Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Donald Lamar.
With over 20 years of practical executive and entrepreneurial leadership, Donald Lamar brings a wealth of experience to organizations, businesses, and institutions by defining, coaching, and guiding them to reach goals and other key measure of success leveraging a unique combination of technical and strategic abilities.
Currently, Donald serves as the Director of Entrepreneurial services & Area Director for the UGA SBDC Morehouse College office serving the West end, Metro Atlanta, and Fulton County. In this role, Donald's mission is to drive direct impact by providing sustainable resources to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business owners one business at a time.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
If you're about to make a change in your life
and you feel uncomfortable, that's the best feeling you can
have because for the first time in your life, you'll
make a.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
New decision that's going to be best for.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
You and not what somebody told you to get.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
And that's when all bets are off.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Welcome to Money Making Conversation Master Class. I'm your host,
Rushan McDonald. Our theme is there's no perfect time to
start following your dreams. I recognize that we all have
different definitions of success. For you and maybe the size
of your h It's time to stop reading other people's
success stories to start living your own.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Keep wedding. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome. This is Rushan McDonald. Welcome
to another episode of Money Making Conversation Master Class.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
I'm here.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I'm here every week. This show is broadcast nationally on
twenty HBCU Campus Is content is distributed. It also appears
on my podcast, Money Making Conversations. If you want to
be a guest on Money Making Conversation Masterclass, let's go
to the website Moneymakingconversation dot com and you can click
(01:06):
be a guest. I book I handle all the bookings
for the guests on the show. I'm excited about the
quality of guests that we do get on this show.
Our new feel is impacting and changing lives out there
in the general small business and nonprofit industry, and the
guests I have today will be no different. The interviews
and information that this show provides really is for everyone.
(01:28):
As I said early and I'm gonna keep repeating, it's
time to start reading other people's success stories and start
living your own. My guest mission who's on Hold right
now is to drive direct impact and sustainable resources to
small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business owners, one business at a time.
Please welcome to the Money Making Conversation Masterclass. Donald Lamar,
(01:51):
How you doing?
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Donald?
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Hey Rushan Man, how you doing?
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Man?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Glad to be here and thank you for the invitation.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Well, the invitation was there because you know something that
I need to be telling the general public. Tell us
a little background about you before we getting into the questions.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
All right, no problem. Actually born in Texas, Man. I
was born up in Emerald, Texas, where it wasn't that
many African American you know people there, But I had
the opportunity to learn a little bit about my African
American community in Houston. So I went to Prairie View
and in university down in the Swagen got a chance
(02:26):
to get my engineering degree and start investigating what this
whole world has to offer as far as entrepreneurial experiences
is concerned. So I traveled out to California. I was
able to work for McDonald Douglas Aircraft company out there
to do some simulations and code writing, code development, and
you know, just kind of learning to get into my
(02:48):
passion for what I wanted to do with my life,
and eventually wound up back in Texas again working for
General Dynamics, another aerospace company that's really putting that bug
on me to get up and going. But finally I
did go ahead and start my own business with a
gentleman of mine out in Augusta, Georgia, and got into
federal government contracting. Just started developing my passion from that point,
(03:13):
helping businesses grow in scale, eventually landing a role where
I am today over here at Morehouse College helping businesses
do the same. So it's been a whirlwind, but man,
I have been blessed well.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Thank you. First of all, I am from Houston, Texas
and so born and raise, so preview and m right
down the road. I'm very familiar with the Panthers and
the Baby Dome down there. So congratulations on graduating for
that fantastic HBCU as you are working with at Morehouse,
which is another HBCU. Now, he was talking about that passion,
and we always hear that a lot of passion gifts
(03:47):
all these days. What is your passion? Donald Man?
Speaker 4 (03:51):
My passion, to be honest with you, is to live
in my life the best way I can every day.
But most importantly is this impacting these people with the
gifts that I have been given, which is and they're
sharing with these businesses what they need to do to
kind of scale and learn how to change. I want
to say, the atmosphere based based on the wealth that
(04:14):
they're creating, and so there's no better way to do
it other than trying to show people how to gain
and attain wealth through entrepreneurship. So that's my passion in
a nutshell.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Well, thank you. One of the things I the reason
I invite you on the show because you do combine
passion with information and government contracts. You hear them all
the time they're out there. You hear about these big deals.
What is the truth if I might say that the
truth and the information that people need to understand on
getting or being in line for an opportunity to get
(04:46):
government contracts.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
Well, man, I listen, I actually be honest with you,
and I'll share a little bit more about you know,
some things that are happening here on the more House
campus that are directly tied in the federal government contracting.
But one of the things you have to know that
you can't believe a lot of the myths and unrealities
about federal government contracting. Is like on your aline to say,
you've got to do your work. And if you do
(05:11):
your work, meaning the research that's needed to understand how
you can be more accessible to the federal government, then
you know that is going to be a big plus
and get yourself in a position where you understand the
strategy that's needed in order to be successful in winning.
And there's several strategies that a lot of people just
don't know or tend not to gravitate too in terms
(05:32):
of their ability to perform in an industry like that.
But education on the systems and the processes and how
the federal government spends its money you know where they're
targeting the money. How you can align your relationship building
practices with the right people will yield a lot of
results if you just do that homework for that knowledge
(05:52):
is power, That understanding and that strategy is paramount to
success in government contracting.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
The reason I'll bring that up because there's a lot
of people out there, or you pay a feed, they
send you contracts or supposedly contracts. They are available for bids.
