[Radar]

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and insightful advice Slang.

I've moved more than most people ever will. I probably moved more than 20 times before I was 21. A couple of those moves were coast to coast...well almost; New York to California and Las Vegas to New Orleans. I drove from Las Vegas to New Orleans in 26 hours without stopping. I was young and stupid and would never do this again. I was in a pickup truck with most of my worldly goods loaded in the back and I thought if I stopped to sleep at a rest stop, the truck would be empty before I woke up.

I don't have the cart yet. I planned on getting one in Orlando. The best one I've seen is manufactured there and isn't as expensive as those made in California. This eliminates the need to tow it there. Any dog cart would be WAY to big to fit into my car.

Like you suggested, I planned to go ahead of my wife and daughter so I can leave them here with her family members for support. I will stay with my aunt Linda and uncle Manny. Uncle Manny has a dog cart that he runs in Florida for extra retirement money the government doesn't know about. Hot dog money = cash.

Uncle Manny only runs the cart 2 or 3 days a week. My plan was to work the cart with him for awhile until I feel comfortable, then work his cart on the days he normally doesn't and split the money with him. Then when I really felt that I have the business down from scoping out locations, to doing prep work in the morning, making really good dogs, sausages, brats, etc. to doing cleanup and storage at night, I'd go ahead and buy my own cart.

My dad will probably go there with me if possible.

While in Ocala, we'll take fairly frequent trips to Orlando to check out spots for the business, and places to live. He'd also be looking for work in Orlando. He's a maintenance mechanic and electrician. Maybe Disney needs someone like that. They don't tend to pay well though.

I figure I'd be there 2 or 3 months before we really get settled with an apartment. Then I'll bring my wife over. She'll have no problem getting work at nail salons. I will stay in an apartment for 6 months or so until I feel really confident in the business and acclimated to the area.

Then we'd buy a cheap house for cash (less than $80k which isn't tough in Florida) or put a very large down payment on a house so our payments are next to nothing.


I've already spoken to uncle Manny about the licenses and permits required and they're not tough at all. I've been reading books and listening to CD's put out by people who run hot dog businesses with tips and suggestions and what to expect.

My wife isn't confident in the hot dog thing, but once she sees the money, she'll be on board. Last year I worked with my wife to pay off all credit cards, student loans, personal loans, and our car. We are debt free. I intend to stay that way.

The good news is since we have no payments, our cost of living will be very cheap and we'll be able to swing the bills without much problem, especially if we've got 3 working adults in the house since my dad will be staying with us.

The bad news is this is going to KILL my mother. She will accuse me of doing it to hurt her. In the end, I've got to take care of my family and that's more important than staying in a state where I can't make it just to make her happy. If I could afford it, I'd take her with me....though my mom and dad can't be near each other without blood.

Since I'll be starting off with uncle Manny's cart and using his licenses, I won't have any problem with Johnny law. Uncle Manny says he'll take me by city hall to get a map of all the zoning so I know where I can setup. Then I'll tour those areas and look for what I believe is the best spot and get to work.


I appreciate you taking the time to make such a detailed post and it's got a lot of really great advice. We think alike more than you think...which might frighten you.

-Radar


P.S. - Thanks for the luck, I'll need it.