Invest Fest Recap: Earn Your Leisure's Rashad Bilal Addressing the Critics: 20,000-Attendee Weekend 

As an attendee, I would say here are 3 things that @earnyourleisure has to address to get ready for the next #InvestFest ! 1) Improved audio and seating within the main spaces. 2) Offering Master Classes or Keynote “ speeches” that includes guided presentations or materials, walk-through steps, and strategies ( almost every session was Q&A based making it very difficult to walk away with information and insight around some of the topics that were being provided. We left with a lot of soundbites, but not information.) 3) Improve signage, logistics, and increase of personnel throughout the event (An event must have a production company and or logistics company to support the flow of events, pivot schedules in real time when hiccups occur, and flow attendees throughout various spaces with an event of this size .)

I like rashad , He is a great speaker but not a single thing was learned at invest fest... it's no beef but he is an excellent salesman I went to investfest openminded and left with nothing of value education wise. I had fun and if that's the goal they 1000% delivered . But to say ppl got financial education there is just a bunch of lies. So he can sit up there and spread all of that hooplah the event was 98% concert/party vibes 2% opportunity. Which isn't a problem cuz there's a market for that and ppl need to understand that before they call Investfest a scam. It's not a scam it's just a fun get together almost like a finance influencer cookout. That's all it is don't go there thinking it's a business conference it's a concert with business breakout elements.

I wasn't expecting this type of interview. It's good to see honest critiques on this side of RU-vid & I respect Rashad even more for addressing his critics. These Guys actually are trying to make investing "Cool".

Invest Fest was beautiful! I’m so happy I went. And I’m still inspired. They pulled off a really great weekend especially for it only being the third year. It was so nice to look around and see so many brothers and sisters in there just willing to learn. And it was a vibe!! The vibe in there was amazing from start to finish. Anybody hating on Invest Fest was not in the building. The energy in there was amazing. Was it perfect nah but for 20,000 black folks in there on only the third year I think it was dope. I will be attending next year and I’ll have my own business off the ground by then thats the goal

The positive vibes was contagious. In the event and the nightlife was a straight vibe. They did there thing.

This guy absolutely loves celebrities.

You platforming them is WILD . You’ve been on lives documenting how they platform scammers and criticizing them for not coming out and speaking out against scammers on their platform. Now you’re doing a PR interview for them.

I participated in Invest Fest and it was truly a VIBE! Logistics was an issue but just having the section say VIP seating would of alleviated seating issues, more signage/direction downstairs, security was overwhelmed by the people and got lazy I went back stage not having an ALL ACCESS band on...lol all you had to do was be cute and the security was letting people in backstage.

I don't knock eyl....but this whole "anti critic" rant is just a way of deflecting the talk of them enabling scammers....outside of that all I can do is salute them.

Tony picks and chooses who he applies that pressure to...he is no JT or Eli...

Some of these comments are straight baffling. People are on here referring to a 3 day financial conference as a “vibe”…😂😂😂. Yo- they got y’all hook, line, and sinker! Just admit it: more than anything- you ultimately attended for the Gram. 😂😂😂😂 I wonder how many of y’all also donated to the Tulsa Fund…🤔🤔🤔🤔😂😂😂😂 #HoldThatL

I was told to buy marijuana ETF { MSOS }. I got it Monday for the low, and it went to the moon Wednesday. Thanks Investfest !!

I have a question for anyone who attended this event. Have you implemented anything that was new information from the event? If not, why not? If so, what’s your next step? Since it was called Invest Fest, what is your plan to recoup your investment from this event?

A As a vip attendee here is my perspective 1) invest fest is NOT about learning how to invest! Let’s just start there. It’s was more of interviews!! I did not pay $1800 for a ticket plus hotel and ect to watch interviews! 2) the vendor market place was nice. But too much of the same type of businesses. The competition to make money would have been very very hard. 3) to call this an education event it needs to be educational information given 4) the fedelity stage was more valuable than the big stage! More gems and information and knowledge was there 5) more food trucks needs to be in attendance. The lines were ridiculously long

😂😂😂😂 that man hate criticism. Them comments killing him.