They'll tell you how much money that's available in the
government contracts. They'll lead you down the line with those
carriage stick opportunities. But again, if you don't have your
(06:18):
company presented correctly, you know, registering for SAM, register for
all these things that you need to do because these
are the things that are asked for in order for
you to qualify for these different government contracts. And that's
where I see so many people missing the boat, Donald,
is that they really think it's like they just like
(06:39):
one application they fell out. An application is done when
you know, like you said, it's attention to detail. You
have to feel out all these different documents and you
have to be annually participating in these processes of maintaining
their certification of these documents, which means that you can't
walk away once you did it one time.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Correct, absolutely, man, And I'm gonna drop a few little
gems on you right now with the with the audience
to listen audience, and if you really are student of
government contracting, you know, write these these things down because
this is gonna be very helpful on the research side,
and it kind of bolts very well in what you're
saying about being prepared and understanding the links and the
(07:20):
term and the determination and the effort you need to
put into it. But things and go into sites like this,
and I'll give you some of these acronyms so that
your listeners will see ft d S dot gov. That's
a site you can go to to get contract information
that's very valuable. You can get that information US spending
(07:41):
dot gov where you go and get federal spending information
on how the federal government actually purchases this products and services.
The Dynamic Small Business Search Web gives you the ability
to identify small business that you can partner with. SBI,
I mean SBA sub dot net is a prime contractor
registration because they have to sub to a lot of
(08:03):
these businesses. And of course we all know, Sam, and
I cannot go without saying, you need to understand the
far which is the federal acquisition regulations. And last, but
not least, is understanding how and when they're going to
buy in a forecast way. Go over to acquisitions dot gov.
So just in that last twenty to fifteen seconds, man,
(08:27):
you know there's enough information for you do the proper
research so that you don't have to spend five thousand
dollars with someone who's going to charge you to do
something you can do for yourself.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
That's exactly why he's on the show, Ladies and gentlemen,
because I'm not saying what they're doing is scams. What
I'm saying is that but it's a process. You got
to do your homework, you got to do your research,
and it's a never ending game of understanding certification, attending
different seminars that are made available that are free, but
(08:57):
you got to be able to understand that the relationships
if you know somebody in the business, not trying to
get their knowledge, but understanding how they're doing it. And
that's how I met Donald. I went to a seminar
and on a zoom call, he blew me away. And
I'm a person that my show is money Making Compensations Masterclass,
(09:19):
and he allowed me to see Rashan. You know a lot,
but you don't know a lot, and that's important why
you're on the show today. Donald, and I want this
to not be a one time thing because the information
that you're dropping just in that small segment before I
started talking is incredible. So tell us what is your
(09:39):
current role with Morehouse College?
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Well, currently right now with more House College. Man, I
absolutely have to be kind of a two face role
because if you don't know anything about the Small Business
Development Center really, which is really a grand funded by
SBA and in in the state of Georgia. Usually every
state may have an s BUTDC, but we have a
very robust one here in the State of Georgia. And
so I act as the area director for the Small
(10:06):
Business Development Center here on the campus of Morehouse College,
which in itself is almost like treating three other campuses.
And you know this, Rashwan, because Spelman is across the street,
Clark is down the street, Morris Brown is around the corner,
and all the other ecosystems that are available. But I
act as the area director for SBC and the Director
of Entrepreneurial Services at Morehouse College, where I'm able to
(10:29):
kind of support a lot of the programs that they
have here that are based on the entrepreneurial side of
the scale. So when I say that, in my EC
which really is the Morehouse Innovation Entrepreneurial Center, is housed
within the Business School here at Morehouse College, So I
kind of direct the pathway on the business facing side
(10:50):
and kind of assist on the student facing side.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Which is important. Now you're the word used a lot
scaling a scale, Yes, what exactly is that?
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Well? Scaling in our case, you have to look at
how how are you going to show impact with the
people that you touched, And there's many ways that we
measure that, and a few of the ones we do
it a SBC is kind of based on are you
scaling because you're employing more people? In other words, are
they W two employees? Not necessarily independent contractors, but are
(11:22):
you adding W two employees you know to your business?
And you can measure that obviously by the number that
you happen to increase. On the same with what about loans?
Are we able to get loans that you can be
qualified for and used to kind of scale your business
because you know how difficult it is for any African
American business to get a loan, let alone be able
(11:44):
to work with one. Right, So scaling means helping you
to get access to capital so that you can scale,
mean that you can grow and then you know, finally,
the way I look at it is are you actively
involved economically in this state? Since I focus on the
state of Georgia, Then scaling means that are are you
putting together products and services that it is helping even
(12:08):
the other businesses expand as you are expanding. So you know,
scaling has some multiple definitions. But I'm telling you right
now or you got to come strong, and.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
These coming strong today with information and enthusiasm. That is
why you know, like I said, you know in this game,
you can never assume you know it all. If you
assume you know it all, that's when the mistakes are
gonna come. And on this show, I'm asking questions that
even though I may have a sense of what the
answer is, I'm thoroughly being educated. And that's why I
(12:39):
have to ask you about scaling because you know, a
lot of things become like like cool statements to say
when people are talking about brand need. People talk about
that a lot. You know, scaling is that popular term
that people use in small business development. If you don't
know what you're doing with it, then also it could
leave you down the street that doesn't get you to
the path of the success story you want to make. Now,
(13:01):
we all have journeys. Donald as an entrepreneur, you talked about,
you know, going. You started in a small town in Texas,
then went to Prayer youw then went to California, and
then he came back to Texas. Now, what is your
entrepreneurial journey and how you overcame obstacles in your pathway?
Speaker 4 (13:19):
Boy? You boy, you mess around, pulled up the wrong thing.
Because I'm I'm gonna answer this a two quick quos.
I mean, people gonna understand what I'm saying about. I'm
very spiritual guy, but I'm gonna tell you right now,
I overcame obstacles and continue to do this every day
based on what I saw and what I call this
concept of explosive favor. So I'm gonnall, I'm gonna tell
(13:41):
you what I mean that real quickly. Sitting in church
one day, my pastor had this serious cause explosive favor.
