The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dawgz For All & More provides quality food, community good
Fourth grader gives back to others through mobile hot dog business.
If you were anything like myself at the age of 10, your biggest care in the world was getting the newest toy on the market, going on a vacation to Disney World or trying to perfect the latest ’N Sync dance move.
But if you’re anything like the focused and determined Savannah-native entrepreneur Zechariah Aldoray Atiba, you were already creating your future while finishing your math homework.
The E-learning Academy fourth grader uses his motivation for success to give back to others through his mobile business, Dawgz For All & More LLC.
Through the community-driven hot dog stand, customers have various options, with prices ranging from $2.50 to $3. They include beef, poultry and vegan hot dog options along with traditional toppings that include homemade chili, pepper relish, chowchow, pickle relish, tomatoes, cheese, onions and sauerkraut.
Affectionately known as Zech, the young entrepreneur said he was inspired by his desire to learn independence
and a way to spend more time with his mother. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zech asked his mother, Kieatta Atiba, if they could branch into the catering venture in order to learn how to maintain and start a business.
Much like Zech, Kietta also has a business-savvy background, proving that the entrepreneurial bug doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
As a chef and caterer herself,
she owns Mypersonalchef LLC and has been an advocate for her son’s business. She teaches him the basics of food safety as well as how to handle and understand his finances.
In December, the Savannah Morning News caught up with the young entrepreneur, who brought together local food and entertainment vendors in the area to help him celebrate his 10th birthday. In the 37th and Waters Avenue shopping complex, patrons could find various businesses, ranging from Caribbean food and baked goods to skin care vendors.
All vendors in attendance shared a common purpose of introducing the community to the various items that they sell by offering samples and various merchandise throughout the day.
Zech wanted to be able to give everyone’s product a spotlight, and even though there was a small crowd in attendance for the day, the few who were able to attend were happy to become acquainted with many of the local businesses.
Zech’s former first- through third-grade teacher, Erica Scalmato from Susie King Taylor Community School, was in attendance that day and said Zech is “an awesome kid that is full of life and confident; he loves to sing and dance; you can hear him the loudest out of everyone. He’s a standout that has great things ahead in the future.”
When asked about his passion for his business model, Zech said he doesn’t do the hot dog cart to travel around the world, but to help people around the world. In addition to selling hot dogs, Zech and his mom also make soups for the homeless and pass out their products in parks or neighborhoods throughout the city.
Zech says his interest in science and social studies helps him with his business career, and he is hopeful his hot dog cart will in part become a business he can use to cater throughout various states in the future. Aside from hot dogs, the cart also offers hamburgers and specialty homemade lemonades. Zech is not a fan of sodas, so the lemonades serve as a bit of a staple along with the hot dogs on his cart.