From The Lost Article Series
Here’s an item from last summer that I recovered from my hard drive crash…
Steve,
Yesterday was my first day out with my Hot Dog Cart and I was amazed
at the turnout. Sold about 120 dogs and 50 polish.
My Mother In Law sent an E-mail to the local paper about my opening. They
called me for an interview and came out to take some pictures the day of the
health inspection
This article ran on the front page of the business section yesterday
morning.
Most of the customers that came out said they read the article and just had
to come out and show there support.
Just goes to show free publicity can pay with big rewards.
Just wanted to share this with the other doggers
Tim Creighton
TNT Dogs
Griffith, Indiana
Here is the news article featuring Tim and TNT Dogs:
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Enterprising Griffith man brings a bit of Chicago flavor, city style to NWI
Hot Dog Cart Pulls Up to Bike Path
ROB EARNSHAW – Times Correspondent | Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2009 12:00 am
A favorite childhood memory — and the current economic state — inspired Griffith’s Tim Creighton to start a small business.
Creighton’s “TNT Dogs” Chicago Style Hot Dogs and Polish Sausages cart debuts today at the pavilion along the bike path in Griffith off of 45th Avenue.
Creighton never forgot a favorite hot dog stand he used to hang out at every day during his school years.
“I loved it and for years I told my wife that one of these days I’m selling hot dogs,” Creighton said.
Creighton has a job in specialty maintenance, but with the economy the way it is, he wanted to earn some extra income.
“I figured hot dogs are America’s favorite comfort food, so I’m going to give it a shot,” he said.
To start his business Creighton spent hours researching online and “tasting a lot of hot dogs.”
Creighton sold stock he had and used some of the family funds to buy the cart and other expenses.
“I better sell a lot of dogs quick, or I’m in trouble,” Creighton joked.
Creighton said he was grateful to the Griffith Parks Board for allowing him to set up at the bike-path location.
“It’s a beautiful path, and there’s picnic tables and a parking lot for people who want to pull in off 45th,” he said.
Creighton will be joined in his venture by his 17-year-old son Tim Jr. at the pavilion Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
He’ll also set up shop Aug. 29 at Griffith’s Rock and Rail Festival.
Creighton is available for special events and can be reached at tntdogs45th@gmail.com.
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Original article at the Times
Pocono Hot Dog
// Jan 25, 2010 at 12:38 am
It is great to see people doing well. The Dog Business is on an upturn inspite of current economic situation. It is up to us to rid the stigma of days gone by when “The Dirty Water Dog” was in the news for negative reasons. Sell yourself and you will sell your Hot Dogs. This new growth is spawned from Society’s Perfect Storm and it is up to us to create new buzz for an old business.
Dave
// Jan 25, 2010 at 4:01 am
Where do you get those wax papers with the hot dog on them?
steve
// Jan 25, 2010 at 4:50 am
Hey Dave,
You can get deli sheets at any restaurant supply. Sam’s Club has them also.
If you want to buy in bulk, go to http://www.reliablepaper.com/GP_Dixie_Deli_Sheets_s/3159.htm
-Steve
teresa
// Jan 25, 2010 at 8:27 am
I need some incouragement here guys. I tell my husband that I want to go into the hot dog business and Im looked at like im the crazy one. Who do I speak with that knows about the steps to take about the hot dog business?
John
// Jan 25, 2010 at 9:06 am
Another inspiring story, good. I would be curious where he got his cart, what research he did (eg did he folow Steve’s advice) and just how in general he set himself up in business. I think if people can see others journey rather than just reading it out of a book or from a cd they would be more encouraged to see they can do it and not just read how one person did it.
Dale
// Jan 25, 2010 at 10:00 am
I’m having trouble setting up my business plan can somebody contact me with some examples or a format tohelp me out. Thanks
Kim
// Jan 25, 2010 at 10:35 am
I myself am starting a hotdog cart business when I move to San Diego in March. Called Dante Dogs (my son’s name is Dante). I bought Steve’s book (a great buy!) and went to Hot Dog University in Chicago.
I love these stories of success. After looking into this, I’m leaving the life of a bookkeeper to become a fun in the sun hot dog seller! I’ve looked at the costs and the income numbers and profit margins, and what I can’t figure out is WHY AREN’T MORE PEOPLE DOING THIS? It’s fun and it is good money, if, of course, you get the right location. Anyways, thanks for the share, and I encourage everyone to check out getting into this business!
Best wishes to all!
Tim Minard
// Jan 25, 2010 at 11:19 am
I keep getting inspired – I am starting in April 2010
rick
// Jan 25, 2010 at 12:31 pm
has anyone done business with street eats to be placed at a home depot please get back to me thanks cbrehl@hotmail.com
Vanessa
// Jan 25, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Hi, I have been following the emails and success stories from you site for a while. I have just been laid off and I am tired of chasing jobs. I will be 50 this year and I am ready to take control of my own destiny! The only thing I lack is the courage! Please any advice I can get will be well taken! what was your first step etc.
thanks!
Esteban Guzman
// Jan 25, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Vanessa,
The first step is to know exactly what you want to do and then just go out and do it. I came up with the crazy idea of selling hot dogs one day on my way to work last year, found this site and I got to a point that I didn’t want it to be just an idea, I had to act on it. Little by little I chipped away and lo and behold, I built a cart. I made sure that I had crossed my t’s and dotted my i’s, had my inspection, passed my Texas food manager’s licence exam, got my tax id and now I’m in business. I’ve taken my cart out two times, the first time I was more successful than I was the second time but I’m extremely incouraged about the future. Vanessa, I would look into buying Steve’s books and if you could, I would also get the hot dog cart plans as well. Make sure though , through your county health dept. what is required to operate a hot dog cart, or if its even allowed to operate one at all. Best to know that before hand instead of making that kind of investment.
