$105K Invested to Start a Food Truck Business (Did it Work?) Pt. 1

Do you have a passion for food and wondering how to start your own food truck business? That’s what Jen Gustin did when she started the food truck Boss Mama’s Kitchen. With profits growing steadily, she’s found success in the food truck business—and you can, too, if you follow her model.

After working in the corporate world her entire adult life, starting a food truck was Jen’s way to become her own boss without the huge financial investment of a brick and mortar restaurant.

Boss Mama’s Kitchen was named Food Truck of the Year by South Sound Magazine in 2018, just two years after opening. Local media attention and strong partnerships with local businesses are just a couple ways she’s gotten such a loyal following in her area.

In this interview, Jen shares her insider tips on how to start a food truck that grows its profits year after year. She’ll talk about food truck costs (both initial and ongoing), building a customer base, and how Boss Mama’s has stayed afloat through all the challenges of 2020.

One tip from Jen: success in the food truck business doesn’t happen overnight. Building Boss Mama’s Kitchen’s revenue took time and expertise, and it wasn’t always smooth sailing.

If you’ve been wondering how to start a food truck business, you definitely need to watch this interview to learn how Jen navigated the rough patches to keep her business on track.

Resources:

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:33 Meeting Jen
3:11 Equipment
4:54 Locations
6:40 Profit
8:22 Process of ordering
9:09 Bestsellers
11:28 Biggest struggles
13:13 Frustrating days
14:07 At Center Collision
15:48 Similarities with other food trucks
16:47 Outro

#foodtruck #foodtruckbusiness #howtostartafoodtruckbusiness

[nextgenleaders]

This lady was well-spoken and so honest and professional and hardworking. I hope she goes on to have a long healthy life and makes millions of dollars in her life.

[rockerguitarchef]

Started a food truck during this pandemic! Best decision I have ever made!

[booj]

I noticed that you took some of the criticism from the last food truck video and applied it to this video. You listened very effectively and didn't really interrupt. Your skills as an interviewer and a host are improving and it's cool you took that criticism and were constructive with it.

[MacDaddysDawgz]

I just started my hot dog cart business back in May of this year I have to say I wish I'd bought a hot dog cart 30 years ago instead of busting my azz at my "regular" job. I'm looking into expanding into a food trailer by next spring and go from there!

[pacsoulpavon]

I used to build these food trucks from 2013-2016 here in Denver Colorado. It’s crazy how much they cost but building and materials you probably spend about 10k (not including restaurant equipment). We used to get old fedex trucks for like $3000 and put all the steel sheets /FRP walls up and then do the electrical and plumbing. Then the boss would sell them for $60, 000+, definitely a good business and I’m soon going to build my self one, I have a successful carpet cleaning company but I’m ready to expand to food since it’s always been my dream

[Craiglyhead]

I love this. I’ve worked in the corporate world all my life. Started out as a waiter at a Caesars resort when I was 16 and we served 1000 people on the weekends. Breakfast and dinner. Became a cook there and have had the dream of a food truck with a simple but good menu to be in the hands of the hungry in short order. Thank you for this deeply informative content. ❤️

[ADVANCEDTECHTIPS]

Love the content! High quality, informative and entertaining. I just hope the lack of views short term doesn't discourage you guys. Keep it up, no doubt will be a very successful channel years to come!

[RiazMeghji]

Your videos are fantastic at showing what's possible and how creativity can help us thrive in entrepreneurship, whether it's a food truck or a passion for a specific idea. Keep up the great work!

[aaguirre]

This lady is true to the bone, she's gold

[MoniqueBushee]

this was so fun to watch! i need to show this to my dad, he loves watching shows about food and food trucks specifically! can’t wait for part two!

[sara_s_]

The cameraman is moving the camera randomly and needs to hold it without shaking it. Your content is great.

[jamespeacock]

YOU GUYS ONLY HAVE 16K? I've been watching for half an hour and thought you'd have got at least a million, maybe even 5! This quality is incredible.

[harperharper]

She's really attractive and confident. Wish her continued success.

[brittblessed]

I like Jen. She was very raw and honest. Thanks

[cheyennemccormack]

I'm planning to start my coffee truck in 15 months. These videos inspire me so much!

[cheetah]

I like her honesty, she tells it how it is, not all days will be profit. Thank you, because I am thinking about starting a food truck business.

[MattWongIR]

This was very absorbing! Looking forward to part 2!

[caravanlifenz]

I like the honesty of this episode. In other food truck videos, they go on about making thousands per month, but this one is realistic and honest about the days where food truck owners lose money.

[darioxbrow]

Amazing things I've learned from this video:
1)three things have got to be important to you: your customers, your products and the process of making stuff
2)you are gonna have ups and downs. You can make a few grands in a day, and no money in another one
3)if you don't try stuff out, you'll never know what the outcome is. Keep your foot on the gas and you'll make your way up there

about to watch the second part of this episode ;)

[miguelmiquel]

there are cities/counties/states, that you can just setup just anywhere on a city street. chicago is one of them, as it should be.