Next Rung Radio
Welcome to Next Rung Radio Podcast, where each episode is a rung on the ladder to your highest self. Hosted by multi-hyphenate creator and seven-figure entrepreneur Ron Creech, this is more than just a podcast, it’s a raw, real, and radically honest journey into the principles that elevate mind, voice, and vision.
From starting with nothing but a dream and $20 in his pocket to building multiple thriving businesses, Ron brings you the mindset and tools that changed his life—and will change yours.
Sometimes it's just Ron, dropping unfiltered wisdom from the trenches. Other times, he's joined by some of the most powerful and unique voices in the world: artists, thought leaders, visionaries, and warriors of the climb - each sharing how they’ve applied the six principles of faith, imagination, intuition, will, memory, reasoning, and perception to reach their next rung.
This is the show for the bold thinkers, the resilient dreamers, relentless climbers and faith driven leaders. If you're ready to break through limiting beliefs, embrace the climb, and unlock your next level, you just found your tribe that helps you step into your power one rung at a time.
Next stop: Your Next Rung.
Next Rung Radio
Built on Smoke & Grit - Featuring Owner of Honeyfire BBQ Ben Claybaker
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
What does it take to turn a backyard smoker into one of Nashville’s most recognized barbecue brands?
In this episode of Next Rung Radio, Ron Creech sits down with entrepreneur and HoneyFire BBQ founder Ben Claybakerto discuss the real story behind building a thriving restaurant business from the ground up.
From working at a small-town barbecue restaurant in Arkansas to opening multiple locations across Nashville, Ben shares the lessons, failures, risks, and victories that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. He opens up about surviving COVID, building company culture, leading teams, knowing your numbers, and why hospitality is still the foundation of everything he does.
Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone chasing a dream, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and hard-earned lessons that can help you climb your next rung.
Key Takeaways
• Hospitality is about serving people, not just selling products
• Great culture must be built intentionally and protected daily
• Entrepreneurs must know their numbers inside and out
• Success comes from calculated risks, not reckless ones
• The right team can transform a business
Episode Highlights
• Ben's first job at a barbecue restaurant in Arkansas
• Turning a passion for hospitality into a thriving brand
• How HoneyFire survived and adapted during COVID
• The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make
• Building a winning company culture
• Why hiring and firing both matter
• Opening HoneyFire's newest Brentwood location
• Lessons learned from multiple business ventures
• The importance of knowing your financial numbers
• How family recipes became part of the HoneyFire story
To learn more about Ben Claybaker Pleas Visit https://honeyfire.com/