Seth Callagy has been to the CSL Plasma on East Washington Street countless times over the last few years. Trying to make ends meet or earn a little extra money.
But on Thursday morning, when Callagy pulled his SUV into the eastside Indianapolis parking lot, he wasn’t there to sell plasma.
Instead, Callagy had a hot dog cart on his trailer hitch. It was the official opening day for On The Bun.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own business,” Callagy, 24, said after he finished putting up his black canopy and unfolding the metal hot dog cart.
Passion wasn’t an issue.
Callagy’s mentor, Jim Thompson, can confirm that. Thompson, 70, a mentor with the business coaching organization SCORE Indiana, said he’s worked with about 50 aspiring entrepreneurs over the last year.
“None as prepared as Seth,” Thompson said.
The proof: a 75-page business plan, which Thompson suggested trimming.
The hard part for Callagy was money.
The two biggest expenses he took on — the hot dog cart and payment system — totaled about $7,000.
Callagy works as an Amazon driver four days a week. He spent about 10 years in food service, working jobs from Arby’s to The Old Spaghetti Factory. Then there’s the plasma center, where Callagy could pull in around $400 a month going twice a week.
“I’ve always lived paycheck to paycheck,” he said.
With Thompson’s help, Callagy got a $15,000 small business loan. He also put in $4,000 of his own money.
Still, Callagy sees this as only a start.
He wants to get a food truck at some point, maybe a brick-and-mortar shop too.
And if that day comes, Callagy can count on at least one fan.
Thompson, as he was getting ready to meet his mentee for the first time in person, saw Callagy smiling and waiving across the plasma center parking lot.
“He’s the kind of guy you’re pulling for,” Thompson said.
Where to find On The Bun
On The Bun will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays at CSL Plasma, 5550 E. Washington St.
You can also find On The Bun 6-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at Necropolis Underground Haunted Attraction, 7130 Western Select Drive.
Keep up with times and locations here.
This reporter’s recommendation
I got the On The Bun Dog (comes with bacon bits, cheese sauce, crushed Doritos and ketchup). It’s as intense as it sounds, like nachos piled on a hot dog.
You can see the whole menu here. It features some unusual names: The Mutt, Chilli Willy, The Kitchen Sink.
“I just wanted some goofy names,” Seth told me.
I already decided I’m trying Walkin’ The Dog next time. It has cut-up hot dogs and is served in a bag of chips, just like a walking taco.
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Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers housing and labor. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick and Bluesky @tyfenwick.bsky.social.
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