Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Some people might think Bob Dille is lucky. TheAshtabula, Ohio, entrepreneur won the lottery and openedeight Steak Escape franchises--all before his 26th birthday.
After winning $10,000 in Ohio's lottery in 1991, Dillebought his first Steak Escape franchise with partners MarkAstorino, 32, and his sister, Tina Dille-Cameron, 31. All luck?Hardly: Planning and dedication have also helped Dille, who'sopened a store each year since 1992 and three stores last year.Sales for 1997 reached $3.5 million; Dille expects $4.5 million insales this year.
The partners plan to open another store in Erie, Pennsylvania,and Dille would like to open a sit-down restaurant someday. But fornow, he'll continue running Steak Escapes--and playing thelottery.
"I haven't won the big one," Dille says. "Andyou can't win if you don't play." Spoken like a trueentrepreneur.
Contact Sources
Steak Escape, P.O. Box 2105, Ashtabula, OH 44005-2105,(440) 998-3699
