What does it take to turn a local food idea into a million-dollar festival? Cleveland Spears III, founder of Spears Group and producer of New Orleans’ iconic Fried Chicken Festival, takes us behind the curtain of scaling cultural events into major businesses. And though he maybe best known for events that have attracted hundreds of thousands, it might surprise you that events isn't actually his companies biggest money maker.

From raising $1.5M in sponsorships and securing partners like Raising Cane’s and the NFL, to managing 100,000+ attendees and keeping festivals affordable and inclusive, Spears reveals the strategy, risks, and lessons of producing at scale.

You’ll learn:

• How custom sponsorship packages fuel long-term growth

• Why influencers are media in today’s event landscape

• How PR and client work is his companies biggest revenue stream NOT events

• The real costs of festivals and why rain insurance matters

• Lessons from Dinner en Blanc, Rosé Fest, and the rise of Fried Chicken Fest

• Cleveland’s Rich Lesson: Be fearless in asking for what you’re worth

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, event producers, and marketers who want to understand the business of big events, cultural branding, and fearless entrepreneurship.

Chef Edgar “Dook” Chase IV—grandson of legendary Leah Chase (whose Disney based Princess Tiana off of) and co-host of Food Network’s Family Recipes Showdown—joins the Rich Lessons Podcast to share how he’s carrying forward one of New Orleans’ most iconic Black-owned restaurants, Dooky Chase’s. From the role his family played in civil rights history to opening new restaurants like Chapter 4, expanding into airports and universities, and building partnerships with Disney, Dook reveals what it takes to honor tradition while innovating for the next generation. We talk legacy, food culture, entrepreneurship, and the rich lessons he’s learned along the way.

In this powerful episode of Rich Lessons, we sit down with Alencia Johnson, activist, author, political strategist, and founder of 1063 West Broad. From advising presidential campaigns (Obama, Biden, Harris, Warren) to launching the iconic Stand With Black Women movement at Planned Parenthood, Alencia has made a career out of disrupting systems with purpose.

We dive into her origin story, rooted in the love and legacy of her grandmother. Alencia opens up about mental health, leaving behind “success” to find self-alignment, and how she wrote her national bestseller, Flip the Tables, a bold guide for everyday disruptors.

She shares what it means to “flip the table” in your own life, why Black women must prioritize rest, and how community and clarity are essential to personal and political transformation. We also talk faith, feminism, boundaries, being your own red flag, and navigating the noise in a world obsessed with highlight reels.

Whether you’re a leader, creative, or everyday change-maker, this episode will challenge and inspire you to disrupt yourself first, then the world.

🔑 Topics:

• The story behind Flip the Tables

• Faith, family & feminine power

• Political organizing through culture

• Mental health, self-sabotage, and healing

• Why rest is resistance

• Real talk on community, boundaries & purpose

Watch or listen now. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share.

Rich Lessons Podcast is Back!!

This week, the Rich Lessons podcast is back with an interview featuring Jasmine Monroe, who you may recognize from CBS’ Big Brother 24, as she dives into the creator economy and shares what it really takes to turn influencing into a full-time career. The new episode drops this Tuesday, so make sure you’re subscribed, and tell a friend to tell a friend!

Rich Takes

In this episode of Rich Takes, we break down two major headlines shaking up the economy and the tech world. First, President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on imports from 68 countries—including Canada, India, Taiwan, and South Africa—could mean higher prices on everyday goods like groceries, electronics, and clothes. For entrepreneurs, this may lead to rising product costs and supply chain headaches—but also opens up new opportunities for domestic production and local sourcing. Next, we explore Mark Zuckerberg’s bold move to replace smartphones with AI-powered smartglasses. Imagine accessing real-time translation, coaching, or ChatGPT-like assistance straight from your eyewear. As wearable tech ramps up, privacy concerns will grow, and a whole new wave of app platforms and marketing strategies will emerge. Plus, did you know U.S. taxpayers can voluntarily donate to reduce the national debt? You can now contribute through Venmo and PayPal, though the impact is symbolic—total donations since 1996 cover just 20 minutes of federal spending. TL;DR: Rising prices, smarter glasses, and a government GoFundMe that won’t move the needle. Tune in for what these shifts mean for your wallet, your business, and the future of tech.

Welcome to Rich Takes, a new Thursday-ish segment from Rich Lessons, our unfiltered spin on hot takes, delivered in 15 minutes or less. Each week or every other week we're undecided, we break down the headlines shaping our world and our wallets. In this episode, we’re digging into the staggering exit of 300,000 Black women from the workforce over the last 90 days, the recent BET layoffs and what they signal for Black media, a growing interest in women-only Uber drivers and what that says about safety in the gig economy, and the rising impact of AI data centers on electricity, the environment, and the Southern communities where tech giants like Meta and xAI are taking root. Quick, sharp, and rooted in real talk, this is Rich Takes.

✨ New Episode Alert! ✨

In this episode of Rich Lessons, Sevetri and Sheena are dishing out some hot takes from Essence Fest — was it really a debacle, or just social media spin? They’re also sharing behind-the-scenes insights from their very first GRITS Dinner, exclusively for our newsletter subscribers and amazing women business owners and entrepreneurs.

Plus, they’re diving into the future of concerts: How are folks affording back-to-back shows? And should Beyoncé take a break after Act II? 👀

Tune in for this lighthearted, fun, and honest conversation. Listen now and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to watch us on YouTube too! 🎙️✨

#RichLessons #EssenceFest #GRITS #WomenInBusiness #PodcastLife #ConcertSeason

We're on a 2 week hiatus, so check out this episode from season 1! In this episode of Rich Lessons, Sheena and Sevetri share the top 10 mistakes they've made as entrepreneurs—and the powerful lessons learned from them. From the importance of execution over ideas to why cash flow is king, they break down what every founder needs to know. Tune in for honest insights on delegation, building the right team, and why resilience matters—but not at the cost of your mental health. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to avoid common pitfalls and feel seen in your journey, this episode is for you!