Rashad, with all do respect man, some of the people criticizing Invest vest are disabled people who literally showed pics & video of how there were no areas for them to see the stage. These people paid hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. These people are your supporters, they MADE the success you're currently enjoying. You didn't really address their concerns directly at all, you went on an unnecessary rant. I unsubscribed from EYL awhile ago because although I'm happy for your success & you guys give great advice. It seems like as the years went on, you guys are getting more & more out of touch, arrogant, among other things. Yes, enjoy your successes, you're entitled to it because you guys worked hard for it. But humble thyself Brotha & never forget what got you guys to this point in the first place. Yes, address the trolls & critics accordingly but not at the expense of your true supporters who've been with you guys since day one, like myself. For the true supporters who had valid concerns, simply apologize & give details or suggestions on how you'll make your next Invest Fest better. Don't go on a rant, address the issue head on, follow through on the methods you will take to make the next event better. And in due time, you probably won't get as many critics as you do now. Just saying.

I thoroughly enjoyed the approach that Tony used in interviewing Rashad. It definitely helps to provide balance to the financial literacy space. People have gotten to the point where they think Everyone is a scammer/grifter etc. I didn’t attend invest fest but I will definitely attend the next one!

For it being their 3rd year, the event was on-point. Was it perfect? No event is (especially of that magnitude). But EYL put on an amazing show. Gems were dropped all weekend. What you do with it is on you.

All I'm going to say is. YES IN CHAT. Ian made and is helping make me money.

Its important to note that this comment section is full of bots talking about how great EYL is.

Very nice. Love the support and the positivity. Black men you rock!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Now this is how two mature brothers come together and uplift the culture. Keep showing the younger generation how to keep one another accountable and still be civil and respectful towards each other.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

This D riding will surely get you on the stage next year 🤣

I love the investfest team, I never been to any of their events but I promise to go to the next one

Real Talk.. Great video!! More of us have to be able to give and take criticizim like this.

Did Rashad ever apologize to JT wife and friends for his disrespectful behavior?

Great conversation gentlemen! The event was amazing for those who thought it was amazing. For those it wasn't amazing for, it's ok. It wasn't meant for them and that's right, can't please everybody, ever.

Tony the Closer calling it down the middle. Well done. 💪🏾

Same thing I said name a balck owned and operated on financial festival? THER ARE NONE. Y'all pay thousands to see your favorite artist but not to get FINANCIALLY educated.

I'm loving seeing this side of Rashad! He's always so pensive. I'm glad he's getting amped.

Very well said Rashad people need to stop being sooo judgmental and start coming up with solutions instead of becoming apart of the problem. If people think their opinions matter so much then start your own platform and do it better…Unapologetically…❤❤❤ They did an awesome amazing thing and we should be celebrating them and criticizing them…

I see the arrogance coming out from the pours of Rashad. If he just kept it in the line of symmetry of humility, I would have respected how he and his EYL team put it together, but he decided to allow his true feelings to manifest and basically defecated on those who he believes are not on his level or on the level of what he and his team produced. I wanted to give him and his team their props, but his ego disqualified my compliment. Tony the Closer, you are a real cat and I love how you put the screws to scammers, but give the ones who do right in business and by the people their flowers. Thank you for always keeping it 💯.

Thank you for the content.

Much respect to you, Tony. Yeah, you should have been on that stage, but putting your girl on, in spite of them not inviting you ... that's some grown man shit. So salute to you, brother, for giving them their props..... publicly 💪🏾❤️

This a beautiful financial event.❤

Tell them to make sure they get the sound right. It be something About audio that keeps plaguing them. Please fix it. Get the best quality sound peeps

Tony so are you saying the same people who don’t have any saving should spend $1200+ they don’t have to go to Invest Fest? Because that’s the audience EYL built their brand on. Invest fest is for the people selling courses…not for the culture, not for the people they claim they want to help because there is no money in it. My criticism is the whole thing is hypocritical can’t claim you are helping people save money by robbing them. If EYL is about business/investing let them start a non-profit for financial literacy and stop pretending they are not a sales funnel for courses.

