Namoka Rice built a hot dog empire in Seattle, turning a single cart into a business making over $40,000 monthly. Starting with just $10,000 in savings, she and her college friend Betty had a simple plan: serve great food with genuine hospitality.
That one cart grew into Deez Dogz, now with five busy locations across the city. You'll find their stands at prime spots like Seahawks games and Climate Pledge Arena, where they've become local favorites. Each day, they're not just serving hot dogs – they're building a community of loyal customers who keep coming back.
Their approach worked better than anyone expected. Today, Deez Dogz brings in up to $100,000 monthly. They found their sweet spot by setting up where hungry people have few choices, and making each interaction count. Every customer gets treated like a friend, not just another sale.
What makes the story even more remarkable? Namoka built this business while raising her kids and working late night shifts. She proved that sometimes the most profitable ventures aren't complicated; they're about doing something simple exceptionally well. In her case, it's about showing that with dedication and genuine connection to your community, a simple idea can become something extraordinary – a Seattle success story!
Timestamps: 00:00 - Start 00:37 - Splurging on hot dogs 01:13 - Meeting Betty 01:31 - Started with ZERO chef experience 02:24 - A “connoisseur of the nightlife” 03:14 - Wise storage solution 03:28 - Success with no decline 03:46 - Revenue breakdown 04:16 - Profit and expenses 04:40 - Business built around customer service 05:43 - Let’s talk carts! 06:30 - Different carts, different purposes 07:03 - Profit margins 07:21 - Picking key locations 07:56 - Positioning is half the battle 08:29 - Pricing strategy 09:08 - Your next customer could be anyone 11:11 - The secret’s in the size 11:55 - Aiming for quality AND speed 12:34 - Fan blitz 13:33 - 400 to 600 hot dogs a day?! 14:08 - Business with NO seasonality 15:30 - What do customers say? 16:41 - Thanks, Home Depot! 17:14 - Starting strong with a DIY cart 18:18 - Hustling since childhood 19:36 - Strutting the street with a wad of cash 20:48 - Choose your cart wisely 22:15 - Onions do the talking (not marketing!) 22:49 - “Can I sketch you?” 23:49 - The permitting process 26:00 - Co-working with store owners 26:29 - It’s the little things 27:35 - Motivated by purpose, not just profit 28:52 - Handling negative feedback 29:58 - Hire family members with caution 31:04 - Be open to hiring anyone 31:48 - Pay structure people love 33:08 - Late nights, hot dogs, repeat 33:42 - Hot dogs at memorial services?! 34:35 - The debt-free mindset 35:01 - Unbothered by competition 35:52 - Don’t overthink it. Just do it! 36:32 - Outro
