Introduction and Stupid Newbie Questions

hi there, welcome in the club. I was working as an actuary for years in sweden. brutal job, trying to make models to cheat people. then i got married and moved to canada, i wasn't single mum any longer so i could start my own business. i opened my chip truck with swedish food and this was the best decision in my life ( beside marrying my husband and giving birth to my two wonderful sons of course) i have ever made. Now i have my truck and a hot dog cart i am happier then ever and i love my job. but canada is too cold for me so i am trying to relocate my business to phoenix. fell in love with the city.
great forum by the way and wonderful people here.

I'm reminded of a story I saw on television some time ago about a Dallas, TX lawyer who opened up a coffee shop (which he named "Legal Grounds") and dispensed not only coffee, biscotti and such, but also legal advice. Up on the wall, along side the prices for a cafe mocha and lattes were his rates for general legal advice, drawing up contracts, etc. Unless, of course, you want to completely get out of the legal field, I see no reason why you couldn't do the same thing. You would need a partner, of course, to oversee the cart while you give advice to a client. You could make it very clear that your main business is selling wieners and thus, limit the number of clients you would see. I'm not saying you should set up your business that way, but it would sure get you a lot of attention in the local media.

quote:

Originally posted by SFS Fan

I'm reminded of a story I saw on television some time ago about a Dallas, TX lawyer who opened up a coffee shop (which he named "Legal Grounds") and dispensed not only coffee, biscotti and such, but also legal advice. Up on the wall, along side the prices for a cafe mocha and lattes were his rates for general legal advice, drawing up contracts, etc. Unless, of course, you want to completely get out of the legal field, I see no reason why you couldn't do the same thing. You would need a partner, of course, to oversee the cart while you give advice to a client. You could make it very clear that your main business is selling wieners and thus, limit the number of clients you would see. I'm not saying you should set up your business that way, but it would sure get you a lot of attention in the local media.

I had to chuckle!! Had an instant mental picture of Lucy of "Peanuts" fame sitting in her "Psychiatric Help 5 Cents" Booth with her "The Doctor is In" sign!

quote:

Originally posted by SFS Fan

I'm reminded of a story I saw on television some time ago about a Dallas, TX lawyer who opened up a coffee shop (which he named "Legal Grounds") and dispensed not only coffee, biscotti and such, but also legal advice. Up on the wall, along side the prices for a cafe mocha and lattes were his rates for general legal advice, drawing up contracts, etc. Unless, of course, you want to completely get out of the legal field, I see no reason why you couldn't do the same thing. You would need a partner, of course, to oversee the cart while you give advice to a client. You could make it very clear that your main business is selling wieners and thus, limit the number of clients you would see. I'm not saying you should set up your business that way, but it would sure get you a lot of attention in the local media.

Remember the NBC show "Ed"? He was a big city lawyer who opened a bowling alley with a law office inside. It is really tempting to do just that, but I think I want to get out of law altogether, at least for now. If something really interesting comes along, then I would take it but I'm kinda burned out right now.

So have you actually started yet? That first week will be insane!

quote:

Originally posted by spud

So have you actually started yet? That first week will be insane!

Not quite yet. My commisary got skittish about the fact that his rating is tied to my rating and vice versa. If he failed inspection, then I got an F and if I failed, then his restaurant got an F. Luckily, my partner owns a building which used to be a post office. This building has a commercial kitchen that was being used for another purpose, but was licensed around 5 years ago by the previous owner. We have been putting equipment in, cleaning it up, and getting it ready to inspect. I am still hopeful that by the first week in August I will be up and running.

If I recall from the PBS Hot Dog documentary, there's a hot dog stand in Van Nuys California called "Law Dogs" that is operated by an attorney who gives free legal advice every Wednesday evening at the restaurant.

Wow, what entanglements. It sounds like these days one must be a lawyer just to open a simple hot dog stand. Looks like in the near future every cart vendor will have to be a lawyer just to manage all the red tape involved.

Here in River City, there is an old and long tradition for quick results with City Hall. In the past one could walk right into City Hall and slap the correct political donation right into the hand of the right politician. Your project would meet with approval instantly. Of course, one can't do this sort of thing these days. Now you have to walk in backwards with the cash in hand behind your back.

quote:

Originally posted by Zombuswoof

quote:

Originally posted by spud

So have you actually started yet? That first week will be insane!

Not quite yet. My commisary got skittish about the fact that his rating is tied to my rating and vice versa. If he failed inspection, then I got an F and if I failed, then his restaurant got an F. Luckily, my partner owns a building which used to be a post office. This building has a commercial kitchen that was being used for another purpose, but was licensed around 5 years ago by the previous owner. We have been putting equipment in, cleaning it up, and getting it ready to inspect. I am still hopeful that by the first week in August I will be up and running.

What you have there could become an additional revenue stream - Providing Commissary Services to others!

Ok..Do I want to be a lawyer or sell hot dogs. Boy, that's a very tough decision.

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben

Ok..Do I want to be a lawyer or sell hot dogs. Boy, that's a very tough decision.

I hope you're being faciesous (sp) and trying to make a funny!

If that Commissary you were going to use had so little faith in his operation that he might drag you down with a bad score, GOOD RIDDANCE.

If you havent settled on a name yet, I really like that "STREET LEGAL DOGS" from earlier. Has nice rhythm to it.