That's what's up Brotha's! I appreciate this video.

6:24 having an event where no one fights is Not an accomplishment. Smh

I love you guys! Real talk and value! Salute 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿 I’m there next year. Jeff Jaye Williams

Tony, tell Nichole that I loved her segment on Invest Fest.

Y'all always want people to be humble when they not catering to your feelings and insecurities.

Proud of EYL great job 👏🏽

Rashad ain't stupid.... He knows Tony is toxic.

Rashad is 100% right at 14:00 speaking on our mentality of "nobody is perfect". Except people for who they are. People who do nothing for the community always have so much to say.

Very mature of you to critique and show love equally

Invest Fest was great considering the magnitude of the event. If you went looking for issues to complain about you will find them considering that was EYL first Invest Fest of this size. It will get better each time that they do it. People really don't understand the complex logistics and money spent to have an event of this magnitude with no crime/injuries. I think some of our negative ass people focus on the wrong shit! Who cares what the people wore on stage. The fact of the matter is there are some legitimate issues that I'm sure they will take the feedback and correct going forward. Salute EYL!! Did anyone receive information that they could use to make their lives better? that is what really matters.

I think sometimes we give those negative comments too much attention Y'all given back, thank you

I wonder what the turnout will look like next year after all of this. Very telling interview. Wish y’all all the best on your financial journeys! ❤

Dammmm ya crib spacious as hell❤

So he was asked how the conference benefited the community - annnnnnd the con man proceeds to say how everyone is having fun and be who you want to be hummmm so INVEST FEST was about a fete? Wha happen to the invest part. Too many fools to be parted from money. This convo was rambling…

Dam Rashad, it must suck to spend the weekend walking around having real conversations with some of the wealthiest black people in the country, then have to follow it up with this conversation with this dude. I hope you got paid for this

I went to the event and it was fire, im disappointed in JT the Pocket Watcher for taking one clip and a couple concert performances to group it all is a music festival. He got a weird hate for EYL, I understand Jay Morrison but comon mane.

Rashad was the more quiet “conservative” guy of eyl. Get a few coins and rub shoulders with a few celebrities and the real you will shine through. I always sense that he has a very sneaky personality.

I seen the same love and support at the Tulsa Real Estate campaign to raise money. Everyone got scammed. Yes networking can get you in rooms but it's very hard to build genuine connections after a 3 day conference. Most these events requires an upsell of another high ticket product to learn something. The money is in throwing these conferences. I think Tony wants the recognition but should remain true to his brand and stand on his own. I was at his Las Vegas event and it really made an impact and didn’t milk ppl to get ahead.

Context to them videos def helped, respect

Good Interview.

Never trust a joker who brags about wearing silk pajamas trying to mimick Hugh Hefner.

Confused admiration? Stop it. Low class is low class. Flashing money just because you can is low class. But I’m not one of you shiny folks. Enjoy yourselves i will chill over here with folks who have some respect for themselves. I wish the best for you but I’m glad you’re doing it…….over there!

Tony begging to get on the Invest Fest stage is cringey

I’m happy for EYL, as long as EYL learns from this past conference’s hiccups, their customers will win. What EYL did is done multiple times per year by other groups selling the same dreams. Customers have to do their homework before attending these conferences and go with no cash or credit cards to buy anything other than food. You will be fine.

I really appreciate this video ! I hate they have to explain themselves every step of the way but if it gives the negative Nancy’s an answer whatever ! They’re only on year 3 and people want them on the same level as festivals that are on year 20! These guys are doing something that has never been done before and people want to find stuff to complain about

Take the criticism and strive to make it better No Excuses!!! Improve on it!!!

