InvestFest 2025 blended popular culture, entrepreneurship, and monetary literacy because the likes of Issa Rae, Steve Harvey, Charlamagne Tha God, and Magic Johnson provided attendees hard-earned enterprise knowledge and motivational insights.
The annual pageant, launched by Earn Your Leisure (EYL), introduced collectively 1000’s of attendees for a dynamic weekend of panels, reside interviews, and networking.
For Earn Your Leisure founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, the occasion is the end result of a year-long, meticulous planning course of that Millings described to BOSSIP as getting ready “12 months for 3 days.” Their dedication ensures the pageant stays “tremendous targeting what we really feel just like the group must know,” offering direct entry to specialists on subjects from AI and actual property to cryptocurrency.
Rashad Bilal speaks on stage throughout day 2 of Make investments Fest 2025 at Georgia World Congress Heart on August 23, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photograph by Paras Griffin/Getty)Supply: Troy Millings on stage day 2 of Make investments Fest 2025 at Georgia World Congress Heart on August 23, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photograph by Paras Griffin/Getty)
Whereas the primary panels drew large crowds, a key part of the pageant was its market, which highlighted over 400 companies. The occasion additionally featured two game-changing additions: the Deal Room and a reside Open Pitch competitors with a hefty $125,000 on the road, and a lineup of headlining audio system—together with Issa Rae, Steve Harvey, Charlamagne Tha God, and Magic Johnson—who provided attendees a masterclass in wealth and self-empowerment.
Whereas talking on the EYL stage with Charlamagne Tha God, Steve Harvey delivered a robust message of self-belief, telling the viewers they had been “the chosen ones” for his or her willingness to put money into themselves. He additionally emphasised the significance of authenticity, urging individuals to embrace their distinctive life tales.
“Let me say one thing to all of you who make investments cash in your self, you’re the chosen ones,” he mentioned. “God picked you a very long time in the past, that’s why you’re the primary one in your loved ones.”
Supply: Paras Griffin / Getty
Basketball legend-turned-business mogul Magic Johnson additionally shared a pivotal second from his youth that formed his monetary philosophy. He recounted a long-ago choice to take a lump sum of money over Nike inventory.
Supply: Paras Griffin / Getty
“You understand how a lot cash, 46 years later, that inventory shall be value as we speak?” he requested an auditorium stuffed with InvestFest attendees. “$1,000,000,005.” This humbling lesson, he mentioned, fuels his mission to teach others.
“We educate ourselves about that so that you’re profitable, in order that your siblings, your loved ones, your pals can observe your lead.”
Johnson additionally spoke on his relentless drive, a trait he believes is essential to his success.
“I am going to mattress at eight o’clock, I’m up at 4 o’clock, I work out for 2 hours, after which I’m within the workplace all day. I’m pushed. I don’t want no person to pat me on the again, I’m self-motivated, in order that performs in my favor.”
Each males additionally underscored the significance of leveraging private success for the betterment of the group. Harvey bolstered this sentiment, stating, “We are able to make one another nice,” and concluded by advising attendees to determine their God-given items and keep in mind that true energy lies in possession, not simply being on a platform.
“I’d reasonably personal ABC, than be on ABC,” he asserted.
Supply: Paras Griffin / Getty
Charlamagne echoed that and reminded InvestFest attendees of the ability of authenticity.
“Your journey, who you might be, God put you in that distinctive scenario for a cause,” mentioned the Breakfast Membership. host. “So don’t be afraid to inform that story, that’s the way you beome a really authetic personaltiy.”
Supply: Paras Griffin / Getty
As for Issa Rae, she provided insifht into her enterprise acumen past writing and performing. The Hilltop Espresso + Kitchen proprietor, instructed InvestFest attendees about her highly effective thought to community “throughout.”
Supply: Paras Griffin / Getty
As an alternative of attempting to “community up” by searching for out and connecting with people who find themselves already on the high of your trade, she advocates for constructing a powerful community with those that are at your similar stage and simply as formidable as you might be.
That has led to large success for the Insecure creator.
“Each piece has been related to another person, and I’m not being silly sufficient to assume I can do each single one alone,” mentioned Issa.