On Episode 42 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen(Instagram.com/whoisSheena) sit down with real estate investor, developer, and agent Chris Ross, whose path into commercial real estate began behind a bar on Bourbon Street and led to multi–million–dollar hospitality and mixed-use deals.

Chris shares how he went from making $800 on his first $45K deal to brokering $30M+ transactions, and why he believes now is still a powerful moment to move into commercial real estate, especially as others run away from office buildings and underperforming assets. He breaks down how to leverage equity, recognize the subtle signs of opportunity (like worn pool furniture and empty elevators), and think beyond single-family rentals into hotels, large residential properties, and creative adaptive reuse.

The conversation also dives into real estate as a reflection of culture—from office-to-residential conversions and content studios to the rise of Airbnb-style hospitality. Chris explains how he utilizes AI and ChatGPT daily in his brokerage work, without compromising the human element that actually closes deals. And in his Rich Lesson, he brings it all back to one core principle: relationships are the real asset in business and in building long-term wealth.

Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro — Meet Chris Ross: Bourbon Street bartender turned commercial real estate dealmaker

(01:07) From phone book to first license — breaking into real estate without a “traditional” background

(02:47) Leaving residential behind — the persistence that opened CRE doors

(03:43) What most people don’t know about commercial real estate: leveraging equity and financing million-dollar deals

(05:02) “Blood in the water” — short sales, distressed assets, and why Chris thinks now is still a good time for CRE

(06:15) How he turned bad pool furniture and empty elevators into a $35M transaction

(08:19) The $45K building and an $800 commission — why you can’t start at $30M deals

(09:49) Balancing culture, preservation, and profit in New Orleans while bringing more Black entrepreneurs into big deals

(12:02) Where to start in hospitality and commercial: valuation, learning from the bottom up, and knowing your investing style

(21:08) How Chris uses AI and ChatGPT daily in real estate (and why relationships still matter more than ever)

(29:26) Real estate follows culture — office conversions, content studios, data centers, and shifting demand

(33:00) Airbnb vs hotels — pros, cons, profitability, and why consistency still sells

(39:29) Rich Lesson — relationships, credit unions, and why your network is your true leverage

—

Rich Lessons Podcast // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

• Subscribe to Rich Lessons on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-lessons/id1787798124) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/40jGSUvVrMbxKcJ1ghE8kl)

• Watch and subscribe to Rich Lessons on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@richlessonspodcast)

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On Episode 41 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen(Instagram.com/whoisSheena) talk with Karen Freeman-Wilson, former Indiana Attorney General, the first Black woman mayor of Gary, Indiana, and now President & CEO of the Chicago Urban League.

Karen opens up about growing up in Gary’s industrial heyday, witnessing its economic collapse, and leading through a $26 million budget loss on her first day as mayor. She breaks down the realities of running a predominantly Black city, confronting systemic bias, and rebuilding trust between citizens and government.

From redirecting Indiana’s tobacco settlement funds entirely to health initiatives to reshaping Chicago’s community narrative, Karen shares how leadership grounded in empathy and accountability can change outcomes. The conversation dives into today’s political climate, the quiet rollback of DEI, and her warning against what she calls “legislative genocide.”

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Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro & welcome

(01:18) Mini bio & firsts (AG; first Black woman mayor; now CUL CEO)

(02:47) Gary’s boom → decline snapshot

(04:44) Bias toward Black-majority cities explained

(07:12) Day-one $26M budget hit; “expect more” leadership

(11:06) AG wins: nursing homes reform; 100% tobacco funds → health

(14:17) Harvard story: grit & “finish what you start”

(18:30) Loss → Chicago Urban League; narrative + cross-sector work

(22:49) “Show up twice”: block + boardroom approach

(25:32) Today’s climate: values, DEI retreat, bill impacts (SNAP, schools, health, environment)

(33:19) Nonprofit response; job fair surge (3K in-person / 5K online)

