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

A wellness expert, registered nurse, bestselling author, breast cancer survivor, and life coach. Holly shares her journey from nursing to entrepreneurship, her battle with breast cancer, and her mission to empower others through holistic wellness and mental health advocacy. The conversation is rich with personal insights, practical advice, and motivational takeaways.

🧭 Key Points 👩‍⚕️ Nursing & Career Evolution

• Holly holds a master’s degree in nursing and has worked in various roles including management and teaching.
• She emphasizes that nursing is more than bedside care—there are many non-clinical paths like education, management, and sales.

💡 Holistic Lifestyle Philosophy

• Holly defines a holistic lifestyle as the balance of mental, physical, spiritual, and financial health.
• She believes financial health is often overlooked but is essential to overall well-being.

🧠 Mental Health Advocacy

• Social media has helped destigmatize mental health, especially in the Black community.
• Holly encourages open dialogue and early identification of mental health issues, especially among youth.

🎗️ Breast Cancer Journey

• Diagnosed in 2012, Holly turned her pain into purpose by becoming a breast cancer advocate.
• Her book, Strong More Than Muscles, shares her story and continues to inspire readers globally.

📚 Books & Youth Empowerment

• Holly created the “Your Mind, Your Magic” book series to support adolescent mental health.
• The series includes four books (also in Spanish) tailored for:
  • Girls and boys
  • Young men
  • Special needs children
  • Children with chronic illnesses

💬 Purpose & Empowerment

• Holly’s mission is to inspire women to live fully, embrace their power, and stop settling.
• She believes that authentic living aligns with purpose, and that impact is more valuable than income.

💬 Notable Quotes

“I will not allow age to be an excuse.”

“Nursing found me. It’s what I did, not who I am.”

“Holistic health is about mind, body, spirit—and finances.”

“Pain will push you to your purpose.”

“When you live your life authentically, everything aligns.”

“We need to focus on making kids mentally strong—not just physically strong.”

#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.

Drawing from his own experiences—including the rise and fall of his Houston-based comedy club—he shares hard-earned lessons about budgeting, hiring, planning, and the realities of entrepreneurship. The episode is both motivational and practical, offering real-world advice for aspiring and current business owners.

🧭 Key Points 🔑 Common Mistakes in Business

• Hiring friends, family, or underqualified people out of convenience or emotional ties.
• Starting a business without a budget or clear plan.
• Entering partnerships without knowing the other person’s work ethic or values.
• Ignoring logistics like parking, taxes, and insurance.

📉 Lessons from Failure

• Rushion’s comedy club was popular but unprofitable due to poor planning and lack of financial oversight.
• He learned that profitability requires structure, not just popularity or passion.

🧠 Mindset & Commitment

• Success requires time, discipline, and consistency.
• Entrepreneurs must be willing to sacrifice, show up early, and stay late.
• You can’t run a business on dreams alone—you need a plan.

🧰 Practical Advice

• Use resources like the Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE for free guidance and mentorship.
• Set clear expectations with employees from day one.
• Don’t compromise your business by ignoring red flags during hiring.

💬 Notable Quotes

“You can’t open a business and then try to set the budget. Now you’re playing catch-up.”

“Don’t hire people just because they’re close to you. Hire people because they’re qualified.”

“You can’t run a business on dreams. You need a plan.”

“Do not hire inexperienced employees because they are cheaper.”

“If you don’t have time for your business, your business won’t have time for you.”

“I was making money, but I never saw any of it because I didn’t have a budget.”

“Only you can look in the mirror and make a decision that benefits your future.”

#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 Kimberly Kelly.

A real estate broker and entrepreneur who overcame a challenging upbringing in foster care, teen motherhood, and systemic adversity to become a successful businesswoman. Kimberly shares her journey of resilience, faith, and determination, offering inspiration to anyone facing difficult circumstances. Her story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of believing in oneself.

🧭 Key Points 🌱 Early Life & Adversity

• Raised in foster care from a young age due to her mother’s struggles with addiction.
• Took on a caregiver role for her younger brothers at age 9.
• Became a mother at 15 and had two children by 18, while still caring for her siblings.

💪 Resilience & Mindset

• Developed a survival mindset early on, driven by responsibility and love for her family.
• Found faith and spiritual grounding during her time in foster care.
• Never doubted her ability to succeed despite overwhelming odds.

🎓 Education & Career Path

• Returned to complete her high school diploma and pursued technical education.
• Earned a degree in electronics engineering and transitioned into the IT world.
• Later became a licensed real estate agent and opened her own brokerage.

🏡 Business Ventures

• Founder of a real estate brokerage in McDonough, Georgia.
• Focuses on educating and empowering first-time homebuyers and entrepreneurs.
• Co-owner of a property preservation company, Get Adventurous, with her husband.

🤝 Leadership & Branding

• Leads a small team of agents with a hands-on, mentorship-driven approach.
• Emphasizes adaptability, personal growth, and celebrating small victories.
• Operates within a price range of $250K–$750K and above, adapting to market trends.

💬 Notable Quotes

“I’m superwoman. I’m phenomenal.”

“Foster care is supposed to be temporary, but sometimes it becomes permanent.”

“It never dawned on me that I wouldn’t be successful.”

“You can do anything. There is nothing you can’t do in this life.”

“Practice resilience. If you don’t have a support system, look in the mirror and talk to yourself.”

“I’m always in the mindset of staying adaptable.”

“My goal is to educate, motivate, and teach people that we can own real estate.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.