Motivation: Shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire.

Daily Inspiration: The Steve Harvey Morning Show

iHeartPodcasts

Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 2.2K Ratings

🗓️ 1 June 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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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.
0:04.0	The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States.
0:09.2	Recipients have done the improbable, the unexpected, showing immense bravery and sacrifice in the name of something much bigger than themselves.
0:17.8	This medal is for the men who went down that day.
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0:26.2	stories tell us about the nature of bravery.
0:29.0	Listen to Medal of Honor on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your
0:33.5	podcast.
0:34.5	A lot of times big economic forces show up in our lives in small ways.
0:39.7	Four days a week, I would buy two cups of banana pudding, but the price has gone up,
0:44.3	so now I only buy one.
0:46.4	Small but important ways.
0:48.3	From tech billionaires to the bond market to, yeah, banana pudding.
0:52.3	If it's happening in business, our new podcast is on it.
0:55.2	I'm Max Chaston.
0:56.5	And I'm Stacey Vanek-Smith.
0:58.3	So listen to everybody's business on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:04.7	You say you never give it into a meltdown.
1:08.3	Never let kids' toys take over the house and never fill your feed with kid photos.
1:17.9	You'd never plan your life around their schedule. Never lick your thumb to clean their face.
1:25.1	And you'd never let them leave the house looking like less than their best.
1:31.1	You say you'd never put a pacifier in your mouth to clean it.
	...

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