Feeding the soul: Teaching the food truck business

Summary

Brigadier General John Michelle, after 26 years in the Air Force, ventured into the food truck business and created the first certified mobile food truck apprentice program in the U.S. His initiative offers free training and even helps struggling individuals start their own businesses by providing trucks on affordable terms. One success story, Demetrius 'Big Mei' Gower, who overcame past mistakes, now runs a thriving restaurant and has won numerous awards. Michelle’s program has helped several people turn their lives around, empowering them to build a future while giving back to their community.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brigadier General John Michelle transitioned from the Air Force to explore the food truck business in St. Louis with his wife.
• 😀 80% of food trucks fail within the first four years, highlighting the challenges in the food truck industry.
• 😀 Michelle and his wife realized there was no training for food trucks, so they created the first certified mobile food truck apprentice program in the U.S.
• 😀 The apprentice program is open to anyone and is free, with the goal of helping aspiring food truck owners learn the business.
• 😀 So far, the program has trained 60 entrepreneurs, many of whom were struggling financially.
• 😀 Michelle offered food trucks to promising individuals who couldn't afford them, allowing them to pay over five years and own the truck after the term.
• 😀 Demetrius Gower, also known as Big Mei, faced challenges in his youth, including losing his father and being arrested for marijuana possession and carrying a gun.
• 😀 Mei's darkest moment was being arrested, which served as a turning point, motivating him to make a change in his life.
• 😀 Mei's love for cooking led him to Michelle's food truck program, which gave him an opportunity to turn his life around.
• 😀 Mei's business, Big Nichi's burgers and fries, became a success, eventually expanding to a full restaurant and winning multiple local awards, all by the age of 28.

Q & A

What was Brigadier General John Michelle's career before starting his food truck business?

Brigadier General John Michelle served in the Air Force for 26 years before transitioning into the food truck business.

What challenges did Brigadier General Michelle face when starting his food truck business?

He initially struggled with the realization that 80% of food trucks fail within four years, and there was no formal training available for the industry.

How did Brigadier General Michelle address the lack of training for food truck businesses?

He approached the Department of Labor and created the first certified mobile food truck apprentice program in America, which is free and open to anyone.

How many entrepreneurs has Brigadier General Michelle trained through his program?

So far, Brigadier General Michelle has trained 60 entrepreneurs through his food truck apprenticeship program.

What was the unique approach Michelle took to help individuals without the funds to purchase their own food trucks?

Michelle provided trucks to people who couldn't afford one by allowing them to pay it off over five years. After the five years, the truck title would be transferred to the individual.

Who is Demetrius Gower, and what was his life like before joining the food truck program?

Demetrius Gower, also known as Big Mei, had a troubled youth. He lost his father at 13, got involved with the wrong crowd, and was arrested for marijuana possession and carrying an unlicensed gun.

How did Demetrius Gower's life change after his time in jail?

After his arrest and time in jail, Demetrius had a wake-up call, realizing he needed to change his life or risk continuing down a destructive path.

What role did Michelle's food truck program play in Demetrius Gower's transformation?

Michelle's food truck program provided Demetrius with an opportunity to pursue his passion for cooking, leading him to open his own successful food truck business.

What achievements has Demetrius Gower, or Big Mei, accomplished since joining the program?

Big Mei's food truck, Big Nichi's, became a huge success, offering burgers, fries, chicken, and salads. He has since expanded to open a restaurant and has won numerous awards, including Best Chef and Best Burger.

How many people has Brigadier General Michelle helped launch successful food truck businesses for?

Brigadier General Michelle has launched successful food truck businesses for seven people, with three more set to launch in the spring.

What is Brigadier General Michelle's philosophy on life and business?

Michelle believes in using his talents, energies, and passion to build value in the community, trusting that doing the right thing will ultimately lead to success, while inspiring others to follow suit.