Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Amy DuBois Barnett.

📝 Summary of the Interview

Amy DuBois Barnett, a trailblazing media executive and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her career, her upcoming debut novel If I Ruled the World, and her insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. The conversation covered her historic role as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine, her experiences in media and publishing, the importance of Black voices, and her journey toward becoming a novelist.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Milestones & Legacy
Amy made history as the first Black woman editor-in-chief of a major mainstream U.S. magazine (Teen People).
She held leadership roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio.
Her editorial style focused on humanizing success, sharing personal stories and lessons rather than just promoting content.

2. New Novel: If I Ruled the World
Set in late 1990s/early 2000s New York, the novel follows Nikki, a woman navigating the fashion and music magazine world.
Themes include misogyny in hip hop, professional ambition, friendship, and self-discovery.
The title is inspired by the Nas and Lauryn Hill song, and Lauryn Hill was the first cover of Honey Magazine under Amy’s leadership.
Amy envisions the novel as a TV series, and is actively working toward that goal.

3. Importance of Preorders
Preorders are critical for debut novelists to hit bestseller lists.
All preorders count toward first-week sales, which are essential for making lists like the New York Times Bestseller.

4. Authenticity & Black Media
Amy emphasized the need for authentic Black voices in media, especially in today’s political climate.
She praised independent platforms and figures like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Don Lemon for maintaining integrity.

5. Success Principles
Success requires more than talent—it’s about energy, attitude, collaboration, and kindness.
She highlighted the importance of networking through genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges.
Believing in oneself is essential: “The universe will not give you an opportunity that you don’t think you deserve.”

6. Pivoting & Resilience
Amy’s career involved multiple pivots—from finance to fashion to media.
She stressed the importance of recognizing when to pivot and manifesting goals through vision and hard work.

7. Print vs. Digital Media
Print magazines offer permanence and thoughtful journalism, while digital media provides speed and volume.
She misses the visual artistry of print, like cover shoots and fashion spreads.

8. Personal Notes
Amy’s son is a music producer and DJ, studying at Drexel University.
Rushion and Amy have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2012, when she was at Ebony and he was producing the Steve Harvey show.

💬 Notable Quotes
“You have to believe that you deserve all of the opportunity.”
“Networking is not about handing out business cards. It’s about building relationships.”
“Magazines have a permanence that made you incredibly careful.”
“I’m manifesting big things.”
“We are out here flawed and just trying to find success, love, and fulfillment like everyone else.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

 

