Stay Broke Podcast

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast , Randy sits down with Ryan McEvoy , a former college hockey player turned multi-unit operator, franchise owner, and founder of a mission-driven nonprofit. Ryan’s journey started with discipline and sacrifice. When he opened his first uBreakiFix location, his business partner fronted the startup costs. Ryan moved into the cheapest apartment he could find,...

Content Disclaimer: Some topics in this episode involve assault, grief, substance abuse, and personal loss. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Ron Shirley , founder of Lizard Lick Towing and one of the most recognizable faces in reality television. Ron shares his full story — from growing up with childhood trauma and navigating difficult rel...

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, Randy Kerr sits down with Tanisha Butler , owner of Qwik Pack & Ship in Wake Forest, NC. Tanisha shares her journey from the corporate world into owning and operating a turnkey business alongside her family, and what that transition taught her about leadership, systems, and responsibility. A major theme of this conversation is networking — something T...

The CEO of the North Pole Santa Claus joins the Stay Broke Podcast! In this magical holiday episode, we explore how Santa leads the North Pole, manages the elves, innovates his Christmas systems, and spreads kindness around the world. Learn how he perfectly blends technology and magic to keep the whole operation going to make dreams come true. Perfect for kids AND parents—fun, heartwarming, and fu...

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Jim Thompson, the new President of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce. Jim shares his journey from growing up in North Carolina to navigating college, switching career paths, and ultimately stepping into the world of association leadership. His career took him through multiple executive roles across state and national organizations, wher...

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, Randy sits down with Lauren DiPasquale, the founder of RankRise Studio, a nationally recognized Google Business Profile management company helping businesses of every size increase visibility, ranking, and customer engagement. Lauren takes us through her entrepreneurial journey — starting with her childhood surrounded by entrepreneurship through her fathe...

What happens when a former MLB pitching prospect and a published running biomechanics expert team up to build a performance ecosystem unlike anything in North Carolina? On this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Brandon Young and Dr. Lee Welch — the minds behind BYoung Physical Therapy, The Running PTs, 8ctane Baseball, and NC Biomechanics. Their story blends entrepreneurship, spo...

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast , Randy sits down with Hannah Stutts , founder of JAKS Stables and The Samson Project , for a powerful and emotional conversation about resilience, purpose, and transformation. Hannah’s story begins long before her 10-year journey as a business owner — from being a junior at NC State at just 17 years old, switching her major from bioengineering to agricult...

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Dan Wilson, Managing Partner of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions and a man who’s lived every side of entrepreneurship — from the grind of startup life to the strategy of multimillion-dollar exits. Dan’s story begins in the U.S. Air Force, where discipline, structure, and leadership became the foundation of his entrepreneurial mindset. Af...

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast , Randy Kerr sits down with Joe Kimray , co-owner of B&W Hardware — a 75-year-old Wake Forest landmark that’s now serving its fourth generation of customers. Joe shares what it’s like marrying into a multigenerational family business and learning how to “ retrovate ” — blending old-school service with new ideas, products, and technology to keep a small...

In this non-political episode, Mayor Vivian Jones shares how a shop owner’s perspective shaped her journey from running a downtown restaurant with her sister to serving Wake Forest as commissioner and then mayor. We cover the practical stuff founders need: navigating permits and renovations, activating underused spaces, façade and small-business grants, and the partnerships—Town, Chamber, Wake For...

When Ilia Kolosov first started selling ballroom dance shoes out of a duffel bag, he had no idea it would lead to an international brand. Today, as the founder of  AIDA Dance USA  and  Ballroom Portal , Ilia has built a company grounded in discipline, integrity, and a deep passion for craftsmanship — but the path wasn’t easy. In this episode of the  Stay Broke Podcast , Ilia op...

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Wood, the owner of The Burger Shop in Wake Forest, NC, to share a story that’s about far more than food. Jennifer never planned to run a restaurant—she didn’t even like burgers. But life had other plans, and her journey from military wife and stay-at-home mom, to single mother, to losing her second husband to cancer, forged the g...

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with DAVIS88, a talented North Carolina artist who shares his inspiring journey from picking up a guitar for the first time to chasing his dream of becoming a full-time musician. From taking voice lessons and learning the ropes of the music industry to creating his first EP in Wilmington, NC, DAVIS88 walks us through the highs, lows, and lesso...

Today we are venturing to western Pennsylvania to sit down with Paul McCall and Greg Mcneish, founders of All About Ground Cover INC. Learn how the built a successful nursery business in a small town. With creative solutions for distribution and labor; using available resources and partnering with the Amish.

Brad Walker sold the software company he and his wife built—then moved to Wake Forest, NC and doubled down on helping entrepreneurs. In this episode, Brad shares how he started Launch Wake Forest and Launch Rolesville through the Rotary Club, why he earned his real estate license to buy and sell commercial properties, and how teaching the Launch Wake Forest course led him to his next challenge: st...

A detailed account of how Mike Donato created the revolutionary "Three-Pronged System" for evaluating top tier knives. Making Knife Purveyor the premier destination for collectors and enthusiasts of high-end custom and investment grade knives.

Go on a journey with JD owner/operator JB's Pool Care. A lesson in overcoming adversity and seeking opportunity. JD is proof that you can be recognized in any industry for being the best. Top 30 under 40 and Green to clean champion because of his focus on the customer experience. If a Tragic car accident couldn't steal his drive then nothing will.

Discussing market trends, the customer experience, and getting outside your comfort zone to gear up for expansion

Josh Ridinger, Owner of Wash World Laundry shares his journey of change the laundry industry. From coming up with the idea while obtaining his masters to purchasing his first location. Now building his fourth location, But planning his tenth. with a goal of building 6 more locations over the next 5 years.