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Entrepreneur Guys 2.0: The Side Gig (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter glvsav37
- Start date
glvsav37
Footballguy
Breaking this up
The lady next to me decided not to do lemonade given there was already 2 of us, and that was our main product. She already had a food truck with funnel cakes and such, so they just stuck to that which was very nice of them.
Being I was late to begin with, then all this debating and walking down to ask to move, I was really behind setting up. Also I was alone b/c my buddy wasn't dropping his daughter (My helper for the day) off until right as the festival was opening.
I was still in set up mode when customers started visiting. I sure was not turning them away b/c of the competition, so it took me a while to really get set up. Plus being it was my first real event, I really hadn't battle tested the whole set up yet, things were def a bit disorgnazied for the first hour of so. We found our groove and had a good opening amount of customers, esp being we were at the far end of the festival.
As the day went on we had a very steady flow of customers, and I kept peeking over at the other tent and he maybe had 1 to my 5-6 customers. IDK what it was but people would walk up and gravitate toward my tent. Now the other guy did more then lemonade—shaved ice, iced coffee, and and served his in a fresh pineapple which im sure was a huge up charge, but looked very cool walking around with. But I also think his booth was a little intimidating looking with all that product. IDK? But we were def beating him in customer count...and it wasn't even close. Also, I didnt have my menu board out so no one knew my prices until they came to the tent.
He was a nice guy but you could tell he was getting very frustrated and the volume I was getting as the day went on. He had a partner in the tent so I would watch him make some drinks and start walking up and down the street with them, doing some walk-around marketing. Then by the end of the day he was offering free refills.
We kept a clicker to keep a drink tally and while we were not exact, we sold about 150 cups for a 6 hour festival day. People were raving about them and how good they tasted. So day 1 was def a success.
The best was that 2 ladies from a nearby medial office ordered 7 lemonades from me. They went to the other guy first but he didn't accept credit cards, so they brought the business to me.
That said, I have 2 (of 3) other nights with this organization, but we will see if they keep both of us, and/or move us to different locations. Unfortunately, the 1st night we have to miss b/c its my daughters graduation.
The lady next to me decided not to do lemonade given there was already 2 of us, and that was our main product. She already had a food truck with funnel cakes and such, so they just stuck to that which was very nice of them.
Being I was late to begin with, then all this debating and walking down to ask to move, I was really behind setting up. Also I was alone b/c my buddy wasn't dropping his daughter (My helper for the day) off until right as the festival was opening.
I was still in set up mode when customers started visiting. I sure was not turning them away b/c of the competition, so it took me a while to really get set up. Plus being it was my first real event, I really hadn't battle tested the whole set up yet, things were def a bit disorgnazied for the first hour of so. We found our groove and had a good opening amount of customers, esp being we were at the far end of the festival.
As the day went on we had a very steady flow of customers, and I kept peeking over at the other tent and he maybe had 1 to my 5-6 customers. IDK what it was but people would walk up and gravitate toward my tent. Now the other guy did more then lemonade—shaved ice, iced coffee, and and served his in a fresh pineapple which im sure was a huge up charge, but looked very cool walking around with. But I also think his booth was a little intimidating looking with all that product. IDK? But we were def beating him in customer count...and it wasn't even close. Also, I didnt have my menu board out so no one knew my prices until they came to the tent.
He was a nice guy but you could tell he was getting very frustrated and the volume I was getting as the day went on. He had a partner in the tent so I would watch him make some drinks and start walking up and down the street with them, doing some walk-around marketing. Then by the end of the day he was offering free refills.
We kept a clicker to keep a drink tally and while we were not exact, we sold about 150 cups for a 6 hour festival day. People were raving about them and how good they tasted. So day 1 was def a success.
The best was that 2 ladies from a nearby medial office ordered 7 lemonades from me. They went to the other guy first but he didn't accept credit cards, so they brought the business to me.