(41:01) Rich Lesson: treat people how you want to be treated

—

Rich Lessons Podcast // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

• Subscribe to Rich Lessons on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-lessons/id1787798124) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/40jGSUvVrMbxKcJ1ghE8kl)

• Watch and subscribe to Rich Lessons on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@richlessonspodcast)

• Follow Rich Lessons on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/richlessonspodcast/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@richlessonspodcast)

On Episode 40 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen(Instagram.com/whoisSheena) sit down with Takema Robinson, executive producer of Netflix’s top-streaming documentary The Perfect Neighbor, to talk about justice, storytelling, and the movement behind one of the most powerful films of the year.

Takema, an activist, producer, and founder of Standing in the Gap Fund, shares how a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request turned into a #1 Netflix film and a catalyst for change in the wake of AJ Owens’ killing. She opens up about transforming hours of police body-cam footage into a gripping, artful story that sparked national conversations on race, justice, and “Stand Your Ground” laws.

From advocacy to art, Takema breaks down the emotional journey of turning grief into purpose, the importance of storytelling as a tool for healing, and the power of keeping a promise—ensuring the world will always know AJ Owens’ name.

—

Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro — Meet Takema Robinson, executive producer of The Perfect Neighbor

(02:30) Movement in Her DNA — Growing up in New Haven’s Black Power era

(04:15) From Howard to Healing — Studying art, politics, and culture as tools for justice

(06:10) The First Film — How advocacy led her to documentary storytelling

(07:18) FOIA to Film — Using public records to uncover AJ Owens’ story

(11:18) The Perfect Neighbor — Inside the footage, the verdict, and the emotional response

(14:30) Mobilizing for Justice — The call at dawn and activating national support

(22:16) The Power of Truth — Staying inside body-cam footage and trusting the audience

(25:06) Beyond “Trauma Porn” — Why this film is activism, not exploitation

(33:33) The Children — Healing, therapy, and the legacy AJ left behind

(41:01) The Aftermath — #1 on Netflix, a national impact tour, and Standing in the Gap Fund

(45:13) Rich Lesson — Purpose is the bridge between pain and power

—

Rich Lessons Podcast // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

• Subscribe to Rich Lessons on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-lessons/id1787798124) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/40jGSUvVrMbxKcJ1ghE8kl)

• Watch and subscribe to Rich Lessons on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@richlessonspodcast)

• Follow Rich Lessons on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/richlessonspodcast/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@richlessonspodcast)

On Episode 39 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen (Instagram.com/whoisSheena) sit down with twin sisters Kiara and Christy Muse, board-certified nurse practitioners and founders of Muse Medical Aesthetics & Laser in Baton Rouge, LA, to talk about beauty, confidence, and building a million-dollar med spa from the ground up.

Kiara and Christy share how they went from bedside nursing to entrepreneurship, why they chose to bet on themselves instead of working for someone else, and how they turned a $10,000 family investment into a fast-growing aesthetics practice serving women (and men) across the South. They open up about being shut out by banks, navigating gatekeeping in the aesthetics industry as Black women, and what it takes to build a luxury brand that still feels personal, safe, and culturally aware.

From injectables and “facial balancing” to GLP-1 weight loss shots and medical-grade skincare, the Muse Twins break down what’s real, what’s hype, and why preventative care is the new standard. They also talk about the pressure on women to look “natural,” the stigma Black women still face around cosmetic treatments, and why the beauty industry is actually a path to ownership, wealth, and freedom for women in healthcare.

