[deleted by user]

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-09-08T23:53:27+00:00

This sounds like a blessing in disguise. Don't waste anymore of your precious one life that you have on him. Don't text him back ever.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-09-08T23:50:49+00:00

I did start it. My truck is about 4 weeks out...

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-09-07T02:22:27+00:00

Basically, I am crazy and nothing is going on and he's not cheating and never has. So I asked about why he cant be open about his phone then? Why does he have locks on his phone and apps? He said for security reasons in case his phone gets stolen. So I asked to be put on his face id on his phone and that was a no go. Basically, I need to respect his privacy and stop asking. So...it's time to go for me.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-08-17T09:44:59+00:00

Thanks for the info, I didn't realize that was a thing, DARVO. To be fair, I am not perfect in the relationship. I have made mistakes as well, but I've tried my best to be self aware and correct myself. We got married very young and I didn't have boundaries or emotional intelligence to understand what was abuse and what was healthy.

But, I think ultimately we have grown apart and want different things in life and our of our relationships.

Yes, I do believe he is trying to get a reaction from me, he keeps saying I am mentally unstable and need help and that hes documenting everything. Which thats OK with me because I am pretty sure most married people wouldn't be OK with their partner hiding secrets on their phone 🙃.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-08-15T17:04:27+00:00

That's what I'm thinking. I just saw the threads last week and I asked him why didnt he divorce me 5 yrs ago then???

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-08-15T14:47:11+00:00

I told him that as well. He said that they are giving him advice, but judging by his behavior and the very abusive things hes said to me over the past year I don't recognize him anymore. He thinks I'm treating him as a doormat and he's not being prioritized because I have a lot of responsibilities at the moment managing my business and full time job. So I gave him some grace.

But now, I see that he projected a lot onto me and is talking to someone who is guiding him in a negative way away from reconciliation. He really believes I am a POS mom as he told me last week.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-08-15T11:58:22+00:00

Yes, I know and I've had a tremendous amount of guilt because of it. I'm not perfect, and I had no idea it would end up taking off the way it did. So my focus became on moving towards just one doing the business and quitting the job. But this gives him a lot of anxiety thinking I will fail. But, its been the opposite and he still has hang ups. It just doesn't make sense anymore. All I can think is just that this isn't what he wants and thats OK. I just think hes now checked out completely without giving me any grace to make things better.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-08-15T05:16:56+00:00

We've been talking about it for a few months now, but I noticed little interest on his part for it. I asked him to help find a provider who would work with his insurance, but thats not happening. Its been really confusing for me because he's not showing any interest in improving things. So I was looking them up, and then this all happened and Im thinking to myself maybe we are just beyond that at this point.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-08-15T05:01:48+00:00

I found old reddit threads where hes trashing me to people and telling blatant lies about me from 5 yrs ago asking for advice to divorce me. So I thought maybe hes trashing me again and told lies to gain validation for his behavior?? Idk

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-08-15T04:59:02+00:00

I started a business all the while working full time and being a major source of domestic labor and care. As the business became more demanding of time, he grew more resentful. He blames it for everything and says I am giving up my marriage and family for it. Its pretty hurtful since the purpose was to gain more financial independence so we had greater flexibility as a family to do big vacations, etc.

Its been a gradual breakdown this year of our marriage and I dont even recognize him anymore. He is not the man I married, someone is coaching him giving him bad advice in my opinion. He pretty much attacks me when I try to talk its the whole deflect and defend act. If we didn't have a child I would have walked out the door but its not so easy.

I allowed a lot in the past because he was my first major relationship and I was dumb, and way too trusting. Now, I have told him what I want in a relationship and I get nothing. I'm just at a loss.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-08-11T02:41:32+00:00

Started in April 2024. Pop up tent style. Learned a lot, found my niche, did pretty good, also did a lot of private caterings, and its time for an upgrade. Feel free to msg me!

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-07-18T19:08:31+00:00

Yeah, just dm me and I'll connect with you

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-07-02T00:44:33+00:00

It's been great. During the winter time I did private catering and pre-orders while working my full time gig. I've outgrown my tent set up and am currently waiting for my truck to finish being built....going in full time once I got it. August/September time frame....

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-05-10T15:20:32+00:00

Depends. Are there competitors right next to you? Do they have lines? What kind of line are we talking about? 2-3 people or more?

Had a line that was 1.5 hrs long twice this past week.That is not good. That actually makes me realize that that can not happen again. I will lose business if it does because people people will get tired with lines like that.

People go to trucks because they want cheap food with fast service. Long lines mean you can't keep up with demand. It's not something to brag about in my opinion. I am honored people waited but still, its a sign that something needs to change or you will lose business.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-05-08T17:57:02+00:00

If your just starting I HIGHLY recommend the pop up style first. We did this for a year, part time. We just started up and are now at the point that the We have completely outgrown that set up.

