This is awesome – I LOVE stories like this!
I just got an email from Mike Butler in Michigan. Mike just got his hot dog cart up and running and he’s enjoying success right off the bat.
Steve,
I finally got some pictures running my cart and my mother taking money for me, at one of the local factory in my area. I’m starting to get busy now. I just wish I started this a few months earlier.
I have three days a week at regular spots now and my weekends are normally at small town events around this area.I also just booked a big motorcycle event coming up in a few weeks, That’s going to be a blast.
Well keep up the great interviews I really enjoy them. its nice to hear how people are doing in there hot dog business.
Mike
BUTLER’S HOT DOGS
southern Michigan
Mike – take some time to ingrain this moment in your memory. When you look back on it, it will be one of the proudest times of your life – the summer you started your own business.
The hardest part is behind you. Now pour on the steam and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at where your business is at a year from now.
Let’s hear it for Mike in the comments people.
Way to go brother dogger. GREAT JOB!!!
-Steve
steve
// Aug 12, 2009 at 10:30 pm
that sound like my nephew i paid for his cart and he’s making money. i didnt do nada i said i’ll give u 300 and then your on your own. that his cart the end.
williamz
// Aug 12, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Good for you , keep those DOGGIES ROLLING!!!!!
Louise
// Aug 12, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Awesome Mike! Congratulations on such instant success!
I know what you mean about wishing you started a few months back. I also live up north (not MI), have not started yet, and the dog season will soon be over. Oh well, there’s always next year..
What kind of cart is that? I’m looking at so many, I don’t recognize that one. It looks like a real nice one w/ good size tires.
The motorcycle event does sound like a blast and profitable.
Hearing success stories like this makes me want to skip winter this year, and I LOVE to ski! I just can’t wait to get started!
Wishing you continued success!
PS: Steve, I replay your cd’s in the car over and over and over….
Louise
Jeff
// Aug 12, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Mike
Great Job Man! Tell Mom good job also,, TIP: Get the money,,,even if there is 5 people in line have mom go down the line and say “What can we get started for you?” Get the money,,,
This is not greed,,,once they have given you the money they are hooked and will not think of walking away…
Great Job,,, The factory idea is GOLD!
Derrill
// Aug 13, 2009 at 3:04 am
way-to-go mike! looks like you have a great thing starting to happen. its great that your mom is helping you and she looks like she is really having fun. hey, is that one of ben’s carts you are using? tell us how you like it!
keep on doggin. derrill
Clarence Burrell, Jr.
// Aug 13, 2009 at 5:29 am
You are doing and great job. This makes me more aware of the profits and fun in this business.
I am concern about the winter months. Can this business be profitable then? Mike keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!
steve
// Aug 13, 2009 at 6:37 am
Clarence,
You can make more money in the winter than in the summer for two reasons.
1. Hot food sells better when it’s cool outside. That’s just a fact.
2. Most of your competition will close for the winter leaving all their customers to you.
It all depends on your climate and how much cold can you take
-Steve
Russ Hiltz
// Aug 13, 2009 at 6:40 am
Great to hear about your success, Mike!
The Gulf coast heat and humidity of summer has sure impacted my Monday thru Friday downtown lunch gig. Doing about half the business I was in Spring before the weather changed. However, 3 nights a week outside the popular college night spots is still keeping my net over a thousand a week. Stumbled into bed around 0400 last night, but came home with a net of over $300.
You should kick butt at the motorcycle gig!
Clarence Burrell, Jr.
// Aug 13, 2009 at 7:19 am
Steve, Thanks for the advice. We will stay open all year round.We have a mobile food trailer that hold 1 to 2 people. Italain sausages sells good also. Do you know where you can purchase hot dogs wholesale?
steve
// Aug 13, 2009 at 7:34 am
Clarence,
Talk to the corporate office of your favorite hot dog brand and ask for the sales department. They will be able to direct you to a distributor in your area if they have one.
