Building a real business takes more than hustle — it takes patience, discipline, and the willingness to believe long before the results show up.
In this episode of *Right About Now,* Ryan Alford sits down with *Derrick Hayes,* founder and CEO of *Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks,* to break down what it _actually_ looks like to grow a business from nothing into a national brand.
Derrick shares how losing his father gave him purpose, why early failures selling Italian ice nearly ended the journey, and how patience — not hype — became the foundation of his success. From working out of a gas station with a broken fryer to franchising across the country, this conversation dives into the mindset shifts most entrepreneurs never make.
*In this episode, you’ll hear:*
* Why hustling without learning leads nowhere
* How patience compounds in business (the fishing analogy)
* The difference between being busy and being disciplined
* Why most people quit before results ever show up
* What it really takes to scale beyond yourself
* How identity, authenticity, and leadership fuel growth
If you’re building something — or thinking about starting — this episode is a reality check and a roadmap rolled into one.
*Keep up With Ryan and Derrick*
* 🌐 Learn more athttps://ryanisright.com
* 🎧 Subscribe to _Right About Now_ on YouTube & podcast platforms
* 📸 Follow *Ryan Alford* on social for clips and insights
* 🍽️ Discover *Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks* and Derrick Hayes’ journey nationwide
If this conversation resonated, *share it with someone building something of their own.*
