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Mason’s Super Idea

Mason Wright, 15, couldn’t find a job he liked—so he started his own business. Will he inspire you to do the same?  

Courtesy of family

Delicious dogs  
Mason’s restaurant is superhero-themed. Every hot dog is named after a comic book character!

Courtesy of family

Mason makes vegan hot dogs too!

    Mason Wright has always tried to be independent. When he was little, that meant being able to buy things on his own. “I wanted science kits and snacks from the dollar store,” Mason says. So Mason took any paying job he could get. 

    He tried walking dogs—but handling four angry Chihuahuas [chuh-WAH-wahs] changed his mind. 

    He tried cleaning cars—but scraping gum out of cupholders got old fast. 

    He tried mowing lawns—but dealing with bugs and snakes was no fun. 

    Soon, Mason began to wonder: Could he find a way to make money that also made him happy?

    Then Mason went on a trip to New York City with his family. That’s when inspiration struck.

    Mason Wright has always tried to be independent. When he was little, that meant being able to buy things on his own. “I wanted science kits and snacks from the dollar store,” Mason says. So he took any paying job he could get. 

    He tried walking dogs, but handling four angry Chihuahuas [chuh-WAH-wahs] changed his mind.

    He tried cleaning cars, but scraping gum out of cupholders got old fast.    

    He tried mowing lawns, but dealing with bugs and snakes was no fun.

    Mason wondered: Could he find a job that would make him happy?

    Then he took a trip to New York City with his family. That’s when inspiration struck.

    Mason Wright has always tried to be independent. When he was little, that meant being able to buy things on his own. “I wanted science kits and snacks from the dollar store,” Mason recalls. So Mason took any paying job he could get. 

    He tried walking dogs—but handling four angry Chihuahuas [chuh-WAH-wahs] changed his mind.

    He tried cleaning cars—but scraping gum out of cupholders held no appeal.

    He tried mowing lawns—but coping with insects and snakes was no fun.

    Mason began to wonder if he’d ever find a way to make money that would also make him happy.

    Then, while Mason was visiting New York City with his family, inspiration struck.

Hometown Hot Dogs

    It happened in the middle of Times Square. Mason was 9 years old. He and his older sister were waiting for a hot dog at one of the area’s many hot dog carts. They all had super-long lines. Wow, Mason thought. These hot dogs must be pretty special!

    Then he bit into one . . .

    “It didn’t taste very good,” Mason says. If people waited in line for these hot dogs, he knew he could make money selling better ones.

    Mason took the idea home to Georgia and came up with a plan for his business. 

    He would save up for a small hot dog cart. The business would be named Mason’s Super Dogs. He would take his cart to barbecues, birthday parties, and other special events.

    Mason was 9. He was in Times Square with his older sister. They were waiting in line for a hot dog. The area had many hot dog carts. They all had long lines. Wow, Mason thought. These hot dogs must be pretty special!

    Then he tried one . . .

    “It didn’t taste very good,” he says. If people waited in line for these hot dogs, he knew he could make money selling better ones.

    Back home in Georgia, Mason made a plan.

    He would save up for a small hot dog cart. He would call his business Mason’s Super Dogs. He would take his cart to barbecues, birthday parties, and other special events.

    Mason was 9 years old, and he and his older sister were waiting for a hot dog at one of the many hot dog carts in Times Square. They all had extremely long lines. Wow, Mason thought. These hot dogs must be pretty special!

    Then he bit into one . . .

    “It didn’t taste very good,” Mason remembers. If people waited in line for these hot dogs, he knew he could make money selling better ones.

    Mason took the idea home to Georgia and came up with a plan for his business.

    He would save up for a small hot dog cart, and he would call his business Mason’s Super Dogs. He would take his cart to barbecues, birthday parties, and other special events.

Mason’s Creations

    Mason’s Super Dogs was a success right away. Mason made about $200 a week! There was one problem: His cart could hold only a few hot dogs and a couple of toppings. So Mason saved up for a bigger cart. 

    With more room, Mason could experiment with different toppings. He created a pizza dog with tomato sauce and cheese. He made a Buffalo dog with chicken and hot sauce.

    His family helped him taste-test each creation. “There were definitely times when they were sick of eating hot dogs!” Mason says.

    Mason’s Super Dogs was a hit. Mason made about $200 a week! There was one problem: His cart could not hold many hot dogs or toppings. So he saved up for a bigger cart.

    With more room, Mason could offer more toppings. He created a pizza dog with tomato sauce and cheese. He made a Buffalo dog with chicken and hot sauce.

    His family helped him taste-test each creation. “There were definitely times when they were sick of eating hot dogs!” Mason says.

    Mason’s Super Dogs was an instant success. Mason made about $200 a week! The one problem was that his cart could hold only a few hot dogs and a small selection of toppings. Mason solved that problem by saving up for a larger cart.

    With more room, Mason could experiment with a wider variety of toppings. He created a pizza dog with tomato sauce and cheese. He made a Buffalo dog with chicken and hot sauce.

    His family helped him taste-test each creation. “There were definitely times when they were sick of eating hot dogs!” 

A Big Break

    When Mason was 12, he had the chance to try out for a TV show called Shark Tank. It lets people pitch their businesses to investors. Mason’s tryout didn’t go well. 

    “I was nervous and stumbled over my words,” he says.

    But Mason wasn’t ready to give up. The tryouts were being held at Morehouse College in Atlanta. After he finished, Mason saw the president of the college walking by. Mason decided to ask if he could sell his hot dogs at Morehouse. 

    This time, the pitch worked. Soon, Mason had many loyal customers at the college.

