Uncategorized

In the Spring of 2005 I started talking to myself. It wasn’t a result of a blow to the head, but rather just plain boredom. I had settled into a daily pattern that was envied by most, but was just not getting me out of bed with enough of a spring anymore. The corporate event business was good, but didn’t take enough of my time. I was falling asleep, so I talked to myself to stay awake.

After a few beers at a local bar with some friends, I started reminiscing about my college experience. Back in 1994, a friend of mine named Juice brought up the idea of buying a hot dog cart and setting it up outside of a local college bar. In 1994 I had about $30 in the bank and enough gas in my car to make it halfway to the gas station. But in 2005…

Within a month I was sitting outside of the most popular bar in town with a shiny new hot dog cart and a company name that is chanted on Fall Saturdays by 90,000 football fans…a misleading albeit true statement. Let me take this time to give credit for the name “Tiger Meat” where it’s due. A close friend named Paul Jones had an epiphany when I began talking about starting a hot dog cart vending business. He blurted the name out immediately and it made perfect sense. It was a local cheer during sporting events and would give me indirect free advertising. It was brilliant. Coincidently, Paul’s older sister J.J. was present back in 1994 when Juice and I discussed the original idea. A few years ago I gave Paul (P.J.) the opportunity to buy into the business. He and his wife were all for the idea until the cost of a hot dog cart was mentioned.  With an authoritative blow, P.J.’s wife extinguished the idea like a faucet to a flame. Much to my delight, she came to me later with the proposal that she work one of the carts for extra money. A rare victory where Stacye Jones is involved.

That first night outside the bar was a comical experiment. Never really concerned with making money, I just looked at it as something to play with. I mean check this out…I have my own hot dog cart! I had hot dogs boiling, chili bubbling, and fresh toppings chilling, but I spent most of my time inside getting another drink from Michel (“the” local bartender and a friend for years). My efforts that night weren’t stellar, but I went home with more money than I came out with. After I paid my bar tab, I was still in the black. That night I sold 32 hot dogs and made $19 in tips. I had no idea whether that was good or not.

The next night was set to be another packed house so I wheeled out the weenie wagon once more. On this night, things took a turn that would shape the future of Tiger Meat: a girl walked up…

Dana, a friend of mine for the last few months, approached the cart to hang out a little while I was working. We talked with me having to stop just a few times to make a hot dog. I had continued my drinking ritual with Michel from the night before, so eventually I had to use the bar’s facilities. Dana offered to work the cart while I was gone and handing her the reins was the best decision I ever made. Dana’s a good looking girl to say the least. She was well liked in the small college scene and guys were drawn to her. When I made my way back to the cart, it looked like a rock concert had just let out. Dana’s eyes were wide as she watched the tip jar fill up. Dana sold 96 hot dogs that night and made $79 in tips in 3 hours. She made it clear that she would work the cart for me any time. Who would have thought? Intoxicated, sexually motivated post teens are drawn to a hot girl serving food at 3:00 AM like moths to a flame…write that down.

Tiger Meat has grown a lot since that night in 2005. Dana became a local celebrity and late night fare became a regular hit outside of bars. It started as a hobby and distraction, but has become a successful small business over the last 5 years. The extra cash it brought in was a bonus; now it’s another limb I stand on. It reached its pinnacle in 2008, showing great profit numbers. Now, in a time of personal financial speed bumps, Tiger Meat has troubles of it’s own. Another one of the base cards that gave way over the last year. One of the many challenges I have today is to bring it back from the ashes.