Waiting for you to start on this crazy journey.

spud

dave, boars head dogs are crap the best dogs are from new england and up state ny in new england , schonlins,jordans.muckys,saugys. in upstate ny , humbolts,white eagle, some of the best dogs are stop and shop brand. all these people ship

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben

Ok..Do I want to be a lawyer or sell hot dogs. Boy, that's a very tough decision.

The question is more like this - Do I want to worry about 120 other people's problems and try to straighten out their messed up lives or do I want to be personally happy and take care of my family and me? That's not a very tough decision. What do you do for a living, Baah Ben?

quote:

Originally posted by cape cod johnny

dave, boars head dogs are crap the best dogs are from new england and up state ny in new england , schonlins,jordans.muckys,saugys. in upstate ny , humbolts,white eagle, some of the best dogs are stop and shop brand. all these people ship

Thanks, I appreciate the tip. Do you have contact info for any of these companies? I guess I could not be lazy and Google it myself, but that wouldn't be as much fun, right?

Well said Zombus.

I've found the quality of ones life is related to attitude, not intellect.

Edit - Which reminds me, in my youth I once worked on a carpentry framing crew. 5 of us. 3x had BA's, 1 had a MBA, the other an masters in Art.

quote:

Originally posted by WarToad

Well said Zombus.

I've found the quality of ones life is related to attitude, not intellect.

Edit - Which reminds me, in my youth I once worked on a carpentry framing crew. 5 of us. 3x had BA's, 1 had a MBA, the other an masters in Art.

While I was waiting for the results of the bar exam (in SC, it takes 4 months for the results to be published), I worked as a pizza delivery guy for Papa John's Pizza. I was certain I was the most overqualified pizza guy ever, but this store also had an MBA and a burned out MD. It was a great job - no stress, flexible hours, and decent money. I saw American Beauty again the other day and can really relate to Kevin Spacey's character when he goes for the job at the fast food joint. The kid says, "We don't have any openings for management right now." And he says, "Good. I want a job with the least amount of responsibility possible." You gotta love it.

I spoke with the Health Department again today for around 45 minutes. To make a long story short, I think everything is ready to go so I set up the Health Department inspection of my commercial kitchen for this coming Monday, August 11. If we pass, then we'll be set for festivals, special events, etc. and can then apply for our permits for the spots in the city. It finally feels like it's all coming together.

Great news. Keep on chugging!

You are going to have so much fun. I am!

Arnie

Hi Dave,

Will your local health department allow you to sell homemade chili off your cart?

Thanks

Arnie

quote:

Originally posted by ArnieTX

Hi Dave,

Will your local health department allow you to sell homemade chili off your cart?

Thanks

Arnie

Yes, although it is not really homemade. I have a commercial kitchen where I will prepare it and then refrigerate it. I'll warm it up on the cart. Apparently, not too much is off limits in S.C. - from mayo to cole slaw, it's all ok for a cart as long as it can be kept cool/hot and served safely.

Good deal! I'm looking into this in my state.

Thanks

Arnie

I go to college for psychology/social work. I guess I could give out advice? LOL Call it Crazy dogs, oopps sorry don't want to be guilty of stero-type. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Nightshift

I go to college for psychology/social work. I guess I could give out advice? LOL Call it Crazy dogs, oopps sorry don't want to be guilty of stero-type. LOL

Not until you're licensed! That's like somebody who's going to the police academy pulling people over for speeding.

quote:

Not until you're licensed! That's like somebody who's going to the police academy pulling people over for speeding.

But that would be crazy. We'd need to send the nut to a psychologist

Alright, after almost a month I finally fired up my cart today and made some dogs for family and friends. My first impression is it is a helluva lot harder than it looks and I need to practice coordinating everything before subjecting the public to my skills. I think the first adjustment I need to make is to get some pans with hinged lids and a new gas valve that will allow a standing pilot light. The existing valves basically allow two settings - full bore and off.

Tomorrow I have my health department inspection. I will let everyone know how it goes. If all goes well, I will be at some type of festival next weekend. I have several different ones in mind and the deadline for food vendors have long passed, but several of them still have room for last minute additions.

My pans have lids that are welded and hinged. I like them because I have a glove on the left hand to hold my food and tongs in the right hand. I can take the tongs and grab the lid knob and "fling" in open and closed. I can fling every lid on my cart open and shut and never have to worry about losing it or having it fall off. It's quick and easy. I got the idea watching new york dog slingers on youtube.

My cart has pilot lights and they are really handy. When things get to hot I just shut her down to pilot only. Suprisingly , the pilots do a good job of keeping the temps up once reached.

I bought my perforated pans and steamer lid from Rest Depot. Good luck with your health inspection.

Arnie

What happened Mr.Woof? Almost a years time has passed without an addition. Please post again, I hunger for your continuation. I'm here to research a change in "workstyle" as well.

I heard about a lawyer who switched his career...he moved from LA, California and opened a bicycle rentals biz in Hawaii...I think he made more money and enjoyed shorter work days...perhpas Zwoof is experiencing something similar to that himself. Are you Zwoof????

ice cream man 99


I heard about a lawyer who switched his career...he moved from LA, California and opened a bicycle rentals biz in Hawaii...I think he made more money and enjoyed shorter work days...perhpas Zwoof is experiencing something similar to that himself. Are you Zwoof????

ICM 99 this post is from 2008, this guy is long gone. Most people don't respond to VERY old posts....Billyb

I'm wondering if I'm among the less than stellar newbie posts?

Zombuswoof and the dark side had a falling out and he does not post anymore.
 Lurks but does not post.