July 21st 2025.
In a recent podcast interview, Tyler Perry opened up about the difficult decision he had to make to set financial boundaries with his family members. This included firing his own aunt, who had been slacking off on the job he had given her. The billionaire media mogul sat down with rapper Jeezy and Derrick Hayes, founder and CEO of Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, on Kirk Franklin's Den of Kings podcast.
The conversation turned to the topic of "letting go" of relatives who may try to take advantage of one's financial success, with Franklin asking Perry about his own experiences. Perry shared that he had to set firm boundaries with a family member he had hired, after constantly being asked for money. Despite his efforts to help, this family member would often call out of work and show a lack of commitment.
"I fired my aunt," Perry revealed in a clip from the Art of the Dialogue. "She said she wanted a job, but she would always call me asking for money. So I offered her a job instead. But she wasn't showing up and calling out all the time. I had to let her go because she wanted the money, but she didn't want to work for it. That just doesn't work for me."
Perry also shared how he applies these lessons on work ethic to his own 10-year-old son, who earns money by doing chores. He believes that simply giving handouts to family members without any effort on their part can ultimately hurt them in the long run.
"That is the worst thing you can do," Perry stated.
He went on to explain that after his mother's passing, he made a conscious effort to follow through on her advice to set boundaries with family members. In fact, he had even sent out letters to his family members after her death, giving them 60 days to find a job and become gainfully employed.
"They all got jobs," Perry said. "And it wasn't about making a lot of money, but it was about having something to do and feeling pride in it. That's the same thing I would want someone to do for me."
Hayes, who also joined the conversation, shared his own experiences with tough love and legacy-building as a business owner. He revealed that three of his early employees now have equity in his company, showing that his legacy is not just his own, but also theirs.
"I had to teach myself the business," Hayes said. "I wanted to not just have a product, but to also run the machine. So I learned about profit, loss, and EBITDA, and now I can sit at any table and talk strategy."
The conversation ended with Perry proclaiming that he is a "black millionaire maker," as he continues to create opportunities and empower others through his work.
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