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-money-making-conversation-28341098/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">iHeartRadio</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-making-conversations-master-class/id1264705641" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3ABAQdTXqAnhGwxrsjFa5y" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Spotify</a>, <a href="http://www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/">www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/</a> or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.&nbsp; I want to alert you, so you don&rsquo;t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.&nbsp; Keep winning!
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Amy DuBois Barnett.
<hr>
📝 Summary of the Interview
Amy DuBois Barnett, a trailblazing media executive and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her career, her upcoming debut novel If I Ruled the World, and her insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. The conversation covered her historic role as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine, her experiences in media and publishing, the importance of Black voices, and her journey toward becoming a novelist.
<hr>
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Milestones &amp; Legacy
<ul>
<li>Amy made history as the first Black woman editor-in-chief of a major mainstream U.S. magazine (Teen People).</li>
<li>She held leadership roles at Harper&rsquo;s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio.</li>
<li>Her editorial style focused on humanizing success, sharing personal stories and lessons rather than just promoting content.</li>
</ul>
2. New Novel: If I Ruled the World
<ul>
<li>Set in late 1990s/early 2000s New York, the novel follows Nikki, a woman navigating the fashion and music magazine world.</li>
<li>Themes include misogyny in hip hop, professional ambition, friendship, and self-discovery.</li>
<li>The title is inspired by the Nas and Lauryn Hill song, and Lauryn Hill was the first cover of Honey Magazine under Amy&rsquo;s leadership.</li>
<li>Amy envisions the novel as a TV series, and is actively working toward that goal.</li>
</ul>
3. Importance of Preorders
<ul>
<li>Preorders are critical for debut novelists to hit bestseller lists.</li>
<li>All preorders count toward first-week sales, which are essential for making lists like the New York Times Bestseller.</li>
</ul>
4. Authenticity &amp; Black Media
<ul>
<li>Amy emphasized the need for authentic Black voices in media, especially in today&rsquo;s political climate.</li>
<li>She praised independent platforms and figures like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Don Lemon for maintaining integrity.</li>
</ul>
5. Success Principles
<ul>
<li>Success requires more than talent&mdash;it&rsquo;s about energy, attitude, collaboration, and kindness.</li>
<li>She highlighted the importance of networking through genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges.</li>
<li>Believing in oneself is essential: &ldquo;The universe will not give you an opportunity that you don&rsquo;t think you deserve.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
6. Pivoting &amp; Resilience
<ul>
<li>Amy&rsquo;s career involved multiple pivots&mdash;from finance to fashion to media.</li>
<li>She stressed the importance of recognizing when to pivot and manifesting goals through vision and hard work.</li>
</ul>
7. Print vs. Digital Media
<ul>
<li>Print magazines offer permanence and thoughtful journalism, while digital media provides speed and volume.</li>
<li>She misses the visual artistry of print, like cover shoots and fashion spreads.</li>
</ul>
8. Personal Notes
<ul>
<li>Amy&rsquo;s son is a music producer and DJ, studying at Drexel University.</li>
<li>Rushion and Amy have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2012, when she was at Ebony and he was producing the Steve Harvey show.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
💬 Notable Quotes
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;You have to believe that you deserve all of the opportunity.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;Networking is not about handing out business cards. It&rsquo;s about building relationships.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;Magazines have a permanence that made you incredibly careful.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m manifesting big things.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;We are out here flawed and just trying to find success, love, and fulfillment like everyone else.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<hr>
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
&nbsp;
Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.
Business Podcast
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Business Growth
Financial Literacy
Wealth Building
Black Entrepreneurs
Minority Business
Leadership
Executive Leadership
Business Funding
Marketing Strategies
Personal Development
Startup Advice
Sales Training
CEO Interviews
Founder Stories
Professional Development
Economic Empowerment
Business Success
Networking
Brand Building
Innovation
How to start a business
Small business funding
Entrepreneur success stories
Business leadership podcast
Wealth building strategies
Black entrepreneur podcast
Minority business development
Marketing for small businesses
Business growth strategies
Startup funding opportunities
Executive leadership training
Financial literacy education
Success mindset podcast

Money Making Conversations Master Class is more than a podcast. It's a front-row seat to the ideas, experiences, and breakthrough moments that inspire success. Hosted by Rushion McDonald, each episode features influential entrepreneurs, business leaders, celebrities, influencers, and nonprofit changemakers sharing the lessons, strategies, and mindset shifts that helped them turn ambition into achievement. The show empowers dreamers, doers, and leaders to think bigger, move smarter, and take action on their goals. As Rushion McDonald often says, "Stop reading other people's success stories and start planning your own."

Tune in, get inspired, and start writing your own success story, one conversation at a time.

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 is more than a podcast. It's a front-row seat to the ideas, experiences, and breakthrough moments that inspire success. Hosted by Rushion McDonald, each episode features influential entrepreneurs, business leaders, celebrities, influencers, and nonprofit changemakers sharing the lessons, strategies, and mindset shifts that helped them turn ambition into achievement. The show empowers dreamers, doers, and leaders to think bigger, move smarter, and take action on their goals. As Rushion McDonald often says, "Stop reading other people's success stories and start planning your own."
Tune in, get inspired, and start writing your own success story, one conversation at a time.
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

Follow Your Passion: Media executive Amy Dubois Barnett gives insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2c7e9df7-a805-4bdf-8b3d-b4b30023d5bf/transcript