In this episode of the Stay Broke Podcast, we sit down with Joshua Donahue, co-owner of Audrey’s Barkyard in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Joshua shares his story of growing up in a working-class household, moving multiple times as a kid, and learning work ethic early by watching his father build a career in landscaping. After settling in North Carolina, Joshua took the traditional route—starting at the bottom of a corporate company and working his way up the ladder—before making the difficult decision to walk away from security to chase something of his own.

That leap led to the creation of Audrey’s Barkyard. Joshua breaks down why he and his wife chose to leave Wilmington and plant roots in Wake Forest, how market research shaped that decision, and what it takes to build a care-based business people trust with their family.

We dive into trust as a business strategy, scaling without losing quality, hiring in a care-driven industry, social media transparency, and the hard lessons that come with turning passion into a real, sustainable company.

This episode is a must-listen for service-based business owners, entrepreneurs considering leaving corporate life, and anyone trying to grow without losing their values.