COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: From White Belt to Hot Dog Shack—Denny’s Living Strong Journey
When I first met Denny, he was just about four years old—shy, a little unsure, standing next to his parents as he took his first steps on the mat at Dinoto’s Action Karate Mt. Laurel. I’ve had the honor of watching him grow, not just into a Black Belt, but now into a young entrepreneur who is putting in the work and living strong—day in, day out.
Today, at just 14 years old, Denny is co-running The Hot Dog Shack alongside his father. And while most teens are still figuring out how to sleep through their alarms, Denny is already out the door by 9 AM, picking up supplies and firing up the grill. That’s action. That’s discipline. That’s a Black Belt mindset being applied to real life.
In his own words, “I started working at the Hot Dog Shack because I wanted to prove people wrong. Many have doubted me—and I really just wanted to prove them wrong.”
Let that sink in.
This isn’t just about hot dogs. This is about a young man reclaiming his story, refusing to be underestimated, and learning—early on—that building something takes grit, patience, and a whole lot of heart. When asked what the hardest part of the business is, Denny didn’t flinch: “Winter. It gets slow. We don’t make much money. But we still have bills to pay.” That’s real-world experience, and he’s learning it not from a textbook, but from the front lines of entrepreneurship.
But let’s rewind for a moment. Denny didn’t wake up one day ready to run a business. He trained for years—eight to be exact—on the martial arts mat. “What I remember most from my early days,” he shared, “was being nervous. But I saw those big kids with their names on their black belts, and I wanted to be like them.”
It was that early vision of greatness—planted during his first class—that helped him push through the moments when training was hard, when motivation dipped, and when he fell behind. “I wasn’t always consistent,” he admitted. “But I never gave up.”
That right there? That’s the heart of a Living Strong life.
From the mats to the Shack, Denny carries the quiet confidence of someone who knows how to handle stress with a deep breath, how to push forward when things get tough, and how to take ownership—not just of a business, but of his own future. “Responsibility,” he says, is one of the greatest lessons his father has taught him.
And for me, as someone from the Baby Boomer generation, there’s something deeply humbling and hopeful about watching young people like Denny step into their power. My generation came up in a different time—different tools, different tempo—but the values we hold dear? Discipline. Integrity. Respect. Those haven’t changed. What has changed is how we pass them on. It’s not about judging the younger generation; it’s about understanding them and equipping them. It’s about lifting them up, without weighing them down.
That’s why I believe in stories like Denny’s. They’re reminders that we’re not just teaching kicks and punches—we’re shaping leaders, thinkers, and doers. We’re building bridges between generations through shared values and earned respect.
When I asked Denny what Living Strong means to him, he said:
“To be very wealthy and have a great family.”
And while that definition may evolve as he grows, I believe he’s already tapped into the richest part of all: building a life of purpose with the people he loves.
Denny, I’m proud of you. Not just for running a business. Not just for earning your Black Belt. But for waking up, showing up, and choosing to be an action taker. Keep going. Your journey is just beginning—and it’s inspiring more people than you know.
To all the teens reading this:
Hard work pays off. Your ideas matter. Your future is in your hands.
To the parents:
Encourage your kids to step up, take action, and try—but don’t stop there. Lead the way. Let them see you take on challenges. Let them watch you grow, try something new, and keep going when it gets hard. The greatest lessons we teach our children are the ones we live ourselves.
Let’s keep Living Strong, together.
— Peter Liciaga
Karate Instructor, Mentor, Author and Proud Member of the Community
