Kids start a hot dog cart on military base. This is quite possibly the most all-American story you will read this year. I love this country and the people who make it great! People like John and his family, who sent me this…
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Hi Steve,
We would just like to start by saying thank you for producing your awesome DVD video’s. The kids were anxious after I showed them your stuff and convinced me and their mother to order them. The DVD videos arrived and the boys were excited and ready to start building as soon as they came in the mail.
It took the kids (Wade 18, Kalib 16), wife and I about a month to build and we pretty much did it over the winter.
Now for the business end of it. I am active duty Military and we live on a military base, we discussed the kids business plans with friends and family to get input on where the kids should try to set up their cart once it was built and passed inspection. The question came up of why not try to set up the hot dog cart on military base?
Why not, so the kids set up an appointment to meet with the local AAFEES Manager (on Base Military Shopping Center) here at the base to see what would be required. The manager loved the idea and the cart and asked the kids when could they start. The manager reviewed with my sons and wife what was required to operate a hot dog cart on military base.
They started 2 weeks after the meeting with the manager. They now work the weekends, with the cart being setup in between the 2 main entrances to the shopping center.
The manager informed them just this last week they will be able to operate during the week when schools out for the summer. The kids also did some research and are now also serving shaved ice too!
Menu:
Hot Dogs/chili dogs with hot Sauerkraut
Nachos
Chips
Soda
Hawaiian Shaved Ice
The boys added a small PA system so they can plug in their Ipod (They have to play the music that I will allow) and bark in the customers, also added a Oogah horn for the small kids and their parents to honk when they buy something….LOL it draws more attention to them and they are the talk of the base.
Talk to you soon! Cheers
John, Heidi and the Boyz
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Patriots AND entrepreneuers – What a family! It’s folks like these that make our country great.
Let’s hear it for the kids who built a hot dog cart on military base in the comments and please hit that blue Facebook Share button (on the left) and help the Boyz out with some free PR.
Awesomeness,
-Steve
P.S. My mom would never have let me build a hot dog cart in the living room (see pics below). Heidi – you are simply too cool!
Click the pictures for a larger version.
American Entreprenuership at its best. You are never too young to start. Young
people learning to get paid what they ae worth, not what the job is worth. Great parents to let them build it in the living room!!! You guys go man. Good luck…
Great story. I can’t wait to get started this month. Keep up the good work.
Good luck Boys….Sell a ton….What base are you on?
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Great Job guys!
What base are you on? I am near a base also and get many active duty and retired military at my cart, let us know so we can send some folks your way! Cheers!
Pete (IAN’s Franks-Exeter, NH)
John, Heidi and the Boyz,
Congratulations and best of luck with your venture. The lesson your boys are learning is invaluable. I strongly feel that they will be successful in life because of their parents. And thank you for your service.
From a veteran.
guyes I say yo udid an awsome job not only building the cart but how you where able to get on the base as well. at a young age you both are adn learning to make money, this will show you and teach you the value of a dollar. good luck guyes adn keep up the great work
Tony
John and Heidi,
You have raised two children that you can be proud of and it will just get better from here. Congratulations, you are great parents (the most important job you will ever undertake).
What a great story!
I was born and raised military; I thought a civilian was someone waiting to join or was denied. My father insisted that I work for my money; mowed lawns, shoveled snow, picked up litter along the air strip, etc. It’s great to see that type of ethic is still being handed down. I love the oogah horn idea. My boss won’t let me put one on our cart. I notice you made a tray to fit between the handles, another great innovation. Smart move with the shaved ice- what machine do you use to shave the ice? We at Tiki’s Windy Dog salute you and yours! Mr. Tiki
Great to be an American.Good luck slinging .Just a great American story that makes me very proud of all the men and woman in the armed forces,and i know you John and Heidi must be very proud of those two young men you have raised. GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is such a great story. I wish that I had started out earlier as an entrepreneur. These kids will NEVER have to worry about money again.
Once you learn the basics of entrepreneurship, that knowledge can be applied to any other business.
Great looking cart!
-Joshua Black
I don’t live to far from area 51 may be I can take my cart there. anyway great job Wade & Kalib
Great Job Guy’s!!! Their is no better feeling to build something that the whole family can get involved in and start making some money with it. Enjoy, be happy and have fun. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back !!! ROCK THE DOGS !!
awesome job guys keep up the good work and sling them dogs
Mark
Great Job…Great family….Great Story!
Great looking cart guys. All the best to you.
Is this a great country or what?
Great story and great looking cart. These kids did a bang up job with it. Good luck!!
That is one of the best LOVE stories I have ever read. Congrats to this family finding their way and making it happen. Talk about ‘Bloom where you are Planted!!!’ My very best wishes to all of you.
What a great story. Best of luck to you guys.
The music & horn are a great addition. We have a bell & music on the boat.
1st mate Jim.
MAN ,Where do I start?TO MOM & DADPraises to you for letting your kids havethis opportunity,for instilling an American work ethic,for rearing them well enough to trust them to do the “right ” thing with the endevor . John,Thank you for your service in the millitary,John&Heidi,THANK YOU!!!! For rearing 2 Young Men that I wont have to worry about YOU ALL ARE GREAT!
Outstanding story, I had to retire from the Army before I got my Hot Dog Cart. As I always say, just make it fun. You should be proud of your family and what they have done….
Michael S. Wood
SFC, USA, Retired
AWESOME story – the cart is beatiful and really what a wonderful story! Have a great Summer and sell lots and lots of doggies! Hey guys – check out our web-site, we didn’t make our cart but we made our web-site! God bless America!
Fantastic job! I wish you the best of luck, and thank you for your service to our country John.
Very nice work on the cart!!! The craftsmanship is perfect. Kudos to John, Heidi, and the boyz.
Nice cart and what a great story. I wish you guys all the best.
Congratulations Mom and Dad, what a great job you’ve done raising these two boys. And the greatest thing is they get to be with both of you at night. AND they will learn a career for their later years, put them selves through school and learn what the “real” world is all about. I wish I’d known about this when I was raising my kids, now they’re “just” Career Military and one Assistant D.A. and the third just finished her degree in Law and passed the BAR. Just think of what they COULD have done with their lives if I had taught them as you two have. (big smile)
Seriously, thank you for this wonderful story, and Steve, keep them coming.
Skip
Best wishes guys! Don’t give up……keep improving.
Great Job ! I like the idea of the horn. It would just keep things fun.
Wishing you all the best in your future.
Janet from Canada
Great Story! this is an inspiration to all young men looking for a good opportunity! I am excited to see your progress. I too would like to know which shaved Ice Machine you guys purchased and it your happy with it! Best of Luck!
You guys rock. Good luck on the business. Miss you. Your friend in St. Louis, Bonnie
You guys are an inspiration!!!! Not only are you making money, you’re making memories! We’ll done!
Yep. Military people’s cool !
Fantastic job with your kids and your cart. Thank you for yiour service to our country . Looking forward to hearing more on how they do.
I setup on two military bases a couple times a week. It’s my primary Locations. We love it.
Good job. How did they get it out of the house?
Not sure! Ha!