All you need to buy wholesale is a tax ID number, also known as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). No, you don’t actually need employees to get your number.
If you recall, I show you how to do all this in my book Carts of Cash. Look in the back in the business section, page 193.
-Steve
Jim
// Aug 13, 2009 at 9:22 am
Hey Mike,
Where are you located? I was thinking of getting started and would like to come by and purchase a dog or two and speak to you about how you got started, etc.
Congrats!!
Jim
Jim
// Aug 13, 2009 at 9:23 am
Sorry Mike,
Wrong e-mail address in first comment.
Jim
Paul A. Kaiser
// Aug 13, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Mike,
Go get em’ guy! Glad to see another hot dogger livin the dream!
Can’t wait to see and hear some of your tips for dealing with the winter months.
Steve: maybe you can start to think about givin us a few blog posts or interviews with tips on how to make it through the winter. This is my first year out and heading into my first winter is intmidating.
steve
// Aug 13, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Paul,
I was born 75 miles south of the Canadian border in the north woods of Minnesota.
You don’t have winter in California
Just kidding, I have some tips to share. It will take me a little while but I’ll post ‘em before the snow flies.
-Steve
Mike
// Aug 13, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Jim
I am located in hillsdale county I will be at the county court house friday 11am to 2pm and saturday I am in the jonesville park down town 12pm to 6pm sorry couldnt find your email
Mike
Curtis Ormond
// Aug 13, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Great to hear, I also purchased a cart this past spring. Work a fulltime job and sell dogs on Saturday at the local fossil museum. I can make half a weeks pay in a few hours on Saturday. Rural area, so no other vendors there, I give the museum a small percentage, they are happy the customers are happy and I am looking forward to an early retirement so I can go 3-4 times a week. Don’t overlook museums, check to see how many visitors they have annually and in our case we offer a museum special, hot dog, drink and chips at a good price. I also sell snow cones there.
Karen Thomas
// Aug 14, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Today was my fiancee’s first day with his beautiful cart (that he built himself, thanks to Steve)! He did so well, but he is badly sunburned–poor guy.
Louise
// Aug 14, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I thought that looked like one of Ben’s carts; It does look awesome! I will be buying one of them soon or in the Spring at the latest.
Question about winter time:
I plan to run my cart in VT or upstate NY where temperatures usually fall below 2o’F.
Don’t the sodas freeze? How about the road slush? It seems like it would be hard to keep the cart clean.
If I knew it could be done (w/ a tow cart), I’d take advantage of the skiing crowds.
Karen: Glad your fiance’s 1st day went so well, other than the sunburn. All of this is very encouraging.
Louise
steve
// Aug 15, 2009 at 8:36 am
Louise,
Coolers are insulators. They keep things warm as well as cold. Don’t put ice in the cooler, just fill it with refrigerator temperature cans of soda and they should stay at perfect drinking temp.
-Steve
jon
// Aug 20, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I and my fiance are taking the food handling course next week. I have saved my money and will purhase a cart in 3 weeks. I can’t wait, I have lived the orporate world for long enough. I do sales and I am wore out for other people’s profit. My fiance is unsure, but I said we will find our niche. Please send words of encouragement. I love to work, but I want to do what I do for me. My average week is 15 hours sleep, while I give a hundrede and ten per cent for the company. My fiance thinks I am nuts, I am compensated well, but I am burning out. Words of encouragement appreciated
Al
// Aug 24, 2009 at 5:09 am
From the picture it looks like Hot Dog distroys house and Mr. Oscar Mayer gets sued. lol
DON IN SAC CA
// Nov 12, 2009 at 2:26 am
LOVED THE INFO GO FOR IT LOVE TO SEE SOME MORE MAKE OF WOOD TO IF YOU HAVE ANY
Thanks Don in sac ca
marshall
// Sep 11, 2011 at 8:07 pm
all this sounds so encouraging. i plan on purchasing my cart in march 2012.