Market Mondays Ep. 289 — Emotional Investor Lessons, Top Crypto/AI Stocks, and Business Blueprint with Derrick Hayes

Podcast: Market Mondays (EYL Network)
Hosts: Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, Ian Dunlap
Guest: Derrick Hayes (Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks)
Air Date: December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a packed exploration of investment strategy, the realities of entrepreneurship, and the importance of emotional discipline in building wealth. The trio—Rashad, Troy, and Ian—dive deep into mistakes new investors make, the best crypto/AI stock plays right now, and insights from superstar entrepreneur Derrick Hayes, founder of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, on creating and scaling a fast-casual franchise.

1. Emotional Lessons for Investors & Building Wealth (07:51–17:32)

Key Takeaways

• Get Rich Slow: The hosts discuss the perennial allure of “fast wins” and meme stocks versus the proven strength of long-term, disciplined investing.
• Discipline and Research: Chasing “the next big thing” or FOMO plays erodes discipline—consistent, focused investing in fundamentally strong companies wins.
• Self-reliance: “You shouldn’t have to rely on somebody else for entries and exits if you’ve already planned where to exit properly.” – Ian Dunlap (16:07)
• Notable Quote:
  “Warren Buffett said, ‘My philosophy is to get rich slow. And nobody wants to get rich slow.’” – Rashad Bilal (16:31)

“Chasing a fast win ends up usually leading to decay.” — Ian Dunlap (12:53)

2. Futures & Derivative Markets: Tools and Tips (08:35–10:51)

• Trading Tip: “You have to give your trades room to breathe...use your big targets on big days.” – Ian Dunlap (08:41)
• On Predictive Markets: Robinhood integrating sports wagering was equated to trading futures. The key takeaway: All derivative trading involves risk and understanding the tools/platform matters.

3. Ranking Crypto Stocks: COIN, MicroStrategy, IBIT (18:14–25:49)

• Criteria: Risk profile, business fundamentals, and direct exposure to Bitcoin’s price movement.
• Initial Rankings:
  • Ian: 1. Coinbase, 2. IBIT, 3. MicroStrategy
  • Rashad/Troy: 1. IBIT, 2. Coinbase, 3. MicroStrategy
• Notable Debate:
  “If you really believe in Bitcoin, I think you gotta invest in Bitcoin. I like Coinbase, but…IBIT’s backed by BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the history of civilization.” – Rashad Bilal (21:05)

“Michael Saylor's risk at MicroStrategy puts them last until that’s resolved.” — Ian Dunlap (19:33)

• On ICOs/Altcoins: The group largely favors Bitcoin and Ethereum, skeptical about others like XRP. “XRP has not done anything in the last decade...Why would you hope and pray for big gains 25 years from now?” — Rashad Bilal (24:47)

4. Investing Discipline in Tech: Tesla, Oracle, & AI Memory (29:58–49:34)

Tesla & Elon Musk (29:58–33:53)

• Tesla Recovery: Stock rebounding near 52-week highs; focus on long-term growth in tech and autonomous vehicles.
• Notable Quote:
  “Do I like all his political leanings? No. But you have to give [Elon] credit—Tesla is here to stay.” – Ian Dunlap (30:55)

Oracle & The Cloud Debate (34:13–44:26)

• Is Oracle a Buy? Wait for more decline (around $160 preferred entry).
  “Cloud profitability is future-dated—building takes time, and margins are thin during investments.” – Troy Millings (36:05)
• Political Connections: Oracle’s rise is partly attributed to government contracts and Trump administration ties. “Would people be so pro-Oracle if he didn’t have Trump?” – Ian Dunlap (40:50)

Memory is the New AI Bottleneck (45:56–49:34)

• Broadcom Pullback: Investors spooked by margin warnings due to outsourcing some data center components.
• Key Sectors: Memory (Micron, Seagate, Western Digital) up 200% this year; memory bottlenecks may drive further gains in AI infrastructure.
• Big Advice: “You only need four stocks to get rich.” — Ian Dunlap (49:34)

5. Stock Picking and Brand Investing (53:31–58:24)

• Legacy Brands: Ralph Lauren’s stock point—understanding consumer loyalty and brand’s cultural staying power can inform investment outside tech.
• Retail as Ownership: “If you go to Ralph Lauren to buy clothes, you might want to be an owner too.” – Rashad Bilal (57:36)

6. Tax Planning and Year-End Money Moves for Entrepreneurs (58:27–60:51)

• Deduct now, benefit later: Pay invoices before year-end for tax advantages. “If you know you’re going to pay these people, it’s probably beneficial to pay them now…to get the tax deduction.” – Rashad Bilal (58:27)
• Offset gains with losses: “If you have a loss, you can carry that over for three years to offset gains.” – Troy Millings (59:29)

7. Leverage ETFs: Useful Tool or Portfolio Destroyer? (61:14–65:24)

• Explanation: Leveraged ETFs (e.g., NVDL, AMDL) multiply gains and losses (2x/3x exposure).
• Caution: Not for the undisciplined—timing and strong risk management required. “You don’t need to start off doing triple levered—it’s about timing.” – Ian Dunlap (62:59)
• Strategy: Only after building a solid base of quality stocks, consider leverage sparingly.