    When Mason was 12, he tried out for the TV show Shark Tank. It lets people pitch their businesses to investors. Mason’s tryout didn’t go well. “I was nervous and stumbled over my words,” he says.

    Mason didn’t give up. The tryouts were held at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Mason saw the president of the college walking by. He asked if he could sell his hot dogs at Morehouse.

    This time, the pitch worked. Soon, Mason had many loyal customers at the college.

    When Mason was 12, he tried out for the TV show Shark Tank, which lets people pitch their businesses to investors. Mason’s tryout didn’t go well. “I was nervous and stumbled over my words,” he explains.

    But Mason wouldn’t be defeated so easily. The tryouts were held at Morehouse College in Atlanta. After he finished, Mason spotted the president of the college walking by and decided to ask if he could sell his hot dogs at Morehouse.

    This time, the pitch worked. Before long, Mason had many loyal customers at the college.

Courtesy of family

1. Mason with his very first hot dog cart

2. Mason selling hot dogs at Morehouse College

Game Changer

    Still, Mason had even bigger dreams. By early 2020, he had saved up about $9,000 for a food truck. But then Covid-19 started to spread. People were staying in their houses.

    There were no crowds to drive a food truck to. He knew it would be hard to find customers.

    Mason decided to change his plan. Instead of a food truck, he could open a walk-up restaurant. That way, people could come to him. They could order their hot dogs at a window. Then they could eat them at a table outside or bring them home.

    Mason and his sister used their savings to rent a space. On opening day, 300 people came. “The line stretched into the next parking lot,” Mason remembers. 

    Mason worked hard. He wanted a food truck. By early 2020, he had saved up about $9,000. But then Covid-19 started to spread. People were staying home. There were no crowds to drive a food truck to. How would he find customers?

    Mason changed his plan. He decided to open a walk-up restaurant. People could order their hot dogs at a window. Then they could eat them at a table outside or bring them home.

    Mason and his sister rented a space. On opening day, 300 people came. “The line stretched into the next parking lot,” Mason says.

    Still, Mason had even bigger dreams. By early 2020, he had saved up about $9,000 for a food truck. But when Covid-19 began to spread, people started staying in their homes

    With no crowds to drive a food truck to, Mason knew it would be difficult to find customers.

    Mason decided to change his plan. Instead of a food truck, he would open a walk-up restaurant so that people could come to him. After ordering their hot dogs at a window, they could eat them at a table outside or bring them home.

    Mason and his sister used their savings to rent a space. On opening day, 300 people came. “The line stretched into the next parking lot,” Mason remembers.

A Real Businessman

Courtesy of family

Helping Hands
Mason’s family has always supported him.

    Today, Mason’s Super Dogs is very popular. But running a restaurant isn’t easy. Mason has to find time to do schoolwork and relax. “Waking up early and going to bed early helps,” he says.

    Mason hopes his story will inspire other kids. He believes  it’s never too early to go after what you want. “People might say you’re too young,” he says. “Don’t listen to them! If you put your heart into your business, it will be the most successful thing in the world.”

    Today, Mason’s Super Dogs is very popular. Mason is busy. It can be hard to find time to do schoolwork and relax. “Waking up early and going to bed early helps,” he says.

    Mason hopes his story will inspire other kids. He says it’s never too early to go after what you want. “People might say you’re too young,” he says. “Don’t listen to them! If you put your heart into your business, it will be the most successful thing in the world.”

    Today, Mason’s Super Dogs is very popular. The restaurant’s success has come with some challenges for Mason, such as finding time to do schoolwork and relax. “Waking up early and going to bed early helps,” he says.

    Mason hopes his story will inspire other kids. He believes it’s never too early to start pursuing your goals. “People might say you’re too young,” he says. “Don’t listen to them! If you put your heart into your business, it will be the most successful thing in the world.” 

ACTIVITY: 
Problem and Solution

You’ve just read “Mason’s Super Idea.” Now it’s time to do this activity.

You’ve just read “Mason’s Super Idea.” Now it’s time to do this activity.

You’ve just read “Mason’s Super Idea.” Now it’s time to do this activity.

What to do: Use the hints below to fill in the missing problems and solutions. 

What to do: Use the hints below to fill in the missing problems and solutions. 

What to do: Use the hints below to fill in the missing problems and solutions. 

Problem: Mason had a hard time finding work that he enjoyed. 

Solution: 

Hint: How did Mason create an enjoyable job for himself?


Problem: 

Hint: Why couldn’t Mason offer many toppings from his first cart?

Solution: Mason saved up and got a bigger cart that could hold more toppings. 


Problem: When Covid-19 struck, Mason’s plan to serve large crowds from a food truck no longer made sense.

Solution: 

Hint:  What did Mason do with his savings?

Problem: Mason had a hard time finding work that he enjoyed. 

Solution: 

Hint: How did Mason create an enjoyable job for himself?


Problem: 

Hint: Why couldn’t Mason offer many toppings from his first cart?

Solution: Mason saved up and got a bigger cart that could hold more toppings. 


Problem: When Covid-19 struck, Mason’s plan to serve large crowds from a food truck no longer made sense.

Solution: 

Hint:  What did Mason do with his savings?

Problem: Mason had a hard time finding work that he enjoyed. 

Solution: 

Hint: How did Mason create an enjoyable job for himself?


Problem: 

Hint: Why couldn’t Mason offer many toppings from his first cart?

Solution: Mason saved up and got a bigger cart that could hold more toppings. 


Problem: When Covid-19 struck, Mason’s plan to serve large crowds from a food truck no longer made sense.

Solution: 

Hint:  What did Mason do with his savings?

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