How do you start a distillery or whiskey business from scratch?

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, Randy Kerr sits down with Brandon McCraney, founder of Olde Raleigh Distillery.

Brandon shares how his four years as an Air Force officer shaped his leadership philosophy, what he learned from senior officers about discipline and decision-making, and how climbing the corporate ladder ultimately led him to realize it wasn’t the life he wanted.

In SBP #25, Brandon McCraney, founder of Olde Raleigh Distillery, shares the real story behind launching a craft bourbon and whiskey brand. This is not a highlight reel. It is a conversation about startup risk, alcohol regulations, cash flow pressure, loan rejections, and what it actually takes to build a product-based business in a highly regulated industry.

Brandon walks through his journey from serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force to climbing the corporate ladder, losing a VP promotion, and deciding to start a distillery. What followed was years of planning, navigating ABC laws, securing funding, opening a bar and tasting room during COVID, and building a whiskey brand without private equity backing.

In this episode, we cover:

1. How to start a distillery and understand alcohol regulations
2. Startup costs and the reality of small business loans
3. Risk, 401k decisions, and entrepreneurial mindset
4. Blending vs distilling and scaling a craft bourbon brand
5. Marketing a bar and distillery through community and organic growth
6. Distribution challenges across multiple states
7. The difference between whiskey and bourbon

We also discuss leadership lessons from a 3-star general, why entrepreneurship is not for everyone, and how to define success beyond revenue.

If you are building a startup, launching a product-based business, opening a bar, or exploring the whiskey and bourbon industry, this episode offers practical insight from someone who earned it the hard way.

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Joshua Donahue, co-owner of Audrey’s Barkyard in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Joshua shares his story of growing up in a working-class household, moving multiple times as a kid, and learning work ethic early by watching his father build a career in landscaping. After settling in North Carolina, Joshua took the traditional route—starting at the bottom of a corporate company and working his way up the ladder—before making the difficult decision to walk away from security to chase something of his own.

That leap led to the creation of Audrey’s Barkyard. Joshua breaks down why he and his wife chose to leave Wilmington and plant roots in Wake Forest, how market research shaped that decision, and what it takes to build a care-based business people trust with their family.

We dive into trust as a business strategy, scaling without losing quality, hiring in a care-driven industry, social media transparency, and the hard lessons that come with turning passion into a real, sustainable company.

This episode is a must-listen for service-based business owners, entrepreneurs considering leaving corporate life, and anyone trying to grow without losing their values.

In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Jessica Daniels Harrison, Mayor of Zebulon, North Carolina, for an honest, non-political conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and growth.

Jessica shares her real journey into business ownership — including starting a business before she was ready, becoming overwhelmed, and making the difficult decision to step away for several years. She explains how that pause helped her gain the skills, confidence, and systems needed to come back stronger.

Today, Jessica runs a thriving coaching and consulting business focused on nonprofit and organizational leadership, which also helps subsidize the reality of serving as mayor in a small town. We also talk about the nonprofit she and her husband run together, their work supporting families and relationships, and the book they co-authored to extend that mission.

This episode is about preparation, humility, sustainable income, and what it really takes to serve others while still building a life and career that works.

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.