This Goes Out to the Dads

We have a lot to be thankful for, but this blog goes out to our dads! This business would not be possible without them.

Maddie’s dad, Marty Rhodes, is the man behind this trailer. I (Jessie) held a few tools, drilled a couple holes, etc, but Marty BUILT this bar. I hope one day that you, our readers and potential customers, can see this trailer in person. Even if you don’t have the opportunity to be a customer! Marty put so much time and effort into renovating what was once a bare 6 X 12 enclosed trailer (Have you seen the before pictures?)- the new and improved trailer MUST be shown off. When we told him our idea, he agreed to help us with whatever we needed. Although, I am not sure he knew exactly what he was getting into, he did not disappoint.

After we purchased the trailer from TrailersPlus in Bryant, AR (buy local!!!), we went over to his house the following Sunday afternoon to get a list for a Lowe’s trip. We quickly found out two things: 1) We had definitely consulted with the right person and 2) This wasn’t going to be a one-time Lowe’s trip. We immediately started a running Amazon list, took down notes for things we could grab at Lowe’s and made a separate list for things we felt that we needed to research more. For the next 5 weekends, we went to Marty’s house to work on the trailer.

Check out the picture of Maddie in Lowe’s realizing it was not going to be a one-trip project!

We watched this man wire a circuit board and install receptacles, install a concession window, and build a bar sturdy enough to withstand traveling inside the trailer. One of the most impressive things was that he never even took notes or googled (maybe once during the electrical work). He did all of the work without complaining once despite the fact that most of it was done in July…in Arkansas…in the middle of the day. Your girl was SWEATY, and I was just handing him the tools.

We would not be where we are now without Marty. He has always said that his purpose in this world is to take care of his three girls- Dakota, Kassie, and Madeleine. I’m not sure he ever imagined that this mantra would lead him to remodeling a trailer in the Arkansas heat so that his oldest daughter could start her own business. But he took it on in stride and we are both grateful for that. We hope he reads this, and if so- THANK YOU. I know we’ve said it before, but you, Marty, made this possible. Any success we have with this business is shared with you.

Beginning the process of installing the concession window

As mentioned before, this blog goes out to both of our dads- Marty and Chris. Chris is my (Jessie’s) dad. He passed away almost one year ago in late October of 2020. He had an intimidating list of health issues that he battled for a long time before passing, and I hate that he isn’t able to see this business we’ve started. He would think it was so cool! If you talk to anyone that knew him, they will tell you that he was a PROUD dad.

He was a telecommunications engineer that designed massive phone and wifi systems for multiple corporations all over the United States, but he would still tell you that his greatest accomplishment was his kids. He wanted all three of us to be able to do what we loved, and he worked hard to be able to provide a good life for our family. It’s only fitting that he wanted to make sure we were taken care of after he was gone as well. Dad didn’t leave behind a fortune, but he left enough for us kids to pay for a nice wedding, make a down payment on a house, invest, or maybe even start our own business.

So, in a way, Toasts in Tow also wouldn’t be where it is now without my dad, Chris. I know he is in Heaven (probably hanging out with his dog, Rizzo, and enjoying all these Razorback football wins) happy that he was able to help. And while I’m down here, cuddling with my dog and wishing he could see it in person, I’m going to do what I can to make him proud!

So- THANK YOU to our dads! We love you!

-Jessie, Co-owner

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