Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
In this episode, you explore how Ryan Budds built a thriving entertainment business built on trivia nights, comedy, karaoke, and live event hosting. From starting as a stand-up comedian in Chicago and hosting his first trivia show for $75, to scaling into multiple states and growing his podcast to more than 2,200 episodes, Ryan shares the business mindset and creative strategy behind transforming a passion into a full-time profitable enterprise.
You learn how he leveraged comedy to make trivia unforgettable, why in-person charm still matters even in virtual spaces, and how long-term client loyalty led to growth across California and Tennessee. He discusses scaling without employees, personalizing events for unforgettable engagement, and the importance of building a network in your niche.
If you’re considering turning your hobby or creative talent into a business, this conversation offers insight, strategy, and inspiration backed by real-world experience.
Key Notes
- Stand-up comedy sparked the path to trivia hosting
- Scaling happened slowly through experience and loyalty to venues
- Trivia regulars were the best hires, not actors or comedians
- Podcasting became a visibility engine, generating bookings and sponsorship
- Personal touches and custom content set shows apart
- You can grow into full-time hosting without employees
- Virtual trivia works best when group size allows interaction
- Building industry connections accelerates growth and ideas
Links
Website www.triviawithbudds.com
Instagram.com/ryanbudds
Facebook.com/ryanbudds
Facebook.com/triviawithbudds
Offer
First listener to email with subject Free Show receives a free 30-minute virtual event (trivia, bingo, or game show)
Meet Ryan
Ryan Budds is a comedian, trivia host, TV
producer, and actor who has hosted over 10,000
in-person trivia events and comedy shows in LA
and Chicago since 2006 and over 1,000 virtual
trivia, bingo, and game shows since March 2020.
He’s hosted trivia for the cast of Ted Lasso, Family
Guy, & even Harrison Ford! Before starting his
hosting biz, Budds worked as a segment producer
for Super Jacket Productions and Rob Dyrdek’s
Ridiculousness on MTV and also appeared in the
first Sharknado movie. He’s also appeared in other
crazy movies like Airplane VS. Volcano, Jurassic
Planet, and Snake Outta Compton, just to name a
few of the more ridiculous titles. On TV, he’s been
on Beverly Hills Pawn, How I Met Your Mother,
and FOX’s Laughs.
If you’ve been to other trivia nights, you’ll always
remember the questions but it’s rare that you
recall the host. Budds is great at getting to know
you on the fly, and your friends and family will dig
his group games, jokes, and challenges. In
addition to hosting trivia, Budds can run engaging
raffles for your fundraiser, customize questions for
your occasion, and even officiate your wedding
(he’s done ten+ of them!) If you’re looking for a
flexible host, you’ve just found him.
