UPDATE 9/10/09- MORE PICS!!!
Renee, a customer of mine in South Carolina just wrote to let me know that she’s open for business. Awesome news Renee!!! She took her time getting going which isn’t a bad idea. I’ll let her tell you about it in her own words because I LOVE her attitude.
Hi Steve,
Now open for business! Finally! Things are going slowly but surely, I’m making a name for myself and customers are starting to seek me out. But I like slow but sure – gives me a chance to work out the kinks and the bugs. (No, those are not 60’s rock groups:) Oh wait, actually I think there was a group named The Kinks. Sorry, my 60’s memories are kinda hazy. Too much sex, drugs and rock and roll – LOL!!!!
It’s been a long, interesting, sometimes frustrating summer getting everything going, but it’s worth it. Just got word this morning that I’ve secured a new really great location. I’ll probably be adding a second cart before long.
And BTW, thanks for your website and all your advice/inspiration – it’s really kept me going, plus it’s just plain fun! So thanks again Steve.
Renee Crenshaw
Renee’s Dogs
Lake Wylie, SC
p.s. If I had a caption for this picture it would be “Little old retired lady finally goes over the edge and gets into the hot dog cart business”
p.p.s. My husband is now going over that same edge into insanity and wants to build a hot dog cart on our pontoon boat to put out on the lake near here for next summer. I’m personally cringing – boat+fire=disaster!
Way to go Renee!
By the way, hot dog carts and boats were made for each other…
-Steve
Update: I just found some more pics of Renee and her cart – enjoy!
Yeah Renee! I am so happy for you. I am sure the kinky retired lady…Oh No! I meant to say I’m sure you will get the kinks worked out in no time.
Life is just beginning…have fun.
I almost forgot – Have a great Labor Day everyone!
-Steve
P.S. Anyone slingin’ dogs today or are you taking the holiday off?
Thanks Cindy! But you were probably more than right the first time – “kinky retired lady” kind of fits! LOL
And no, I’m not slinging dogs today, I have a second business that I also have to take care of…..
Really nice Renee. Congratulations!
Is that a Ben’s Big Dog cart?
Best of Luck!
Steve, I’m thinking of slinging some dogs for the family today, since I dont have a cart yet but I’m looking forward to getting one soon and I can’t wait to get started on living the dream! Have a great Labor Day everyone!
Well, I slung some dogs today, it was very slow…So how come when you take your signs down every one in town show up…and you end up cooking for another hour….my grand daughter came down for a visit this summer and said the same thing…grand ma when it gets slow just take down your signs then put them back up. Just for the record it does not matter what time the signs come down…..we always get slam….its a secret, magic, trick.
Renee great looking set up, welcome to this great community Steve started. I am retired myself just started 2 wks ago. Same here my customers told me I should be here at such and such time and bingo 40 dogs in an hour. I need a second cart also. larry (patriotshotdogs@msn.com)
Steve I will be in contact with redhot chicago today, Everyone have a great Labor Day.
Hey Larry,
40 dogs an hour and a second cart on the way after 2 weeks in the biz – nice!
I’m looking forward to talking with the Red Hot Chicago people, thanks for the hook up!
-Steve
Renee
great job!
and getting your name out there is huge, I focus on getting my name out as much as I could when I started my cart and WOW, what a difference it made . I just had one of our local banks call me to do a customer appreciation day for them. and serve 200 hot dogs next Friday. not to mention all my daily spots I do now. Have fun and make a few $$$.
Mike
BUTLER’S HOT DOGS
I slung some dogs today, I did alot better than I expected, my numbers were actually a little higher, but then again my other competitions wasn’t around. I just started this summer but only worked th festivals but I am now working the downtown area, I’m on my second week doing this so far so good, my competitions are not too happy, but I am, customers are happy and that’s all that matters, right! I am now working on gourmet menu for my customers, any ideas throw them at me. Just want to thank Steve and all the Hot doggers out there who have been such an inspiration, this is not an easy business to get started but because of all the supports out there I was able to keep going everytime there was an obstacle. Steve keep up the good work, you are trully a blessing nad I’m sure there are many others out there who are learning about the business and every testimony on here is very encouraging, so fellow hot doggers keep on doing what you’re doing. I’ll send some pics soon.
God Bless
AJ
Renee,
Great that you got started. It is a longer road than most people think. The health dept really was on me to wear a hat so i bought one of those 18 in hot dog hats. Now people yell from the street HEY HOT DOG MAN. What started out as a dig to the health dept has been really great in getting the name out. Lots of luck
Rick
Hot Dog Heaven Of Springfield
Renee…I’m so jealous!! I’m also starting a Hot Dog cart . I can’t figure out what the Health dept. wants though. STFU or temporary license? Three sink compartments or three bus tubs? Moving like a turtle but clipping along. I hope to get there some day too. Any advice out there? Good for you Renee! I wish you the best of luck. Kate
My wife and myself are working out bugs too, however thing are getting better. We plan onhanging in there.
Steve,
I promise to get you some photos of my carts soon but in the meanwhile here is my Website link .
http://www.dogsandspuds.com
Ryan Cairns
Dogs & Spuds
Hey Ryan,
I see you have a pic of your E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart on your “About” page.
Awesome job!
Send me some more pics…
-Steve
Renee,
Good job! Good luck, You can do it.
This is a work in progress.
http://davincidogs.blogspot.com
Hey, Renee,
Good Job!, Great Attitude!!
I hope all goes well.
Renee-
welcome to the Dogosphere. If you do nothing else, have fun! Be blessed-
Jim
GoodDog!
Nice job Renee,
i work for a hot dog campany and i am just getting into the cart bizz.
I had my first venue one week ago and profitted over $250.00. This is a great side job!!!
Rob
“Shep Dogs”
Awesome, Renee! Congrats. I am still new to this dog slinging biz. I understand delays. My fire department inspector didn’t like my 3-way split for the propane gas lines (1 goes to my steam pan burners, 1 goes to the grill mounted on the side of my hot dog cart, 1 goes to the instant hot water heater), so I had to redesign it and resubmit my plans to them, with each having its own regulator and replacing the lines with all copper/brass fittings. My health department inspectors (I had two of them, on separate days) didn’t agree on things either, so I talked with their boss and got it settled. Then, the restaurant where my commissary agreement was signed, got sold and I am now looking for another commissary. I’m too afraid to get out there and sell hot dogs until I get another commissary agreement. One of my delays to beginning also had to do with getting a location, or rather getting another location. The original location I had along a very busy road got ruined when the road construction folks began tearing up two miles of road and rerouting traffic in a really screwed up way, so I had to look for a new location. Whew! Getting started, Renee, seems to be the toughest thing. Once you are rolling along, it gets easier. Again, congrats, Renee!
This is typical of any type of business start up whether you are starting a hot dog cart, a car wash, machine shop, or a hair salon. There are always unforeseen events, govt red tape, and hurdles to jump over. Just keep plugging away and you’ll get all your ducks in a row. Then you can start slingin – the “funnest” job in the world!