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

***

### **Purpose of the Interview**

The interview on *Money Making Conversations Masterclass* aimed to:

* Showcase Brittany Benson’s journey as a **brand strategist**, **AI consultant**, and founder of **The Branding Bar**.
* Educate entrepreneurs and small business owners on **branding**, **social media strategy**, and the **impact of AI** on marketing.
* Inspire listeners to leverage technology and consistency to build authentic brands.

***

### **Key Takeaways**

1. **Early Branding Journey**
* Brittany unknowingly started building her brand in college through her TV show *On the Air with Brittany B*.
* She leveraged early platforms like YouTube and Facebook before “social media” was a term.

2. **Consistency is Key**
* Success in branding comes from **consistent engagement**, even before monetization was possible.
* Brittany grew her Instagram following to over 130,000 by focusing on consistency rather than chasing trends.

3. **Influencer Myth**
* Large follower counts don’t guarantee success; **engagement matters more than numbers**.
* “If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.”

4. **Paid vs. Organic Growth**
* Paid ads can help, but **organic growth builds trust**.
* Best practice: build an organic base first, then use paid ads to amplify.

5. **Pivot to AI**
* Brittany pivoted from a traditional social media agency to **AI-driven branding solutions**.
* She creates **AI twins** for business owners—digital replicas that can produce content without the owner being physically present.

6. **Generative AI in Marketing**
* AI tools can create graphics, videos, and even voice clones.
* Brittany emphasizes AI as a **tool to enhance workflow**, not replace human creativity.

7. **Consulting Approach**
* Offers strategy calls to identify problems and recommend AI tools.
* Services range from **strategy planning**, **consulting**, to **done-for-you solutions**.

***

### **Notable Quotes**

* **On branding:**
*“I was always building a brand, even when I didn’t realize I was building a brand.”*

* **On engagement vs. followers:**
*“If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.”*

* **On AI’s role:**
*“AI is just a tool. It’s not going to replace your job—it still needs human direction.”*

* **On staying ahead:**
*“I’ve been told I have the gift of insight to see what’s coming, even if it’s not popular yet.”*

* **On her pivot:**
*“I started generating AI twins for business owners so they could show up online without showing up.”*

***

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Purpose of the Interview

• To spotlight Black Ambition, a national initiative founded by Pharrell Williams that funds and mentors Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
• To promote the upcoming Black Ambition Demo Day and Fundable Founders Forum in Miami.
• To inspire entrepreneurs by sharing insights on scaling businesses, accessing resources, and building wealth.

Key Takeaways

1. About Black Ambition

   • Founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.
   • Has invested in 131 companies over five years.
   • Provides capital, mentorship, and holistic support (including mental health).

2. Event Details

   • Demo Day (Nov 14): Entrepreneurs pitch and receive funding.
   • Fundable Founders Forum (Nov 15): Masterclasses with industry leaders like Steve Stoute, Nancy Twine, and Linda Clemens.
   • Focus on actionable strategies, not just inspiration.

3. Competition Structure

   • Annual national competition with 2,500–3,000 applications.
   • Categories include HBCU founders, national finalists, top prize winners, and people’s choice.
   • Process: Applications → 250 semifinalists → 3-month cohort → Top 20–25 awarded funding.

4. Challenges & Advice

   • Many entrepreneurs fail due to rushed applications and lack of preparation.
   • Success requires persistence: “Apply again” if you fail.
   • Building a team is essential—Black Ambition does not invest in solopreneurs.

5. Impact on Black Women

   • Fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs but often limited by resources.
   • Need to shift from solopreneurship to team-building for scalability.

6. Pharrell’s Motivation

   • Believes in democratizing opportunity.
   • Inspired by those who invested in him early in his career.
   • Goal: Close wealth and opportunity gaps quickly—“Wealth has a need for speed.”

7. How to Get Involved

   • Visit blackambitionprize.com and join the newsletter for alerts and resources.
   • Past winners share insights in info sessions.

Notable Quotes

• On closing gaps:
  “People are too comfortable wasting the time of Black entrepreneurs with misaligned resources and low vibrational mentorship.”

• On persistence:
  “If it doesn’t work on you in that moment, it works for you in that moment. Either way, it works.”

• On Pharrell’s vision:
  “Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.”

• On entrepreneurship mindset:
  “We have to start enjoying the process that molds us, not just say, ‘I didn’t make it, I’m upset.’”

• On Black women entrepreneurs:
  “They’re the fastest growing, but largely solopreneurs. We need them to think about building teams.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.