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Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro — Meet twin sisters Kiara and Christy Muse, founders of Muse Medical Aesthetics & Laser in Baton Rouge

(02:15) From RN to Owner — Leaving bedside nursing to build something of their own

(04:10) “We Just Signed the Lease” — Launching during COVID and creating their own lane in a gatekept industry

(06:20) Brand Before Doors Opened — Building demand early and coining their mantra, “Be your own muse”

(07:48) The Muse Experience — Luxury meets comfort; making aesthetics feel safe and inclusive

(12:12) Money Said No — Getting denied by banks and turning a $10K family loan into $1M+ in a year

(15:18) Scaling Up — 400% growth, expansion plans, and building on their own terms

(17:33) Skincare Facts — Why sunscreen is key and most products miss melanin-rich skin

(22:22) Facial Balancing 101 — Botox, filler, and why “natural” doesn’t mean “nothing done”

(30:04) Beyond BBLs — Non-surgical contouring, collagen boosters, and body balancing

(33:17) GLP-1 Truth — Weight loss shots, hormone balance, and breaking the “cheating” myth

(45:13) Rich Lesson — Confidence, resilience, and believing in your vision when no one else does

—

Rich Lessons Podcast // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

• Subscribe to Rich Lessons on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-lessons/id1787798124) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/40jGSUvVrMbxKcJ1ghE8kl)

• Watch and subscribe to Rich Lessons on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@richlessonspodcast)

• Follow Rich Lessons on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/richlessonspodcast/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@richlessonspodcast)

On Episode 38 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen (Instagram.com/whoisSheena) sit down with former NBA star and Baton Rouge native Tyrus Thomas to unpack the business of sports, the rise of NIL, and what life looks like after the league. From his journey at LSU to becoming the No. 4 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Tyrus shares how basketball took him from South Baton Rouge to global arenas and how purpose, mentorship, and mental health became his new game plan.

From the billion-dollar youth sports industry to the cultural impact of NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) deals, Tyrus breaks down how money is reshaping the game and what it means for young athletes and their families. He also opens up about the emotional toll of transitioning out of pro sports, the lessons fame taught him about self-awareness, and how he’s now using his platform to help the next generation win on and off the court.

—

Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro — From LSU to the League: Who is Tyrus Thomas and what he’s building today

(02:58) Coaching to Mentorship — Why Tyrus left the sidelines to coach life, not basketball

(04:35) South Baton Rouge Roots — Basketball as a safe space and life teacher

(06:40) The Moment Everything Changed — Beating Duke and realizing the dream was real

(11:53) Leaving LSU — Family struggle, tough choices, and the business of going pro

(14:05) NIL Reality Check — How the new system distorts value and entitlement for young athletes

(22:41) The Youth Sports Hustle — How parents, schools, and private equity turned kids into a business

(27:15) Burnout & Balance — Overtraining, injuries, and the lost art of player development

(39:39) From Lights Off to the League — Adjusting to sudden wealth and lessons in humility

(48:25) Life After the NBA — Identity, self-awareness, and the journey toward mental health

(56:01) Passion Over Paychecks — Why doing what you love matters more than money

(59:35) Rich Lesson — Legacy, leadership, and lifting the next generation of athletes

—

Rich Lessons is presented by GRITS // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

• Subscribe to Rich Lessons on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-lessons/id1787798124) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/40jGSUvVrMbxKcJ1ghE8kl)

• Watch and subscribe to Rich Lessons on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@richlessonspodcast)

• Follow Rich Lessons on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/richlessonspodcast/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@richlessonspodcast)

—GRITS is an entrepreneurial community + venture studio

• Subscribe to the GRITS Newsletter (https://substack.com/@joingrits)

• Visit the official website (https://joingrits.com)

• Follow GRITS on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/joingrits)

• Join our PRIVATE Founders Community Network (https://www.patreon.com/startupstayupscaleup)

In Episode 37 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen (Instagram.com/whoisSheena) sit down with Baton Rouge native and civil rights advocate Gary Chambers Jr. to unpack power, policy, and the path to building Black wealth across the South. From his upbringing in North Baton Rouge to national advocacy after Alton Sterling’s killing, Gary traces how economics, culture, and politics collide, and why the South still holds the keys to lasting change.

From the “brain drain” of talent leaving Louisiana and Mississippi to lessons from Reconstruction and modern-day politics, Gary breaks down why the South still matters, and how actual change starts with ownership, community, and audacity. He also opens up about fatherhood, advocacy, and why Black people must see their communities as assets, not liabilities.

