In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we’re joined by Graeson McGaha, a North Carolina comedian who’s built a loyal audience through viral generational humor, family-driven comedy, and authentic storytelling.

This conversation goes beyond jokes. Graeson shares the behind-the-scenes reality of growing from content creator to touring comedian and business owner. We talk about social media growth, building a merch operation, staying consistent, and navigating the pressure that comes with scaling a personal brand.

It’s an honest mix of comedy, business, and real-life lessons for anyone trying to turn creativity into opportunity.

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Aaron Wright, a serial entrepreneur who built and sold multiple pharmaceutical-based businesses before opening iSmash Wake Forest.

Aaron shares how he knew early in life that he wanted to be an entrepreneur, why experience often matters more than formal education, and what most people misunderstand about franchising.

We cover:

1. Early signs of entrepreneurship
2. Education vs real-world experience
3. Building and exiting healthcare businesses
4. Franchising myths and realities
5. Startup costs, growth strategy, and due diligence
6. Mentorship, customer experience, and long-term thinking

This episode is a real-world look at entrepreneurship without hype. It’s about learning by doing, avoiding costly mistakes, and building businesses that actually last.

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, had no furniture, and sometimes slept at the store because it was easier and safer. For more than six months, sleeping on the floor was part of the process. Buying a bed felt like a milestone.

That focus helped Ryan scale to 12 locations across multiple states using reinvested cash flow instead of bank loans. Years later, he sold all 12 stores and his home in the same week, moved to North Carolina, and started over.

Today, Ryan is a franchise owner of Jeff’s Bagel Run, where he operates in Wake Forest and helps test ideas that could eventually become permanent menu items across the brand. He also founded 127 Haven, a nonprofit focused on creating family-based homes for orphaned children in Uganda, funded through business systems rather than donations.

In this episode, we talk about:

1. What can break when you scale beyond one location
2. The difference between owning a business and operating one
3. Why franchising is never passive, even at the brand level
4. Why food businesses are harder than tech
5. Using discipline and systems to start over the right way

This conversation is not about shortcuts or hype.

It is about execution, ownership, and building something that lasts.

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 relationships, to building a one-truck towing business into a nationally recognized brand. We go deep into the rise of Lizard Lick Towing, separating fact from myth when it comes to reality TV, what was real, what wasn’t, and how fame truly impacted his business and personal life.

Ron also opens up about the loss of his son, how he processed grief in the public eye, and what continuing forward looks like after unimaginable tragedy. We discuss who he still keeps in touch with from the show, who he doesn’t, and why certain relationships evolve over time.

The conversation closes with Ron’s faith journey, his ministry, and how purpose, service, and perspective now guide his life beyond television and business. This is an honest, raw, and inspiring conversation about resilience, redemption, and what it really means to keep going.

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 Tanisha admits she didn’t prioritize early on, but now considers essential to her success. We dive into her deep involvement with Women in Networking Wake Forest, her excitement about being asked to serve as President for 2026, and how community-driven connections have transformed both her business and personal growth.

Tanisha also talks candidly about the impact of hiring a business consultant, why it became a game changer for her, and the value of surrounding yourself with the right people. This episode is packed with real-world insight for small business owners navigating growth, leadership, and the power of intentional networking.

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 full of Stay Broke-style inspiration.

Have you ever wondered what Santa's favorite cookie is or how he gets around the rest of the year? Learn these answers and many more!

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, where he built his reputation as a strong communicator, strategic leader, and steady hand during times of transition.

Jim opens up about what it was like stepping into the Chamber during a sensitive time, following the embezzlement case involving a prior president. He breaks down how he approached rebuilding trust, restoring credibility, and reestablishing accountability with members and the community. We also dive into the future of the Wake Forest Chamber, including his strategic goals, long-term vision, and the important role of the Chamber Foundation.

This conversation goes deeper into how nonprofit organizations operate, why the Chamber is structured as a 501(c)(6), how that differs from a 501(c)(3), and what that means for funding, advocacy work, and tax exemptions. Jim discusses leadership philosophy, community values, economic development, and what it really takes to lead an organization through change while preparing it for long-term success.

Whether you're a small business owner, a community leader, or someone interested in how local chambers impact economic growth, this episode offers a rare inside look at leadership, transparency, and navigating the future of Wake Forest.

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 father’s reptile-selling business, to trying out multiple ventures of her own, including online sales, social media management, and other side hustles. Eventually, everything pointed her toward one powerful niche: Google My Business optimization.

Today, she runs a thriving agency servicing clients across all 50 states, from small independent businesses to large corporations. And as she explains in the episode, the beauty of Google My Business is this:

whether you're a one-person shop or a national brand, the system works the same — and the opportunity is huge.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Lauren’s entrepreneurial roots and the many ventures she explored before finding her calling
• How Rank Rise Studio was built to solve a very real problem: businesses not being found online
• Why Google My Business is the most powerful — and most underused — tool for local visibility
• How AI depends on platforms like Google to gather reliable information
• The synergy between Google search, local intent, and emerging AI-ranking systems
• Why keeping your Google Business Profile active and updated directly impacts your ranking
• The types of businesses (all sizes!) that benefit from proper Google Business optimization
• The biggest misconceptions small business owners have about “just having a profile”
• What Google looks for when deciding who shows up first
• The verification challenges many businesses face — especially with locations, addresses, and compliance — and how Rank Rise helps them navigate the process
• How Lauren built scalable systems to manage clients nationwide
• Why specialization allowed her business to explode faster than general digital marketing ever could

This episode is packed with insights every business owner needs to hear — whether you’re trying to grow your local presence, get more leads, or simply understand how Google and AI shape the modern business landscape.

If you’ve ever wondered why your business doesn’t show up when customers search for what you offer, or if you’ve been frustrated with Google’s verification process, this conversation will connect the dots.