Long time Hot Dog Cart News readers will remember Kevin S. Kevin got the start up money for his hot dog biz “Wicked Dogs” on Kickstarter by making a highly entertaining video sales pitch that pulled in the funds necessary to build a very unique E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart (pics below) and finance his other start up costs. Wickedly Creative. Kevin is one of those people who has the drive and ingenuity to make things happen. Since the moment I saw his video I knew he would be successful.
Fast forward to this month – Kevin is officially open for business! He writes…
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Steve, Sorry it’s taken me so long for my report but I’ve been crazy busy with this new, fantastic hot dog cart business! First things first…I could not have gotten where I am today without your help. From your Hot Dog Biz 101 book that I bought almost a year ago, to the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart dvd’s on how to build my cart to you answering every email that I bombarded you with – I thank you so much for helping me change my life!
As you know my first day was last Monday. I secured a great spot downtown and it’s a location where another woman was for 20 yrs. The only reason she quit was because the city did not communicate very well with her and she arrived one day to set up and the sidewalk was all torn up because they were remodeling the Federal Bldg. Needless to say she decided to retire….ha ha! The Friday before my grand opening I walked 3-4 blocks in every direction from where I was going to set up and stopped into every business. I introduced myself, gave them a copy of the paper menu I made up and also gave them a punch card with the first dog already punched. Monday seemed to go pretty well….for the grand opening I gave people the meal deal free when the bought the dog. The first day I had 60 sales and ended up with $230 in sales.
The second day was less people but since I wasn’t giving away the meal deal I ended up with $250. My best day so far was last Friday (I think Fri’s will probably always be pretty good) and had $284 dollars. Since I started I’m averaging $204 a day and 43 sales. I’m confident that it will build and just keep growing. People are loving the “recipe” dogs and asking for them by name….exactly what I wanted. I’ll be tracking the 5 different varieties I offer for awhile and see how they do….make adjustments where needed and do some tweaking. I have to say the E-Z Built cart is working brilliantly! I couldn’t ask for anything more and I get compliments on it almost daily….thank you again Steve! Sincerely, Kevin S. Wicked Dogs
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Congratulations Kevin!!! You did such a great job, not only in getting your funding, not only in building one of the nicest E-Z Builts I’ve had the pleasure of seeing, but in persevering through obstacles and overcoming hurdles. I’m happy to have had the opportunity to help you a little bit along the way. You rock! Let’s hear it for Kevin in the comments slingers! -Steve Click on the pictures below for a larger image.
WHOA! FANCY SCHMANCY! That hot dog cart really rocks! Love it! And you business strategy is great the way you introduced yourself as the next generation moving in where one retired. You’ve got the insight it takes and I only wish I could see those kind of figures and call it a slow day!:)
Way to go!
great job kevin friend me on FB dogingit@gmail.com also anyone can friend me we have a fun group there.
pete
Congratulations on the launch! The cart looks great and you have a great story behind it.
I love your story, your tenacity and creativity. You are definitely on the road to success.
Good luck!
Great lookin cart matey !!
The punch card is great throw back.
I’m surprised they allow propane right next to a window!!!
The hard part is done. Best o luck to ye mate !! Have some fun & $$$.
1St Mate Jim.
Congratz i was wondering what happened if you had started yet but thats great to know and love most of all the logo with the domain name the menu board with the nice variety of dogs similar to my ideas great job on the easy built hot dog cart i am looking into building one just to have 2 carts some were down the road, but for now i need to just get started just like you. By the way the sinks look great with the soap dispencer and the paper towel holder installed next to it. Thanks for the motivation kevin. Steve thanks again for the website.
I stopped by to visit Kevin in Bellingham, WA. He makes a great Chicago dog! Very Tasty! Best of Luck!
SWEET
No one else has asked, so I will. Just what are the “recipe” dogs ?
Nice looking cart. Good luck in your business. Sounds like you have a good spot.
“Recipe” dogs are gourmet dogs with specific ingredients as opposed to a plain hot dog that can be dressed with any condiments the customer wants. For example, a “Chicago Style” is an all beef dog topped with mustard, onion, relish, tomatoes, celery salt, sport peppers, and a kosher pickle spear.
Great job bud
Kevin, I remember watching your video and I really liked it a lot! I’m glad that it worked for you and I love what you did with your build. Love the color, and I love the corrugated metel you used. I like your sales numbers as well….I at this time only do weekend gigs such as Market Days, Fests and private catering parties but I so want to do this on a fulltime basis. I did get some very awesome news two weeks ago, my local hometown newspaper informed me that Stevie’s Red Hot Wienies was voted Readers Choice #1, “Best Hot Dogs” by the readers of the Belton Journal! That blows me away since I only do the Belton Market Day every 3rd Saturday of each month. I beat out businesses such as Five Guys, Burgers and Fries and Sonic. Anyway, congrats once again on launching your business, I have faith that its going to be a very successful venture for you!
Congrats to you mi hermano! Being voted number one just proves that folks are willing to pay for a quality hand made alternative to mass produced franchise food.
This guy sure has a huge “CHEESE” factor. Has the best time playing alone I bet.
It’s brilliant and it worked.
What an inspiration! Where do you get the cream cheeses from if you don’t mind me asking??
Congrats on the start up. I saw your video & wished I had known about that site a year ago. I was recovering from divorce, moving, finding a truck, repairing said truck… THEN all the fees for inspections, permitsits, insurance etc… It sure would have come in handy… but perseverance is the key & your cart looks fantastic, you found a way & you are following a dream!!!
I was hoping we’d hear more from you. Like some of the others, I too saw the original video and was hoping you would get what you needed to get up and going. Best of luck to you but you got the right stuff. You’re gonna do great.
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the kind words and I’m glad I’ve encouraged others…keep at it everyone!
Someone asked…for my garlic cream cheese I start with reg flavored whipped cream cheese and add a garlic base and some crushed red pepper..
The Video is NUTS!!!! I couldn’t tell if I already had a few too many or not, but it’s definitely catching!!! Best of Luck!!!
That was an incredible video Kevin. I love the metal look you added to your cart. I especially love the cream cheese idea, cause I just love cream cheese. Congrats, and much success!
I love cream cheese too Phil. Wonderful stuff!