A 21-YEAR-OLD's dream to start up his own food van business has come true.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brayden Carss began operating Street Dogs and Coffee last week after first envisaging the business venture several years ago.
Mr Carss has a full time job as a maintenance worker and used his skills to build and deck out the van.
He has council approval to operate at Strathdale Park on the corner of the McIvor Highway and Crook Street, and recently gained a permit to operate in Bendigo's entertainment precinct.
Street Dogs and Coffee has a simple menu - selling slushies, cold drinks, hot dogs and barista-made coffee, Mr Carss said.
"It's really exciting. I can't wait to see how it goes over the next 12 months," he said.
Mr Carss said one of the reasons he made the decision to turn his idea into reality was his mother.
"My mum had a heart attack because of stress at work and decided to quit. She stopped working and I said, "if I get this food van up and running you can help me run it". She agreed," he said.
Mr Carss, who lives in Maiden Gully, said he wanted to open a cafe or restaurant sometime in the future.
"I guess the food van is just a stepping stone to what might happen in the future. I've always wanted to open a cafe or restaurant - it's always been a dream," he said.
"My family had a few businesses over the last 20 years, so it's something I've grown up with."
He said initially his friends thought he was joking when he told them his idea was a reality.
The food van operates from Wednesday through to Sunday from 10am to 3pm in Strathdale Park.
It will operate in Bendigo's entertainment precinct on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm to 3am in coming weeks.
For more information, visit Street Dogs and Coffee on Facebook.
Mr Carss said he was also available to cater events. People interested should contact him on 0467869727.