8. Quantum Computing: Best Investment Angle (66:00–69:52)

• Winners: Stick with giants—IBM, Google, Microsoft.
  “I like IONQ, but it’s not going to beat Google or Microsoft in quantum.” – Ian Dunlap (66:15)
• Google as Hedge Fund:
  “Google might have the greatest investing record ever—over decades, they’ve turned every early bet into multi-billion returns.” – Troy Millings (67:49)
  • Android: $50M → $200B
  • YouTube: $1.65B → $300B
  • DeepMind: $500M → $100B
  • Stripe, SpaceX…etc.

9. Interview with Derrick Hayes — Building a Franchise Empire (72:15–108:52)

Derrick Hayes — Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Founder

9.1. Scaling a Franchise: Systems & Lessons (74:08–76:13)

• Systems Are Everything:
  “Not me, it’s we. I started first, but if you don’t do these things you’ll just be a repeated business…SOP manuals, hiring the right people, and getting out of your own way.” – [74:08]
• Bottom Line Discipline: Focus on cash flow/profitability beyond just top-line revenue.
• Hiring C-Suite: “First thing I’d do if I started over? Hire the right C-suites because it’s the introduction, the quality, and the brand that matter.” – Derek Hayes (78:56)

9.2. Building Franchisees: The Process (82:03–84:23)

• Selection: Favor operators with experience. Money alone doesn’t guarantee success.
• Training: Discovery Day, systems walkthrough, and ongoing support.
• Multi-location Push: Buying one store isn’t enough for franchisee success; aim for clusters to improve buying power and operational efficiency.
• Cost: $45K for a franchise, with pack discounts for multiple locations.

9.3. Why Franchise? Wealth, Legacy, & The Playbook (76:13–88:35)

• Chess, Not Checkers: Franchising allows scaling wealth and providing opportunities for others, especially within the Black community.
• Repeatable Culture: Customer experience, SOPs, and profit margins all drive long-term value.
• On Ownership: “Entrepreneurship is the only thing that can make you be the coach… Otherwise, you’re just playing the game.” – Derek Hayes (88:35)

9.4. Cash Flow, Scaling, & Emotional Discipline (90:49–94:27)

• Profit > Revenue: “Revenue is loud and cash flow is honest” (90:49)
• Avoiding Ego Traps: Don’t live through the business or drain it for appearances.
• Expansion: All about systems, quality, and scaling globally, not just in the U.S.

9.5. Culture & Legacy: Beyond the Food (95:22–100:58)

• Halal Move: “I’m not thinking just the USA—I’m thinking Middle East, global.”
• Community Impact: “I want to break generational curses; it’s not just about being the player, but the coach, the leader.”

Notable Quotes

“Vulnerability is the weakest point in business…In business, emotions kill you when you’re scaling.” — Derek Hayes (78:56)

“If it don’t weigh 6,700 pounds, you already lost anyway because you can’t write it off.” — Derek Hayes on business car deductions (106:11)

“Don’t raise capital when you need money, raise capital when you don’t.” — Derek Hayes (107:31)

10. Closing Notes & Rapid-fire Topics

• SPAC Craze’s Demise: Loopholes used to go public, most faded fast. “A lot of companies failed immediately after.” – Rashad (114:27)
• Nike & Micron Earnings Coming Up (113:02)
• Financial Reality: $250K annual income barely “enough” in many U.S. cities—necessitating continuous investment and wealth building.

Memorable Moments

• Derek Hayes’ humility and candor about the struggles and real systems needed for sustainable business.
• The team’s playful but data-driven debate about “best crypto stock.”
• Insightful breakdown by Troy of why memory (Micron, Seagate, etc.) is the AI bottleneck few are watching.
• Ian’s reminders to keep focused: “You only need FOUR stocks to get rich.”
• “Investor Die!” – Ian’s recurring call to action (112:24)

Useful Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Emotional investor lessons | 07:51–17:32 | | Futures/derivatives trading insights | 08:35–10:51 | | Crypto stocks debate (COIN/IBIT/MSTR) | 18:14–25:49 | | Tesla/Oracle/AI memory insights | 29:58–49:34 | | Brand investing & retail talk | 53:31–58:24 | | Year-end tax and money moves | 58:27–60:51 | | Leveraged ETFs explained (NVDL/AMDL) | 61:14–65:24 | | Quantum computing investment play | 66:00–69:52 | | Google’s investment record | 67:49–69:52 | | Interview: Derrick Hayes (Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks) | 72:15–108:52 | | SPAC/IPOs discussion & rapid-fire close | 114:12–end |

Tone & Style

The episode is energetic, direct, and occasionally playful—all while being brutally honest with the audience about the realities of investing, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building. The hosts and guest offer both technical knowledge and real-world, lived wisdom.

Bottom Line

This episode delivers a must-hear blend of investing reality checks, sector analysis, and business-building principles for anyone seeking wealth that lasts—especially those eager to avoid the hype and build on discipline, emotional intelligence, and legacy. Derrick Hayes’s segment, in particular, offers an authentic blueprint for scaling a franchise the right way.