Henderson entrepreneurs face challenges in making their dreams a reality

The owners of the up-and-coming food truck Just Rollin' are waiting for their business license to be finalized so their mobile business can officially open.

"This is my ticket to redemption," said Matthew Meyer, an entrepreneur and Henderson resident. "Hopefully, I make up for some losses I've had in the past."

Just Rollin', which Meyer hopes to have operating by June 1, will feature food from different countries and regions rolled into a wanton-like wrapper and fried.

Meyer said, as an example, Just Rollin' might serve a Cuban dish with plantains, chicken and rice or a Greek dish with spinach, ground beef and goat cheese.

"It's your favorite food rolled into one," said Anne Guevarra, Meyer's wife and No. 1 supporter. "He is going to focus on the lunch crowd. A lot of times people don't have much time for lunch."

Guevarra said with everything rolled into one wrapper, it might make lunch time more convenient.

Meyer doesn't necessarily want to be limited in the menu and hopes to offer other specials, too.

Meyer's first experience as a business owner came in 2007 when he opened Matteo's Cafe, a restaurant in Henderson.

"I signed the lease in September 2007, but we didn't actually open until July 2008," Meyer said. "By the time it opened, I had run out of money."

Meyer had difficulties with contractors that drained his resources and finances.

Initially, Meyer wanted the cafe to be a neighborhood restaurant.

"My vision was to have it in the middle of a residential area," Meyer said. "But it was a bad location."

Because of Meyer's problems, on top of tough economic times, the restaurant lasted only nine months.

Meyer started catering to keep his dreams of being in the food service industry alive. His catering service is called Matteo's Gourmet Food Services LLC. He also considered changing his profession to become a personal trainer.

"He got his license to become a personal trainer," Guevarra said. "But he kept saying, 'I wonder if I should try to implement a food program for people at the end of the work out.' He kept coming back to his love of food."

Instead of jumping back into another restaurant, Meyer decided to try a mobile business and applied for a business loan in early 2012.

He said starting a mobile business has taken about two months , opposed to when he opened the restaurant, which took about a year.

"We were building that from the ground up, though," Meyer said.

Despite a faster turn around, Meyer said getting all his permits for the business has been a nightmare. He had to get permits in each jurisdiction of Clark County, including Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

"It seems like with the restaurant, it was a cake walk," Meyer said. "It was much easier. With (a mobile business), they almost treat you like a criminal. They want a criminal background check and a birth certificate. Everything imaginable, they want it."

Meyer spent two or three full days picking out the correct paper work and running around town to submit everything.

His only hiccup was submitting his background check in blue ink instead of black ink.

"We have heard horror stories from other mobile businesses, too," Guevarra said.

On top of a tedious process with business licensing, Meyer said he had trouble registering the truck at the Department of Motor Vehicles and problems with the inspection at the Southern Nevada Health District .

"(While we were at the health department), the generator kept blowing a fuse," Meyer said.

Guevarra said their inspector was nice and carried out the inspection when everything was ready. After about two hours, Meyer finally got the generator working properly and passed the inspection.

Now he is waiting for the Henderson fire marshal to do an inspection before he can get the green light to operate.

Meyer is worried that the inspection will be prolonged until after June.

"My funds will be exhausted June 1," Meyer said.

While they wait for everything to become finalized, Guevarra has been on social media sites promoting Just Rollin'.

"We already have followers on Twitter waiting for us to open," Guevarra said.

Guevarra also has reached out to other food trucks to start developing a rapport among other mobile businesses.

"They have been very supportive," Guevarra said. "They have talked to us about what challenges they have faced, as well."

Along the way, Meyer has learned many lessons as an entrepreneur, including to shop around for the best deal.

"When I opened the restaurant, I paid $5,000 for the sign," Meyer said. "Had I shopped around, I probably could have gotten it for half that. I shouldn't have gone with the first referral I was given."

This time around, Meyer was diligent in seeking a company that could add all the graphics and designs to the truck.

"The graphics are very important," Gue varra said. "It is what sets you apart from other trucks."

Meyer said most of the companies he researched would "wrap the truck" for $2,500.

"And then I found one that would do it for $1,300," Meyer said. "Then I found another company that would price- match it."

Meyer also learned new doesn't necessarily mean better.

"When I opened the restaurant, everything had to be new," Meyer said. "Even the building was new."

Now Meyer is open to buying used equipment instead of always seeking new.

"I think it was because it was a new business, we just wanted everything to be new," Gue varra said.

Even though Meyer is waiting for everything to be finalized and get the business rolling, he already has a vision for his future .

He said his long-term goal for the food truck is to come full circle and open another restaurant.

"I noticed that is the trend with other trucks," Meyer said, referring to mobile businesses such as Slidin' Thru and Grouchy John's Coffee that started on wheels, then transitioned to a brick-and-mortar location. "You're limited with trucks."

Just Rollin' is working on its website, justrollinby.com, which is currently under construction.

For more information about Just Rollin', visit facebook.com/justrollinby or on Twitter at @justrollinby . Information on Meyer's catering services is available at mgourmet.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.