This 18-Year-Old Made $1,256 in 2 Hrs Selling Tacos (With Just a Mobile Tent)

Five friends, fresh out of high school, pooled their savings, stayed up until 5 AM prepping food, and on their very first night selling tacos, sold out in under 90 minutes — here's exactly how they did it! In this episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with Matthew Berda, co-founder of Ponchos Tacos, a seasonal mobile taco business based in Richmond, BC. Matthew shares how he and four friends pooled their savings right out of high school to launch a food stand at the Richmond Night Market — North America's largest night market — and sold out within their first 90 minutes. Now in their fourth year, the business has grown from a single tent to a multi-trailer operation pulling in multiple six figures over just a few months each summer. Matthew breaks down startup costs ($25–40K), food sourcing through distributors like GFS and Sysco, navigating health permits and business licenses, keeping food costs around 30%, and using Square for point of sale. He also touches on their Instagram and TikTok marketing strategy, private catering events, and managing a lean team across multiple locations on a single weekend!

What we discuss with Matthew:

+ Sold out in 90 minutes on night one

+ $25–40K startup costs

+ 30% food cost target

+ Sourcing through GFS, Sysco, and Costco

+ Health permits and food safety plans

+ Square for cash and card payments

+ Instagram and TikTok for marketing

+ Scaling from one tent to multiple trailers

+ Private catering alongside public markets

+ Friends as a flexible, low-cost labor pool

Thank you, Matthew!

Check out Ponchos Tacos at PonchosTacos.ca.

Email Matthew at ponchostacosyvr@gmail.com.

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