Mason Wright, at just 17 years old, is not your average teenager. Born and raised in Georgia, Mason’s entrepreneurial spirit sparked at the tender age of 7. His love for superheroes and passion for cooking led him to found Mason’s Super Dogs, hot dogs inspired by comic books.
Mason’s Super Dogs was conceived in 2014 after a trip to New York City. Each item on the menu echoes a comic book character’s essence. The Donatello, his first creation, is a twist of pizza toppings and an ode to the Ninja Turtles.
Entrepreneurial spirit runs in the family; his mother and two uncles have had successful business ventures. Their support fueled Mason’s desire to not only earn his own money but innovate and experiment. Mason’s parents saw the spark and dedication in him and invested in his first hot dog cart. His grandfather later helped him upgrade to a New York-style cart, a pivotal moment that set the stage for his brick-and-mortar establishment.
With the support of a silent partner, Mason opened his first storefront in Stonecrest, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Currently a junior in high school, Mason’s plans include pursuing a culinary degree, possibly at Morehouse College, and expanding his restaurant on the BeltLine.
Mason, along with 23 Atlanta-based entrepreneurs, recently graduated from the inaugural cohort of BeltLine Business Ventures (BBV), a small business accelerator helping Atlanta-based businesses grow. Launched by the BeltLine Business Solutions Office, in partnership with The Center by Lendistry and CVM Worldwide, BBV is providing the tools, resources, and mentorship to physically locate their businesses along the BeltLine.
His participation in BeltLine Business Ventures has not only polished his business skills but also broadened his vision for growth and expansion. “BeltLine Business Ventures has given me the tools and know-how in different strategies to grow my business. It’s helped me realize that I could do more with my business, and I could grow it even further,” said Mason.
Is Your Business Ready to be the Next BeltLine Success?
The next cohort of BeltLine Business Ventures is now accepting applications until January 5!
Who is Eligible?
Ideal program candidates are:
- For-profit businesses organized as a corporation or LLC
- Businesses with at least 2 years of operating experience
- Businesses with gross annual revenues of at least $250,000
- Businesses with 2 years of financial statements
- Businesses with at least 3 employees (including the business owner)
- Actively considering expanding their business with a brick-and-mortar space
What is the Cost?
Participation for each business is free.
What is the Timeline?
Applications Open – November 20
Applications Close – January 5
Notification of Acceptance into Programming/Onboarding Information – January 12, 2024
Company Orientation: January 30, 2024
Sessions: February 6, 2024 – May 14, 2024
Ready to Apply?
Click here.