

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Dobbins.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brian. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began working at the Eskimo Hut in Wichita Falls in November of 2004 as a part-time employee while going to college for my BBA focused on Accounting. The company was 8 years old at the time and going through growing pains. I was able to use my accounting knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to become a part of something larger.
I worked with the GM and DM at the time to revamp the point of sale and accounting system to better track inventory, revenues, and profit margins. This leads me to be promoted to the General Manager at 19 and then an offer to move to Houston to become a District Manager at 20 years old. I moved to Houston in January of 2006 and opened my first store in October of that same year. As the next few years went by, I was involved in every role of the company from a DM to helping with the financial side, to creating a franchise program. After four years of successfully creating a budding franchising program, there was an opportunity for me to take control of the complete operations of the company. I moved into the COO role in September of 2013 and have enjoyed continued success and growth the past 4 years.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Much like most, I have endured many struggles to find success in business. These include time management, communication with peers, creating strategies and executing them, and of course, management of people. The people you surround yourself with are your greatest asset, but sometimes your weakest links. Make sure you surround yourself with great people with the same drive and vision.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Eskimo Hut is a chain of drive-thru convenience stores with frozen daiquiris and margaritas to-go! We started in Amarillo in 1996 and have been growing across Texas with dedicated customers that love our real frozen daiquiris, our unsurpassed customer service and always low prices. We strive to provide a convenience store experience you will never forget.
With all the basic amenities of a regular convenience store, we also offer our signature frozen daiquiris and margaritas to-go! With millions of flavor combinations to choose from, you can pick your own mixture of flavors or chose one of our signature drinks off the menu. Either way, you can’t go wrong and are sure to find something for everyone’s taste. You can pick one up inside any one of our stores, or better yet, use the drive-thru at most locations across Texas. Most stores also offer cigarettes and tobacco, fountain drinks, candy bars, beer, wine and many stores have a full convenience item section available. We have stores from the panhandle to the coast, so come give us a visit!
What were you like growing up?
I was always very curious and motivated. I spent most of my childhood outdoors, playing sports, riding bikes, and getting dirty. As I grew up, anything that I wanted, my parents made me work for. I had to earn the money to buy the toys I wanted, like a four-wheeler, dirt bike, baseball equipment, etc. As I grew into a teenager, I focused mainly on school and baseball, and had my own business at 13. By the time I was 18, my business was taking up a lot of my time outside of school, so I hired 2 or 3 employees. I ended up selling my business when I moved to Houston to focus on the Eskimo Hut.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4026 Trey Dr
Houston TX 77084 - Website: www.eskimohut.com
- Phone: 281-859-1994
- Email: BrianD@EskimoHut.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eskimohutstores/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eskimo-Hut-161793678343/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EskimoHutTX
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=eskimo+hut++&find_loc=Downtown%2C+Houston%2C+TX
- Other: http://www.eskimohut.com/find-a-hut
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.