That said, I have 2 (of 3) other nights with this organization, but we will see if they keep both of us, and/or move us to different locations. Unfortunately, the 1st night we have to miss b/c its my daughters graduation.
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I think you found the reason for your outselling him. When I look at a booth with a lot of options it is overwhelming. If I see a booth selling the one thing I want at a reasonable price I will always go there.
glvsav37
Footballguy
Day 2: Another street fair, but this one was in the town next to me, so very close.
Being I'm on the board of neighboring Chamber of Commerce, I know a lot of the organizers, so not sure if that helped me, but I got a cherry of a spot. Pretty much dead center of the 1/3 mile festival. Not a food or drink vendor in my sightline. I saw one other lemonade guy toward the end of the festival as I was driving in to set up, but even though there was no direct competition near me, I left the menu at home and stayed with the same prices as the day before.
Plus I was next to a local politician's tent who I am very good friends with and his staff. We made a mistake in one drink and the politician (Nick) took it from us vs us tossing it. He was raving about how delicious it was to everyone on line, and I was backing him up with "Remember folks, he's an elected official, he's not allowed to lie!" lol
This was a longer festival, started at 10 and went to 5, however it rained off and on until about 12:30 and was very overcast—Not good lemonade weather. However once the clouds broke, it got hot...fast!!
My daughter was there for 1/2 the day b/c needing to go to work. Her friend had planned on relieving her. b/c of the weather, I debated calling her and telling her to forget it and wow what a mistake that would have been. We got crazy busy with times where the line was 3-5 deep. We had such a constant flow that I could barely find time to refresh the ice and water. I brought 3 6L tubs of sugar (a 1/4 cup goes in each drink, and each tub contained about 8 lbs of sugar), and I totally ran out of it by the end of the day.
My favorite flavor (a $9 cup) is Blue Raspberry which makes the drink a very cool, gatorade blue color, and its really delicious. We had so many people coming up asking "Is this where you get the blue lemonade???"
We lost count bc we were so busy and my daughters friend was not as diligent as my helper from the day before, but we estimate we did about 190 or more cups yesterday....and thats during a rain-shortened day.
Being I'm on the board of neighboring Chamber of Commerce, I know a lot of the organizers, so not sure if that helped me, but I got a cherry of a spot. Pretty much dead center of the 1/3 mile festival. Not a food or drink vendor in my sightline. I saw one other lemonade guy toward the end of the festival as I was driving in to set up, but even though there was no direct competition near me, I left the menu at home and stayed with the same prices as the day before.
Plus I was next to a local politician's tent who I am very good friends with and his staff. We made a mistake in one drink and the politician (Nick) took it from us vs us tossing it. He was raving about how delicious it was to everyone on line, and I was backing him up with "Remember folks, he's an elected official, he's not allowed to lie!" lol
This was a longer festival, started at 10 and went to 5, however it rained off and on until about 12:30 and was very overcast—Not good lemonade weather. However once the clouds broke, it got hot...fast!!
My daughter was there for 1/2 the day b/c needing to go to work. Her friend had planned on relieving her. b/c of the weather, I debated calling her and telling her to forget it and wow what a mistake that would have been. We got crazy busy with times where the line was 3-5 deep. We had such a constant flow that I could barely find time to refresh the ice and water. I brought 3 6L tubs of sugar (a 1/4 cup goes in each drink, and each tub contained about 8 lbs of sugar), and I totally ran out of it by the end of the day.
My favorite flavor (a $9 cup) is Blue Raspberry which makes the drink a very cool, gatorade blue color, and its really delicious. We had so many people coming up asking "Is this where you get the blue lemonade???"
We lost count bc we were so busy and my daughters friend was not as diligent as my helper from the day before, but we estimate we did about 190 or more cups yesterday....and thats during a rain-shortened day.
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glvsav37
Footballguy
Some photos:
This is our tent
This was the guy across from us, and the truck next to us.