And so we we kind of know what favor means,
but we don't ever review it in the context of
a business. Really and so really explosive favor, if you
look at it in the definition, is you know, God
raising up someone with real sources to give them to
(14:01):
you to carry out your vision. Right, and so that's
explosive favor. So what that means is to set yourself up.
You've got to plow that field. You got to put
yourself in the position to receive explosive favor. So you
got to be networking so people understand what your vision
is and they can pick it up and run with it.
That explosive favor. So when I am faced with obstacles
(14:23):
that have been in my way, man, I'm always lining
up in networking because somebody else is going to take
care of that problem for me. Somebody is going to
overcome that obstacle for me. It's not going to be
on my back. That's one thing. The other thing I'm
telling you right now, how I overcame obstacle was based
on execution and the pursuit of knowledge. It's just not knowledge.
(14:44):
You got to execute what you learn. If you understand
exactly what it's all about. Boy, you can throw the
execution in that. I always tell people all the time
when I come up with them and I say, listen,
you can have dedication, you get to have you can
have understanding, you could have all of those things. But
if you don't have knowledge and you can't ascute what
you learned, oh man, you got a let's sad face
(15:06):
on you and you got all the potential in the
world and can't make it happen.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Wow. We're speaking to Donald Lamar. His mission is to
drive impact and sustainable resources to small businesses, entrepreneurs and
business owners, one business at a time. When we come
back speaking with Donald, we're going to talk about and
find out about a small business entertainment Summit. Don't go nowhere.
You listen to Rushan McDonald and the show is Money
(15:30):
Making Conversation Masterclass.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more
Money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making
Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rushaan McDonald.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
My show is based on the HBCU campus Clark Atlanta University.
I'm speaking to Donald Lamar. He's at more, which I
means I can just walk right across the street and
have a cup of coffee with him. His titles his
too Entrepreneurial, Entrepreneurial Service Services Director and Small Business Center
Area Director. But more importantly, he's going to bring something
(16:15):
that's never been done on an HBCU campus small business
entertainment summit. What did that idea come from and why
do you feel as important? Donald?
Speaker 4 (16:27):
Well, this is why it is important. Man. A lot
of people might not really understand what I'm trying to
accomplish here. And I'll talk about the other summit later
because it is directly related to federal government contractor, but
this one is going to be unique for me, and
I'm really looking for the success of this one down
here in Atlanta, you know as well as I know that.
You know, you think about the landscape here and you
(16:49):
see that the film and TV and the sports and
the music, all that stuff is happening right in our backyard.
But a lot of that stuff, you know, is being
managed in other areas of the country when it all
is here. And so my idea is not to so
much spend time based on the creative side, but how
do we actually equip our small businesses that support the
(17:13):
entertainment industry. So my focus is going to be about
how can I get these businesses in such a light
where they're educated with systems and where they're educated with
the processes and they understand whether procurement opportunities so that
you're every day Let's just take for example, the Famine
TV that may be supported by people who are building sets, electricians, restaurants.
(17:36):
How do we get them information so they are booked
and busy, right, And that's the name of this entertainment summing.
So what we want you to learn is how to
connect with procurement opportunities and entertainment sector, how to protect
maybe your intellectual property and navigate advances in AI. What
are some of the best practices for marketing your business
to industry leaders in this space? And I want you
(17:58):
all to walk away with the actionable plans to enhance
your business operations and achieved sustainable success in this field.
So that's kind of what that small business is the
same as Summit.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
It's all about, well, we know it's important that to say
that like I'm from Houston, and Houston again is trying
to do the same thing. Not from a summer standpoint,
but build out there their entertainment branch. You know, North Carolina.
You know, we all know that Los Angeles, Chicago, New York,
those areas are dominated production companies. But you know, it
used to be you know, people shotting their ladies shot
(18:30):
in New York. Now people shooting all over the country
because of tax incentives allow them to produce shows. And
now the state of Charge has really become one of
the great hubs for entertainment production. But when you think
about your role, and it's a can lead to frustration.
And I want you to tell my audience because you
out there, I can hear the passion in your voyage. Donald.
(18:53):
What frustrates use the most about entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
What first makes me the most is that they don't
have and make preparation and they don't even believe in
themselves enough to be able to speak. And I used
to sit across and I sit across, you know, on
an annual basis, some one hundred and fifty fifty companies personally,
you know that as a part of what my day
to day is. And sometimes I want their business more
(19:21):
than they want their business, and I try to explain
to them I can't want your business more than you
want your business. So you got to adjust your attitude
right there, and then you got to just make the
decision that I'm going to seek the knowledge, the information
and take the time to get this thing done. It
goes back to that old nursery rhyme. What you know,
(19:42):
the tortoise in the hair. If you just keep the
process going, man, you can finish first place. You just
got a roll.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
What do you I called that?
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Like?
Speaker 2 (19:51):
You know, I'm a drive. My wife always say you
don't ever speed, And I was till people calls or
pass me up and get your red light. I'm right
behind them. That's the tortoise and hair he's talking about.
There are people out there just flying down the freeway,
but basically they burning more gas, they're more stressful, and
guess what, they're in dangering other people because other people
(20:13):
worry about how they're driving. And so I always tell people,
I wake up so when I get behind the wheel
of my car, I actually know why I'm getting behind
the wheel of my car. A lot of people don't
know that. They just think they may be going to work.
But I know why I'm going to work. I know
what I'm gonna do when I arrive at work, I
know what I'm gonna have it. Luck, all these things
are thought out, and that's all he's saying. I'm that hair,
(20:36):
you know, I'm that tortoise. Excuse me. I'm just plowing
through the whole process. I'm not in a hurry. But
when I get to the finish line, I've completed all
my tasks. And that is what we're talking about. People
who want to skip line and skip relationships and don't
want to cross the t's adopt the eyes. Am I
(20:59):
right down?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
Man? You're absolutely right man, because there is no shortcut. Now,
you might be able to get to something quicker than
someone else, but let's see how long it's sustainable. And
those are the kind of things that you need to
take in consideration. You need to think strategy and not tactically.
