What’s up, everyone!
I’ve talked to a lot of founders over the years — but every once in a while, you meet someone who doesn’t just build a business… they become the business.
Sitting down with Derrick Hayes, founder of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, reminded me of something most people forget: success doesn’t show up loud at first. It shows up as long nights. Bad decisions. Empty days. And choosing to keep going when there’s zero proof it’s working.
Derrick didn’t start with investors, fancy kitchens, or a viral moment. He started selling Italian ice, then cheesesteaks out of a gas station, honoring a promise he made to his father. Fast forward — he’s now scaling a national brand, franchising locations, and redefining what fast casual can look like.
What stuck with me most wasn’t the growth — it was the mindset behind it.
🔥 Here’s What We Hit
🔥 Belief Has to Come Before Proof
What it means: You don’t get validation first. You earn it by showing up when nobody’s watching. Derrick compared it to fishing — you can’t see what’s under the water, but you still cast the line every day.
Your Move: Write down one goal you’ve been waiting on “proof” to pursue. Start anyway.
🧠 Hustle Without Knowledge Is Just Motion
What it means: Derrick calls it being a “hobby hustler.” Working hard isn’t enough — you have to learn the business behind the grind.
Your Move: Pick one area of your business you don’t fully understand (finance, operations, hiring). Commit to mastering it this quarter.
👥 You Can’t Scale Alone
What it means: Growth requires humility. Real leaders build teams that challenge them, not people who simply agree with them.
Your Move: Identify one role you’re holding onto out of control or comfort. Start planning how to delegate it.
🏀 Discipline Beats Motivation
What it means: The greats don’t rely on vibes. They rely on structure. Derrick compares entrepreneurship to training like an athlete — repetition, focus, and uncomfortable consistency.
Your Move: Create one non‑negotiable daily habit that directly moves your business forward.
🚀 Think Operator, Not Owner
What it means: Franchising taught Derrick that alignment matters more than capital. The right operators protect the brand. The wrong ones destroy it.
Your Move: If you’re growing, define your standards clearly — before you bring anyone new into your business.
🤝 Connect with Derrick Hayes
Derrick Hayes
Founder & CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks — one of the fastest‑growing fast‑casual brands in the country.
📸 Instagram (Brand): @bigdavescheesesteaks
📸 Instagram (Personal): @officialdhayes
So, What’s Next?
🎧 Listen to the full episode here
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Stay sharp, stay hungry, and let's reach that next level.
Cheers,
Ryan Alford
Host | Right About Now
CEO | The Radcast Network
