From Humble Beginnings to Media Mogul

Rushion McDonald grew up in the Fifth Ward district of Houston, Texas, as the middle child of nine with six sisters and two brothers. Despite his humble beginnings, he learned to never let other people’s expectations limit his dreams or opportunities. From an early age, McDonald understood how to make money, whether it was selling photos of couples at parties in high school or making pizzas in his dorm room in college. Rushion attended the University of Houston and studied Mathematics and Sociology, degrees which would later fuel his success in marketing and branding. While still in college, he served as an Administrative Accountant at IBM, a position only intended to be semester-long, but which grew into a five year career.

During McDonald’s final years at IBM, he tried his hand at standup comedy. Winning the title of Showtime’s “Funniest Person in Texas” for three consecutive years, Rushion went on to compete for “Funniest Person in America,” only losing in the finals to Ellen DeGeneres. In 1986, McDonald met Steve Harvey, who was his opening act. Over the next few years, McDonald fully realized Harvey’s true talent and passion, so McDonald put his standup comedy career aside and jumped at the opportunity to become a writer on Harvey’s new ABC show called Me and the Boys. Within the next 30 years, McDonald and Harvey would build a media empire that included the #1 syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, #1 new syndicated Steve Harvey Talk Show series, and #1 syndicated Family Feud game show series; three consecutives #1 New York Times Best Selling books Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, Straight Talk, No Chaser and Act Like A Success, and Think Like A Success; and finally #1 blockbuster movies Think Like a Man and Think Like a Man Too.

Today, Rushion McDonald is a motivating entrepreneur and Brand Architect and holds the titles of a two time Emmy Award Winning TV Producer, a three time NAACP Image Award Winner, an Ambassador for the Perfect Bake Pro Scale, the CEO of 3815 Media, and the host of Money Making Conversations. Money Making Conversations is a small business advice show that broadcasts live on 1190 AM Atlanta radio, iHeartMedia podcast, and Rushion McDonald’s Facebook page every Monday at 10am – 12pm EST. As an award-winning baker, Rushion teamed up with Perfect Company to share his dessert recipes in a new video series called “Perfect Bake Time with Rushion McDonald” that showcases his southern-inspired dishes like Baked Banana Pudding, Sweet Potato Pie, Raisin Bread Pudding, and Brown Sugared Monkey Bread. When he’s not baking or giving advice to small business entrepreneurs, Rushion stays busy running a successful marketing/media/production company and further developing his own brand. The production company, 3815 Media, produces television shows, large scale events, promotional campaigns, trade shows and corporate exhibits.