You know, tactical means that you're fighting the little small
battles that you are are going to need to have
(21:22):
to address. But if you start looking at things from
a strategic way, then you talk about longevity, you talk
about wealth building, you talking about the next generation. It's
definitely a strategic thought process that must be employed along
the way. And you might as well get it from
the gate. Now.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Were talking about the Small Business Entertainment Summit, and then
you said something about another summit. Can we discuss that
now that you're referencing Donald.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Absolutely man more. I'm just really excited because my background
is in feral gooment contract and you know, I've had one,
you know, for over twenty eight years, have been through
the eighty eight programs for those people who may be
familiar with that term, and the most of the mental protege,
so I know the art of having to get into
federal government contract. So about two years ago I put
together More Houses Federal Government Contracting Summit a FDSBBC, and
(22:12):
it was a smash success because I broke it down
into what you need to do to get a federal
government contract, whether it be certifications, understanding the methodology behind it,
whether it be on the capture management side, how do
you position your company to win a federal government contract,
how do you execute one? And I brought an expert
even from DC to come in and teach these classes
(22:33):
to show people how to get into federal government contracting
the right way. So it was called at that point.
Last year it was called get the Win, the same
what the conference was called, Get the Win, but I'm
going one step further. So on September thirteenth of this
coming calendar year, I got another one coming called Partner
(22:53):
to Win. Not enough people look at the subcontract opportunity.
It's a simple acquisition strategies that they can use to
get in the federal government. When you can be paying
attention on building joint ventures, you can be paying attention
on building alliances and partnerships. So I'm going to have
Partner to Win on September thirteenth, and I'm going to
lead by example because I'm gonna be partnering with your
(23:15):
folks up there in DC with the Howard It's Small
Business Development Center, who's coming down here to help me
pull this thing off and lead by example and show
people what you need to do from a subcontracting standpoint.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Tom.
Speaker 4 (23:28):
You know I'm doing my thing. Boy, I'm just trying
to tell.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
You, Hey, hey, Lamar, listen, here's the funny thing. Back
when I met Lamar, I asked him to come on
with the show. He said, what I'm gonna talk about Rachond?
I said, Lamar, you need to stop. You need to
stop we need to hear about you, not only in
a local level, but a national level. Is are there
ways we can reach out to touch you the email
addresses or their social media handles? How can we reach
(23:53):
out and touch you?
Speaker 4 (23:54):
Donald Man, I'm really low key, you know, I don't
get into all that social media stuff. But I do
have my LinkedIn so you can definitely catch me on
LinkedIn with love for people to connect because I'm always
having something I like to say. Don't post that often
because I'm about my business here. But you know the
office here. You can reach out to our office or
at least send information that way and I can give
(24:17):
you the information you know related to that. And here's
the contact information you know here at our office. Or
you can go on the site of the Georgia SBDC
dot gov I mean, excuse me, dot org and you
can navigate down to all the offices at SBDC. But
our office has its own page and you can get
(24:39):
to it that way. We do have an office number.
Our general office number is four seven zero six three
nine to six two, and you can reach it by email.
Of course. Our email is more house at Georgia SBDC
dot org. Or you can reach me even at I
(25:00):
email address with we simply Donald dot Lamar at Morehouse
dot e edu.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
Cool.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Now, before we go, as we wrap up this interview, Donald,
the wealth gap in our community, Yes, sir, it's it's
screams racial, it's screams gender orient it, it's screams educational deficiencies.
How can we close that? From your perspective? Is it possible?
Speaker 4 (25:24):
Man, let me run through my letting me real quick.
I'm I'm gonna be real quick because I know this
is we got a couple of minutes left. You know.
The biggest opticle got out there is access to capital.
So we got to increase access to African Americans. It's just,
you know, this is just deplorable to think about how
we can't access our capital. Other things that we can't
do is through education and training. You know, invest into
(25:47):
programs like I'm doing to kind of get people an
understanding on how they can address so they can grow
these businesses in the federal government arena and and and
and hire people. You know, supplier diversity initiatives you know
that are going on out there with these corporations. You
know we need to check them. Okay, Now you say
you won't supply the verse, but how many black businesses
are you actually doing work with, or any business for
(26:10):
that matter, you know, informing or reforming the policy that
can't keep the structural boundaries in place for inequality. We
need to make sure that we deal with that. We
got to invest in our community, and I'm telling you
right now one of the biggest things we can do
is reach out in this tech and innovation. We got
this AI going on. How are we using this to
our benefit that we can bring some economic relief not
(26:33):
only to our areas, but you know, to build a
wealth for those who have an idea and can really
make that work.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Donald, this is our first time talking. You have a
summit that's coming up first, that's the Small Business Entertainment Summit.
Then you have another summit coming in September. The first
summit is July eleventh. You've invited me to be a
part of that as a panelist and maybe participating a
couple of the sessions. I'm deeply honored that you considering me,
and I'm deeply quick to say I do. I'll be
(27:05):
a part of it. My friend. Again, the information you
dropped on my show today was amazing. Continue to be
who you are. We'll talk soon because the fact that
if you have the time, please know I value you
to come on this show more than every once in
a while because the nuggets you're dropping and that government contracting,
(27:26):
the slowing down, the well gapped through information, and also
I just think people need to be pounded over and
over again with the story or how you can win,
and it's tied to partnerships, relationships and hard work.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
Thank you, Donald, I appreciate it. Thank you for the invitation. Man.