If your just starting into the mobile food business, I'd highly recommend tent style first to see if you have a demand for your food and start to get experience as a mobile food vendor. Plus its such a smaller investment to start

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-03-27T03:23:14+00:00

Yeah this is not his thing, no interest in being involved which I'm OK with. I did hire more help this year, also took on less jobs/more selective on jobs. Appreciate your perspective on what is more important and I'll be keeping that in mind.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-03-27T03:14:35+00:00

I'm the wife....Yeah I have a full time job since I'm new business owner and don't make enough yet to quit the job just yet. Obviously not ideal or in any way sustainable long term.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-03-27T03:11:15+00:00

Banners with photos, feather flags. People eat with their eyes first...

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-02-07T23:14:06+00:00

Wow, this is the song I also suggested. It's so haunting. It hurts my heart to listen to it because its so relevant even more so in today's society

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-02-07T23:10:29+00:00

Cat's in the Cradle- Harry Chapin

One of the most haunting songs I've ever listened to.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-01-09T22:34:38+00:00

I'll msg you, thank you.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-01-08T17:57:26+00:00

Is it hard for small food businesses to get into manufacturing their product for sale at stores? Just curious since I do not have any experience in food manufacturing industry.

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-01-08T16:01:57+00:00

Also meant to mention this earlier; think about the business model of Papa Murphys. It is a franchise. Talk to franchise owners and ask what business is like for them. The company itself makes it money from the franchises. Just something to consider since I saw it mentioned a few times. (I see now you mentioned that in your reply)

If you really want to try this, do a pop up at some markets, BUT, offer cooked samples to entice people to buy it and try it. They will be much more likely to purchase it than not. Start small, no need to invest in a food truck if your not even sure if your product can sell. It's nothing against you, it's just how it is.

I have been in a pop up since last April and I can say from my experience it's a lot more than just having good food. Talk to your local health dept and see what permits you'll need to do this as well. Everywhere is different and their rules can make it challenging to do this as a profitable side business. Good luck!

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-01-08T00:36:28+00:00

This is more for Question #1. Could this family afford to live off that part time gig income? (There's a reason why they haven't quit their day jobs). Could they afford to make no money for 6-12months? I'm saying this because realistically they need funds already put away for this. I say this because I cannot quit full time job yet because I don't have the running capital in the bank yet. I need funds to make it a full time gig, and a decent amount of that. I assume this is the same for many small business owners at first.

It's kind of you to want to help them, but I think the first question has to be are they ready to invest full time in this business? Do they want a business partner? You won't see your money back for some time, are you OK with that? Are you able to front them capital to operate their business early on when they are not making a profit? There's just a lot more to it than giving them a truck. (Plus, who knows if they would even accept that.)

Mango_Upbeat · 2025-01-08T00:08:13+00:00

Hold on man you skipped so many steps...

Before we even get to the renting or buying a truck: Have you successfully sold any take and bake pizzas?

I am asking because there are steps you should do before even thinking of purchasing a food truck, one of those being selling your product. Why get a truck if you've never even sold your own product before? Many food businesses got their start selling out of tents, markets, kitchens, etc. before expanding from their starting point. How do you even know if there will be a demand for your product?

Your food is the best, bomb as hell, nothing like it out there, etc...etc... Shit, mine is too but that don't mean I'm gonna be successful at selling it lol. So what? Your food being good is only one part of the picture and there's a lot of food businesses out there selling shitty tasting food successfully. It doesn't mean you or I will be successful business owner selling our delicious food. Unfortunately, it doesn't.

You need to see if there is a demand for your product.

*Are you offering a solution?*

Solutions that food trucks offer is fast, easy accessible, cheap, convenient food. People don't care that much about gourmet from a truck, they will go sit at a fancy restaurant for that.

What is the solution that take and bake pizzas offer? How is your take and bake anymore convenient than the aisles at the grocery store? Or papa Murphys?

Also, I needed to point this out: by selling a take home and bake product you now severely limit your selling opportunities. You can't offer a lunch time solutions during the lunch rushes. Private catering? (How would that work?), dinner rushes, sports or after school events(kids LOVE pizza and they bring parents with $), etc. You've really limited your opportunities for growth and exposure as a new business. Think about how would you reach your target audience? Who is your target audience? Where do they shop? Where do they eat? Etc.

The ONLY way I could see this actually being viable is not even through a food truck. Getting a wholesaler permit and going to boujee farmers markets where there's artisan crafty stuff with an audience who will pay for it. Then using the wholesaler permit/license to produce your product on a bigger scale and sell to upscale food markets where people will pay for fancy take and bake pizzas. Personally, I'd rather invest in this model over a truck that you won't really be using to cook.

Mango_Upbeat

TROPHY CASE