Just the Beginning of a SUCCESS STORY!

Hi there Ben. Happy 4th of July to you and your family. Thanks for the letter.

 

In the 30 days since receiving my cart, I have still not sold a hotdog yet. That does not mean I have been sitting on my hands, as there is much to do.

 

There are some time consuming lessons I have learned about the greater Las Vegas area HDV business:

 

1.    Health Permit-3 weeks after making your appointment for approval of the cart equipment. Of course you need a letter of authorization from the owner of the location where you will sell.

 

2,    The Business licenses (County and City) application processes take over 30 days to complete, after submission. I am in this waiting period now.

 

I will tell you that the BS people are subjected to, gives me the feeling they really don't want new businesses around here. I have complied, and am more determined than ever. The startup costs have now reached close to $9,000.

 

The other day, I needed some inspiration. So,  I picked up your book and started reading it again. I have decided that waiting, and being patient are not my strong suits. Despite all that, I have committed myself to developing marketing skills, and getting in front of people that can help me. Finding good sites (that are legal) to work is one of the primary keys to success. Your book has helped me to look in new places to find those sites.

 

Lastly, I have found that if someone tells me NO, what they mean is I have not said the right things, or they just need more schooling. Either way, I will get what I need to be successful. I am committed to staying motivated, and focused, even if it is 115 degrees outside. This too, shall pass.

 

Dennis Brumley

Las Vegas

 

ps. You have my permission to use my letter, or parts thereof to encourage others. Best wishes

National Association of Hot Dog Vendors

After much anticipation the NAHDV (www.nahdv.org) is almost ready to go live.  In the last few days the total number of people signing up has surpassed 1300 and counting.  Although paid membership is not available yet, they welcome all.

"It will be a one stop shop for everything vending" -- Randy Drumb 

Features include:

• extensive training
• tips and tricks (words from the wise)
• discounted supplies
• video blogs
• live forums
• news
• press releases
• NAHDV in the news
• classifieds
• links to state rules and codes
• certification
• food safety
• software
• video training
• manufacturer help
• and much much more

One of the most discussed features currently is the bulk buying power.  Already NAHDV has arranged for huge discounts on steam pans, hot water heaters, grills, and some specific deals from hot dog manufacturers.  All to offer it's members the best prices.  One example of this is a solid wood 5 foot market umbrella in red, it's members will be able to purchase for about $10.  

My favorite part is what will become: NAHDV GROUP INSURANCE RATES!!!

"For Vendors by Vendors, Strength in our numbers!" --  Jennifer Richland

As our membership increases, NAHDV will be a welcome voice at the Local, State and Federal levels and will help to protect our rights.  Already NAHDV has been invited to attend State sponsored think tanks in two different states contemplating changes in their rules.  

Here at BensCarts we are excited, this has been over a year in the works and all with volunteer work.  So sit back, hang on and get ready to have a big, big friend in the business!

Show your support on facebook:  Like NAHDV

100's of Thousands going off unemployment - What Now?

November 29th is the deadline for congress to renew and extend unemployment benefits. If they fail, millions will welcome in the holidays with less than nothing. They, after enduring months of barely getting by on the meager unemployment benefits, will literally not know where the next meal is coming from, nor how to keep the electricity and water on and not to mention filling the void under the tree this year.

Children across America will welcome in this new year under circumstances and conditions never considered a possibility by their loving and hardworking parent(s) before.

What can we do, what can we the hot dog vendor, street vendor or concession stand operator offer? Well, actually we can help!

1. Call your local radio station or newspaper or both and inform them that you are going to feed 10 needy people a day till Christmas. Specify for those in need only. This may cost you $30 at most a day. I think you will find that some people will donate to you to help feed others as well.

2. Offer to let someone help you run your cart who is out of work, this would allow you the opportunity to get to know them enough to allow them to run the cart on days you don't, thereby allowing them some kind of income.

3. Offer someone out of work to pass out flyers at local office parks or construction sites for 5 cents a flyer, maybe offer someone a delivery position. Print up flyers and allow them to deliver to these newfound customers for a portion of sales.

4. Announce publicly that every Wednesday(any day) till Christmas, that 100% of proceeds will go to (insert local charity or food bank). This will cost you only your time.

5. Drive your cart to a local area where the homeless or indigent congregate and give out free food for an hour. I believe you could contact the local law enforcement with the idea and get a free police escort while you are there.

6. Go to your local food pantry or homeless shelter and give food out for a couple of hours.

There are many ways for you to help your community. Times are tough all over, but fortunately for us, cart owners, we do have the ability to make a living. Let's give back, let's help our neighbors, let's do right.

You may only be able to help one person with a free meal, but this one gesture, this one act of kindness is all it takes. We all can help someone.

If you have a great idea to help someone, a way to help many or a way to use your cart for good, please let me know so that I can share your ideas or story with others.

Hot Dog Carts...Everywhere!

I take calls daily from customers and fellow doggers and those considering joining the ranks of the hot dog vendors. Every now and then someone asks or voices concern that there may be too many people already doing this business.

As I have previously vlog'd about on YouTube channel "BensCarts", have no fear, it's the same as the red car syndrome.

You know when you buy a red car, or a blue one, etc... you seem to notice how many people also drive the same color car. Better yet, get a new Chevy Impala and I promise you will have never seen so many people driving an Impala. Its the way our minds work, we are competitive by nature. We instinctually are competitive.

However, have no fear. Now that your mind is thinking hot dog carts, you will suddenly notice more, you will naturally feel competitiveness towards the others.

Tread on, many will never pursue the business.

Recently a gentleman called me and expressed concern that he had just found a used cart for sale and he was down at the City licensing office and someone else was there getting his business license. This panicked him, he felt as though, everyone was going to be competing against him. I asked him how many convenience stores where within 5 miles of his house. He guessed about 3, I assured him it's probably more. Either way, I explained that there was at least 3 stores and yet they stay open.

The benefits with a hot dog cart is you are portable, you also only need a small fraction of the business compared to a convenience store. You only need about 60 to 150 people a day to visit your dog stand. Plus, they don't need to spend a lot of money with you. If 100 people spend $4.00 with you, you made about $2.80 x 100 people. That is $280 daily in profit.

I worked a flea market with, I think, 9 other vendors, I still did $1100 in 2 days.

So don't worry, be happy! :)

Pursue your new found dream and do your due diligence and then jump on in here with us. The water is fine!

Visit www.LearnHotDogs.com or our Youtube channel for free video training.

The Hot Dog Professor

www.BensCarts.com

Hot Dogs saved my life!

It was 3 years ago, I lost everything. After buying a hot dog cart and digging my way out of the hole I was in, I finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel. The light was hot dog carts.

Within 7 weeks, I owned 2 more carts and had paid for them with the profit from the first cart. WOW!

Now as a dog vendor and manufacturer of carts: www.BensCarts.com, I have started doing free webinars. These webinars allow people from all over the world to listen in and learn about the hot dog business.

My goal is to teach and help others get started in this wonderful business. You can attend one of these webinars absolutely free just by going here: www.LearnHotDogs.com

I look forward to hearing of your success.