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

Topic: Entrepreneurship, legacy, and community impact through his ice cream business, Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream

Yahya Muhammad shares his journey from tasting unforgettable homemade ice cream as a child to founding one of Chicago’s most beloved ice cream brands. His story is one of perseverance, cultural pride, and community service, rooted in faith and inspired by family and fraternity.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview
Highlight Yahya’s entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Inspire small business owners and creatives to pursue their passions despite obstacles.
Showcase the importance of community engagement and mentorship.
Celebrate Black excellence and cultural legacy through food and service.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🍨 The Origin Story
Inspired by a woman selling homemade ice cream in Avalon Park, Chicago.
Spent six years perfecting his own recipe.
First flavor: Honey Cinnamon Graham Cracker

“I had no idea it would take about six years to learn how to make it.”

🎓 Education & Influence
Holds a Master’s in Sociology from Western Illinois University.
Influenced by teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which instilled discipline and perseverance.

“I learned principles… immutable principles that I’ve been striving to apply.”

🚗 From Trunk to Storefront
Started selling ice cream out of the trunk of his car in 1996.
Grew from renting a room in a beauty salon to multiple storefronts.
Now operates in Bronzeville, a historic Chicago neighborhood.

“I didn’t even have a business license… I just believed.”

🏆 Signature Flavors
Known for nostalgic, Southern-inspired flavors:

Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Vanilla
Banana Pudding
Georgia Peach Cobbler
Bourbon Butter Pecan
Southern Black Walnut

“Our goal is to take you right back down memory lane.”

💡 Business Philosophy
Focuses on customer experience over product.
Staff are trained as helpers, not just workers.
Emphasizes service, quality, and pricing — but prioritizes service.

“The food is not the number one thing. The number one thing is the service.”

🌍 Community Impact
Grew up in an underserved area of Chicago.
Hires from the community and mentors youth.
Dedicated the business to his late sister, Shawn Michelle, who inspired his culinary journey.

“I want to be a part of that inspiration… to give the baton to the next generation.”

📈 Expansion Plans
Looking to expand to Atlanta, calling it “the Mecca.”
Envisions taking the brand nationwide while maintaining its cultural and community roots.

“The future of Shawn Michelle’s is to be national.”

💬 Memorable Quotes
“Faith over fear — I believed, I committed, I accepted the challenge.”
“You have to see something different to be something different.”
“I don’t have workers. I have helpers.”
“I want to be a part of that that helps give them a new idea.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Yahya Muhammad.
Topic: Entrepreneurship, legacy, and community impact through his ice cream business, Shawn Michelle&rsquo;s Homemade Ice Cream
Yahya Muhammad shares his journey from tasting unforgettable homemade ice cream as a child to founding one of Chicago&rsquo;s most beloved ice cream brands. His story is one of perseverance, cultural pride, and community service, rooted in faith and inspired by family and fraternity.
<hr>
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
<ol>
<li>Highlight Yahya&rsquo;s entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Shawn Michelle&rsquo;s Homemade Ice Cream.</li>
<li>Inspire small business owners and creatives to pursue their passions despite obstacles.</li>
<li>Showcase the importance of community engagement and mentorship.</li>
<li>Celebrate Black excellence and cultural legacy through food and service.</li>
</ol>
<hr>
🔑 Key Takeaways 🍨 The Origin Story
<ul>
<li>Inspired by a woman selling homemade ice cream in Avalon Park, Chicago.</li>
<li>Spent six years perfecting his own recipe.</li>
<li>First flavor: Honey Cinnamon Graham Cracker</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I had no idea it would take about six years to learn how to make it.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
🎓 Education &amp; Influence
<ul>
<li>Holds a Master&rsquo;s in Sociology from Western Illinois University.</li>
<li>Influenced by teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Minister Louis Farrakhan.</li>
<li>Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which instilled discipline and perseverance.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I learned principles&hellip; immutable principles that I&rsquo;ve been striving to apply.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
🚗 From Trunk to Storefront
<ul>
<li>Started selling ice cream out of the trunk of his car in 1996.</li>
<li>Grew from renting a room in a beauty salon to multiple storefronts.</li>
<li>Now operates in Bronzeville, a historic Chicago neighborhood.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t even have a business license&hellip; I just believed.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
🏆 Signature Flavors
<ul>
<li>Known for nostalgic, Southern-inspired flavors:
<ul>
<li>Grandma&rsquo;s Old-Fashioned Vanilla</li>
<li>Banana Pudding</li>
<li>Georgia Peach Cobbler</li>
<li>Bourbon Butter Pecan</li>
<li>Southern Black Walnut</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Our goal is to take you right back down memory lane.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
💡 Business Philosophy
<ul>
<li>Focuses on customer experience over product.</li>
<li>Staff are trained as helpers, not just workers.</li>
<li>Emphasizes service, quality, and pricing &mdash; but prioritizes service.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;The food is not the number one thing. The number one thing is the service.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
🌍 Community Impact
<ul>
<li>Grew up in an underserved area of Chicago.</li>
<li>Hires from the community and mentors youth.</li>
<li>Dedicated the business to his late sister, Shawn Michelle, who inspired his culinary journey.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I want to be a part of that inspiration&hellip; to give the baton to the next generation.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
📈 Expansion Plans
<ul>
<li>Looking to expand to Atlanta, calling it &ldquo;the Mecca.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Envisions taking the brand nationwide while maintaining its cultural and community roots.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;The future of Shawn Michelle&rsquo;s is to be national.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<hr>
💬 Memorable Quotes
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Faith over fear &mdash; I believed, I committed, I accepted the challenge.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;You have to see something different to be something different.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have workers. I have helpers.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;I want to be a part of that that helps give them a new idea.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

https://www.moneymakingconversations.com

https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations

https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/

https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv

https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!
https://www.moneymakingconversations.com
https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/
https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv
https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Money Making Conversations Master Class

Brand Building: He turned childhood homemade ice cream memories into a profitable business. 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4afc3865-377f-4254-9569-b351010e7f4a/transcript

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