um, 188 00:12:56,080 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 1: I am expanding my brand um because it is it's 189 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:05,319 Speaker 1: important to put a face on our industry. Um. That's 190 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 1: different than what people would normally think. When people think 191 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 1: about engineers, are they think of constructing people? I don't 192 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:21,760 Speaker 1: think they think of people like me. So it's so, UM, 193 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: we need to attract more women and minorities into you 194 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:31,560 Speaker 1: know this, into STEM so that they will become engineers 195 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 1: and architects and venture into the construction arena. Because construction 196 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:44,320 Speaker 1: can build well. Um it It definitely can provide a 197 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: good income for a family. UM. We see that all 198 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:51,679 Speaker 1: the time, UM with women who find their way to 199 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:56,200 Speaker 1: actual construction sites and you know, maybe they don't have 200 00:13:56,320 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 1: a spouse and they're raising you know, their children. They're 201 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:05,319 Speaker 1: able to do that with a good construction job. Now, 202 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: so that is why I was expanding my brand. Well, 203 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 1: I've done construction by degrees in mathematics. I remember actually 204 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: construction ran me in to get my degree. I was 205 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 1: a little truck. It was fifted. It was a thousand 206 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: uh tired intitubes. They were fifty pounds each. After I 207 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 1: loaded number nine hundred and ninety nine, I went back 208 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: to school and got my math degree. I started out 209 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 1: in civil engineering. Then I you know, I didn't know 210 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 1: what I wanted to have from civil engineering and then 211 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: the chimical engineering, and then I went to computer science 212 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: and then I found my spirit and sociology it really 213 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 1: focused me when I started who I was. Sociology and 214 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 1: focused me because I didn't know. Because education is what 215 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: people tell you who you are. They tell you who 216 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:57,760 Speaker 1: Sociology told me who I could be, and then how 217 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: to communicate with people, and that's when I found. That's 218 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 1: when I look back. I was to people, if you 219 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 1: want to know what the to be successful, look back 220 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: into your past. Don't look in the future, don't look 221 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:09,640 Speaker 1: at what you're doing now. Because because as you go 222 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 1: through life, your path can be altered by marriages, can 223 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 1: be altered by kids, can be financial failure or moving 224 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: out of a an the original place where you was 225 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 1: having success. So you have to go back to your 226 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 1: early twenties. That's when you That's when you was like feisty, 227 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 1: That's when you you're vipering. That's when you had all 228 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 1: these brilliant ideas. And so that's when I was exposed 229 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 1: to who I really was. It was math. I went 230 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 1: through math. I didn't have a book with I want 231 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: to and three, didn't even have a book, and didn't 232 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: even know that I had that talent. But when I 233 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 1: was able to rationalize, this is what I'm supposed to 234 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: be doing, I was successful at it. And that's what 235 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: you're doing now with your brand, You're you are exposing 236 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: us to the reality that I gotta keep telling this. 237 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:57,000 Speaker 1: I hope I'm not. I hope I'm not embarrassing you 238 00:15:57,360 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 1: on this interview. But it was important that that you 239 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: you you and your brand UH is tied to a 240 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 1: legacy of intellect UH white college success. You employ people, 241 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: are you educate people, and and for you to come 242 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:19,160 Speaker 1: out and being essence magazine, be recognized by my good 243 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 1: friend Susan Taylor, former editor at Essence magazine, and and 244 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 1: being on board with mcgirl. To Roger p Henson, this 245 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: is important because we we know what an athlete can do, 246 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 1: we know what what a singer can do, we know 247 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: what an actor and actress can do. But do we 248 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 1: really know that you can be rich and famous by 249 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 1: using your brain? That's so true, that's so true. So 250 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: so when people ask you to speak, what is your 251 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 1: general message to them? Sure, um, is really defining yourself. 252 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 1: And really I just heard what you said, and I 253 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 1: never thought about it that way, but it makes a 254 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:07,360 Speaker 1: lot of sense. And I think I'm gonna think on 255 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: that to day. And that is going back to your 256 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:15,639 Speaker 1: twenties and really thinking about what what uh, what what 257 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:20,560 Speaker 1: your passion was at that time in your life. Um, 258 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:22,919 Speaker 1: Because I think you're right. I think you're you know, 259 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:27,160 Speaker 1: in inhibited, you feel like you can conquer the world. Um. 260 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 1: And and so you do have all these great thoughts, um, 261 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:36,919 Speaker 1: and you and you are defining yourself. So that my 262 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:42,640 Speaker 1: message is basically thee and the importance of defining yourself. 263 00:17:42,680 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 1: We did not overcome all these obstacles by other people 264 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,320 Speaker 1: telling us who we are and what we can't and 265 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 1: can't do. We overcame these obstacles by being who we 266 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:59,040 Speaker 1: are and not let anybody else change that. UM. And 267 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:02,959 Speaker 1: so to me, UM that that message right there sets 268 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 1: you free. Let her talk, y'all. I let the talk. 269 00:18:07,840 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 1: I didn't even want to interrupt. You think, let's let's 270 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 1: let favorite people talk. Sometimes you don't cut off greatness. 