Today we’d like to introduce you to Mason Wright.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mason. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Well, It all started when I was 10 years old. I loved Science and I still do. My mom used to buy me different science kits. From Chemistry to Earth Science, all kinds and they started getting to be $150.00 to $200.00 a kit and my mom said I would have to start earning money for them. So, I started walking peoples dogs, washing cars and mowing lawns. I decided that I wanted my own business and I would use the money I saved up from my small jobs to start it. I tried to brainstorm but nothing came to mind that I could do. Then, I went on a trip to NYC with my sister and my mom.
That is when I saw in Time Square so many Superheroes and Hot dog carts. I tried one of the hot dogs and that’s when it came to me, “I could take this model to Atlanta.”
I mean I had not seen any hot dog carts around. I had saved close to 400.00 and I bought an electric hot dog cart. I did close friends and family members birthday parties, graduations and other get-togethers. I had saved up a nice bit of money then I told my family I needed a hot dog cart like the ones in NYC. My granddad supported by adding to the money I saved and got for my 12 birthday. Business was good but I knew I could do better. That’s when my mentor Devin who goes to Morehouse told me Shark Tank is trying out at Morehouse. I was excited I practiced and practiced. Then the day of tryouts I did not see any other kids and that made me nervous. I did not do good at all I mean I did awful. When I was leaving my mentor pointed and said hey there is President of Morehouse. I do not know what came over me but I walked right up to him and gave him my 30-second pitch. He was so impressed he asked me to follow him to his office. He asked me so many questions. I answered all of them. Then he asked me about my grades. I told him I had all A’s. He told me as long as I keep all A’s I could set my cart up once a week on campus.
As much as I love Morehouse College because my mentor takes me there all the time know I was going to sell there I was so happy. I told my parents I messed up Shark Tank but got something better. Morehouse College knows I have so many Morehouse brother’s and all of them support my business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road first of all when I was ten, I had no idea about a business, I just knew I wanted one.
I had to learn about state rules, permits, insurance, commissary kitchens so much you would not believe but I learned it and I am still learning.
I also lost friends. I know right, like why would I lose friends? Well because they wanted me to hang out and I told them I am not into the stuff they were doing. I wanted to be the biggest businessman in Atlanta. The called me all kinds of names.
That was okay because I met other young people that wanted me to teach them how to start their own business so I did.
All so some friends said they wanted a job but really did not want to work for it. They wanted to get paid without working. They’re making money and did not understand that the money was not mine it was for supplies, insurance, and bills.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Mason’s Super Dogs – what should we know?
Well, when I was researching on Youtube, I saw this video make your business a purple cow. At first, I did get it but by the time the video was finished I understood to make your business stand out. So, I decided anyone could get people ketchup and mustard. I wanted to give them a pizza dog, I wanted to give them a huge hot dog a super dog. So, I brained stormed on a Super menu and names for them Like The Venus Dog, Like the Villain, The El diablo, The Santa Fe, The Donatello to name a few. Then, I started selling Vegans dogs and people from the nearby colleges Spelman and Clark started walking to Morehouse for them. I know for different things the guys from Morehouse love The Torch that an all-beef hot dog that is a quarter-pound and chopped chicken with buffalo sauce cheese, The Spelman girls like The Super Dog. that a hot dog with chopped Lettuce, pickles and mango salsa. Then, I have my Vegan customers that love the Santa Fe Chopped tomato’s, onions, lettuce, pickles, and pineapple relish.
I think being young and professional sets me apart. I am so proud that I was nominated for having one of the best tasting Vegan dogs in the USA by PETA.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Let me tell you my mom has to be the best mom in the world, she drives me wherever I have to go.
My sister who is way older than me helps with my website and keeping me legal. I went looking for the best businessman in the Westend area. I found out about a man named Herman Russell He started when he was 12. But he passed away but his company is still around and this nice man named James Jay Bailey of the RCIE The Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Is the director. I met him and they have been mentoring me also. Also through the RCIE, I met Chef Terry who I can text or call and he teaches me how to make my food tell a story.
I have a lot of support and I know they would not help me if I did not show them how much I want to be the best.
Lastly, my Morehouse brothers who work the cart in between classes.
Pricing:
- A Vegan Hot dog is $6.00 that includes chips and Ice cold beverage
- A Meal 100 percent kosher beef hot dog meal is $5.00 that includes chips and Ice cold beverage
Contact Info:
- Address: Morehouse College
- Website: www.masonssuperdogs.com
- Phone: 678 508-4086
- Email: mason@masonssuperdogs.com
- Instagram: The Mason Wright
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MasonsSuperDogs/
- Twitter: @MasonsSuperDogs
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