Two South Jersey Brothers Hit The Road To Promote Small Business

AVALON– This week South Jersey natives Walter and Patrick Hessert stoped in Avalon with the Million Dollar Road Trip (MDRT): an innovative, multi-media marketing business created by the two brothers. With their mission to celebrate and inspire American entrepreneurship, the two brothers are 7 weeks into a yearlong road trip across the continental U.S., promoting small businesses and sharing the good news about the American economy.
The Seven Mile Island is a particularly meaningful stop for the Hessert boys who grew up vacationing in Avalon and Stone Harbor. This weekend they will attend the Brendan Borek Surf Contest in Avalon.
The brothers began their journey on July 4 in Lebanon, KS, and have to date driven through 14 states. “We’ve seen a lot of this country, but it is nice to come back to a place we know so well,” says Walter, 27. “The shore is where I discovered my passion for entrepreneurship, hustling newspapers in front of Uncle Bill’s Pancake House.”
The brothers have bold ambitions for the cross-country road trip: They plan to sell $1 million in physical advertising on the exterior of the Airstream, whose distinctive aluminum siding has been wrapped in blue vinyl gridded with 1-by-2-inch rectangular ad spaces. Throughout their year on the road, the young entrepreneurs are selling 10,000 of these ad spaces for $100 apiece, totaling $1,000,000 in revenue. Along the way, MDRT is celebrating people who dream big and act boldly and awarding cash grants to those who inspire them. Thus far, the brothers have sold nearly $28,000 in advertising to over 35 businesses around the country and awarded two Inspiration Grants.
A recent addition to the Million Dollar Road Trip is a local restaurant, The Real Enchilada. The Mexican restaurant located on 21st Street in Avalon serves authentic Mexican food in a casual beach environment. The Real Enchilada’s ad will go on the side of the trailer where it will stay and travel the entire country until July 4 next year. Additionally, the Hessert brothers will create a special promotion for the restaurant this weekend during the surf competition.
Two of a family of six brothers from Haddonfield, NJ, Walter and Patrick believe in creating value out of hard work and a commitment to one’s passion. The brothers, both graduates of the University of Notre Dame, built the MDRT business model on a mutual love for travel and sharing inspiring stories.
“We are sharing good news,” explains Patrick, 23. “The American Entrepreneurial Spirit is the backbone of our country and, despite the tough economy, many Americans continue to dream big and act boldy.”
Over the course of one year, MDRT will cover over 40,000 miles, visit 48 states, and 50 of the largest cities in the US. The MDRT’s route is highlighted by some of the most notable festivals and events in the country, including the New Orleans JazzFest in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah; the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado; and the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
You can buy an ad, see photos of the trip, or follow along with the Million Dollar Road Trip’s blog on their website, www.MillionDollarRoadTrip.com.
The Million Dollar Road Trip is a mobile marketing business started by two brothers. They are traveling around the United States for a year, living in an Airstream trailer, selling $1 million dollars of advertising. The mission is to celebrate and inspire the entrepreneurial spirit in America by highlighting people throughout the country taking bold action to pursue their dreams. MDRT awards cash grants to young Americans who inspire others with their passion and audacity. It is a memorable mobile marketing tool utilizing logo placement, promotional marketing, and social media to create value for all types of American businesses. More information at www.milliondollarroadtrip.com and @milliondollarrt.