Our 1st Instagram customer tag!!
and for any tinkerer guys, for BOH approval, we had to create a fully working, hot water running 3 compartment sink. So after some research my father and I built this monster off of a rolling cart, some steam pan trays, a cordless water pump, and an RV water heating unit. WE add the 4th Hand washing sink b/c I needed that too, even though that could have be separate.
The sink
the heater
the guts (not hooked up)
I def need to find a way of bing more portable and organized with things for the next show. Tools and suck in 1 bin, supplies in another, etc. But I'll get there,
This is our tent
This was the guy across from us, and the truck next to us.
Our 1st Instagram customer tag!!
and for any tinkerer guys, for BOH approval, we had to create a fully working, hot water running 3 compartment sink. So after some research my father and I built this monster off of a rolling cart, some steam pan trays, a cordless water pump, and an RV water heating unit. WE add the 4th Hand washing sink b/c I needed that too, even though that could have be separate.
The sink
the heater
the guts (not hooked up)
I def need to find a way of bing more portable and organized with things for the next show. Tools and suck in 1 bin, supplies in another, etc. But I'll get there,
glvsav37
Footballguy
I was really sweating the Board of Health inspection. I've never interacted with them except on the permits and such and they seemed very 'by the book' in the office and have the power to shut you down if they don't like what they see.. However the guy who came to my tent Saturday could not have been nicer. He congratulated me on my 1st event, and found a few minor things I needed to fix but was very nice about all of it.
all it really was were, boxes of product on the ground, I need to have a milk crate of something to get them up off the ground. And second I had a bottle of Windex sitting on a box of lemons and we need to keep chemicals away from product. It was more b/c of my rushed opening, I just missed it and he was totally chill about all of it.
Def a relief with the whole interaction and review.
all it really was were, boxes of product on the ground, I need to have a milk crate of something to get them up off the ground. And second I had a bottle of Windex sitting on a box of lemons and we need to keep chemicals away from product. It was more b/c of my rushed opening, I just missed it and he was totally chill about all of it.
Def a relief with the whole interaction and review.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Good for you! Sounds like it went well
glvsav37
Footballguy
July has been slow. Just a few outdoor concerts at libraries. Have yet to crack $100 at any one of them, but with no vendor fee, its just money in the pocket for 2-3 or so hours of time. I could have booked more in july but I was unsure where I would be with town paperwork and such, so I didnt want to commit a lot of money to vendor fees that I would risk not making.
But we just had a 4 hour, night street party and did close to 200 cups, making $1,200 for the night. This is a 3 night event spread out over the summer, and this was night 2. I had to miss the 1st one b/c my daughter graduated HS that same night. The 3rd one is in late Aug.
Night events are fun b/c I got glow cubes and they make the drinks really stand out.
August is going to be very busy. I have an event almost every weekend, at least 1 (if not 2) concerts a weeknight, and just booked a huge 4-day/4-night carnival starting on Aug 22.
I got sick of loading and unloading my SUV, so I went out and bought a 2nd hand trailer for all the stuff. It was only $300 and has been a lifesaver (I built the wood walls). Now I pull it into my garage, keep it loaded and just refresh it before each event. I was loading and unloading 4x for each event (1 in at home, 1 out at the event, then another in and out when the event was over) which was getting to be a big PIA.
But we just had a 4 hour, night street party and did close to 200 cups, making $1,200 for the night. This is a 3 night event spread out over the summer, and this was night 2. I had to miss the 1st one b/c my daughter graduated HS that same night. The 3rd one is in late Aug.
Night events are fun b/c I got glow cubes and they make the drinks really stand out.
August is going to be very busy. I have an event almost every weekend, at least 1 (if not 2) concerts a weeknight, and just booked a huge 4-day/4-night carnival starting on Aug 22.
