Author: Steve

Hey Slinger,

Just so you know I’m on vacation this week, hence no Monday newsletter.

However, I do like to run contests while I’m on the road so how about this one…

I’m thinking of taking another road trip sometime this fall but I’m not sure where to go. It would be pretty cool to come and meet you at your cart so let me know where you are located and tell me about your cart and your set up. Email me some pics if you have them.

If I end up coming to your cart I’ll take some pics and video of us together and I’ll publish a feature story about you in Hot Dog Cart News.

Sound like fun? Let me know where to point my hood ornament this fall in the comments and don’t forget to email me some pictures. A good set of pictures would go a long way in helping me decide.

Oh, and I’ve decided to extend my free Hot Dog Profits Premium membership offer for a while longer so if you think you missed out, you didn’t. Let me know if you want in, or just go to this page: http://hotdogprofitspremium.com/blowout

-Steve

P.S. I did this last year and met Marge of The Twisted Dawg in Michigan. Unfortunately schedule conflicts prevented me from making it up there this year 🙁  Sorry Marge! Click here to see the story and video. https://hotdogprofits.com/blog/marge-riveras-twisted-dawg-hot-dog-cart/

This is a seven Location Gig with an option on 12 more.

We posted this a while back but we still need more carts!!!

This is a seven location event in Austin, TX on Aug 2nd and 3rd.

If you own a single cart you can get a single location. If you own a fleet of carts you can claim more than one location.

The vendors that commit to these Austin gigs will also have first dibs on 12 more gigs in metro-Dallas in mid July.

Contact me if you want this gig and let me know how many locations you can service.

Thanks!

-Steve

 

Hey Steve,

Just thought I’d drop a line to update you on what is going on with the business.  As you know, I had decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my dreams and left my day job for slinging dogs on Ft. Hood. Let me say that I have made the right decision! 

I have been extremely busy with work on post along with my weekend markets and festivals!  I recently purchased a second cart but I’m having a hard time finding someone to man it for me. 

I am being sought out for different events, some overlapping each other on the same day.   People recognize the cart and logo and I am developing a strong following! 

I went back to carrying natural casing dogs and let me tell you, that was definitely the right choice! I’ve got troopers on post telling me that my dogs take them back home and how much they love my dogs!  The future definitely looks bright for me and Stevie’s Red Hot Wienies! 

By the way, I met a man a while back at an event in Gatesville and he took my business card.  Well, he works for the Red Cross on post and he called me last week and hired me for a gig to feed 500 wounded warriors!  He was impressed with my set up, my food and my personality! 

I can’t tell you how much I owe my success to you and what you have done for me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Thanks again for being a friend, a mentor and a brother from a different mother!

Your friend always,
Esteban Guzman
Stevie’s Red Hot Wienies

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that I had met someone who was having a hard time finding a job and her car was dyeing out on her. 

After thinking about her situation I told her that I had a small business and although I couldn’t pay her much she could at least make some money. She was very grateful and accepted my offer. 

I believe that things happen for a reason and I believe that God put her in my life and me in hers.  She is an excellent worker and I’m extremely happy to have her as an employee.  Now I have a dedicated cashier which frees me to concentrate on slinging dogs.   

Yes, things are definitely looking good for Stevie’s Red Hot Wienies! Thanks again my friend!

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Wow. I’m totally speechless. Well, not really but almost!

Hey Esteban,

I can remember talking to you on the phone a couple of years ago. You were thinking of getting into the hot dog biz and wanted to build your own cart.

You told me that you wanted to sell Chicago Dogs – a man after my own heart 😉

I also remember the pictures that you sent me as you were building your E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart in your yard, and the video of you making Chicago Dogs in your kitchen and taste testing them on your nephew.

After you got rolling you sent me one of your super cool tee shirts. I still have it.

Now you’re in the majors – a full time slinger. It’s so cool to see how far you have come my friend.

Let’s hear it in the comments for Stevie and his Red Hot Weenies!

-Steve

P.S. How about them Blackhawks?!!!

We’ve done this a couple of times before and it’s always really fun…

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Hi Steve,

I have been a long time follower. I had a hot dog cart in PA for 3 years and moved back to OH last November (2012). By the way I sold the cart and contacts at a considerable profit.

I am working at a golf course for now but guess what I miss the hot dog business. My old business was named DogGoneDog but I want a new name.

I am looking for something fun to name my new business…..am hoping your readers can help.

Thank you for all that you do.

Tammy

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All-righty slingers, the challenge is on. Put on your thinking caps and let’s hear some hot dog cart business names!

-Steve

It Took The Combined Resources of Three Companies
– Click Here For Our Biggest Giveaway Ever –

In June 1776, as Thomas Jefferson composed a draft of the Declaration of Independence from a second floor parlor of a bricklayer’s house in Philadelphia, the largest invasion force in British military history was headed for New York Harbor. By the time the last of the fifty-six signers had affixed their names to the final, edited document months later, an invading force of British soldiers had landed at Staten Island, the British had taken New York City, and the American patriots had committed themselves to a long and bloody struggle for liberty and independence.

The Declaration announced to the world the separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States of America. It explained the causes of this radical move with a long list of charges against the King. In justifying the Revolution, it asserted a universal truth about human rights in words that have inspired downtrodden people through the ages and throughout the world to rise up against their oppressors.

Jefferson was not aiming at originality. The Declaration articulates the highest ideals of the Revolution, beliefs in liberty, equality, and the right to self-determination. Americans embraced a view of the world in which a person’s position was determined, not by birth, rank, or title, but by talent, ability, and enterprise. It was a widely held view, circulated in newspapers, pamphlets, sermons, and schoolbooks; but it was Thomas Jefferson, the 33-year-old planter from Virginia, who put the immortal words to it.

On July 4, 1776, Congress completed its editing of the document and formally adopted the Declaration; on July 19, Congress ordered that a formal copy of the Declaration be prepared for members to sign; and on August 2, the final parchment–the one presently displayed in the nearby case–was presented to Congress and the signing began.

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Happy Independence Day to all my hot dog slingers – past, current, and future. I know of no other profession which offer so much freedom, satisfaction, and true independence.

In the capitalist tradition that has made the USA the most prosperous country on earth, I’ve partnered with two other businesses to  make you the sweetest offer we’ve ever made in the history of our company. Click here to view this deal.

May God bless you all and may He preserve this great country, the United States of America!

-Steve

Dear Steve,

I think it’s all finally coming together!

Aside from the rain being a killer in opportunity to get out there, business is exceptional. If I could just get out there more often and the weather would change for the better, I’d be rolling in it by now. Twice now in the last week I’ve had people come in and buy over $50 worth of take-outs by themselves. Large groups are coming in to have lunch and with the beach open it all happens at once. I actually ran out of pulled pork yesterday and had to send my brother home to get another pack.

Now get this; we are located in the parking lot on the town’s private beach. Everyday they put up a sign that says beach patrons only; NOT for biking or running. My cart is the exception, but out of towners don’t know that. A bunch of motorcycles came in yesterday and asked if they could just stop and rest for a minute and stretch their legs. Thinking quickly, I seized the opportunity and told them that I didn’t think anyone would bother them, but if they said they were customers no one would bother them at all.

So one said, OK, we’re customers. He said that at first just to get around it, but having second thoughts, they all started looking over my menu. Then the leader of the pack said, Yeah, we’re customers, lets go buy something from this nice young lady. So they bought a bunch of hot dogs, candy, drinks, chips, etc. I got a few good bucks on that one.

And my first customer of the day came in and bought over $50 worth of take-out by himself! Last week I had a lady come by and do the same thing to take to a get-together at her lake house, and then came back for seconds! She stood in the lot RAVING about my chili dogs and pulled pork and told my present customers they HAD to try it!

Regarding my competition down the road, I’ve been told we are in a class by ourselves and there’s no comparison.

My local meteorologist told me it’s just a pattern we’re in right now, regarding the rain, but things will change on Wed. as high pressure moves in.

Pray for dry for a while here in the Northeast. We need it!

Robin/Lakeside Lunch

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Good for you Robin! I think YOU are the leader of the pack 😉

Let’s hear it for Robin in the comments!

-Steve

Here are some of the questions that came in from Hot Dog Profits Premium members over the weekend. Also a fun tool you can play with to see if the free website name you want is available.

E-Z Built Video – Metal Secrets Part 2
Steve, Glad to be here as a Premium member. I will eventually build a metal cart as I think it looks great but first I am going to build a basic wood one. Looking forward to watching the rest of the video’s and learning all that you have pioneered for the rest of us.
Dave

Sounds like a good plan Dave. You can always cover your cart with metal at a later date as shown in the Metal Secrets videos. The wood construction method that we teach in the videos is actually stronger and much tougher than if you were to build your food cart purely from metal.

Our E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart Videos show you how to build a cart using the same construction methods that airplane builders used in the golden age of aviation. The cart is built on a light wooden frame and covered with thin plywood.

It is not only screwed together, it is glued together as well. The result is an extremely light, extremely stiff, dent proof structure that will never come apart. You can build it for around $800 in commonly available hardware store parts, even less if you don’t need a hot water hand washing system.

I’m still using the exact cart that you see me build in the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart construction videos inside Hot Dog Profits Premium. I sell hot dogs from it every week in my own hot dog vending business. It’s several years old and it looks like brand new. I didn’t cover mine in metal because I prefer a brightly colored painted finish that attracts attention from a long way off.

Leasing Guide Book
Where do I find where to lease carts from. I am starting my hot dog business in Charlotte, North Carolina! Thank you!
Shelton

Contact the manufacturer of the cart you want. They usually have relationships with financing companies.

Be sure to not only read the book but listen to the included audio interview with one of the giants of the food cart leasing industry. You’ll hear insider tips that you can’t get anywhere else.

Carts of Cash Chapter Five – Special Events
“…We put a LOT of hard work into this package….”

Steve, that’s one of the most spectacular understatements I’ve ever seen. I’ve been reading up on hot dog vending for some months now, and the wealth of material you’ve presented even in just these first few chapters is astonishing. Thanks so much!\
Tim

Thanks Tim. I’m glad you’re here and that you are finding your Hot Dog Profits Premium Membership to be everything you expected and more! Let me know how I can help you.

E-Z Built Bill of Materials
Hi Steve,
I’m pricing items on the list now, and have found the 7 gal water jug @ Walmart, but not the 6. Is it okay to use a 5 gal?
Nicole

Yes. Most of the health codes (always check your local code to be sure) stipulate that the waste water tank must be 15% larger than the fresh water tank. This is to prevent overflowing the waste water tank.

E-Z Built Video 37 – Water Tower Prep
When you’re filling the water tank, how do you know when you’ve reached “full”? Seems it would be pretty easy to over- or underfill.

When you are filling your fresh water tank, keep an eye on the vent tube that comes out near the sink.

When water runs out of the vent tube you’ll know your tank is full.

It’s also a good idea to “shock” the tank every once in a while by adding a couple cap fulls of bleach to the full water tank. Let it sit for a half hour then drain. Then flush the system by running a tank full of fresh water through it.

-Steve

Hi Steve, just thought I would drop you a few pics of our recent gig.

This is spring fling at the local High School, they asked us to come at the last minute because something happened to their regular vendor. They said they didn’t care what I bring just get there.

I dug into my bag of magic tricks and took the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart, Lemonade Stand and Dip & Dot ice cream stand. It went over so well the principle asked me if I could take all the stands down to the football field that night for the powder puff game. That I was not expecting.

Needless to say by 11.00pm I was “dog” tired.

I have been told that the old vendor is now out and we’re in from now on.

Here is little bit of advice I can give anyone that wants to tackle a high school event. If the principle tells you these are only kids, they don’t have much money to spend… BULL@#*% ! These kids have more money in their pockets than all the teachers combined. And will spend every last penny of it.

Kenny, Hot Dog Express