Broke? Unemployed? It's Pizza Time
Three Unemployed Friends Invest In Pizza Shop
POSTED: 1:09 am CST February 10, 2009
UPDATED: 5:45 am CST February 10, 2009
As many Iowans are finding out, losing a job can be a devastating experience. But three men laid off from a local factory used their misfortune as inspiration to start their dream business.
Greg Harvey, Jim Wilson and Rick VanVoorhis are rolling in the dough after opening Black Market Pizza.
"We're a little mom and pop shop trying to feed the community and feed your kids. They have to eat too," Harvey told TV station KCCI.
Harvey, a father of three, has been laid off from his past two jobs, so he said he decided to become his own boss.
He persuaded two unemployed coworkers to fire up a new career with him. Wilson worked for Siemens for 33 years.
"If it doesn't work, I'm no worse off than I was two months ago," said Wilson.
VanVoorhis cashed in his 401Ks to invest in the new venture.
"Either start this or look for a new job, but with economy, you might not have that in six months either," said VanVoorhis.
Harveyadvises other laid-off workers to use the crisis as an opportunity to pursue their dreams.
"Don't panic. Don't be afraid. Who knows what you can accomplish? Otherwise, you're an old man saying ‘what if’," said Harvey.
He said the name Black Market Pizza was inspired by homemade pizzas he sold to friends and neighbors over the years.
"I've been making pizzas out of my house for years," said Harvey.
Now with the markets tanking, he said he finally has the time to turn his pizza bootlegging legitimate.
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