Tony The Closer’s future event will be called: CLOSER INVEST EXPO

Tony, you and the guys from earn your leisure have been given away free game for so long & helping ppl, including me🙏🏾 🤷🏽‍♀️Why not make it rain? You'll deserve it!!! Let your hair down and enjoy some of the fruits of your labor. Thank U for the free scholarship to Rona Proof💪🏾 #healthiswealth

Y'all sound crazy talking about clothes and throwing money salutes to the people conducting and executing real business moves singing and dancing and dressing is not going to create wealth

2 intelligent 🧠 individual. Salute Big brothers 🙏

Hmmmmm, You are saying because your event went off like other folks event without the typical drama in the community that that is an accomplishment. Process that. Keep growing.

Please keep this same energy when you're on JT's channel Tony! LOL

Is he the P.E. teacher or the high school athlete that's teaching yall how to closer the financial wealth gap?

They are not serious about financial literacy. They are like all the rest, looking to entertain and get rich.

Glad to see this black empowerment 💪🏽💪🏽

Tony ruined his brand he went from Scam Buster to Let Me Get On Stage 😂😂😂

why would you even bring the negativity to Rashad. The purpose of this conversation was in poor taste and short sighted. You could have spent this time highlighting the positive and adding value. Good luck to you.

Dang! Tony was really hurt about not being on that stage lol

Definitely can respect the civility, but it seems Tony is jockying for a position on the stage next year to fulfill the void that Jay Morrison robbed him of. Tony definitely jumped the fence and threw Eli and JT under the bus, which isn't honorable at all, and makes it seem as if it aint stepping on Tony's toes or in his real estate lane, he can be compromised through compensation or a back scratch.

The real ones dont need the stage of others to shine. Tony you will level up on your own. If they won't give you a stage to stand on build your own. I am not really fan of them but I can appreciate the movement and what his events did for the small business vendor and anyone who came there thirsty for knowledge, I also like what he did as far as the security detail. We have a lot of bad players in our community but if brothers and sisters can come together like this and it creates positive output I can only applaud it

I enjoy eyl and market mondays but i hope Rashad's ego doesn’t become a problem in the future. Ego's have brought down many groups and podcasts before. I hope his growing celebrity status doesnt hurt the mission

Honestly, wondering anyone learn anything? If anyone went would love to hear what you learned

Where is the polight sentencing video???

I like the event I just think logistics need to be better. I hated seeing many ppl standing up.

So All the people complaining! This is why you need to start your own shit, and you won’t care about these folks because you got your own groups and business and money! Go on a Tear with businesses IT’s available to All!

We spent 400K for metal detectors… okay??? You do what you have to do to protect your investment

Tony butt hurt about not speaking 😂 and JT The Pocket Watcher is punching the air rn 😂😂😂😂😂

For the size of the event. The organization and registration was not that bad. Only people who never been anywhere would complain.

tony give me wendy william vibes .... #Salty

😒 I purchased the invest fest tickets by accident, honestly that shit was “hip hop church” for entrepreneurs. I’ll never go again 😂

Respect.

How we gone teach invest ur money and reinforce throwing ur money away making it rain at the same time?😢 Is it oochie wally wally or is it one mic!!

Glad to hear that tony Co-signs - I’ll be there next year

We had an issue with some women behind us having a very load personal conversation and wanted to fight when someone very nicely ask them if they could tone it down so we could hear.

Lol Tony trying to be on the next one

I can't believe he sat here and bragged about metal detectors and no fights. Should have spent that money on Audio so people could actually hear smdh 🤦🏾‍♀️

Eyl for life I got they 🔙

The only bad part about invest was the food options!

Tony, you want to be on stage to talk about what? Middle manning real estate?? Respectfully…

Nobody stays the same when they become successful..

Is this guy Tony closer like some type of ultimate judge? All is see if people working hard him sitting back critiquing like he’s this judge or something. Also, does he only do this to black businesses, or to all businesses. Man, I’d be like if you don’t get outta my face.

People love to complain and not have an alternative. I want us to do better.

So was this event dope in terms of a party, or were knowledge and actionable steps on investing given? What was the value of the $1800 ticket....? It looks like an expensive ticket for a Ja Rule concert....was this the Fyre Festival for black people? This interview is interesting, given how tough you've been on @PocketWatcherJT 's channel...