📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

How Stand-Up Comedian Tom Papa Went From Joke Slinger to Food Network Baking Expert Listen in as the comedy veteran explains how he pivoted from nightclub performer to baking authority.

By Patrick Carone

entrepreneur daily
Courtesy Tom Papa

On this episode of How Success Happens, we chat with Tom Papa, stand-up comedian and Food Network host.

For over 25 years, Tom Papa has been standing up on an empty stage with only a stool and a microphone. His job? To make a room full of strangers laugh their butts off. For a stand up comedian, every performance is a risk, and to find success for over two decades is an incredible accomplishment. For Papa, however, this wasn't enough.

Related: 11 Habits of Truly Happy People

Besides being Head Writer and a regular performer for Live From Here, the newest incarnation of the legendary radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, and releasing his first book, Your Dad Stole My Rake, this summer, Papa premiered his own Food Network TV series, Baked, in September. On the show, Papa visits iconic bakeries around the country to talk to the bakers and learn from their wisdom.

Related: How to Start a Restaurant

How did he pivot from nightclub performer to baking authority? It all started with a wild yeast sourdough starter.

Check out the full conversation below and find more episodes of How Success Happens here.

Patrick Carone

Entrepreneur Staff

Special Projects Director

Patrick Carone covers all aspects of entrepreneurship, specializing in the automotive, entertainment, hospitality, spirits and cannabis industries.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

These Coworkers-Turned-Friends Started a Side Hustle on Amazon — Now It's a 'Full Hustle' Earning Over $20 Million a Year: 'Jump in With Both Feet'

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

Business News

These Are the 10 Most Profitable Cities for Airbnb Hosts, According to a New Report

Here's where Airbnb property owners and hosts are making the most money.

Business News

Samsung's New Ad Pokes Fun at Apple's Controversial 'Crush' Ad

Creative universes overlap in a new ad from Samsung.

Starting a Business

This Couple Turned Their Startup Into a $150 Million Food Delivery Company. Here's What They Did Early On to Make It Happen.

Selling only online to your customers has many perks. But the founders of Little Spoon want you to know four things if you want to see accelerated growth.

Productivity

Want to Be More Productive? Here's How Google Executives Structure Their Schedules

These five tactics from inside Google will help you focus and protect your time.