68: How Slim & Husky’s Built a Multi-City Pizza Empire

What does it really take to build a business that lasts with the people you grew up with? In this powerful episode of Let’s Thrive Together, Brittany N. Cole sits down with the founders of Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria to unpack the real story behind one of the most celebrated Black-owned restaurant brands in the country. From childhood friends in North Nashville to building a multi-city restaurant empire, Clint Gray, Derrick Moore, and Emanuel Reed share how brotherhood, resilience, and intentional leadership shaped their entrepreneurial journey. The conversation goes far beyond pizza. They explore what it means to build a company rooted in community, culture, and ownership while navigating the pressures of rapid growth. They also discuss the importance of alignment among co-founders, the discipline required to scale a business, and why staying grounded in your values is the only way to sustain long-term success. You will also hear how Slim & Husky’s team turned obstacles into opportunities, how they make high-stakes decisions as partners, and why building something meaningful for the next generation is at the center of everything they do. This episode is a must-listen for founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to understand what it really takes to grow a business with integrity, partnership, and purpose. KEY POINTS: - The origin story of Slim & Husky’s from childhood friendship into a business partnership - Why alignment among co-founders is critical for long-term business success - The discipline required to scale a brand while protecting its culture - How Slim & Husky’s built a community-driven brand that resonates nationally - The importance of values-based leadership in entrepreneurship - How the founders make difficult decisions together as partners - Why entrepreneurship requires both resilience and patience - The role of community investment in building sustainable businesses - Lessons learned from scaling a fast-growing restaurant brand - How founders balance ambition with long-term vision QUOTES: “You can build a business, but if the foundation isn’t right, it will not last.” “The dream was never just about pizza. It was about ownership.” “When you build with people you trust, you move differently.” “We wanted to create something that our community could be proud of.” “Growth means nothing if you lose the culture that built you.” “Entrepreneurship will test your patience and your character.” Slim and Husky’s Pizza Beeria Website: slimandhuskys.com Instagram: @slimandhuskys RESOURCES Take the Leadership Brand Score Assessment How strong is your leadership brand? Take this free 3-minute assessment and get an instant score on your impact, your visibility, and the gap between the two. That gap is where your influence and your income are hiding. → scoremyleadershipbrand.com Join Leadership Brand Class Every Tuesday, Brittany teaches a free live class on leadership branding, helping you close the gap between the impact you're making and how visible that impact actually is. Whether you're an executive, entrepreneur, or emerging leader, this class will change how you think about your leadership. → leadershipbrandclass.com Love what you’re hearing? Follow Brittany N. Cole & The Career Thrivers Podcast to share the love! Work with Brittany at Career Thrivers IG | @CareerThrivers Brittany N. Cole IG | @BrittanyNCole LinkedIn | @BrittanyNCole Let’s Thrive Together is produced by EPYC Media Network