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.