After a veteran got DOGE’d, she and her family found a cool side hustle
Kendra Lawler quit her government job and started the Neon Crave food truck with her family as a side hustle months after being briefly laid off by the Department of Government Efficiency. (Courtesy Kendra Lawler)
After one local Memphian was DOGE’d last year — laid off as part of Elon Musk’s cuts to the federal government — she was ultimately reinstated. But the experience also led her to find joy.
Joy despite sleep deprivation, blistered hands and aching feet.
Last year, Kendra Lawler left her government job after 15 years, joined the private sector and started a food truck as a side hustle.
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The Neon Crave Food trucks Kendra Lawler The Fiesta Wagon Live at the Garden Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Sophia Surrett
Sophia Surrett is a University of Alabama graduate, where she received her B.A. in news media and M.A. in journalism and media studies. She has been with The Daily Memphian since July 2023, first starting as a business reporter covering various beats. Now, she covers food, restaurants, and hospitality and tourism.
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