10/18/2026
In 2018, 13-year-old Jaequan Faulkner was selling hot dogs outside his home in north Minneapolis, trying to earn money through his small business, Mr. Faulkner’s Old Fashioned Hot Dogs.
His prices were simple: $2 for a hot dog and $1 for soda or chips.
But then someone reported his stand to the city’s health department because he didn’t have the required permit.
Officials could have simply shut him down. Instead, they decided to help him understand the rules and operate safely.
Health inspectors taught Jaequan proper food safety and helped him obtain essential equipment, including a food thermometer and a handwashing station. His stand passed inspection, and officials paid the $87 permit fee themselves.
Soon, his story attracted attention across Minneapolis. Local organizations helped him continue selling hot dogs, and he even appeared on the Steve Harvey Show.
There, Shark Tank star Daymond John surprised him with a brand-new hot dog cart.
Jaequan used his earnings to pay himself and members of his family who helped with the business. He had started with a simple neighborhood stand, but his determination turned it into something much bigger.
Sometimes, the best way to enforce the rules isn't to shut someone down. It's to give them the opportunity to succeed.