I tell you that old and over again.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
We'll be seeing it and talking soon. This is Money
Making Conversations Masterclass. Don't Go Nowhere. Ken Dale King is
coming back. He's calling in from Los Angeles and it's
about money. CPA, CPA. How we're doing is money, money, money, money, money,
How to keep you money. Don't go nowhere Own Money
Making Conversation Masterclass.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Thank you for joining us for this edition of Money
Making Conversations Masterclass. Money Making Conversations Masterclass with rough Shan
McDonald is produced by thirty eight fifteen Media Inc. More
information about thirty eight to fifteen Media Inc. Is available
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If you're about to make a change in your life
and you feel uncomfortable, that's the best feeling you can
have because for the first time in your life, you'll
make a.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
New decision that's going to be best for.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
You and not what somebody told you to get.
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And that's when all bets are off.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Welcome to Money Making Conversation Master Class. I'm your host,
Rushan McDonald. Our theme is there's no perfect time to
start following your dreams. I recognize that we all have
different definitions of success. For you and maybe the size
of your h It's time to stop reading other people's
success stories to start living your own.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Keep wedding. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome. This is Rushan McDonald. Welcome
to another episode of Money Making Conversation Master Class.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
I'm here.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I'm here every week. This show is broadcast nationally on
twenty HBCU Campus Is content is distributed. It also appears
on my podcast, Money Making Conversations. If you want to
be a guest on Money Making Conversation Masterclass, let's go
to the website Moneymakingconversation dot com and you can click
(01:06):
be a guest. I book I handle all the bookings
for the guests on the show. I'm excited about the
quality of guests that we do get on this show.
Our new feel is impacting and changing lives out there
in the general small business and nonprofit industry, and the
guests I have today will be no different. The interviews
and information that this show provides really is for everyone.
(01:28):
As I said early and I'm gonna keep repeating, it's
time to start reading other people's success stories and start
living your own. My guest mission who's on Hold right
now is to drive direct impact and sustainable resources to
small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business owners, one business at a time.
Please welcome to the Money Making Conversation Masterclass. Donald Lamar,
(01:51):
How you doing?
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Donald?
Speaker 4 (01:52):
Hey Rushan Man, how you doing?
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Man?
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Glad to be here and thank you for the invitation.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Well, the invitation was there because you know something that
I need to be telling the general public. Tell us
a little background about you before we getting into the questions.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
All right, no problem. Actually born in Texas, Man. I
was born up in Emerald, Texas, where it wasn't that
many African American you know people there, But I had
the opportunity to learn a little bit about my African
American community in Houston. So I went to Prairie View
and in university down in the Swagen got a chance
(02:26):
to get my engineering degree and start investigating what this
whole world has to offer as far as entrepreneurial experiences
is concerned. So I traveled out to California. I was
able to work for McDonald Douglas Aircraft company out there
to do some simulations and code writing, code development, and
you know, just kind of learning to get into my
(02:48):
passion for what I wanted to do with my life,
and eventually wound up back in Texas again working for
General Dynamics, another aerospace company that's really putting that bug
on me to get up and going. But finally I
did go ahead and start my own business with a
gentleman of mine out in Augusta, Georgia, and got into
federal government contracting. Just started developing my passion from that point,
(03:13):
helping businesses grow in scale, eventually landing a role where
I am today over here at Morehouse College helping businesses
do the same. So it's been a whirlwind, but man,
I have been blessed well.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Thank you. First of all, I am from Houston, Texas
and so born and raise, so preview and m right
down the road. I'm very familiar with the Panthers and
the Baby Dome down there. So congratulations on graduating for
that fantastic HBCU as you are working with at Morehouse,
which is another HBCU. Now, he was talking about that passion,
and we always hear that a lot of passion gifts
(03:47):
all these days. What is your passion? Donald Man?
Speaker 4 (03:51):
My passion, to be honest with you, is to live
in my life the best way I can every day.
But most importantly is this impacting these people with the
gifts that I have been given, which is and they're
sharing with these businesses what they need to do to
kind of scale and learn how to change. I want
to say, the atmosphere based based on the wealth that
(04:14):
they're creating, and so there's no better way to do
it other than trying to show people how to gain
and attain wealth through entrepreneurship. So that's my passion in
a nutshell.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Well, thank you. One of the things I the reason
I invite you on the show because you do combine
passion with information and government contracts. You hear them all
the time they're out there. You hear about these big deals.
What is the truth if I might say that the
truth and the information that people need to understand on
getting or being in line for an opportunity to get
(04:46):
government contracts.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
Well, man, I listen, I actually be honest with you,
and I'll share a little bit more about you know,
some things that are happening here on the more House
campus that are directly tied in the federal government contracting.
But one of the things you have to know that
you can't believe a lot of the myths and unrealities
about federal government contracting. Is like on your aline to say,
you've got to do your work. And if you do
(05:11):
your work, meaning the research that's needed to understand how
you can be more accessible to the federal government, then
you know that is going to be a big plus
and get yourself in a position where you understand the
strategy that's needed in order to be successful in winning.
And there's several strategies that a lot of people just
don't know or tend not to gravitate too in terms
(05:32):
of their ability to perform in an industry like that.
But education on the systems and the processes and how
the federal government spends its money you know where they're
targeting the money. How you can align your relationship building
practices with the right people will yield a lot of
results if you just do that homework for that knowledge
(05:52):
is power, That understanding and that strategy is paramount to
success in government contracting.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
The reason I'll bring that up because there's a lot
of people out there, or you pay a feed, they
send you contracts or supposedly contracts. They are available for bids.
They'll tell you how much money that's available in the
government contracts. They'll lead you down the line with those
carriage stick opportunities. But again, if you don't have your
(06:18):
company presented correctly, you know, registering for SAM, register for
all these things that you need to do because these
are the things that are asked for in order for
you to qualify for these different government contracts. And that's
where I see so many people missing the boat, Donald,
is that they really think it's like they just like
(06:39):
one application they fell out. An application is done when
you know, like you said, it's attention to detail. You
have to feel out all these different documents and you
have to be annually participating in these processes of maintaining
their certification of these documents, which means that you can't
walk away once you did it one time.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Correct, absolutely, man, And I'm gonna drop a few little
gems on you right now with the with the audience
to listen audience, and if you really are student of
government contracting, you know, write these these things down because
this is gonna be very helpful on the research side,
and it kind of bolts very well in what you're
saying about being prepared and understanding the links and the
(07:20):
term and the determination and the effort you need to
put into it. But things and go into sites like this,
and I'll give you some of these acronyms so that
your listeners will see ft d S dot gov. That's
a site you can go to to get contract information
that's very valuable. You can get that information US spending
(07:41):
dot gov where you go and get federal spending information
on how the federal government actually purchases this products and services.
