To be successful in the street food industry, entrepreneurs need to be physically resilient, as running a street food business can be challenging, requiring early starts and late finishes, and they have to be prepared to spend time cursing the British weather, as it can affect their pitches and business.
They also need to have skills in areas like cooking, marketing, stock control, HR, social media, and bookkeeping, as they will be doing everything themselves, and they should be prepared to increase their skillset to succeed.
Additionally, they need to understand the importance of compliance, including HACCP understanding, safe gas installations, and good hygiene training, as one irresponsible trader could give the industry a bad name, and they must be patient, as building up a customer base and getting regular, profitable work takes time.
It is also important for them to be aware that they will not become millionaires overnight and that initial profits will be low due to limited space, short trading times, and limited manpower.
Furthermore, they should be prepared for the reality that the competition is growing, and established street food markets have long waiting lists, so they need to be flexible and willing to adapt to changes in the industry.
Lastly, they must be willing to learn from experts and get help when needed, as organizations like NCASS can provide guidance and support to start and grow a successful street food business.