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

Barlow's creates a better-for-you line of pancakes, biscuits, waffle mix, and seasonal syrups supported by local farmers. We believe that you don't have to eat differently to eat better. Inspired by our founder's grandfather's legacy of farming and agriculture.

Tiffani Neal, founder of Barlow’s Foods, is a natural born entrepreneur. Since early childhood Tiffani has had the knack of being creative, selling and making something out of nothing. From selling candy door to door as a child and launching an online store in the early 2000's her passion has always been business.

Turning that passion into a thriving venture has been a lifelong dream for Tiffani, realized with the creation of Barlow’s Foods. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Barlow's creates the Southeast’s leading best 3 in 1 pancake biscuit waffle mix and seasonal syrups. Tiffani’s professional experience includes e-commerce and more than ten years in corporate sales, including her most recent role focused on the healthcare industry.

Outside of work, Tiffani enjoys finding unique restaurants and things to do on the Atlanta social scene and giving back in her local community.

Tiffani Neal, founder of Barlow’s Foods, is a natural-born entrepreneur. Since early childhood, she has had the knack of being creative, selling, and making something out of nothing. From selling candy door to door as a child to launching an online store in the early 2000s, her passion has always been business.

Turning that passion into a thriving venture has been a lifelong dream for Tiffani, realized with the creation of Barlow’s Foods. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Barlow's creates the Southeast’s leading best 3 in 1 pancake biscuit waffle mix and seasonal syrups. Inspired by her grandfather’s legacy of farming and agriculture. Tiffani is determined to change her family's trajectory by creating something for those who come after her to benefit them for generations to come.

How did Barlow’s Pancakes start?

Grandfather legacy inspiration

How to prepare for success

Incremental growth versus accelerated

Quality vs quantity of network + resources

Focusing on what works best for you

Food Lion + The Fresh Market launches

Leaving corporate/job

Specifics of new location, teamHiring the right people

Branding packaging updates Changes you have made to your packaging and marketing

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Laura Foos. Her talents as a financial advisor can help you through your struggles. She has overcome bankruptcy herself when she was 7 months pregnant, being a single mother most of her daughter’s life, and has started several profitable businesses.

ABOUT LAURA:
Laura Foos knows all too well about financial struggles, how to overcome them, and using that knowledge to turn her life around having gone through bankruptcy herself when she was 7 months pregnant, being a single mother most of her daughter’s life, to then starting several profitable businesses over the past 15 years being the financial advisor for them all. Laura is passionate about LIFE, living it to the fullest and taking others with her. Laura wears many titles and gives each of her roles the dedication and effort of someone doing them full-time. She works as a Business Finance Manager as her full time corporate career with Dignity Memorial. She has been in the death care industry for over 27 year as she is passionate about serving families at a difficult time. She partners with three other hardworking women in the beauty industry running an award-winning full-service salon, Salon Couture that just celebrated their 16 Year Anniversary located in Forestville, MD. Most recently added to her titles is, Event Space Owner, with the purchase of her first commercial property that she renovated to be Foos Studio and Foos Financial Headquarters. Laura can also be seen on Facebook & Instagram Live with her “Ask Foos” weekly broadcasts sharing of free tax & financial advice as she is a Licensed Tax Professional with her own company, Foos Financial Services LLC. One of her passions is educating others about taxes, savings, budgeting and being more organized as these are topics we don’t learn about in school, so most have to learn by trial and erro

#BEST

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#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviews Travis May, Sr. and Alair Castro from Northwestern Mutal, one is a financial advisor and the other is a Diversity & Inclusion Specialist discuss how Black Entrepreneurship bridges racial wealth gap. The racial wealth gap refers to the disparity in assets of typical households across race and ethnicity. The gap in assets is far wider than disparities in wages across races. Income inequality, housing policies, limited educational opportunities, and a lack of support structures contribute to the racial wealth gap.

