Daily Inspiration: Meet Matt Szadyr

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Szadyr.

Hi Matt, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all started one summer evening when I was sitting on my deck thinking about how great it would be if there was a way to serve food to everyone out on the lake, kind of like a food truck boat. That idea stuck with me. A few months later, I went to a food truck rally, and that’s when it really hit me that it was time to take the leap. I went home that night, started doing a ton of research, and within two months, I had a food trailer and officially started my journey as Your Food Dude.

The first year was all about figuring things out and learning as I went. I asked friends and family to help out whenever they could. One of my buddies who worked on the truck even learned how to salsa dance while we were serving food. It was chaotic but a lot of fun.

Over time, the local community really became a huge part of what makes this business special. Lake Orion and the surrounding towns have been so supportive. I try to give back whenever I can by helping with school events, donating proceeds, and sponsoring local athletic departments.

As things grew, I started thinking about ways to keep things exciting and to offer something new for our customers. I created a Taco Kit Box that people can order online so they can enjoy our food at home. I also expanded into ice cream cart rentals, and new for 2026, we’ll be adding snow cone rentals. I’m always trying to think outside the box to keep our customers happy and give them something fun and unique to experience.

Now, five years later, it’s hard to believe how far things have come. We’ve built a loyal following, served at some amazing events, and this year we’re growing again with a second trailer called “The Little Dude.” It might be smaller, but it’s still going to bring those big, bold flavors people have come to love.

Running a food truck has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s more than just cooking and serving food. You end up being the plumber, electrician, mechanic, and everything in between. But at the end of the day, seeing someone take that first bite and smile makes it all worth it.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely been a challenging road, but that’s what makes it worth it. The struggles are what set you apart and help you grow. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating all the different city and municipal ordinances. Every place has its own set of rules ,some towns welcome food trucks with open arms, while others make it really tough to operate.

On top of that, the food truck market has become packed with all kinds of trucks and cuisines. It’s great to see how much the industry has grown, but it also means you have to find ways to stand out from the crowd. For me, that’s been about consistency, quality, and connecting with people ,not just serving food, but creating an experience.

Instead of letting the challenges discourage me, I’ve tried to be part of the solution. I’ve attended city meetings, offered feedback, and worked with communities to help shape food truck ordinances that make sense for everyone. It’s been a learning experience, but also a chance to build better relationships with the towns we serve.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve spent over 20 years in the restaurant industry, working everywhere from country clubs and catering companies to franchise and corporate kitchens, across Michigan and North Carolina. After that, I shifted gears and built a career in engineering, where I’ve spent the last 15 years in the automotive automation field.

These days, I pretty much have two full-time careers. During the summer, I run the food truck, and throughout the year, I continue my work in engineering. I’m fortunate to be able to do both , one challenges my technical side, and the other fuels my creative side.

The food truck specializes in corporate catering and private events like graduations, birthdays, weddings, and rehearsal dinners. What’s great about it is that it’s like having a full restaurant on wheels. I always wanted to own a restaurant, but this gives me the freedom to take that experience directly to people instead of waiting for them to come to me.

What sets us apart is the consistency, the flavors, and the care that goes into every event. We don’t just serve food we create moments. Seeing people enjoy what we make, especially at their celebrations, is what I’m most proud of

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I owe a lot of credit to the people around me. Everyone who has helped me get to this point , friends, family, and especially my current team that runs the food truck has played a huge role. Without them, none of this would be possible.

Running a food truck isn’t a one person job. It takes a solid team that’s willing to put in the long hours, handle the chaos, and still have fun doing it. I’m lucky to have people who care about what we do and treat it like their own. Their hard work, energy, and positive attitude keep everything moving, even on the toughest days.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to my wife. She’s the real superstar. She supported me through the insane idea of opening a food truck and trusted me when I decided to use our hard-earned money to take a chance on something completely unknown. She’s been patient through all the long days and late nights during the summer when I’m not home because of the truck. Her support means everything none of this would have happened without her.

And finally, I have to thank our amazing customers and the local community. They’ve been behind us from day one, spreading the word, showing up at events, and helping Your Food Dude grow into what it is today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yourfooddude.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfooddudetruck/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourfooddudetruck