If you’ve been following this newsletter for any amount of time you’ve seen example after example of regular folks just like you making a great full time income with hot dog carts. But how exactly did these folks get their start?
One of the hardest things to get your head around is the start up phase. You work a full time J.O.B. (Just Over Broke), so how do you get your cart business going?
Should you just quit and jump right in full time? That’s certainly one option especially if you have a few months of living expenses saved up, or if you work 2nd or 3rd shift and have your days free.
A better option is to start by running your hot dog cart as a side business. This allows you to gain experience and start getting your brand established in the community. You will learn what works and what doesn’t, where the best locations are, and most importantly you’ll begin making those all important contacts with local business owners – possible commissary and vending site partners.
Here is my top 20 list of part time gigs:
- Store grand openings
- Auto dealerships
- Catering gigs
- Birthday parties (especially lucrative with the party profit multiplier tips in my book)
- Craft shows
- Car shows
- Gun shows
- Motorcycle shows
- Cruise nights
- Saturday in the park
- Boat landings
- Golf courses
- Little league games
- Soccer games
- Football games
- Art festivals
- Concerts
- Marathons
- Bicycle races
- Air shows
Keep all of your profits in your business bank account and start building that cushion, because in a short time you will have enough experience, brand recognition in the community, and the right partnerships established to go full time. You can fire your boss, stop getting up at 5 am, and finally strike out on your own like you’ve dreamed of for years (decades?).
One morning in the near future you will walk to the trash can and gently, respectfully drop your trusty but no longer necessary alarm clock next to the empty champagne bottle. You’re free.
Congratulations!
– Steve
Want to get started today? I’ll help you personally, every step of the way. Click Here.
Steve,
Great ideas here.
Thank you,
Tom Rodenkirch
Thanks for the idea’s. That looks like the way I am going to need to go and the list gives me some direction.
Thank you for the top twenty list. I plan to launch my hot dog stand in the spring of 2010. I am always fear of the unknown but this certainly helps me and points me in the right direction!
Greg,
I’ve got good news – this isn’t the unknown! Thousands of people have already been successful. You will be too!
Steve, We just have to tell you…
We purchased “one of the other” hot dog cart books before we found you. We stumbled onto your course later, signed up to get email, and we look so forward to reading anything you send our way. The other guy that got our hard earned dollars, we’ve never heard from again.
We just had to tell you thank you, and we will be buying your course soon.
Steve,
How do you price events like Store grand openings, Auto dealerships, and Birthday parties ? Do you cover this in your book?
Thanks,
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Catering gigs and parties are fundamentally different from store grand openings and auto dealership promos. They are two entirely different animals, hence there are two very different ways to price these events. I explain both ways in the book.
P.S. I’ve always wanted to use “hence” in a sentence. Check that off my list…
– Steve
I have been a Hot Dog Vendor for 4 years. When I first began it was a bit intimidating. I wanted to do it right, so I took the “.”Safe Serve Course” at the local Health Dept. This course certifies you as a Food Manager (re: Restaurant).
Each time I am inspected by the Health Dept.for an event, (they know me now..lol) they see the Safe Serve Cert. and the inspection runs smooth. The information in the work book as well as the information given by the Sanitarian, put it all in perspective. I recommend anyone beginning in the Hot Dog Vending Business, take this course. It is located in the Environmental
Health,Div. of the Health Dept.
Before purchasing a Cart, check with your local Health Dept. as to the requirements needed on the cart. In MI, the cart has to be NSF and also,3
sinks are required. (Wash, Rinse and Sanitize)(This varies state to state) I believe in FL 4 sinks are required, the additional one for hand washing. Before buying Steve’s Book, I had spent alot of $ trying to gather information, on start up, costs, taxes etc. Steve’s is the most detailed and answers all of the questions. When in doubt………email Steve. I and my husband are retired (1 year) The Hot Dog Business gives us the much needed additional money. It’s hard work, but if you love people…..this is the business for you.
Steve,
Great info, I’m glad I found your site, I’ve recently been told that my company will be closing on March 31st, I’ve always wanted to do the hot dog business and now this may be the perfect time to just “GO FOR IT”. I’ve been researching the health board for the Seattle market gathering the in’s and out’s. I’ve looked at a few carts online and I’m narrowing it down. I have to ask you or anyone else what do you prefer? A steamed dog, Grilled, Boiled, Fried what’s your take? I need great taste and quick prep time. I’m working on a great location out in front of a WalMart. I feel the foot traffic would be great on SAT/SUN. Got any advice.