This is why I do what I do…
Steve,
I know you get a lot of emails and you probably dont remember me, but I was the guy you sent a FREE book to when I was in IRAQ back in 2008/09. Anyway, I live in southern CA and you know how stringent they are, well long story short I just came back from picking up my third cart tonight from Los Angeles.
It has had its ups and downs but I now have three carts in two different cities and am now pretty much debt free and have never been so happy and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
When things got hard I always thought about that friend you talked about watering his grass in the morning watching other people go to work and about how you’re free and he’s still there. Well here’s another example of what you can accomplish if you can just wrap your mind around not getting a weekly paycheck.
I did it and I feel anyone can. Again thank you, you’re the greatest.
Kevin
***************************
Yes I do remember you, and no Sgt. Kevin – YOU’RE the greatest. You and all the men and women who serve our wonderful country in the armed forces. We all owe you a debt that can never be repaid. Thank YOU!
Here is a link to the February 5th 2009 HDCN article about Sgt. Kevin. It includes the letter I got from him right after he received his Hot Dog Biz 101 course in Iraq over two years ago. It’s neat to see where his hot dog cart journey started…
Kevin is right. A weekly paycheck used to represent security, but not these days. Now security is had by running your own show. I’ve been on my own for 12 years now and in all that time I’ve never fired myself – not even when I deserved it.
Let’s hear it for Sgt. Kevin Alcorn in the comments people! And be sure to share his story by clicking the blue “Share” button at the left.
Keep slingin ’em hot Kevin! Your success is an inspiration to us all.
-Steve
P.S. I only paid for half of Kevin’s Hot Dog Biz 101 course. The other half was paid for by HDCN reader John Kennedy out of the goodness of his heart. Thank you John!
!!! I remember you as well Kevin, and am very glad that you were able to make it go at the Hot Dog business. I wish you all the best and hope that you become the California Hot Dog magnate.
Also, many thanks for the service to your country. It is people like you who make the sacrifices so that others (even those who are critical of the military) can get up every morning in a free country.
John
Thank you for your service Sgt. Alcorn. You and your story are a great inspiration. Even when times seemed rough you saw it through. Like Coach Lombardi said “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”
Way to go, sir!
p.s. How does being almost debt free feel?
Sgt. Kevin,
Thanks for your Service to Our Country. I will be by to check out your Customer Service. Keep it up as you are a true Hero in and out of the Military.
I remember reading the email from Sgt. Alcorn. That is so cool that he is back home safely and is in business. Thank you Sgt. For your service! I live in Houston and the restrictions for street vendors is pretty tough, almost impossible for hot dog carts, unless you know your way around city hall and politics. I am thinking about lobbying Houston cit council to relax restrictions or amend them for Returning Veterans. This would be a great way for the city to show some gratitude and a great way for veterans to own their own business.
Getting my first cart tomorrow . I cant wait !!!!
Good on you Sgt. Kevin. I don’t remember seeing where in Southern CA you are located, maybe you can share that info so some of us can stop by and see you.
I was eight years Air Force, My oldest son is career Army, Major in 82nd in Hawaii doing his last tour, middle son was Air Force and Daughter was Army.
I am as proud of you as I am of them.
Good luck on your three carts and we all hope you will have 100 by the time you decide to set back and ‘relax’ for a while.
Skip and Jamie
What a great story. Good luck, Sgt. Kevin!
Hotdoggers are the best.
We all salute you! I hear too many stories of how returning vets are more or less forgotten, both by the military and people in general. Returning to a country with a failing economy must have been as un-nerving as going to war. God bless you and congratulations. Might I suggest that you pass along the idea to your fellow vets as an option when they get home?
Thank you for helping us stay free and God bless you again.
Hello Sgt Alcorn,
Thank you for your service to our country. I have 2 nephews 19 & 20 years old recently graduated from the Marine Corp boot camp and I believe it was the proudest I’ve ever felt in my lifetime. Congratulations and continued success on your hot-doggin’. The question I have is, do you place your cart in one place or sell in different locations during the the course of the day.
We are about to take our cart to be inspected by the Health Department in California. Can you give any suggestions so we can ALMOST be as successful as you are?
Warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye Sgt.Kevin. I can never thank you and all the men and women who fight to protect our very rights and keep our babies safe at night that allow us to do what we do. Just under a year ago i was a zombie in Corp America. Now I have never been happier and more free. Congrats on all the success. May it last a lifetime.
All I can say is “Essayons”, “Let us try”. Now people can see what we were fighting for….
Michael S. Wood
SFC, USA
Retired
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!
All the best of luck to you Sgt. I’m truly happy for you. I was in the Army back in 64, You should be very proud of yourself. Good luck again.
Kevin, thank you for the sacrifices you put forth to serve our great country. Best wishes for a successful business.
With heart-felt gratitude, thank you Sgt. Alcorn!
My hope is that you will continue with your succes.
Happy Doggin’
Sgt Kevin, Thankyou for serving this great country of ours even though some may disagree that we are great. You and others that have serve before you are what freedom brings so that we can persue our dreams and succeed to what ever limits we make of ourselves. I have ywo sons whom are currently serving in the Army; one is in Afghanistan and the other will be leaving for Afghanistan after April 1st. I am very proud of them as I am very proud of you and every other person who has served in the armed forces. I wish you very much success and I am so pleased that Steve and John helped you out in the begining to get you on the road to independence and let you decide your destiny and not someone else. I salute you Sgt Kevin, and may God bless you!
Amen.
Good job Kevin 3 carts running WOW! i am starting my #2 cart this year i hope to stay a float and have a profitable year.
Wonderful to hear the great news Sarge. You are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for your service to our great country and may your business be blessed.
WOW! I have been reading this site for about a month. Just got my cart after getting the HD101 from Steve. As I have not sold my first dog, I said I would not post until I had something good to say. Now seems like the perfect time. Kevin, a big THANK YOU!!! And, much success going forward.
Thanks Sarge
May God keep those in harms way safe.
Great Job Kevin I hope you grow into a BIG fleet of carts….Thanks for your service to our
GREAT country….God bless you and your family!!!!!!
Kudos on cart 3. All the best..there can never be enough said for those that serve our country. Dottie to all the above. I make it a policy to never charge a police officer or military in uniform when they approach my cart. It is a small thing butnsomething I can do to acknowledge their service. Thanks mucho.
Thanks Kevin for your service our country, three carts fantastic, I just started with my first cart and only hope to acheive such great success.
Hey Sarge, from one vet to another…Hooah! Congrats on your 3rd cart. That’s awesome! This is my 2nd year and I hope to be adding a 2nd cart to my fleet. Keep up the great work!
Just picked my first cart up yesterday, hope I have the success you are having Sgt. Kevin! And thanks for all you have done for this country!
Thanks for sharing this with us Sarge,and a Big Thank You for serving our country.God Bless!!!!!!!
First, I just want to Thank Kevin for his service and sacrifices to protect all of us! We should all be proud of our Men and Women of the OUR Armed Forces!
Second, I wish I had your courage, I’m still setting on the fence about building and running my first Dog cart! I’ve bought the book, and the video, have the trailer built, but something keeps stopping me to go all the way! Maybe you will inspire me to make it happen!
Good luck to you and your continued success!
Thank You for serving our country Sgt Kevin Alcorn. Good Luck on number 3!!!!!
Hot Rod Bill,
What??? You can do it man! It’s not like you have to sink $100K in it. I started King Weenie with a few hundred bucks. Sold it two years later (with two more zeros on the end).
Start it up on the side doing kid’s birthday parties. No commitments, no big deal, easy schmeezy, put some jingle in your pocket. Worst case scenario is you quit and sell your E-Z Built for a thousand dollar profit.
Besides, you have the coolest business name I’ve heard in a long time. Hot Rod Dogs. I’m seeing logos in my head as I write this. Bet you already have a graphics concept too.
Just… Do… It.
-Steve
Way to go, Sarge! I bought Steve’s book in October 2009, and spent a long time looking for a cart. Found a nice one at a distressed price, now I am working through the Multnomah county process to get licensed. Looking forward to opening in May. Rotsa Ruck, man!
Awesome story!!! Congrats Sgt Kevin.
Kevin, thank you for your service! And thank your family for their belief in America. Your story is so very inspiring! I am in the build stage, and Steve has been so helpful. Can’t wait to get out there!
Thanks again for your service,
Anna, one proud American and Patriot Guard Rider