271 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:19,160 Speaker 1: You don't cut off greatness. That don't cut off greatness. 272 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,359 Speaker 1: You know. It was it was a couple of things 273 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 1: when when I was when I was going through it 274 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 1: was a couple of things that stood out to me 275 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:29,159 Speaker 1: was the the mission statement and the vision statement. Now 276 00:18:29,240 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 1: let me let me tell everybody what the vision statement. 277 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:36,159 Speaker 1: Mckissack will be a beacon in the construction industry and 278 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:40,640 Speaker 1: will be recognized as a world class professionals, professional service 279 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:47,879 Speaker 1: firm that deliverers uncompromising performance services and value for our clients. 280 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 1: That means that, you know, I would. I always tell 281 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:55,760 Speaker 1: people that I would. I believe I've been successful in 282 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:59,439 Speaker 1: my life, Sheryl, because when somebody gives me their money, 283 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 1: I treated like it's my money. Mm hmmm mmmmmm. And 284 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: I feel that's what you're saying right there in that 285 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:12,480 Speaker 1: vision stated correct, right. UM, It's so important to bring 286 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 1: value and that's really what we focus on, UM with 287 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:21,159 Speaker 1: our projects. You know, our projects go beyond the brick 288 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:24,959 Speaker 1: and mortar, but it's how we are affecting the people 289 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 1: that we are serving and that it's not usually just 290 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:34,440 Speaker 1: one client. It's usually a community, um and and it's 291 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:41,760 Speaker 1: usually a minority community that's you know, predominantly minority. So 292 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:46,640 Speaker 1: if we're in those communities, how can this our project 293 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 1: or any project that we do, provide value to that community? 294 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 1: And for us as jobs, we need to get uh, 295 00:19:56,200 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 1: brown and black people working on our jobs. Um. And 296 00:20:00,920 --> 00:20:03,919 Speaker 1: so that is what we have focused in for the 297 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:08,439 Speaker 1: last on for the last ten or fifteen years, UM 298 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 1: is how to get people qualified to work on construction site. 299 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 1: That's amazing, Uh, it is, it is, And it's just 300 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 1: a it's a great feeling too, you know, it's it's 301 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 1: a great ceiling to you know, be able to pay 302 00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:26,200 Speaker 1: your rent, to you to buy food, you'll be able 303 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:28,560 Speaker 1: to take control of your life. A lot of people 304 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 1: trivialize that because you know, they're they're they're they're they're 305 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:35,200 Speaker 1: quick to want to be helped when you can help yourself. 306 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:38,520 Speaker 1: And I'm still on my two feet, you know, a 307 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:43,119 Speaker 1: long time, and I've follow these same two feet. And 308 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:45,359 Speaker 1: the thing that I I've learned the most when I 309 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:49,000 Speaker 1: when I interview somebody of your your level, you know. 310 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 1: And I'm talking to the president and CEO of mkissak 311 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:55,600 Speaker 1: and mckissac as Eryl mckissack Daniels. Her firm has been 312 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:59,280 Speaker 1: involved with some of New York's largest projects, including the 313 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:02,520 Speaker 1: Fault and Is Market, the Mark one to three, the 314 00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:10,160 Speaker 1: Pacific Park, uh JFK, LaGuardia, Corney Island hallm Hospital. I'm 315 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:19,560 Speaker 1: just rattling off success. Are you humbled by that? I 316 00:21:19,640 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 1: got there because I say that because because I'm listening 317 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:27,560 Speaker 1: to you. You know, you on your way to San Diego, 318 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 1: you stop that hung out with your girls a little rock. 319 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 1: You know that wasn't patents. You know that was Chicago, 320 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:37,879 Speaker 1: that was Little Rock. And now you're saying there, go 321 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:40,919 Speaker 1: doing your thing on the business trip. And when I went, 322 00:21:41,119 --> 00:21:43,040 Speaker 1: that means you you have a balance. And I can 323 00:21:43,119 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 1: hear in your voice, Uh, your your type of person 324 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 1: that I could easily just eat dinnerware to watch talk 325 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:52,359 Speaker 1: about what's on Netflix and UH and things like that, 326 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:56,760 Speaker 1: and it all makes sense. So I got minute left. 327 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:00,080 Speaker 1: What would you say to people who? What advice we 328 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:03,479 Speaker 1: get the people who who? Who? Who needs to get 329 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:05,239 Speaker 1: who need to get focused on? How they can get 330 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:08,440 Speaker 1: focused and what what what the future can hold for 331 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:13,040 Speaker 1: them if they get focused. Um, they have to find 332 00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 1: their passion. I think everyone has to find their passion. UM. 333 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 1: And when you find your passion, you can't make money 334 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:25,120 Speaker 1: off of that, UM, but you have to qualify yourself, 335 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:29,280 Speaker 1: get educated around that passion. Find someone else who is 336 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:32,920 Speaker 1: doing what you want to do, and get to know them, 337 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: understand how they did it. UM. Because whatever soone, whatever 338 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:42,119 Speaker 1: God has put inside of you, you can build on it. 339 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:45,480 Speaker 1: It is there for a reason. I love it. I 340 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:49,879 Speaker 1: love it. She's my she's my queen. She's elegant, she's smart, 341 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:54,199 Speaker 1: she's a business owner. Largest female minority firm in the country, 342 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 1: largest Cheryl, please come back on my show. Money Making 343 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:01,159 Speaker 1: Conference is built for people like you.