Sparky Firepants’ Hot Dog Stand

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This sign was taped to the window of a (former) hot dog stand on the waterfront in Seattle.

“No dogs for you. Out of business.”

Cute, but sad to see.

It also piqued my curiosity because it seemed to have lots of good stuff going for it. It was in an excellent location by the ferry terminal. Tourists flocking to the area, no other quick hot dog place within a half mile, and next to a coffee shop and a smoothy joint. Something for everyone in the typical family-type group.

So I’m thinking about possible overhead, signage, a guy in a hot dog costume dancing on the corner, and I can’t figure out what would force a place like that out of business.

So I asked the girl at the coffee shop next door. Apparently it was bad employees and drug trafficking issues.

Yeah, that would do it, I guess.

But it got me thinking about my own business and how I don’t have bad employees, no drug trafficking (except maybe caffiene), and my location isn’t really a big factor in my potential success.

I like thinking in the simplest terms like this, even in the art and animation business.

Essentially, I need a grill, some buns, dogs, a few beverages, great service, clear signage, and maybe a guy in a dog suit.

Grill = MacBook
Buns/dogs = yummy concepts and artwork
Beverages = providing extra format options
Great service = great service
Clear signage = clear web site and promo cards
Guy in a dog suit = me, being my own weird self

With all those things in place, the only thing I really need to be concerned about is thinking about how to keep making better dogs or offering new things that people will love but not think of asking for.

Sounds like fun.

Time to go put on my dog suit.