Selling hot dogs at the beach sounds like a dream job to most folks. Listen to how my guest Robin Delancy made it a reality.
After suffering through two years of unemployment and challenged by the rising cost of formal education, Robin was forced to think outside the box.
She emerged as a business owner and now spends her afternoons slingin’ hot dogs and pulled pork at a pristine lakeside location. Nice!
Life is good again for Robin. She is finally in control of her own destiny – and keeps all of the profits!
Let’s hear it for Robin in the comments and give her business some free publicity by clicking the “fShare” button at the left.
Enjoy the show!
-Steve
Hot Dog Cart Radio – Interview With Robin Delancy
Click the link below to listen online or right click to download the MP3.
Hot Dog Cart Radio – Interview With Robin Delancy
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
LIFE IS A BEACH!! way to go Robin.
Hang in there, my HOT DOG SISTER!! You go GIRL!
Thanks Steve! That was fun!
I have some unfortunate news at this point. I suffered a very bad skiing accident and due to upcoming surgery I will miss the early season. Lakeside Lunch will be opening later in the season this year…BUT IT WILL OPEN!!!
Glad you mentioned the music again. I will see about getting those tapes to you.
Thanks again, and thanks everyone for swapping notes here. Isn’t this a great site?
Hey Robin. Sorry to hear about your accident. Have you considered leasing your cart until you are well?
Outstanding, have fun!!!!
I have an awesome pulled pork recipe if you’re interested Robin? That way you can make it yourself when it’s not available in stores…
@Angie,
I’m too new at all this business stuff yet to know how to go about leasing. Seems to me that would make more work for me than I want to deal with right now.
@Rick and Vic,
I’d love the recipe, but here I’m not allowed to make anything at home. If it’s something I can whip up on the cart that would be great!
Robin, good luck with your surgery. I haven’t taken the BIG STEP yet, but I am working toward it.
Rick and Vic I am interested in your Pulled Pork recipe if you are willing to share.
Thank you.
Rhonda
Robin good luck and welcome to a very large fraternity. how true with finding right items to carry and condiments . dont forget ur tip jar. always listen to your customers.
@Rhonda,
GO FOR IT!!! You’ll have a blast!
@Larry and Nick,
I found that when I put out a tip jar, I didn’t get any tips. If I leave it up to them they throw it at me.
My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery Robin! You were a wonderful interviewee. (Is that a word?)
-Steve
Way to go Robin !! Sorry to hear about your accident. Best wishes & speedy recovery.
I’m glad your 1st season was a success !!
It gets better each year & it’s a lot of fun too !
Would love to stop by this summer. Where is your cart located? Great Job Steve !! Love it.
1st mate Jim.
Thanks Jim!
@Jim
Lake Waramaug in New Preston, CT. Are you also in CT?
@Steve,
We’ll make it a word! I like it.
And thanks all for the get well wishes. Looks like it could be a long haul, but I’ll be in the best of hands. I’ll be up and running soon, in more ways than one.
God bless.
Great job, Steve! Great story, Robin! I love stories like these, they are inspirational.
There was mention of tip jars. Steve, any ideas for a clever tip jar. I saw one with Buddha sitting in front of it, but couldn’t find one like it.
Get well soon Robin.
Robin, I am so glad for you getting the business going & so sorry to hear of the ski accident. I hope you get better soon & get going. Keep us posted. I am in Waterbury CT & would love to take a trip to try your food when you are back on your feet !
Rick & Vic, I too am interested in the pulled pork recipe if you would like to share.
Robin, you hit it right when you said, “Do you’re homework”. I’m 30 miles south of Ft.Worth, Texas. I live on the lake, no hotdog cart anywhere, come to find out, they will allow me 14 days out of the year , to sling dogs. I remember that story about the people vending out of their boat.Perfect set up, I thought.
Do you’re homework.
Steve, keep up the good work. There is a promising market out there with my name on it.
I am a”nubie”, I finished my cart build today. Hoping to get a decent photos cheap. Ready to announce to the world, Here I am.
I love the attitude of Robin and Steve. Good Luck .
Robin, get well soon. Brrrr. Winter mantra: “Spring is coming, spring is coming, spring is coming….”
Robin I am sorry to hear about your accident but excited about your location. That would be my dream site selling dogs on the lake or even more a beach. Not many beaches in Nashville but we do have a couple of lakes. Took my cart for inspection yesterday and got 99 score. I am excited now and looking for that niche location. Hope you recover quickly and back to your business. Good Luck!
Hey Robin,
Sorry to hear of your accident, I hope you feel better soon and back to slinging Dogs. Take care and maybe you can post some pictures of your set up? Have an awesome Spring.
John
Thanks for the story Steve!
Robin, loved the interview. Best of luck to you with your surgery. Hope you’re back to doggin’ soon!
Thanks for the interview, Steve. I love hearing other slinger’s stories and tips so much that I’ve listened to all of the interviews at least three times and pick up on something new every time. You’ll have another great year Robin. We can all be so luck to have a location like yours!
p.s. Way to work in “Whoopee John” Wilfahrt, Steve.
Dear Steve
I am a new hotdog vender .. I went to my local town hall for a list of events. Only to find out the other hotdog person locked all events for the year. Any suggestions of what extra events I could do?
Thanks
Hey Debbie,
Try doing private gigs. They are more laid back and fun, and you can make great money. Stuff like birthday parties, corporate events, store openings, promos, etc.
steve i know you get a lot of emails and you probably dont remember me, but i was the guy you sent a FREE book to when i was in IRAQ back in 2008/09, anyway, i live in southern CA and you know how stringent they are, well long story short i just came back from picking up my third cart tonight from Los Angeles. I worked for about one year when i got back and it got to the point i couldn’t afford to work anymore, dont get me wrong it has had it’s up’s and downs but i now have three carts in two different cities and am now pretty much debt free and have never been so happy and i just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. When things got hard i always thought about that friend you talked about watering his grass in the morning watching other people go to work and about how your free and he’s still there, well here’s another example of what you can accomplish if you can just wrap your mind around not getting a weekly paycheck, i did it and i feel anyone can, again thank you your the greatest. Kevin
Kevin,
Yes I remember you. I just published your inspirational story here.
Thanks for your service to our country!
-Steve