By the time he was spending $32 a week on hot dogs, Sacramento State government major Torrance Wade realized he was slathering mustard on a gold mine.

A few years and $16,000 later, Wade is the student-owner of Disco Dogs Catering, which started vending its wieners on campus last semester.

“One day I hope it?s the great hang-out spot on campus, where people can come and discuss everything from hot dogs to current issues and class schedules,” said Wade. Wade may have high hopes for his humble hot dog stand, which is located outside the Riverfront Center (a second stand will open up outside Eureka Hall in a couple of weeks), but he bristles at the notion that he?s “just a hot dog guy.”

“I plan to be a Senator in about eight years,” he said matter-of-factly. Wade is prone to such outbursts of extreme confidence, but this reach-for-the-stars attitude gels nicely with his convivial business approach.

“We would rather build a rapport with somebody than sell them a hot dog,” said Carl Fessenden, who helps man the Riverfront Center stand. “It?s more of a social gathering.” Wade?s ultimate goal is to feed one-and-a-half percent of Sac State students daily, at which point he will be able to offer tuition scholarships. Disco Dogs is currently offering five $100 book scholarships, to be awarded in a random drawing at the end of the month.

Disco Dogs also supports fundraising activities for campus organizations. His mission statement, which he repeats like a mantra, is “to motivate and inspire the world to make a difference and pass it on.”

Criminal justice major John Fine, a daily Disco Dogs customer, appreciates Wade?s sociable and philanthropic business approach. “They?re a lot nicer than any of the other food service industries around,” he said.

Hot dogs aren?t Wade?s only meal ticket ? he also runs One Stop Travel, which offers group vacations at reduced rates. In his spare time, he does non-profit work at Breaking Barriers, where he teaches about safe sex, and publishes his own newsletter, “Dog Gone-Wild” News.

Between attending classes, owning his own business and doing extensive volunteer work, Wade?s typical workday lasts about twenty hours. Despite the sleep deprivation, Wade remains unabashedly upbeat.

“My success is totally because strangers believed in me and my family and friends supported me, so I feel the need to always give back,” said Wade.

“It?s more than just wieners.”