Hot Dog Slingers – Are You an Entrepreneur?
Hey Slinger,
I have been teaching folks how to start and run their own successful hot dog business since 2007. In that time I have come to realize something pretty cool.
You are truly some of the most entrepreneurial people on the planet!
The sheer creativity with which you approach your hot dog biz is so impressive. Every day I get email from slingers who tell me about a neat twist that they came up with. Something that makes their business unique in their town.
I also found out that many of you have more than one business. Or that you have owned other businesses in the past.
I’m just like you. I’ve done a lot of different things in the years since I quit my job at the auto parts factory.
One of the great things about hot doggin’ is that the hours are so favorable. When you only work from 10 until 2, or at nights on the bar strip, or on weekends at festivals, it’s really easy to have another businesses on the side if you want to.
In fact, it’s pretty smart to have multiple streams of income in this day and age. Makes you sleep better. I know quite a few successful people and it seems that once they get one business rolling, they start exploring other opportunities.
So Slinger – what other businesses have you had (or still have) in addition to your hot dog biz? What are some other ways that you have made money over the years? Let me know in the comments.
-Steve
attribution: info graphic by docstoc
I was in the music biz for a while but had to work in factories to make ends meet. Or the other way around. Playing in restaurants was great money, especially with tips.
Like I said, we’re a creative bunch!
Bootlegger in the late 70’s early 80’s screen print Rock n Roll t-shirts ran around sold shirts in the parking lots at concerts all across the USA and Canada Good times and lots of money
Plumbing and Septic Business, 25 years sold 5 years ago move to Oregon
Here what we are doing now.
Screen printing, T-shirts, vinyl signs, stickers, buttons, and more.
Hot dog slinger (part time)
Now started to build hot dog carts, just sold one that going to seattle this saturday,
got 2 more being build that are sold already I make two sizes 8 footer with 3 full size pan and BBQ, and one that 56in long with 2 full pans. Check out craigslist in Portland, Oregon under hot dog cart for sale, CHARLEY’S CUSTOM CARTS. Going to start on web site soon, and selling on EBAY
Funny how things work out, build a cart to sell hot dogs, 5 weeks later sold the cart for $3,000
That’s awesome Charley!
Hi Steve,
Yes, I have been self employed since the mid 80’s. I’m much better at being self employed where I can make my own decisions, use my own ideas, set my own schedule, and decide how much money I want to make. Best of all, I can reap the rewards of my own efforts instead of someone else profiting from my efforts.
During the mid 1980’s I started a residential cleaning service, and I operated that until 2002. I raised a family of 9 on that income for many years.
Not only are we operating our hot dog cart, but we are seriously in the concessions business now. We bought a trailer with a deep fryer in it, and our menu is flexible depending on the venue. I can market the trailer as a sweet trailer, serving deep fried Oreos, deep fried brownies, deep fried Twinkies, and we are practicing stretching dough for elephant ears. If the venue calls for more traditional fried food, we can serve FF, Pierogies, onion rings,deep fried pickles, or other vegetables. We’ve made it easy to get into fairs and festivals.
All in all, I love being self employed, and for us, it’s the only way to be.
You should be proud Jill! That’s quite a track record.
I sell used books on Amazon. Worked years for Apple computer until I retired. but Hot dogs are my passion and fun too!
Hi Jim,
I dabbled a little in Amazon FBA myself. Sold blenders, lol.
Wife and I owned an alteration and clothing shop was very successful, sold after 11 years. Owned a small mortgage acceleration company. 36 years in the airline business and 14 years as a work camper on the road. You maybe remember we talked about that. Sold dogs in Florida, Arizona, Iowa. Pulled all over behind our 5th wheel. Now in South Dakota.
Yep. I love the ability to pull up and move whenever you want to. Hot doggin’ gives you enormous freedom.
I own a printing company, printing high quality brochures, business cards, magazines and newspapers. I also have a great, great carpet cleaning business. I like working for myself and making my own rules. The slinging business gives me time to reflect and enjoy myself. THE BEST AND MOST FULFILLING BUSINESS I KNOW!! To all the real entrepreneurs out there – God Bless and make a million!
Good for you Jacque!
I first learned of this quote from my grandfather. It always helped me, in numerous business ventures. Maybe it will inspire others.
Excerpt from Common Sense, written in 1776 by Thomas Paine
I do not choose to be a common man.
It is my right to be uncommon … if I can.
I seek opportunity … not security.
I do not wish to be a kept citizen,
Humbled and dulled by having the State look after me.
I want to take the calculated risk,
To dream and to build. To fail and to succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;
I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence;
The thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence
Nor my dignity for a handout
I will never cower before any master
Nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid;
To think and act for myself,
To enjoy the benefit of my creations
And to face the world boldly and say:
This, with God’s help, I have done.
All this is what it means to be an Entrepreneur
I LOVE THAT! I need to find a print version for my office wall. Thanks for sharing it R.A.!
Hi Steve, not doing hot dogs now due to health reasons but after I retired from auto factory I built bunk beds and loft beds in my garage and had fun doing it till 2008 when the economy tanked. Now I’m waiting on social security or disability and I’m doing some woodcarving. I’m figuring on starting an Etsy shop on line. Going to be limited to 15k a year so can’t make too much but really don’t need to.
You sound like another slinger with hidden talents! Good luck with Etsy!
Started out in food service, school trained, worked in every type of food service you can name; then I went into night clubs for a couple years then on to the US Army that took about 23 years, retired and then to the Sheriff Department, then on to being a Armed Security Officer and bought a hot dog cart in 2009 and now I have my hot dog cart business and do Armed Security on the side, the Security job is only 14 days a month so that gives me time to have my hot dog business. That is the short version of the last 60 years.
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!
Quite a career. Thanks for your service Michael!
I used to deliver pizza from the start of melenium to 2009 paid mortgage with no problem car payments and everything. I was making $2,000 in one week and then it all stopped suddenly. I was self employed delivering pizza now you are lucky to get $300 per week. I still do not get payed what I’m worth maybe I should start some other business on side and put together.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you should only do one thing. It’s not a bad thing to have other income streams than just hot dogs. Many of us do!
I have owned a plumbing business for 22 years and retired from that and now sling dogs full time Monday through Friday.
Good for you Bill!