Les McCurdy wasn’t born funny. But he’s learned a lot about the business of being funny in nearly 40 years of running a comedy club. McCurdy’s, in downtown Sarasota, draws acts and standup comedians from across the world and, despite being in a mid-size market, has national notoriety for being a top tier comedy club. On this episode Les talks about his origin story and how he has been successful in a cutthroat, tight-margin. (The key: inventory management.) He also talked about overcoming setbacks (bombs while performing) and who his favorite comedians are.
3 Takeaways:
- (13:40) Stick with it and good things will happen
- (25:00) Inventory control is key
- (27:00) Small changes lead to big changes
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!
(00:25) Introducing Les McCurdy, Founder of McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre
(02:20) Rapid fire questions
(05:15) How Les got into the comedy business
(08:20) Discovering comedy in Boulder
(12:05) Moving to Tampa to become a comic
(17:15) Opening McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre
(20:10) Overcoming setbacks
(25:20) Learning to be a more efficient business owner
(30:30) What is happening in 2025?
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Cold Case Files: Miami
Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides. Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.