I’m On A Roll

Who doesn’t remember the famous scene from Rocky where Sylvester Stallone runs up the steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum, using every last ounce of energy to make it to the top?  People tend to remember the second time this scene appears in the film, when a crowd of local fans cheers the popular pugilist from below—by this time, Rocky has become a neighborhood legend and is on his way to the big time.  Rocky made it up those steps by himself, through tenacity, hard work and sweat.  His character personifies the American dream, and inspires viewers to believe that their background, economic situation, and fears can be overcome to achieve lasting success and happiness. 

There’s a real life Rocky alive and well today on the streets of Miami.  He may not wear gloves, but he’s a fighter who has taken his share of hits but never been down for the count.  Literally beginning his business on the street, this mastermind maverick has grown his company into a million dollar enterprise with no end in sight.  Competitors have tried to copy his formula for success, but customers don’t want second best.  They don’t want cheap imitations, peasants scrambling for the throne of Miami’s most cherished monarch. 

They want the one and only Louie Di Raimondo, America’s Hot Dog King.

Di Raimondo’s story is a testament to the reality of the American Dream.  After working at a series of jobs and leaving the restaurant business, Di Raimondo saved to buy a hot dog cart to make money vending on the streets of Miami.  Accidentally leaving the “for sale” sign on his cart, Di Raimondo was intrigued to find dozens of people asking him where they could buy their own carts.  Lo and behold, Di Raimondo’s business idea was born.  Beginning his company by selling hot dog carts out of his driveway (a practice none too popular with his neighbors at the time), Di Raimondo would repair old carts and resell them at a higher price.  Eventually he had enough carts that he had to buy a warehouse, then two warehouses, then three. 

Along the way, he realized that hot dog cart vendors like himself had nowhere to see hot dog carts on display.  When visiting a cart manufacturer who had the audacity to only show Di Raimondo a catalogue after he’d traveled hundreds of miles to see merchandise, the savvy sovereign created the world’s first (and to date, only) Hot Dog Cart Showroom.  Now potential customers and numerous tourists visit the showroom to gape at the colorful banners, pictures, and hot dog paraphernalia festooning the walls.

But why are people so attracted to Louie and All American?  What distinguishes him from the hordes of entrepreneurs out there filling the pages of business magazines?  Two reasons.  We’ll start with the obvious:

Hot Dogs.  What’s more American than sitting at a baseball game with a ballpark frank doused in relish and mustard?  Picture yourself in the bleachers, your family or your buddies at your side, on a mild summer’s night as a kid.  There’s a mild breeze blowing as the sun begins to set and the enormous halogen lights start to pop on and illuminate the field.  As the players start to warm up, you hail a barking hot dog vendor wearing the silver box of his trade strapped around his neck.