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Health & Fitness

Things I Learned Starting My Danny's Dogz Business

Things I learned starting my Danny's Dogz business

Things I learned starting my Danny's Dogz business

All of the conversation below is from Danny Simkins, Vista Murrieta High School class of 2013.

"I guess being young, I figured I knew whatever I needed to start my Danny's Dogz business. Was I right? Sort of, but more wrong than right actually. This in itself was difficult to admit. The 3 most important things I learned were:

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Be sure you have enough start-up capitol

Know how to do everything myself and depend on no one else.

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I learned to write a business plan, project profit, research stuff I never heard about before, order things, even if they were wrong, send them back, negotiate prices; it was mind-boggling and not much fun. Then the permit process was brutal, but I must confess, there are some advantages to being 17. People like me and they really like the idea that I am so young trying to make a way for my future, being part of a solution rather than part of a problem. The staff at our local office of Environmental Health was especially helpful. They shared ideas that helped me a lot.

Thirdly, after all this, the real awakening was I HAD TO HAVE A BETTER HOT DOG THAN ANY OTHER so the customers would come to me first and come back for more.

Finally some of the fun part started, as I tasted dog after dog. I decided on Vienna All Beef. The bun was the BIG challenge. It had to be tasty and the right size. I searched everywhere. I really wanted a local bakery that would work with me. Having been approved by The City of Temecula for the 4th of July Celebration, I was going to need at least 1,000 buns made fresh that day. Vallee d'Brume was my choice. Owner, Adriaan van Heumen, World-class patisserie and chocolatier, made several unsliced buns especially for my hot dog.  He actually invented some exotic spice mixture that sealed the deal for me.  It enhanced the Vienna All Beef and was really tasty enough to eat without the dog; it has no preservatives and is made fresh for me the day of delivery from true Artisan flour. Not only does he operate a first class family owned and operated restaurant, he talked to me with sound advice and understanding. I am so happy to have his buns wrapped around my Vienna All Beef dogs. They are a delight to your taste buds and definitely helped me have a dog like no other. Visit his website www.valleedbrume.com.

All of my products are purchased from family-owned food operations. All veggies are fresh. Relishes and mustards run the gamut: some include exotic fruit. My menu is simple: a dog like no other, potato stix, fountain sodas. You are absolutely going to want my chili dog and chili cheese potato stix. The chili is the very best and secret. So sorry, you won't be able to figure it out.

Would I do this again? Absolutely! Would I encourage other young people to step out of the box into the unknown to pursue a goal? Yes. Even if things don’t come together and work, the experience and challenge of just doing it are greatly rewarding. Of course, the money is a great motivator, too.”

Visit Danny’s Dogz 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 4 at Ronald Reagan Sports Park in Temecula to get your own "Dog Like No Other!" You are going to love them.

 

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