I got sick of loading and unloading my SUV, so I went out and bought a 2nd hand trailer for all the stuff. It was only $300 and has been a lifesaver (I built the wood walls). Now I pull it into my garage, keep it loaded and just refresh it before each event. I was loading and unloading 4x for each event (1 in at home, 1 out at the event, then another in and out when the event was over) which was getting to be a big PIA.
Long Ball Larry
Footballguy
I think gally might be interestedso thats a "no" for when I'm looking for someone to staff the next facility in my concession takeover empire??
Looks like you are not the only one selling Lemonade.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/not-just-kids-anymore-adults-123115232.html
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/not-just-kids-anymore-adults-123115232.html
glvsav37
Footballguy
lots of great stories in there...and yup...I started basically the same way, just a youtube video (then started seeing more on TT)
its been a busy summer and I def have and money. This week is the big one...a 4 day carnival so
glvsav37
Footballguy
Wow, what a weekend. Total take for the weekend: $7,500.
When I 1st started this, I booked a busy street fair for this past Thursday night. Then a few weeks ago I got the opportunity to be at a 4 day carnival. I couldnt turn down the carnival, but also couldn't be in 2 places at once. So we cobbled together a 2nd tent setup and my wife got her Food Handler's Certificate (required for the BoH to run the tent). She ran tent 2 with my 14 y/o son (who has worked with me all summer) and a buddy's wife. While My 18 y/o daughter and myself ran the carnival tent (we knew the 1st night would be slower).
After that, it was the 4 of us for the rest of the carnival.
Saturday was a madhouse, we had lines 10 groups deep at times. We ran 2 stations—myself and my son— while my daughter took orders and my wife mixed and finished the drinks.
We decided to try something different and offer $5 refills (our standard prices start at $8 a drink), and what a hit! We actually had people pre-paying for the refill. Even though it was less profit, it brought more people back to the tent for the refill and some even ordered another drink or 2.
This was our last event technically for the summer. Hockey season for my son starts next weekend so our weekends are now shot. I have a mid Sept event and then possibly 2 in October but we will see if I take them. The weather can be either really hot or very chill here in NY in October, so I will wait and see.
Overall its been an interesting summer, with some bangers and some duds. I def learned a lot and have plans for next year. Overall, I have not counted the final numbers, but we did about $14k for the season and that was with a very slow June and July. I'm sure I can increase that with picking better festivals and more time to apply for them next year.
When I 1st started this, I booked a busy street fair for this past Thursday night. Then a few weeks ago I got the opportunity to be at a 4 day carnival. I couldnt turn down the carnival, but also couldn't be in 2 places at once. So we cobbled together a 2nd tent setup and my wife got her Food Handler's Certificate (required for the BoH to run the tent). She ran tent 2 with my 14 y/o son (who has worked with me all summer) and a buddy's wife. While My 18 y/o daughter and myself ran the carnival tent (we knew the 1st night would be slower).
After that, it was the 4 of us for the rest of the carnival.
Saturday was a madhouse, we had lines 10 groups deep at times. We ran 2 stations—myself and my son— while my daughter took orders and my wife mixed and finished the drinks.
We decided to try something different and offer $5 refills (our standard prices start at $8 a drink), and what a hit! We actually had people pre-paying for the refill. Even though it was less profit, it brought more people back to the tent for the refill and some even ordered another drink or 2.
This was our last event technically for the summer. Hockey season for my son starts next weekend so our weekends are now shot. I have a mid Sept event and then possibly 2 in October but we will see if I take them. The weather can be either really hot or very chill here in NY in October, so I will wait and see.
Overall its been an interesting summer, with some bangers and some duds. I def learned a lot and have plans for next year. Overall, I have not counted the final numbers, but we did about $14k for the season and that was with a very slow June and July. I'm sure I can increase that with picking better festivals and more time to apply for them next year.
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Sounds great.
Is that $14K profit or gross sales? So half of that take was that final weekend of $7.5K?
