A 14-year-old entrepreneur from Georgia has successfully opened a restaurant business with the support of his family.
Mason Wright wanted to be an entrepreneur and establish a restaurant since starting a food cart business in 2017. Back then, he was looking for a job to support his personal needs, but every time he does go to a grocery store and ask for a job, he would be turned away because of his age. They all said" No" to him because he was too young. He then thought to himself that he could be his own boss instead of working for someone else.
Not able to find a job, he started his own food cart business
In 2018, He got the idea of putting up a hot dog cart business, but first, he needed to raise money. So, he would wash cars, walk dogs, and organize a GoFundMe to raise the money he needs to start up his business; his mother also provided some help.
Wright was able to raise $6,000 and opened his Mason's Super Dogs on the Morehouse College campus in the summer of 2018. Speaking to 11 Alive, he said that he hopes that he would one day have an army of food trucks around the world.
The pandemic could not stop his dreams
That dream would have to take a back seat for now as the pandemic forced many schools to go virtual learning, including the Morehouse College. Not to be discouraged easily, Wright pivoted and established a brick-and-mortar restaurant to continue his business through his sister's help.
His sister, Mary-Pat Hector, helped him financially and in getting his own business license. Speaking to GMA, she said that their family has put their lives on hold to support him and makes sure that Mason's dreams come to fruition.
Mason told FOX 5 that it hasn't been easy at all, and they had encountered "initial pushbacks" from DeKalb County and state officials because he wanted to be listed as a business partner and owner with his 22-year-old sister.
On October 17, 2020, Mason's Super Dogs on Snapfinger Road in Stonecrest had a grand opening. Apart from the 100 percent beef hot dogs, his restaurant will still offer it well-loved, all-natural vegan dogs, which already took a spot on PETA's Top Vegan Hot Dogs of 2019, 13 WMAZ noted. So far, the restaurant has been selling almost 500 hotdogs each day and would even be sold out on several occasions.
Hector said that having a brother like him is amazing. She said that his brother is a visionary, and everything that he puts his mind to ends up being successful. Mason has a full-time staff who helps him with the day-to-day operation. When he is not in school, he would be at the restaurant working and do his homework during his free time.
Mason told GMA that he hopes to inspire other kids and become an entrepreneur like him. To do what you're good at because your hobby could one day turn into a business that makes you money.
Ultimately, Mason said that he wanted to have restaurants scattered all over the place, just like McDonald's.
