So tired of the grind

[JC in GB]

Getting sick of my desk job and really want to be my own boss.

Just wondering if a food truck would be a viable option?

Maybe I am just entertaining a pipe dream...

 

[banderson7474]

My wife and I half joke about getting a taco truck but my entire issue in the food industry is that I would have to work when I most like to be off work so that doesn't fly for me.

 

[ristau5741]

get up at 3AM... Start the fire... prep the meat.... throw meat in smoker... take out when cooked...load up the truck around 11AM..hit the road...go to the usual spots....sell for a while... until sold out....drive home.. clean up everything... get setup for tomorrow... hit the pillow around 10PM... do it all again... :)

 

[JCAP]

Pipe dreams encouraged. Mine is a breakfast shop.....

 

[JC in GB]

get up at 3AM... Start the fire... prep the meat.... throw meat in smoker... take out when cooked...load up the truck around 11AM..hit the road...go to the usual spots....sell for a while... until sold out....drive home.. clean up everything... get setup for tomorrow... hit the pillow around 10PM... do it all again... :)

That is more grueling than basic training....


Right, I get the hard work part of it. I would only work 2 days a week. A 5 or 7 day week would be out of the question without workers.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

If you can make comparable income if not more than go for it man! I would love to quit my job and sell BBQ all day. Wife, kids, benefits, bills, etc... always get in the way of fun lol

 

[JC in GB]

If you can make comparable income if not more than go for it man! I would love to quit my job and sell BBQ all day. Wife, kids, benefits, bills, etc... always get in the way of fun lol

According to my business plan, I could gross $130000/yr working only weekends. That sounds like the kind of thing I would be able to do...

Plus, I am almost done paying off my house so my income needs will be more relaxed.

 

[sandyut]

I have dreamed up the food truck idea too (and many others), but in the end it seems like hard work. long ago I heard a quote that said "dont do what you love for a living, or you risk no longer loving it" or some such. kinda sounds wise. We love cooking for our fam and friends, but the general public...maybe not. I cooked alot in college, its work. And the income would never reach where I am at with the day job now.

im gonna power through the day job and save till i can just quit/retire and enjoy my time doin what I like all day. shouldn't be long now.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

According to my business plan, I could gross $130000/yr working only weekends. That sounds like the kind of thing I would be able to do...

Plus, I am almost done paying off my house so my income needs will be more relaxed.

Then by all means especially with no mortgage you could give it a shot. Damit though all that weekend work would get in the way of a lot of football and cold beer!

I just did a refi on mine...another 30 years to go

 

[sandyut]

One big issue with quitting the grind, is health insurance - at least for us. at my age its about 3-400 a month, in 10 years is more than double that and I still wouldnt be medicare eligible... thats where the dreaming starts to become crying.

 

[PolishDeli]

What are the cottage food laws in your area?
They might offer you a way to start small and get your feet wet?

I’d be sure to get a beer/wine/liqueur license. Selling a beer: minimum effort, maximum profit.

 

[sandyut]

One of my peers is "retiring" from the big job to something that pays enough to buy the health ins. and will live on SS and retirement savings. Which I am considering, but I fall back on make more in less time and just stop working altogether. BUT one day i could get fed up give this place the big FU and fall back on that plan.

 

[JC in GB]

One big issue with quitting the grind, is health insurance - at least for us. at my age its about 3-400 a month, in 10 years is more than double that and I still wouldnt be medicare eligible... thats where the dreaming starts to become crying.

The health care issue is my biggest hold back. Driving this desk makes me decent ching and I have very good benefits.
If we had single payer health care, this would be a much easier decision. Sad how many folks are prevented from starting a business in America because they can't afford to get sick.

Anyway, I don't want to turn this into a political debate as this isn't the place for such but as is said, it is what it is.

I also get the point of having to deal with the public. Most folks are fine but you always have those assholes who think they will get free shit if they bitch. I would have to work on that and get a little bit farther away from Ron Swanson. "I hate the public, the public is stupid".

Thanks to all who have responded. Always nice to get a sanity check.....

 

[JC in GB]

What are the cottage food laws in your area?
They might offer you a way to start small and get your feet wet?

I’d be sure to get a beer/wine/liqueur license. Selling a beer: minimum effort, maximum profit.

Cottage food laws are still pretty tough here in WI. Baked goods just came off the list of products needing licensing.

I can contract cook for a group on someone's property without licensing but I cannot sell individual portions. That would require additional licensing and fees.

The licensing is less strict for events such as farmer's markets etc.

 

[sandyut]

we can dream. maybe some obstacles will dissolve in our future and make this an option. I do think it would be fun, but the there are some speed bumps today.

I like to talk about it tho! I have looked at trucks, checked licensing here and such. I like that others are doing the same.

 

[sandyut]

I will keep buying powerball tickets when I travel...because you just never know. we are not allowed in UT...I will stop there...

 

[JC in GB]

we can dream. maybe some obstacles will dissolve in our future and make this an option. I do think it would be fun, but the there are some speed bumps today.

I like to talk about it tho! I have looked at trucks, checked licensing here and such. I like that others are doing the same.

It is an intense kind of operation but can be quite profitable and it lets you set your own hours and sales area up to a certain point.

I may also have an opportunity to just become an investor in a truck but I know I won't be satisfied with that. I want to be up at 3 AM prepping briskets for sale and hearing how the truck sold out again today. :)

Crazy right??

 

[sandyut]

I has some appeal for sure. I ate at Pecan Lodge in Dallas (quite good) and they just sellout at lunch each day - open 11 till gone. which I like the sound of if it was my shop/truck.

 

[krj]

Full time vendoring/catering is my 5 year plan, possibly opening a brick and mortar but that one is more like 10 year. But first I have to get to the point where I'm making enough to be close to what I make now. Have been hit and miss on the success for vendor events, mainly due to weather, but I've got a couple weddings booked. I also have been doing some small custom orders for people, and when I get my food truck/kitchen ready I hope to be selling cooked meats to local convenience store like locations to sell.

Not rushing it, just making the smart moves and build the brand.

 

[clifish]

I am the opposite, have my own business and dream of a desk job. Sick of worrying about payroll, taxes, insurance, very tough to take a week off....