Bus Won’t Start, But the Dream Won't Stop

When everything that can break decides to break—bus, budget, and belief—you find out what you’re really building. We pushed into our biggest Fryeburg Fair ever by tripling our booth size, stretching every dollar, and betting on our community. Then the week erupted: the bus died at a gas station, the camper lights quit at dusk, and the last credit card barely covered a rental truck. We turned wrenches in the rain, moved mountains with borrowed tools, and showed up on opening day running on fumes and conviction.

What happened next surprised even us. With friends under the chassis, family on the sales floor, and neighbors sending solutions at midnight, the booth came to life. Saturday became the second-biggest day in our company’s history. Inventory moved faster than announcements. People who watched the struggle online walked into the tent ready to buy, encourage, and celebrate. The power of small business isn’t just product; it’s the story of persistence your customers can see and feel.

We talk about the real cost of scaling a booth—rent, fixtures, tents, and the inventory math no one posts about. We open up about mechanical failures, cash flow choices, and why accountability and prayer became our pivot. Most of all, we share the blueprint that carried us: ask for help early, ship before it’s perfect, protect your energy, and keep your mission public. On the far side of breakdowns are breakthroughs. On the far side of sacrifice is triumph. If you’ve ever stood one setback away from quitting, this one is for you.

If this story fires you up, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s building something hard, and leave a review with the moment you almost quit but didn’t—we want to cheer you on.

If you found value in today's show please return the favor and leave a positive review and share it with someone important to you! https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/reviews/new/
Find all you need to know about the show https://www.sharethestrugglepodcast.com/
Official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077724159859

Join the 2% of Americans that Buy American and support American Together we can bring back American Manufacturing https://www.loudproudamerican.shop/
Loud Proud American Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loudproudamerican
Loud Proud American Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loud_proud_american/
Loud Proud American TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@loud_proud_american
Loud Proud American YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmYQtOt6KVURuySWYQ2GWtw

Thank you for Supporting My American Dream!