The Dynamic Small Business Search Web gives you the ability
to identify small business that you can partner with. SBI,
I mean SBA sub dot net is a prime contractor
registration because they have to sub to a lot of
(08:03):
these businesses. And of course we all know, Sam, and
I cannot go without saying, you need to understand the
far which is the federal acquisition regulations. And last, but
not least, is understanding how and when they're going to
buy in a forecast way. Go over to acquisitions dot gov.
So just in that last twenty to fifteen seconds, man,
(08:27):
you know there's enough information for you do the proper
research so that you don't have to spend five thousand
dollars with someone who's going to charge you to do
something you can do for yourself.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
That's exactly why he's on the show, Ladies and gentlemen,
because I'm not saying what they're doing is scams. What
I'm saying is that but it's a process. You got
to do your homework, you got to do your research,
and it's a never ending game of understanding certification, attending
different seminars that are made available that are free, but
(08:57):
you got to be able to understand that the relationships
if you know somebody in the business, not trying to
get their knowledge, but understanding how they're doing it. And
that's how I met Donald. I went to a seminar
and on a zoom call, he blew me away. And
I'm a person that my show is money Making Compensations Masterclass,
(09:19):
and he allowed me to see Rashan. You know a lot,
but you don't know a lot, and that's important why
you're on the show today. Donald, and I want this
to not be a one time thing because the information
that you're dropping just in that small segment before I
started talking is incredible. So tell us what is your
(09:39):
current role with Morehouse College?
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Well, currently right now with more House College. Man, I
absolutely have to be kind of a two face role
because if you don't know anything about the Small Business
Development Center really, which is really a grand funded by
SBA and in in the state of Georgia. Usually every
state may have an s BUTDC, but we have a
very robust one here in the State of Georgia. And
so I act as the area director for the Small
(10:06):
Business Development Center here on the campus of Morehouse College,
which in itself is almost like treating three other campuses.
And you know this, Rashwan, because Spelman is across the street,
Clark is down the street, Morris Brown is around the corner,
and all the other ecosystems that are available. But I
act as the area director for SBC and the Director
of Entrepreneurial Services at Morehouse College, where I'm able to
(10:29):
kind of support a lot of the programs that they
have here that are based on the entrepreneurial side of
the scale. So when I say that, in my EC
which really is the Morehouse Innovation Entrepreneurial Center, is housed
within the Business School here at Morehouse College, So I
kind of direct the pathway on the business facing side
(10:50):
and kind of assist on the student facing side.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Which is important. Now you're the word used a lot
scaling a scale, Yes, what exactly is that?
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Well? Scaling in our case, you have to look at
how how are you going to show impact with the
people that you touched, And there's many ways that we
measure that, and a few of the ones we do
it a SBC is kind of based on are you
scaling because you're employing more people? In other words, are
they W two employees? Not necessarily independent contractors, but are
(11:22):
you adding W two employees you know to your business?
And you can measure that obviously by the number that
you happen to increase. On the same with what about loans?
Are we able to get loans that you can be
qualified for and used to kind of scale your business
because you know how difficult it is for any African
American business to get a loan, let alone be able
(11:44):
to work with one. Right, So scaling means helping you
to get access to capital so that you can scale,
mean that you can grow and then you know, finally,
the way I look at it is are you actively
involved economically in this state? Since I focus on the
state of Georgia, Then scaling means that are are you
putting together products and services that it is helping even
(12:08):
the other businesses expand as you are expanding. So you know,
scaling has some multiple definitions. But I'm telling you right
now or you got to come strong, and.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
These coming strong today with information and enthusiasm. That is
why you know, like I said, you know in this game,
you can never assume you know it all. If you
assume you know it all, that's when the mistakes are
gonna come. And on this show, I'm asking questions that
even though I may have a sense of what the
answer is, I'm thoroughly being educated. And that's why I
(12:39):
have to ask you about scaling because you know, a
lot of things become like like cool statements to say
when people are talking about brand need. People talk about
that a lot. You know, scaling is that popular term
that people use in small business development. If you don't
know what you're doing with it, then also it could
leave you down the street that doesn't get you to
the path of the success story you want to make. Now,
(13:01):
we all have journeys. Donald as an entrepreneur, you talked about,
you know, going. You started in a small town in Texas,
then went to Prayer youw then went to California, and
then he came back to Texas. Now, what is your
entrepreneurial journey and how you overcame obstacles in your pathway?
Speaker 4 (13:19):
Boy? You boy, you mess around, pulled up the wrong thing.
Because I'm I'm gonna answer this a two quick quos.
I mean, people gonna understand what I'm saying about. I'm
very spiritual guy, but I'm gonna tell you right now,
I overcame obstacles and continue to do this every day
based on what I saw and what I call this
concept of explosive favor. So I'm gonnall, I'm gonna tell
(13:41):
you what I mean that real quickly. Sitting in church
one day, my pastor had this serious cause explosive favor.
And so we we kind of know what favor means,
but we don't ever review it in the context of
a business. Really and so really explosive favor, if you
look at it in the definition, is you know, God
raising up someone with real sources to give them to
(14:01):
you to carry out your vision. Right, and so that's
explosive favor. So what that means is to set yourself up.
