From $10 Plates to a City Staple: The Rise of Hanks and the Hustle | The Real Room Ep 41

In this powerful episode of The Real Room, host Lacretia Mitchell sits down with Chris Day, the creator and owner of Hanks OKC, to unpack one of the most inspiring entrepreneurship stories in Oklahoma City. Chris shares how he went from selling $10 plates out of his trunk to building one of the most talked about food brands in the state. His journey is raw, real, and full of lessons about faith, family, sacrifice, and believing in yourself when no one else can see the vision. Chris opens up about growing up in Arkansas, moving to Oklahoma as a kid, watching his parents grind, finding his passion for cooking, and fighting the fear that held him back from stepping into his purpose. He shares never-before-heard stories about going viral, selling out turkey legs every weekend, creating the name Hanks, quitting his job after eight years, and building a family business that changed the trajectory of his life.This episode is a blueprint for anyone chasing a dream. If you have ever felt stuck, overlooked, or afraid to take the leap, Chris’s story will remind you that anybody can build something meaningful when they stay focused, stay humble, and keep grinding.In this episode you will hear about:• Growing up in a small Arkansas town and moving to OKC• Watching his parents work and the impact of seeing both struggle and growth• Discovering cooking as a kid and learning from family• Selling dirty rice, fried chicken, and cookies before Hanks existed• The viral video that changed everything• Running from success and learning to accept purpose• Quitting a stable government job to bet on himself• Launching Hanks, building a brand, and serving the city• Keeping his family involved and building a legacy for his daughters• Navigating hate, social media narratives, and the pressure of being a public figure• The importance of genuine friendships and community among OKC business owners• Advice for entrepreneurs who feel stuck, tired, or unsure• What is coming next for Hanks 2.0 and his new food truck conceptIf you are a creator, entrepreneur, parent, dreamer, or someone who loves Oklahoma City food culture, this episode will push you, challenge you, and inspire you.Watch more episodes of The Real Room for real conversations about community, purpose, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.#TheRealRoomPodcast #LacretiaMitchell #HanksOKC #ChrisDay #OklahomaCity #OKCFood #BlackEntrepreneurship #SmallBusinessStory #OklahomaEntrepreneurs #FoodTruckCulture #OKCRestaurants #FaithAndBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #StartupJourney #LocalBusinessSpotlight #FromTheMud #PurposeDrivenLife #CommunityBuilders #InspiringStories