Today you’re going to hear an interview that I did last summer with Chuck Leidy from the Portland area. Chuck has seen and done a lot over the years. He served our great country in the Marine Corps, did a stint in corporate America, and has been involved in many businesses of his own.
One day while attending a fair with his wife, Chuck saw that the hot dog vendor’s line was moving like crazy while all the other concession lines were barely moving at all.
Sensing a competitive advantage, and therefore a business opportunity, Chuck jumped in the hot dog line and began his recon mission. What he discovered at that fair was so exciting that he started his own hot dog business soon after, and he has become very good at it.
I know that you’ll enjoy this conversation with one of the most successful hot doggers that I have had the pleasure to interview so far.
The origin of “The Lost Interview Series”
About a week before the Cash Tracker launch, the hard drive on my 6 month old Mac Book Pro took a dirt nap. Seeing as how my computer was practically new, I had neglected to perform back ups as regularly as I should have.
As a result, I lost a ton of data, including about a half dozen of the best interviews I have ever done for Hot Dog Cart Radio.
I was really, really upset with myself.
REALLY.
Three days ago, I ran across an old external hard drive which I had put in a drawer several months ago and subsequently forgot about.
I plugged it in. The drive whirred to life. The icon appeared on my desktop. Had I backed up to this drive? Would the interviews possibly be on it? I double clicked the icon and waited…
YES! There they were. The interviews I did last summer that I thought were gone forever.
I’ll be sharing The Lost Interview Series with you over the next few months. Stay tuned.
Here’s the interview with Chuck Leidy.
Click the link below to listen online or right click to download the MP3.
Hot Dog Cart Radio – Chuck Leidy
-Steve
Great interview, wonderful info. We are building our cart NOW trying to have it ready 1st of Feb. For a large event here in Alaska!! Crazy to start in winter, yell, but you would not believe the people out for winter activities. If we can do it in winter, summer is a breezzzzze! Wish us luck! Tim
Steve,
That will teach you to use a MAC –
ha..ah…haaa.
Happy Holidays!
I really enjoyed the interview. I am patiently waiting for my loan to be approved. Maybe this week. Hope to get going right after the 1st. I wanted to do this for along time, it’s all new to me and I am very nervous about it.
Larry
My Dog Spot
Tim,
Crazy is good. Crazy makes things happen.
-Steve
Mark,
Apple doesn’t have customers. They have rabid, raving fans.
I still love my Mac, even after the trouble I had.
That’s an example of building brand loyalty that we all should strive for in our hot dog businesses.
-Steve
Larry,
You’ll do great. Nervous is normal on your first day. It means you care about doing a good job.
To your success!
-Steve
Larry,
Me and my wife recently started our cart and a lot of our friends came by and got a laugh out of us vending hot dogs. But they bought lunch from us and we laughed to the bank. Good luck.
Gary & Pat
Hot Dog City
I really enjoyed the interview. Inspiring!
Why is hot dog vending so funny or what Chuck said about getting over the idea of being a food vendor? Any work is honorable and nothing to be ashamed of, gosh right now I’m working part time at a funeral home as guest relations. When I get my cart going, Ill be very proud of what I do and it will show. The interview has got my juices going again, thanks Steve!
Great interview!! Very inspiring..Also inspiring is the Season. Happy Holidays to all and to all……A Good Bite
We have been business for about 6 months. The thing to do is : serve the best product you can find have lots of condiments. We have a large repeat business and they can’t get enough of our Dawgs. We live in a small town and everybody talks about the great food. Good luck to all and have very prosperous 2010
Hello all!
I wondered why Steve hadn’t played the interview. I thought that it was because I had bad breath!
Anyway, I’m glad that some of you are encouraged by what my wife and I are doing.
Today I signed a five year lease for a “brick and morter” store-front named’ “Reo’s Coffee and Hot Dog Emporium.” It’s an LLC and is going to be the culmination of what we’ve been doing on the road.
I’m going to hire some folks to continue our presence at local fairs and festivals.
I’ve already had customers try to get into the store for one of our great hot dogs and we haven’t even opened yet! We were installing the counters and people came right in and demanded a “dog.” What great fun this is!
Merry Christmas everyone and a prosperous New Year!
Chuck Leidy
Chuck, that is what I envisioned when I decided to get into the hot dog business! I’m looking forward to listening to the interview, especially after reading all the great comments. I just started my business last saturday and I am very encouraged! Thanks to all for all the inspiring words!
Esteban
Chuck, Do you have a website? I’d love to see pics of your carts and the trailer that you had built.
Just listened to the interview for the 2nd time. Love IT!!! INSPERATIONAL!!!