I got a nice email from HDCN subscriber Russ Hiltz. Russ is living the dream in Lafayette, LA. Here is his story in his own words…
Hi Steve!
I enjoy getting your e mails. I have been reading your site and updates since a few months before I got my HDC and started business.
I have been blessed with great success so far!I have gone from 3 hour lunch weekdays making $50 to now grossing over $150 every day (open 11-2). I am the only street vendor in a thriving downtown section of a sophisticated southern city of over 100,000. My son and I come out on Friday and Saturday nights, and when the bars close, and there is no restaurant open, we sell out, grossing between $250 to $300.
My net is 85% of the gross. I pay no rent for the best location possible. There is a world of wonderful difference, being on a merchant’s private property, and being on one of the 11 city permit locations. I still display my city permit, but need not renew it if I stay put. The merchant says I add “ambience to the facade”!!
The weekly Independent (theind.com) in Lafayette, Louisiana did a nice piece about my hot dog cart operation. There’s even a video.
They even did another piece on my award winning BBQ sauce, which I sell from the cart, and offer as one of the many condiments!
Oh, and I placed an ad in the “Quik Quarter” weekly. Cost me $25 for two weeks. I was at the cart when the lady called 2 days ago, asked did I want to run the ad again, I said no, but later that day, 2 people who saw it booked me and my HDC for their events, and they are happy to pay me my private/civic/charity rate of $50 an hour, 3 hour minimum. The commercial rate is $100/hr. Altogether 3 upcoming events away from my usual spot downtown, one being a supermarket grand opening. None more than 3 miles away!!
Oh, and from home to my downtown site is less than 3/4 of a mile!!
It’s all good!!
Usually, life is a never ending succession of opportunities not taken, or realizing what one should have done, too late.
But maybe for once I am in the right place, etc. I have never so enjoyed what I do. Yesterday, the Independent hit the news racks across south Louisiana, and we were fairly swamped, non-stop. Big crowds of nice folks conglomerating around my hot dog cart. The shop owner loves it too. And he, his family and staff all buy my food. Starting today, we are starting an half hour earlier, 10:30. I am tired of hungry, non breakfast eaters clamoring for Dawgs while my rig is warming up!! When I tell them come back at 11, they usually wait and talk, or come back. But sometimes, they split.
P.S. – speaking of Dale Carnegie, I am exercising my ancient mind, and actually learning everyone’s name, and calling them by their names. As DC said, the sweetest sound we can hear is our names spoken with kindness. The other day, I rounded down on the price for a regular, she asked why, and I said it’s cuz she’s my best customer (I have many “best”!) Do you think she walked away, delighted with her dawg, smiling ear to ear?!
A month ago, I saw “Harvey” for the ninetyninth time, and was reminded how Elwood P. Doud (Jimmy Stewart) is sincerely interested in everyone, and treats everyone with compassion and respect. Learns their name, and invites them for dinner Just like on the HDC!!
Steve, y’all have a blessed day!!
Russ Hiltz
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Thanks for the great story Russ, and congratulations on your new business. Looks like you are very happy!
-Steve
Original video from The Independent Weekly.
Congrats Russ it looks like your off to a great start. I hope I am so lucky on July 18th when I open up my cart.
Hello, hope this email finds your Russ.
Do you know a Lisa Hiltz?
Also, Where do you prepare your BBQ sauce?
Do you use a commissary? Do you bottle it in glass jars?
Great story! All of the best to you!
Bob Abraham
Wichita, Ks.
Russ great piece on your business, love the shirt and hat, Hawaiian shirts, shorts and sandles and a smile what a fun way to do business. Did you film that with a friend or was that an interview, with the paper?
That was the reporter from the Independent who did the video. No, I do not know Lisa Hiltz. I am probably the only Hiltz in Louisiana. We have been using a health dept. certified kitchen out in Acadia parish (14 miles away) to make the sauce. No more. Am negotiating with a co-packer to make the sauce. We have packed in plastic pints, but are going back to glass. You can read a follow -up story in the Independent, “Frankfurter Follies” about the short lived “hot dog war” between me and the only other HDC vendor in town. And I was on the local news Friday night. I love all the free press publicity! This Wednesday’s edition of the Independent will carry my letter to the editor with my take on the HD war!!
GREAT VIDEO IM STARTING A HOT DOG BUSINESS THIS MONTH AFTER WAITING 8 YEARS FOR THE CITY TO DRAW NAMES IN A LOTTERY FOR SPACE I GOT ONE DOWNTOWN GREAT TIMING BECAUSE I LOST MY JOB 3 MONTHS AGO. THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT
Yo! T-Ray B.
Livin’ the good life in Rajin’ Cajun country. Wish I would’ve known. I was in Lafayette visiting USL in April, 2008 and again in October, 2011. Since I retired I go on college road trips visiting campuses all over the country. It’s great being in school again and being able to not go to class, take tests, worry about grades, etc.
All the best to Nancy and the boys
Still in wine town and also living the good life.
Allan Koslofsky
You are doing a great thing….keep it up….Jim
Way to go Russ, I loved my first gig, down at a resevoire 3 minutes from my house. I have since moved on the a local chiropracters office parking lot. I do 3 days a week there, and its so true DC had it going on and everyone should read “how to win friends and influence people”. Great people skills are mandatory in this biz! Keep up the good work
Wonderful story Russ, You are doing a great job, Hoping to do my first gig In July. any words of advice? I would love to know exactly what to say to get a commissary. I’ve tried local restaurants and a church who has a commercial kitchen. I am not having much success securing one near me so I can be in town , They say no not enough space or I don’t know you well enough. Hard to get started. Looks like you are doing well and having fun !. Any one know what you have to do to your kitchen to make it a commercial kitchen?
Hi Julie, I have a pretty foolproof plan for getting commissary space for free. Email me and I’ll send it to you. As for using your own kitchen, it’s not really practical. The kitchen can’t be connected to any living quarters. It’s easier to convert a shed or outbuilding into a commercial kitchen. Ask your health inspector to find out the requirements in your area. Everyplace is different.
Thanx Steve, n i appreciate you. i was wondering if you could use a shed into a commercial kitchen. I will be checking my local Health Departments for that information in the city and county where i plan to run my cart, eventually.
Maybe… It depends on your local codes. Your inspector will be able to tell you.