Talking Points
- Can you provide an overview of the Community Conversations initiative and its purpose?
- This is the third Community Conversation you’re hosting—what impact have the previous two events had so far?
- Travis joined the firm as a result of the first conversation. How did that connection come about, and how has his journey exemplified the goals of these conversations?
- In what ways do you feel these events are making an intentional and impactful difference in the Black community?
- How does Community Conversations help identify individuals who align with the firm’s vision and goals?
- What makes these events unique in fostering relationships and opportunities within the Black community?
- Northwestern Mutual is a financial partner that offers personalized plans, top-rated services and life insurance.
- What inspired Northwestern Mutual’s Callaway Black office to focus this year’s panel series on Black entrepreneurship as a solution to bridging the racial wealth gap?
- Why do you believe entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in narrowing the racial wealth gap, specifically for Black communities?
- What unique challenges do Black entrepreneurs face in starting and scaling businesses compared to other demographics?
- How have historical barriers, such as limited access to capital and systemic racism, impacted Black entrepreneurship, and what changes are being seen today?
- How important are mentorship and financial literacy in supporting Black entrepreneurs and future generations of business owners?
- What resources or programs do you believe are most effective in helping Black entrepreneurs succeed in today's business landscape?
- How can financial institutions, such as Northwestern Mutual, support Black entrepreneurs in accessing the funding and resources they need to grow?
- What role do community-based organizations and initiatives play in empowering Black entrepreneurs and addressing wealth disparities?
- Can you share any success stories of Black entrepreneurs who have directly benefited from your efforts or the broader financial ecosystem in Atlanta?
- How can the success of Black-owned businesses help inspire and empower younger generations in closing the wealth gap?
- In your view, what are the most effective strategies for ensuring that Black entrepreneurship leads to long-term wealth building within families and communities?
- Looking forward, what do you hope to see in terms of Black entrepreneurship and wealth-building in the next decade?
- How can the community come together to support Black entrepreneurs and ensure that their efforts are sustainable and impactful?

#BEST

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Dear Steve and Shirley, I'm fifty three and I've been married twenty two years. I've been struggling with my husband's two female friends for twenty five years, since the day I met him. We met at an alumni ball and they were his dates. They had to approve of me before we got serious with each other. My husband's two female friends live next door to each other. Their husbands accepted my husband as their wives bonus husband. I never liked it, but I never said anything about it. Many nights, for many years, my husband has been partying over at one of their houses.........................................

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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Sheila Michelle Foye. Her career began with the Gas Company here in Atlanta just before natural gas was deregulated. She began as an Office Assistant and moved lattice style into mission-critical senior leadership roles within organizations and across industries such as SunTrust Banks (Truist), CapGemini, Accenture, Cox, and healthcare giants such as Morehouse School of Medicine, Piedmont, and Grady.

Foye leveraged her corporate knowledge gained over the years to become an award winning, respected successful Entrepreneur in Drug Testing and CLIA-waived Laboratory Testing. Drug Testing was chosen due to her oldest son’s murder (age 24), which was drug/ gang violence related and her family history of substance/alcohol abuse that made for a rocky road in life.

Nearly two years into the business, Michelle was able to innovate and pivot Precis Screening by establishing a consulting arm that has now assisted more than 3,000 Entrepreneurs and counting.

#BEST

#AMI

#STRAW

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Dear Steve and Shirley, I've been messing around with the guy that I worked with. He said he saw something special in me, so he got me transferred to his team. I looked up to his man because of his work ethic and how he commanded the room at our meetings. He is a straight nerd, but there's something about him. It's probably all of the big words he uses, but OMG, he is stuck in the late nineties with his hair, his suits, and even the way he talks. Thank goodness, he's not that way in the bedroom. He's large and in charge there............................

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, Tonya Millions-Fitch. ASTRE Wellness is your trusted partner in achieving optimal health and wellness, offering a luxurious environment where personalized care meets clinical excellence. Our commitment to exceptional service, proven results, and meaningful client relationships sets us apart. Whether you're seeking IV hydration, weight management solutions, or cutting-edge medical aesthetics, our team of experienced professionals delivers tailored treatments designed to help you reach your unique goals. At ASTRE Wellness, we believe in empowering you to live your healthiest, most beautiful life, all while indulging in an atmosphere of sophistication and comfort.

Talking Points/Questions
Medical background
What does “ASTRE” mean
How did you get started
What are you most proud of with your company? (Voted best Wellness clinic 3 years in a row)
What is your biggest accomplishment so far?
What types of services do you offer?

Tonya Millions Fitch is a distinguished healthcare professional with over 25 years of experience, including 12 years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist. As the founder and leader of ASTRE Wellness, Tonya is committed to transforming lives through her extensive knowledge and passion for health and wellness. Her deep understanding of the healthcare industry, combined with her dedication to patient care, drives the mission of ASTRE Wellness. Tonya’s vision is to empower individuals to achieve optimal health, happiness, and beauty, making her a trusted advocate for holistic well-being and a leader in the wellness community.

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#SHMS

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