You've got to plow that field. You got to put
yourself in the position to receive explosive favor. So you
got to be networking so people understand what your vision
is and they can pick it up and run with it.
That explosive favor. So when I am faced with obstacles
(14:23):
that have been in my way, man, I'm always lining
up in networking because somebody else is going to take
care of that problem for me. Somebody is going to
overcome that obstacle for me. It's not going to be
on my back. That's one thing. The other thing I'm
telling you right now, how I overcame obstacle was based
on execution and the pursuit of knowledge. It's just not knowledge.
(14:44):
You got to execute what you learn. If you understand
exactly what it's all about. Boy, you can throw the
execution in that. I always tell people all the time
when I come up with them and I say, listen,
you can have dedication, you get to have you can
have understanding, you could have all of those things. But
if you don't have knowledge and you can't ascute what
you learned, oh man, you got a let's sad face
(15:06):
on you and you got all the potential in the
world and can't make it happen.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Wow. We're speaking to Donald Lamar. His mission is to
drive impact and sustainable resources to small businesses, entrepreneurs and
business owners, one business at a time. When we come
back speaking with Donald, we're going to talk about and
find out about a small business entertainment Summit. Don't go nowhere.
You listen to Rushan McDonald and the show is Money
(15:30):
Making Conversation Masterclass.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more
Money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making
Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rushaan McDonald.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
My show is based on the HBCU campus Clark Atlanta University.
I'm speaking to Donald Lamar. He's at more, which I
means I can just walk right across the street and
have a cup of coffee with him. His titles his
too Entrepreneurial, Entrepreneurial Service Services Director and Small Business Center
Area Director. But more importantly, he's going to bring something
(16:15):
that's never been done on an HBCU campus small business
entertainment summit. What did that idea come from and why
do you feel as important? Donald?
Speaker 4 (16:27):
Well, this is why it is important. Man. A lot
of people might not really understand what I'm trying to
accomplish here. And I'll talk about the other summit later
because it is directly related to federal government contractor, but
this one is going to be unique for me, and
I'm really looking for the success of this one down
here in Atlanta, you know as well as I know that.
You know, you think about the landscape here and you
(16:49):
see that the film and TV and the sports and
the music, all that stuff is happening right in our backyard.
But a lot of that stuff, you know, is being
managed in other areas of the country when it all
is here. And so my idea is not to so
much spend time based on the creative side, but how
do we actually equip our small businesses that support the
(17:13):
entertainment industry. So my focus is going to be about
how can I get these businesses in such a light
where they're educated with systems and where they're educated with
the processes and they understand whether procurement opportunities so that
you're every day Let's just take for example, the Famine
TV that may be supported by people who are building sets, electricians, restaurants.
(17:36):
How do we get them information so they are booked
and busy, right, And that's the name of this entertainment summing.
So what we want you to learn is how to
connect with procurement opportunities and entertainment sector, how to protect
maybe your intellectual property and navigate advances in AI. What
are some of the best practices for marketing your business
to industry leaders in this space? And I want you
(17:58):
all to walk away with the actionable plans to enhance
your business operations and achieved sustainable success in this field.
So that's kind of what that small business is the
same as Summit.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
It's all about, well, we know it's important that to say
that like I'm from Houston, and Houston again is trying
to do the same thing. Not from a summer standpoint,
but build out there their entertainment branch. You know, North Carolina.
You know, we all know that Los Angeles, Chicago, New York,
those areas are dominated production companies. But you know, it
used to be you know, people shotting their ladies shot
(18:30):
in New York. Now people shooting all over the country
because of tax incentives allow them to produce shows. And
now the state of Charge has really become one of
the great hubs for entertainment production. But when you think
about your role, and it's a can lead to frustration.
And I want you to tell my audience because you
out there, I can hear the passion in your voyage. Donald.
(18:53):
What frustrates use the most about entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
What first makes me the most is that they don't
have and make preparation and they don't even believe in
themselves enough to be able to speak. And I used
to sit across and I sit across, you know, on
an annual basis, some one hundred and fifty fifty companies personally,
you know that as a part of what my day
to day is. And sometimes I want their business more
(19:21):
than they want their business, and I try to explain
to them I can't want your business more than you
want your business. So you got to adjust your attitude
right there, and then you got to just make the
decision that I'm going to seek the knowledge, the information
and take the time to get this thing done. It
goes back to that old nursery rhyme. What you know,
(19:42):
the tortoise in the hair. If you just keep the
process going, man, you can finish first place. You just
got a roll.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
What do you I called that?
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Like?
Speaker 2 (19:51):
You know, I'm a drive. My wife always say you
don't ever speed, And I was till people calls or
pass me up and get your red light. I'm right
behind them. That's the tortoise and hair he's talking about.
There are people out there just flying down the freeway,
but basically they burning more gas, they're more stressful, and
guess what, they're in dangering other people because other people
(20:13):
worry about how they're driving. And so I always tell people,
I wake up so when I get behind the wheel
of my car, I actually know why I'm getting behind
the wheel of my car. A lot of people don't
know that. They just think they may be going to work.
But I know why I'm going to work. I know
what I'm gonna do when I arrive at work, I
know what I'm gonna have it. Luck, all these things
are thought out, and that's all he's saying. I'm that hair,
(20:36):
you know, I'm that tortoise. Excuse me. I'm just plowing
through the whole process. I'm not in a hurry. But
when I get to the finish line, I've completed all
my tasks. And that is what we're talking about. People
who want to skip line and skip relationships and don't
want to cross the t's adopt the eyes. Am I
(20:59):
right down?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
Man? You're absolutely right man, because there is no shortcut. Now,
you might be able to get to something quicker than
someone else, but let's see how long it's sustainable. And
those are the kind of things that you need to
take in consideration. You need to think strategy and not tactically.
