Sgt. Jeff Duncan is a friend of mine from Arizona. We have never met in person (yet) but in the course of doing some business together I have come to like and respect Sgt. D a whole heck of a lot. That’s him to the left.
He asked me recently about doing fundraisers with his hot dog biz. I thought my answers might interest all my slinger buddies here at HDCN.
Jeff writes…
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Hi Steve, It’s been a long time since I’ve talked with you but hope all is going well. The updated website looks great! Well Sunday was my last drill with the AZ National Guard. A date that I’ve been anxiously and patiently waiting for. I had to wait until I finished up with the military because it always took up so much of my free time. Now I can start slingin dogzz!
My question for you is how do fundraisers basically work? How does the vendor make his profit? I’m sure there are a number of different ways but what seems to be a good strategy for beginners? Thanks, Jeff D.
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Congratulations Jeff and many thanks for your service to our great country!
Break even on your product and lose money on your time. My philosophy on fundraisers is to use them not as a money maker but as a marketing opportunity. I usually donate 100 percent of my profits to the organization. I have a few different reasons for doing so.
First, it feels good. I think we were all put here to do what we can to help our fellow human beings. I’m not saying we should sell all our belongings and try to be the next Mother Theresa. What I am saying is that each of us was born with (or learned along the way) a particular talent or ability that not everyone else has. We use that ability to make money and support ourselves and our families but we should also use it to help others when we can.
We have the talent to sell food and make it an experience. We use that talent to make money and that is extremely rewarding. But it really feels good to use that talent every once in a while to help others. I think it is an actual need that we have – the need to give back. Why else would it feel so good when you do it?
Second, it’s great PR. Being part of a charitable activity puts your business in a great light. The public sees you as someone who cares. So many folks have a bad view of business these days, especially after the abuses of the last few years by big corporations and government. Participating in a fundraiser shows that your business has a conscience, that it has a desire to help the community. People buy from businesses that they like and donating a day’s profits to a worthy cause makes you very likeable indeed.
Third, the exposure you get at these types of events is priceless. You have an opportunity to get your business in front of people that would never know about you otherwise. In addition, there will be other businesses from the community there and they will see your hot dog biz as a possible promo opportunity for themselves. Be sure to have business cards and flyers available to pass out. You will be asked for them. I have never done a fundraiser where I didn’t get two or three gigs down the road as a result of the contacts I made there, as well as picking up more “regulars” for my daily location.
Put yourself out there and offer to help others in need. It will come back to you in many, many ways.
-Steve
P.S. Dig the kick @$$ graphics on Sgt. Dzz cart. Jeff and his daughter made that logo with real hot dogs and condiments – it’s a work of art. I love it!!! (Click the pictures for a larger version.)
I do some fund raising events, ie Relay for Life, Christine Giles Foundation and I give 100% of all my tips to Augusta Warrior Project. Normally I give 10% to 25% of my total sales for these types of events. I sponsor a team for Relay for Life but I do not do the big event because the organization requires 100% to be donated. I also give to the local Downtown Organization to help with their activities from time to time. The key is to keep it local. After doing a few events you will here oh, your the guy we saw on TV or in the Newspaper. Get all the free advertising you can and at the same time feel good. I assume that you retired from the AZNG but if not always keep that option open, either way retirement of just ETS, keep up with your paperwork, talk to the VA, get all the benifits you earned. We have a organization call Augusta Warrior Project, helps all Vets, great program. Knowing how the National Guard works I know that you have been deployed get your benifits……
Michael S. Wood
SFC, USA
Retired
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!
Great input Michael. Didn’t know you were a vet – THANK YOU!!!
Another vet here, let me first say that I am very thankful for the job you did to keep us free and safe. Second, I just did a fundraiser for my church this past weekend and let me tell you….that was a lot of fun! I donated everything, from my time, supplies to all the money made from my sales, which was around $600. This was the 3rd year that I’ve done this event and Steve is right, it does feel good to do something for the community, to give something back.
Way to go Stevie! Thanks for your service mi hermano.
Well since there are a lot of vets posting, I am a Marine vet and was wondering if calling my cart Devil Dogs would be trading on the good name of the Marines and would not be seen in a good light?
Hey Thomas,
We must choose business names that we think will draw customers. Sometimes we choose business names that honor people or organizations. I think the public would appreciate you honoring the Marine Corps, no problem there. I can only speak for myself but I would go out of my way to buy a hot dog from you because I would be able to see from your business name (and your logo and marketing theme I assume) that you served. What I’m not sure of is what your fellow Marines think about it. I don’t know the code. Perhaps we can get some opinions from some Marines here in the comments.
