Titan senior Nolan Whitman is relishing his new business venture, Whitman’s Wiener Wagon. This mobile hotdog stand company began as a school project for Whitman’s Woodford County CEO class. “I needed to start a business as part of the class,” he explained, “and I always wanted to own a food truck. But, I thought that might be too much to handle for a high school kid. Then I found a hot dog cart on Facebook Marketplace that wasn’t too expensive.” Whitman purchased the cart and officially opened last month.
Whitman’s Wiener Wagon sells all-beef hot dogs ($4), Polish sausages ($5), chili dogs ($5), and nachos ($5). They also offer drinks, chips, and a wide array of your favorite hot dog condiments. You can even buy Whitman’s Wiener Wagon t-shirts and koozies.
When asked about running his own company, Whitman said, “It’s been so much fun. People have gone out of their way to support me.” Along the way, he’s learned plenty of lessons. “I like being my own boss and working for myself. However, it can be stressful. Getting my name out there and figuring out a routine has been challenging.” Whitman invested his own savings in the venture, but he’s enjoying the profits. “I’ve made enough already that I’ve paid off the cart.”
Whitman reports that his involvement with the CEO class has been a huge help. This class, offered to juniors and seniors at EPG, Eureka, and Roanoke-Benson, teaches students the ins and outs of running a company. First semester, the students run a business together, and second semester, they create their own. “CEO pushes you to actually get out there and do it [operate a business],” Whitman stated. “They help you with the planning, and you network with so many people.” Each student is mentored by a local business leader. Whitman was paired up with “Big Mike” Jenkins, a manager at Mangold Ford in Eureka.
Although the CEO class ends soon and Whitman will graduate from EPG, he plans to continue his business while attending Illinois State University, where he will major in Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management. His next event is May 9th at the Eureka Golf Course from 11-2. You can learn more on his Facebook page and Instagram (whitman_wiener_wagon). You can also email him at [email protected].