I would be interested to know what that came out to per hour (using total hours worked of all people working the booths/setup/teardown) with respect to profit.
glvsav37
Footballguy
Mostly gross, I had to buy a lot of things like juicers, tables, tent, trailer, utensils and food grade storage, cups & lids, etc. Without running exact number I would say it made about 9K net. MY biggest single expense was the portable sink setup I needed to build for BoH approval (which I don't see anyone else using, so IDK how much that was really needed) which was about $600 to create.
But now that I have those, next year will be a much better profit ratio.
I'll always have product expenses like the cases of lemons, sugar, ice, water and flavoring, but that accounts to around $0.70-$0.80 a cup
As far as setup, yea that sucked. We got really good at it toward the end, but it still sucked. I purchased an open trailer mid-summer and kept most of stuff in there—tables, sink, tent, coolers, etc—and just backed it into my garage until the next event.
Now that I have the trailer, in the offseason I'm considering building a rolling counter that I can wheel into the trailer (like this w/o the canopy). It would have storage inside it so we can just pack the supplies into the cart and push it back into the trailer. I just need to figure how to make it light but sturdy. That would cut setup/break down time and energy considerably.
I knew this season was going to be learning experience from both a financial and procedure standpoint.
My biggest win was that my 14 year old son really enjoyed working the tent and we got a bunch of great bonding time together. Profit or loss, that was worth it.
glvsav37
Footballguy
another note re: setup/tear down time
I would love to get a fully decked out trailer one day. But those and traditional food trucks come with their on headaches. Was talking to the ice cream truck guy on the last day and he was telling me how his truck blew a transmission the day before and had to have the truck towed to the carnival so he could serve out of it. He's going to have a huge maintenance bill waiting for him to get that thing fixed. So while my little tent requires a bit of sweat equity to set up, its not going to break down on me either.
I would love to get a fully decked out trailer one day. But those and traditional food trucks come with their on headaches. Was talking to the ice cream truck guy on the last day and he was telling me how his truck blew a transmission the day before and had to have the truck towed to the carnival so he could serve out of it. He's going to have a huge maintenance bill waiting for him to get that thing fixed. So while my little tent requires a bit of sweat equity to set up, its not going to break down on me either.
This will really help with the profit ratio for sure. Start up costs are always the biggest issue and hump to get over to make a business work. If you can survive that part where you now have a lot of the stuff already it really helps.
Sounds like you got out of it exactly what you were hoping for. Good bonding time and doing something you seem to like. I am happy it is working out for you.
glvsav37
Footballguy
lol me too
3C's
Footballguy
Lemonade stand story.
Felony charge for stealing $40 seems harsh but F that guy anyway. And the side story of the community response.
Those kids are getting new iPhones or something.
Felony charge for stealing $40 seems harsh but F that guy anyway. And the side story of the community response.
Those kids are getting new iPhones or something.
glvsav37
Footballguy
the article is behind a subscriber wall, but I think I saw this (or a similar) story.Lemonade stand story.
Felony charge for stealing $40 seems harsh but F that guy anyway. And the side story of the community response.
We def made sure to watch our cash box and tip jar like a hawk and tried never to turn our back on it.
3C's
Footballguy
Weird, I'm not a subscriber anymore. But yeah, punk stole the kid's jar with $40. Originally he was charged with petty larceny but they upgraded it to grand larceny, a felony. And the community came out in droves and through donations and purchases the kids got $6700.the article is behind a subscriber wall, but I think I saw this (or a similar) story.Lemonade stand story.
Felony charge for stealing $40 seems harsh but F that guy anyway. And the side story of the community response.
We def made sure to watch our cash box and tip jar like a hawk and tried never to turn our back on it.
Johnny Rock
Footballguy
Great job! Very good details in your posts. Feels like I’m there. Good luck next summer!
Seems like this can be become a plan for the stand. Kids say that their tip jar was stolen and get a story about it and then the community comes to the rescue and they get a bigger return.
(I hate that this was one of the first things that comes to mind but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if someone would actually try it).
