Motivation: From humble beginnings to building a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire.
Daily Inspiration: The Steve Harvey Morning Show
iHeartPodcasts
4.8 • 2.3K Ratings
🗓️ 14 October 2025
⏱️ 29 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Derrick "D" Hayes.
Founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, about entrepreneurship, generational wealth, and community building.
🔑 Key Themes & Highlights
Building Generational Wealth
- Hayes emphasized the importance of financial literacy and ownership in creating lasting wealth.
- He shared his journey from humble beginnings to building a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire.
Overcoming Challenges & Second Chances
- Hayes revealed that he once faced legal troubles, but a dismissed case gave him a second chance.
- He used that opportunity to turn his life around and pursue entrepreneurship.
The Story Behind Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks
- Hayes started his business in a small gas station in Atlanta, eventually expanding into a nationally recognized brand.
- He credits his grandfather’s cooking lessons for inspiring his passion for food.
Community Impact & Business Growth
- Hayes is committed to giving back to underserved communities, offering mentorship and business opportunities.
- He discussed how Black entrepreneurs can break barriers in the food industry.
📘 About Derrick Hayes
Derrick Hayes is a self-made entrepreneur who built Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks into a thriving restaurant chain. His story is one of resilience, second chances, and financial empowerment.
#AMI
#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is an IHeart podcast. |
| 0:04.6 | Hi, I'm Roshan McDonnell. |
| 0:06.4 | I host the weekly Money Making Conversation Masterclass show. |
| 0:09.4 | The interviews and information that this show provides are for everyone. |
| 0:12.9 | It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start living your own. |
| 0:17.3 | If you want to be a guest on my show, please visit our website, Moneymakingconversations.com, |
| 0:23.5 | and click the be a guest button. Press submit and the information will come directly to me. |
| 0:28.7 | Now, let's get this show started. Welcome to Money Making Conversation Masterclass. I am your host, |
| 0:34.0 | Rishon MacDonald. I recognize that we all have different definitions of success for you. |
| 0:38.4 | It may be the size of your paycheck. Mine is inspiring people to accomplish their goals and live |
| 0:42.8 | their very best life. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and really start |
| 0:47.5 | writing your own. People always talk about your purpose or gift. If you have a gift, |
| 0:51.8 | lead with your gift. And don't let your friends, family, or |
| 0:54.5 | coworkers stop you from planning or living your dreams. My guest today is Derek D. Hayes. He was |
| 1:00.6 | recently featured on the cover of Essence magazine. His vision for his restaurant, Big Dave's |
| 1:05.5 | cheesecake, beginning in 2014 as he aimed to merge his passion for community, food, and business. |
| 1:11.1 | And roughly 750 square food, shell gas station at Dunwoody, Georgia, since 2016 has |
| 1:17.5 | generated nationally-longed-bakedaise cheesecake. If you've not been there, I recommend |
| 1:22.9 | you go there. He's right down the street from my business, my staff, they need to have stock in |
| 1:28.7 | his business. That's how much they go there. A thriving cheesecake empire with store and mobile |
| 1:33.0 | locations all across Metro Atlanta. Hayes is also the founder of Dave and Derek Hayes Foundation |
| 1:38.0 | and co-owner of Vegan Cheesecake Concept Dinkies with slutty Vegan Atlanta CEO and vegan |
... |
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