Esteban Guzman
Stevie’s Red Hot Wienies
Jim H
// Jan 26, 2010 at 12:09 am
I have bought my cart,talked to the health dept many times to make sure of all the rules,(they finally mailed me my own copy) thought up an easy to remember business name, had my wife (who is a graphic design artist) create some original logos for business cards and shirts and such,read and re-read Steve’s book while listening to the CD, and will soon be getting my licenses and permits. I am now close enough to be excited and nervous at the same time.
Does anyone have any videos of their operation in action? I would appreciate being able to see how others handle things. Every time I have an opportunity to visit one of the vendors here it is later in the afternoon when things are slow.
Thanks,
Jim H
Jim Seidler
// Jan 27, 2010 at 6:58 am
Teresa-
yer AT the best place for encouragement & advice on the planet regarding the Dogosphere. Take my freind Esteban’s advice & buy Steve’s book. Do your research, keep everything legal. Be patient! Scout the perfect spot & go for it!
P.S. One more time, for anybody wishing to endure the house of horrors known as StreetEats…good luck. Good doggin’ to all-
Jim Seidler
GoodDog!
Bob Abraham
// Jan 27, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Hi Jim,
Just wondering what you meant by the comment. House of horrors known as Street Eats?
Thanks,
Bob
Esteban Guzman
// Jan 27, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Jim, I’ll post a video this weekend, I’m going to set up in front of my brother’s storefront. Hopefully I’ll have some useful video to help you out. I’ll have them posted on facebook so look for it Monday. Thanks.
Esteban
Esteban Guzman
// Jan 27, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Don’t click on my name in the previous post…it doesn’t work, sorry. If you have facebook, search for me and add me as a friend, Esteban Guzman from Belton, Tx. Hope it works.
Jim Seidler
// Jan 28, 2010 at 8:44 am
Hey Bob-
StreetEats told us, among other things: 8.0 credit score,12 week approval process, 7 days a week, must wear cap & collared shirt with company logo- just like the Army! Don’t remember how much their cut was but its HIGH, and on top of everything, yer not workin for yourself, which was the main point of gettin into doggin in the FIRST place. I hate to be such a negatron-it obviously has its good points-maybe its good that they’re so tough cos it weeds out the wannabe’s-but it ain’t for everybody. If your’e goin that route, and you make it through the whole process, then brother you’ve EARNED it! Good luck & good doggin-
Jim Seidler
GoodDog!
Tim
// Jan 28, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Hi TNT,
We share a border. You are set up in the county just north of us. About 30 minutes from us. hope everything goes good for you. I will email you and chat more. We will be stopping by and checking your set up and dogs out this summer. We are looking forward to it. Great job on getting started. I know Lake County can be tough. HAVE FUN! See ya soon.
Bob Abraham
// Jan 28, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Actually Jim,
It didn’t take very much at all for me. I made my application look really professional. I have prior experience in the concession business. So, I included a couple of newspaper articles written about me.
They didn’t mention anything to me about my credit score maybe they looked it up I don’t know?
I don’t have be there 7 days/wk. but I do have to have a set schedule. I sent in my menu.
I agree they have alot of regulations. I don’t blame them for this as they want uniformity and professionalism on Home Depot property.
I don’t have a problem with the dress. I used to dress this way at my other stands.
My main problem is coming up with the 1st and last months security deposits. Rent is a little steep too.
In any other rental situaion you can ask for a couple of months free while you get established. With SE you can’t.
I asked if they would place my security deposits in an interest bearing account. They said, no to that too.
In my area I don’t have much of a choice to locate anywhere. If a spot doesn’t work. I can’t just up and move to another that easy.
Home Depot and Lowe’s are about my only real choice’s that I have found.
I used to be set up at an upscale flea market and I travelled around to special events. The Flea market is gone.
Thanks for your input and I apologize if I put you on the defensive. I am just trying to figure if I should do this deal with them. I know of people that swear by HD and Lowe’s.
Bob
Jim Seidler
// Jan 29, 2010 at 7:20 am
Hey Bob-
no apologies necessary at all, bud. I’m happy as a clam its working for you, I know some folks who love it too. Where I live (Cookeville TN) the local permitting is so anti-vendor that between that & SE’s requirements it just left a bad taste in my mouth. I could’nt make a living here. Everything I said was what I was told by SE, verbatim. Like I said, if you can make it workin with SE you’ve EARNED it!! Get after it Bob & good doggin!
Jim
Jim H
// Jan 30, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Esteban Guzman is listed 936 times on facebook, can you give me a hint?
Esteban Guzman
// Jan 31, 2010 at 12:27 pm
LOL….I didn’t know that Esteban Guzman was that common….wow. I dunno….maybe search using my email? eguzman712@yahoo.com is the email address. By the way, I forgot my camara so I wasn’t able to post a video this weekend but I will be set up at that location every Saturday except for every 3rd Saturday of the month.
Michael
// Feb 2, 2010 at 3:35 pm
All you guys and gals are so great to listen to! I have started construction on my cart and hope to fire my boss in the spring!! Yeah I’m gonna do it!! Anyone out there looking for startup advice? Listen to me ” Get all of Steves Programs!!! they are the most invaluable pieces of information and informal training ever produced!!!!!” Thanks Steve!!
American Classic HotDog Stand!(c)