Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mowbray and Cherina Rowand.

🎙️ Interview Summary: Mowbray & Cherina Rowand Purpose of the Interview

To showcase the entrepreneurial journey of Mowbray and Cherina Rowand, co-founders of The Rowand Group and One Stop Taxes, the largest Black-owned virtual tax preparation service in America. The interview highlights their business evolution, scaling strategies, community impact, and the creation of the Black Tax Festival.

🧭 Interview Outline 1. Background & Origins

• Both from Memphis, Tennessee; met in high school.
• Started tax preparation in 2010 as a mom-and-pop operation.
• Transitioned from brick-and-mortar to virtual model by 2015.

2. Business Philosophy

• Entrepreneurship is defined as service to others.
• Mowbray is the visionary; Cherina is the implementer.
• Emphasis on scaling with structure: legal, accounting, HR.

3. One Stop Taxes

• Grew from a single office to over 1,000 virtual franchise locations.
• Offers free training, no startup costs, and shared revenue model.
• Built a platform allowing clients to submit documents and sign remotely.

4. Virtual Tax Model

• Designed for convenience and accessibility.
• Clients and tax preparers never need to meet in person.
• Platform includes document upload, e-signature, and cloud storage.

5. Franchise & Training

• Learning Management System (LMS) for onboarding.
• Training includes tax prep, customer acquisition, and platform use.
• Strategic partnerships with local businesses (e.g., dealerships, daycares).

6. Black Tax Festival

• Combines networking, education, and recognition.
• Includes IRS updates, business workshops, and the Titan Awards.
• Open to all entrepreneurs, not just tax professionals.

7. Expansion & Diversification

• Own restaurants in Memphis and the Dominican Republic.
• Franchised Fat Tuesday and Esco Restaurant (did \$1M in first 6 weeks).
• Own a yacht for rental experiences in the DR.
• Plans to develop a restaurant strip near FedExForum in Memphis.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Vision + Execution = Growth: Their complementary roles fuel business success.
• Virtual is Scalable: Transitioning to virtual allowed exponential growth.
• Community Impact Matters: Black Tax Festival fosters education and recognition.
• Diversification is Strategic: Restaurants and real estate expand their brand.
• Mentorship & Learning: They study successful entrepreneurs like Tilman Fertitta.
• Faith & Family Drive: Their journey is rooted in love, planning, and purpose.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• “Entrepreneurship means being a servant to other people.”
• “The same thing that works at \$1M doesn’t work at \$15M.”
• “We had to fire ourselves from some jobs and hire professionals.”
• “We built a platform where you can do taxes from your couch.”
• “We started before social media—we know belly-to-belly marketing.”
• “Recognition matters—people don’t get it at home or work.”
• “We’re trying to bridge the wealth gap through proper paperwork.”
• “We bought a yacht in the Dominican Republic to rent for experiences.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michelle Taylor Willis.

Author, Speaker, Award-Winning Community Leader

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To explore Michelle’s guidebook “Raising Significance”, which offers practical advice for parents on how to raise children who are not just successful, but significant—meaning they positively impact the world around them. The interview also highlights Michelle’s personal journey, her community work, and the values that drive her.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Success vs. Significance

Michelle defines a powerful distinction:

“Success is about you and your immediate circle. Significance is about how you turn your success to work for everybody else.”

Her book aims to help parents raise children who are intentional change-makers, not just achievers.

2. Eight Tenets of Parenting

While not all are listed in the interview, Michelle emphasizes one foundational principle:

“Obey immediately and happily.”
This sets the tone for discipline, respect, and responsiveness in children.

3. Healthy Fear is Necessary

Michelle advocates for instilling a respectful fear of authority and consequences:

“Sometimes you just need to do what I say do… because I’m saving your life.”

4. Music Enhances Critical Thinking

Michelle encourages early musical education:

“All my kids started piano at five… There’s a direct correlation between music, math, and critical thinking.”

Rashawn shares his own experience with music and how it shaped his memory and academic success.

5. Greek Life as a Catalyst

Both Michelle (AKA) and Rashawn (Omega Psi Phi) reflect on how joining Black Greek organizations shaped their discipline, focus, and lifelong networks:

“It was a life-changing event… It expanded my value of relationships and networking.”

6. Community Recognition Matters

Michelle expresses deep gratitude for being honored:

“I will never be sick of somebody telling me they value what I do.”

She views awards not as vanity but as validation of meaningful work.

7. Parenting with Purpose

Michelle’s book is not about perfection but intentionality:

“I’m not a parenting expert… But if you instill these things early, significance won’t be accidental—it’ll be inevitable.”

💬 Notable Quotes

• On parenting:

“You act happy about it. Because if you don’t act happy, then you’re going to make me unhappy. And I promise you, you don’t want me unhappy.”

• On legacy:

“Raising significance is about how you teach your children to change the world—and teach others to do the same.”

• On humility:

“It’s never about me.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, October 24th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "You Prayed For A Job" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Food You Won't Eat Anymore | Roscoe Wallace | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Triple Casket" | Strawberry Letter - "My Own Daughter Put Me On Blast" Parts 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Short Vs Tall | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

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