We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rashad Hayes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rashad, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Life gave me lemons, but no one gave me instructions on how to turn it into lemonade.

Let’s take a trip back to 2016, It was a normal day for me. I was a senior in undergrad , and I felt invincible. It was the first time in my life that I could dedicate time to myself. I didn’t have to worry about the hectic schedule of football. All, I had to focus on was school and working.

Remember my earlier statement, Life gave me lemons, but no one gave me instructions on how to turn it into lemonade.

Just when I thought I was at peace. A Six Letter word came into my life and attempted to turn it upside down. C.A.N.C.E.R

I’ll be honest and say that I wasn’t prepared to receive this type of news at 22 years old. To make matters worse I was told that it would be something I would live with for the rest of my life. As I underwent treatment, I started to realize how tough the journey of battling cancer could be. I grew frustrated with the constant pressure to be “ok” and it took a toll on my mental health. Although, I had people there. It still felt like I was trapped and no one really understood what I was feeling. No one told me that despite your diagnosis, life still goes on. Bills are still going to be due. Your obligations tend to get heavier.

Hindsight is always 2020 and looking back at it if it wasn’t for this encounter, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. It was this encounter that launched me into the world of Motivational Speaking.

I am now a motivational speaker that help individuals identify their secret ingredients to creating life changing recipes.

I aim to help people turn pain into purpose. I aim to use more of an empathic approach when I speak. I am a very transparent speaker that uses my own life lessons to help others climb out of their own problems.

Now a days, I only receive treatment if my symptoms began to flare up and return. Despite this term and condition of my life, I finally discovered the purpose of my life and that’s to be a light in a dark room for others to overcome their darkest times.

One day, you will know Rashad Hayes as one of the best motivational speakers to ever speak.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My brand was created to make a difference. My saying is “I help individuals/organizations identify their secret ingredients to create life changing recipes and teaching them to avoid burning their cakes”.

The speaking industry found me. I started off just posting on social media and before you know it. I would receive a message asking if I would be willing to speak live. My first big opportunity came in 2016. I was fresh off of completing chemotherapy and a dear friend/brother of mine reach out to me to see if I would come back to speak to the staff at Enterprise High School. (Rest in peace brother ❤️).

After that event, I realized that I had something special. My ability to captivate the audience and inspire them was unlike any other.

So, I continued to post content and people continued to reach out.

Fast forward to 2021 and my life changed forever. I’m like most people with a dream. You know the story of the person that works a job to finance their dreams. One day as I was leaving work I was telling my story to an individual. After, I finished the individual told me that I reminded him of a great friend of his that happened to be a motivational speaker himself. He gave me clear instructions and told me to contact the individual. I didn’t know what to expect but however I believed in myself.

I was able to network with this individual and after a few conversations. He was preparing to introduce me to even more professional speakers.

Till this day, I met with this group every Saturday of former professional athletes, politicians, CEO’s and most importantly Professional Speakers.

It amazes me because I’m the baby of the group, but they continuously remind me that I have something special. I continue to believe in them and before you know it. I became a member of the national speaker’s association and people view me as a professional speaker now. I literally get paid to do what I love to do.

What I want my followers and fans to know is that life is all about investing in yourself! I’m not a full time professional speaker yet, however I know my time is coming.

I share my journey to inspire and help others achieve their dreams as well. I also want to let people know that social media does not determine your worth. For example on TikTok I have a following of 19.2k but on Instagram it’s only 1400 for the time being. Social media does not define you. Instead, it reveals what you focus your attention on. My focus is building a community that truly wants to hear my messages. It’s also a way of providing free help for those that can’t attend my speaking engagements live or afford coaching services.

My heart will always be for helping people.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Personally, I decided to have a hunter’s mentality when it comes to funding my business.

If I don’t hunt then I don’t eat. This has allowed me to stay sharp and creative. My focus is to continue to water the seeds of my labor in that one day I’ll be able to enjoy the fruits.

So even if that means, I have to work your typical 9-5 and multiple jobs to invest in my dreams, I’m willingly to do that.

Every time I hit the stage, I tell myself this could be the day my life changes forever.

My business is also unique since I’m a speaker. So a lot of my funding goes toward things that help get my ideology out in the world for people to see.

One day when I’m big enough, I’ll be able to really show the world what I can do.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

I am blessed to have two contractors that work for my brand and help implement my S.E.L program in a school system. For this project, I collaborate with a nonprofit. Well, if you know anything about nonprofits. They run off of grant money and it’s a process that you have to go through before you get your check. In short, you have to complete the job first and then that’s when you will get your check.

The first time I experienced this I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain this to my contractors. I had to learn to say, “Hey, I can’t pay you until I’m paid by the organization”. This is also where transparency kicks in and learning to be understanding. It has also been times when I took money out my own pockets to make sure they were taking care of.

I think the important thing is your ability to be transparent and honest with team. They also know that I pay them well and try my best to to put them into position to succeed in their own adventures. This is one of the downfalls to having a “hunter’s mentality” when it comes to funding.

This is when being creative comes into play.
Now my team understands that I will always go above an beyond to share what the hold ups are. Communication is truly key!

Contact Info:

• Website: rashadhayesspeaks.com
• Instagram: rashadhayesspeaks
• Facebook: Rashad Hayes
• Linkedin: Rashad Hayes, LMSW
• Twitter: rashadhspeaks
• Youtube: Don’t Burn Your Cake
• Other: TikTok: rashadhayesspeaks email: dontburnyourcake@rashadhayesspeaks