Career Advice: Howard says preparation is what allows you to capitalize on opportunity.
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 Howard Hewett. He shared the journey that took him from Akron, Ohio, to becoming the lead singer of Shalamar and a successful solo artist. Beyond music, the discussion highlighted lessons that apply to entrepreneurship, business ownership, and personal success. The interview demonstrates that success is rarely accidental; it is usually the result of years of preparation, visualization, discipline, and honoring one's commitments. Key Takeaways 1. Success Begins with Vision Howard began visualizing his future long before he became famous. As a teenager, he practiced signing autographs and imagined himself performing for large audiences. Lesson: Create a clear vision of the future you want before opportunities arrive. Quote: "I always said, I'm going to live in California." Quote: "I would sit there literally and say, 'Love, Howard Hewett.'" 2. Visualization and Meditation Matter After moving to California, Howard developed a routine of sitting by a pool each day, visualizing successful performances and a thriving music career. Lesson: Mental preparation and visualization help build confidence and clarity. Quote: "Every day about 12, 12:30, I would go down to the pool and just visualize what I wanted to do." Quote: "I'd visualize singing in front of thousands of people." 3. Preparation Creates Opportunity One of the interview's central themes was that opportunity alone is not enough. Howard stressed that years of singing, touring, and developing his talent prepared him for the moment Shalamar called. Lesson: Preparation is what allows you to capitalize on opportunity. Quote: "You've got to be in the right place at the right time and be prepared." Quote: "You can be in the right place at the right time, but if you haven't taken the time to prepare yourself, that opportunity can slip away." 4. Every Experience Serves a Purpose Howard spent years performing in show groups and touring internationally before joining Shalamar. At the time, those experiences may not have seemed connected to his ultimate breakthrough. Lesson: What feels like a detour may actually be preparation for a bigger opportunity. Quote: "All those things... were preparing me for that moment." 5. Integrity Is More Valuable Than Contracts When Shalamar offere