You know, tactical means that you're fighting the little small
battles that you are are going to need to have
(21:22):
to address. But if you start looking at things from
a strategic way, then you talk about longevity, you talk
about wealth building, you talking about the next generation. It's
definitely a strategic thought process that must be employed along
the way. And you might as well get it from
the gate. Now.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Were talking about the Small Business Entertainment Summit, and then
you said something about another summit. Can we discuss that
now that you're referencing Donald.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Absolutely man more. I'm just really excited because my background
is in feral gooment contract and you know, I've had one,
you know, for over twenty eight years, have been through
the eighty eight programs for those people who may be
familiar with that term, and the most of the mental protege,
so I know the art of having to get into
federal government contract. So about two years ago I put
together More Houses Federal Government Contracting Summit a FDSBBC, and
(22:12):
it was a smash success because I broke it down
into what you need to do to get a federal
government contract, whether it be certifications, understanding the methodology behind it,
whether it be on the capture management side, how do
you position your company to win a federal government contract,
how do you execute one? And I brought an expert
even from DC to come in and teach these classes
(22:33):
to show people how to get into federal government contracting
the right way. So it was called at that point.
Last year it was called get the Win, the same
what the conference was called, Get the Win, but I'm
going one step further. So on September thirteenth of this
coming calendar year, I got another one coming called Partner
(22:53):
to Win. Not enough people look at the subcontract opportunity.
It's a simple acquisition strategies that they can use to
get in the federal government. When you can be paying
attention on building joint ventures, you can be paying attention
on building alliances and partnerships. So I'm going to have
Partner to Win on September thirteenth, and I'm going to
lead by example because I'm gonna be partnering with your
(23:15):
folks up there in DC with the Howard It's Small
Business Development Center, who's coming down here to help me
pull this thing off and lead by example and show
people what you need to do from a subcontracting standpoint.
Speaker 3 (23:28):
Tom.
Speaker 4 (23:28):
You know I'm doing my thing. Boy, I'm just trying
to tell.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
You, Hey, hey, Lamar, listen, here's the funny thing. Back
when I met Lamar, I asked him to come on
with the show. He said, what I'm gonna talk about Rachond?
I said, Lamar, you need to stop. You need to
stop we need to hear about you, not only in
a local level, but a national level. Is are there
ways we can reach out to touch you the email
addresses or their social media handles? How can we reach
(23:53):
out and touch you?
Speaker 4 (23:54):
Donald Man, I'm really low key, you know, I don't
get into all that social media stuff. But I do
have my LinkedIn so you can definitely catch me on
LinkedIn with love for people to connect because I'm always
having something I like to say. Don't post that often
because I'm about my business here. But you know the
office here. You can reach out to our office or
at least send information that way and I can give
(24:17):
you the information you know related to that. And here's
the contact information you know here at our office. Or
you can go on the site of the Georgia SBDC
dot gov I mean, excuse me, dot org and you
can navigate down to all the offices at SBDC. But
our office has its own page and you can get
(24:39):
to it that way. We do have an office number.
Our general office number is four seven zero six three
nine to six two, and you can reach it by email.
Of course. Our email is more house at Georgia SBDC
dot org. Or you can reach me even at I
(25:00):
email address with we simply Donald dot Lamar at Morehouse
dot e edu.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
Cool.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Now, before we go, as we wrap up this interview, Donald,
the wealth gap in our community, Yes, sir, it's it's
screams racial, it's screams gender orient it, it's screams educational deficiencies.
How can we close that? From your perspective? Is it possible?
Speaker 4 (25:24):
Man, let me run through my letting me real quick.
I'm I'm gonna be real quick because I know this
is we got a couple of minutes left. You know.
The biggest opticle got out there is access to capital.
So we got to increase access to African Americans. It's just,
you know, this is just deplorable to think about how
we can't access our capital. Other things that we can't
do is through education and training. You know, invest into
(25:47):
programs like I'm doing to kind of get people an
understanding on how they can address so they can grow
these businesses in the federal government arena and and and
and hire people. You know, supplier diversity initiatives you know
that are going on out there with these corporations. You
know we need to check them. Okay, Now you say
you won't supply the verse, but how many black businesses
are you actually doing work with, or any business for
(26:10):
that matter, you know, informing or reforming the policy that
can't keep the structural boundaries in place for inequality. We
need to make sure that we deal with that. We
got to invest in our community, and I'm telling you
right now one of the biggest things we can do
is reach out in this tech and innovation. We got
this AI going on. How are we using this to
our benefit that we can bring some economic relief not
(26:33):
only to our areas, but you know, to build a
wealth for those who have an idea and can really
make that work.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Donald, this is our first time talking. You have a
summit that's coming up first, that's the Small Business Entertainment Summit.
Then you have another summit coming in September. The first
summit is July eleventh. You've invited me to be a
part of that as a panelist and maybe participating a
couple of the sessions. I'm deeply honored that you considering me,
and I'm deeply quick to say I do. I'll be
(27:05):
a part of it. My friend. Again, the information you
dropped on my show today was amazing. Continue to be
who you are. We'll talk soon because the fact that
if you have the time, please know I value you
to come on this show more than every once in
a while because the nuggets you're dropping and that government contracting,
(27:26):
the slowing down, the well gapped through information, and also
I just think people need to be pounded over and
over again with the story or how you can win,
and it's tied to partnerships, relationships and hard work.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
Thank you, Donald, I appreciate it. Thank you for the invitation. Man.
I tell you that old and over again.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
We'll be seeing it and talking soon. This is Money
Making Conversations Masterclass. Don't Go Nowhere. Ken Dale King is
coming back. He's calling in from Los Angeles and it's
about money. CPA, CPA. How we're doing is money, money, money, money, money,
How to keep you money. Don't go nowhere Own Money
Making Conversation Masterclass.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Thank you for joining us for this edition of Money
Making Conversations Masterclass. Money Making Conversations Masterclass with rough Shan
McDonald is produced by thirty eight fifteen Media Inc. More
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