A hot dog stand doesn’t quite sound like a business about to take over the world. But with the kind of attention J Dawgs is getting, especially after winning this year’s BYU Entrepreneur of the Year Competition, the little hot dog stand just south of campus has its sights set on becoming one of the big dogs.
Unlike most entrepreneurs that require tens of thousands of dollars to get their ideas off the ground, J Dawgs owner, Jayson Edwards, started his business with only $900 he received after selling his favorite guitar. Edwards broke even in two weeks and in the last three months, J Dawgs grossed more than $41,000. Edwards is now looking at opening a second location.
Though the menu at J Dawgs isn’t very extensive — only consisting of hot dogs and drinks — hungry customers continue to get in line. But what impressed the judges even more than J Dawgs popularity were Edwards’ market strategy, humorous personality, and selfless attitude.
All 23 entries went through two rounds of judging evaluated by professional entrepreneurs: a preliminary round and the judging round. Judges narrowed the field down to six companies: Provo Fro-Yo, J Dawgs, Osmond Design, Body Solutions, Back Road Events and Seatability.
The 14th annual Student Entrepreneur of the Year competition offered winners more than $40,000 in cash and in-kind services from supporters of the Center for Entrepreneurship. Second place was awarded to Dan Hill with Back Road Events and third place went to Kara Forrest with Provo Fro-Yo.
The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.
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Writer: David Andrews (801) 422-1152