Thanks for serving (and for commenting) and good luck Thomas!
Gentlemen:
Giving back is really what life is all about, we are remembered for what we leave, not what we take…….Homer’s Dog House just finished a 2 day event with a local scout troop and the profits were all donated to the troop. I felt wonderful. It really does not get any better. Thanks Steve for this site and all the good things that all of the doggers are doing!!!
You are very welcome Larry. I agree with you when you say, “We are remembered for what we leave, not what we take”. Good job supporting the scouts!
Karma Baby! It all comes back to you. Thanks Sgt. Duncan!
Last year I did a couple of charity events and this year…without soliciting, I just finished a $1,300 week(great for my area) from a contact at an event. Even better business wise, I have been asked to come back later in the summer. It’s really hard to do bad when you’re doing good. I like how Steve puts it…”break even on your product and lose money on your time”. Karma Baby!
Good for you Duke!
Another good thing that works well is a special trash an for recycling your cans. I have a sign on it that says what the proceeds from the can go for. The Africa Oasis Project, or Vets We Care, etc/ The trash can is really full by the end of the day.
I have a recycling can but never thought to tie it in with a charity. Smart idea Chappy!
I love it! Your cart is beautiful. I also believe in what you give comes back to you two fold. We operate our cart in Western Washington, not too far from joint base, Lewis McCord. Any troops heading out to combat, get free meals from us when they leave and when they return. We also give dollars or product to a local food bank. Yes, it is good publicity. But Steve is right when he says, it really makes you feel good as well, and the troops really appreciate it.
Nice! Way to go Cowboy.
I just want to say the cart looks great! BTW Steve so does the new updated site!
I agree Uncle Frank – Sgt Dzz cart is really awesome. Glad you like the new site too!
Thanks Sarge !! That’s a great way to start !!!
1st mate Jim
Good Luck, Sgt. Jeff Duncan. Wish you the best. Also, this was a great read. Thanks!
Ex Navy here. Good luck Sarge, the graphic looks great! Like the site also Steve. I’m doing a fundraiser this Saturday in front of Walmart! They came to my weekday spot and asked me to come to their store! Already booked a second Sat. with them on Memorial weekend! Gotta love it. Also had a once a month flea market approach me today to come to their spot on 1st Saturdays of the summer months! It includes a car show too.
I like the can idea too.
This is such an awesome group of people! I’ve been here for about 2 1/2 years now and this blog has never left me feeling no less than amazed. Thank You Steve and Thanks to all of you for your great comments and inspiration. SO REMEMBER, WHEN YOUR HUNGRY “IT’S CHOW TIME” 8)
Just a quick question about the graphics; Who did the cart graphics?
Thank you for your service to our country! When you help someone and get that feeling that is like nothing else in the world and use your talent to make a difference, God works through you, and that feeling you get is God himself in you. Thank you, again, for all you do in service to others! And thank you, Steve, for giving us this forum!
Thank you Ed.
David. It was a company who specializes in vehicle wraps here in Phoenix, AZ. There are numerous businesses who specialize in this media in any city. Just google vehicle wraps and that will bring you to many sites. Please forgive me for not mentioning the specific name of this shop because it really didn’t turn out to my specs. It’s good but they messed up on the measurments. If you or anyone does go with a wrap make sure they understand exactly what you want and make sure they have all exact measurments. You should be able to proof the photo on the cart with their computer. It’ll cost around $350.00. Go onto a site called ISTOCK for numerous photos to view. The company that I used purchaced the rights to use the photo that I chose. You do have to pay for that. The logo pic was used from a pic that I took with my own camera.
Ill add my 2 cents here…I am a Vietnam Vet and thanks to Steve I will soon be slinging dogs here in the Seattle area of Washington State. i too plan on donating time and products to local groups that can use the help. One will be for a men’s homeless shelter in downtown Seattle who actually helps homeless vets on a nightly basis.
So thanks for your assistance Steve for putting me in contact with a veteran slinger for me to learn some basics this coming week.
Jeff; Thankx for the feedback. It was very helpful. I’m a 22 year Navy Vet. So I THANKYOU for your service. God Bless you and your business. Take Care!!!!
Thanks for your service David!
Right back at ya David on all counts. Thank You too!