—

Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro — Who is Gary Chambers Jr. and why his voice matters

(02:00) Fatherhood & Raising Black Children in Today’s America

(05:40) North Baton Rouge Then vs. Now: Community, Decline & Reinvestment

(10:20) The “Brain Drain” in the South and Building Where We’re From

(13:45) Atlanta vs. Charlotte: Rethinking the Black Mecca

(18:40) Wealth, NIL Money & Why “Getting Out the Hood” Isn’t Enough

(22:10) Reconstruction Lessons: The History They Don’t Teach

(26:10) The Democratic Party’s Neglect of the South & Black Voters

(31:20) From Alton Sterling to Activism: How Gary Found His Purpose

(59:10) Rich Lesson — The Magic, Resilience & Audacity of Black People

—

Rich Lessons is presented by GRITS // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

• Subscribe to Rich Lessons on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-lessons/id1787798124) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/40jGSUvVrMbxKcJ1ghE8kl)

• Watch and subscribe to Rich Lessons on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@richlessonspodcast)

• Follow Rich Lessons on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/richlessonspodcast/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@richlessonspodcast)

In Episode 36 of Rich Lessons, Sevetri Wilson Taylor (Instagram.com/sevetriwilson) and Sheena Allen (Instagram.com/whoisSheena) tackle the future of work in an AI-driven economy. From the rise of lifestyle businesses to the disappearance of entry-level jobs, they dig into the hard truths shaping how we’ll work, earn, and live in the years ahead.

The conversation explores the controversial debate around universal basic income (UBI), why trades like plumbing and electrical work may become the most secure and profitable careers, and how “vibe coding” is creating new opportunities for non-technical founders. They close with their biggest “rich lessons” on resisting over-reliance on AI and the importance of self-initiative in building a sustainable future.

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Show Notes:

(00:00) Intro & why lifestyle businesses matter

(03:28) UBI debate & the middle-class squeeze

(09:39) Robot-content fatigue: are we overusing genAI?

(15:26) After AI & bootcamps: where do entry-level devs go?

(18:52) Hiring reality: self-initiative & the two-week ramp

(28:22) Future-proof careers: trades over tech?

(30:24) Vibe coding: text-to-software & the hybrid model

(34:06) Rich Lessons: caution on genAI + be a self-starter

—

Rich Lessons is presented by GRITS // hosted by Sevetri Wilson Taylor and Sheena Allen

• Subscribe to Rich Lessons on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-lessons/id1787798124) and Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/40jGSUvVrMbxKcJ1ghE8kl)

• Watch and subscribe to Rich Lessons on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@richlessonspodcast)

• Follow Rich Lessons on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/richlessonspodcast/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@richlessonspodcast)

—GRITS is an entrepreneurial community + venture studio

• Subscribe to the GRITS Newsletter (https://substack.com/@joingrits)

• Visit the official website (https://joingrits.com)

• Follow GRITS on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/joingrits)

• Join our PRIVATE Founders Community Network (https://www.patreon.com/startupstayupscaleup)

What does it take to turn a family project into a global movement? In this episode of Rich Lessons, Dr. Calvin Mackie—engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of STEM NOLA—reveals his blueprint for scaling impact. From his garage in New Orleans to reaching over 200,000 students worldwide, Dr. Mackie breaks down how equity, education, and entrepreneurship must intersect to truly change lives. Whether you’re building a startup, running a nonprofit, or looking to create lasting change in your community, this conversation delivers powerful lessons on vision, leadership, and courage. If you’ve ever wondered how to transform an idea into a movement, start here.

On this week’s Rich Lessons, the engineer, professor, and founder of STEM NOLA breaks down his blueprint for scaling impact:
✨ Equity
✨ Education
✨ Entrepreneurship

This episode is a blueprint for building a movement—whether you’re growing a startup, leading a nonprofit, or creating change in your community.