So, you bought a vending machine. Now what?
Welcome to all who are ready to dip their toes into the world of vending! It’s a big ocean out there, and jumping in the water can turn out to be the hardest part. Well, today – let's dive right in! We're going to address a common challenge faced by many newbies in the vending business: finding the perfect location for your machines.
No matter how shiny and pristine your new vending machine is, it makes exactly $0 sitting in your garage. The most important part of vending is finding the right location. It's like playing a real-life game of hide and seek, except you want your machines to be found!
Finding the right location is like striking gold in the vending world. It can make or break your business, so it's important to approach it strategically. Lucky for you, we've got some helpful insights to share.
The Foot Traffic Treasure Hunt -
One of the keys to a successful vending business is capturing high foot traffic areas. Look for bustling places like office complexes, shopping malls, hospitals, or universities. These places are teeming with potential customers who are always on the hunt for a quick and convenient snack. Think outside the box as well! Likely, placing your first machine at an established hospital will be a tall task. So, hunt out those smaller locations that still have plenty of foot traffic. A mechanic’s shop or a small office are both good starting locations.
Personnel is Personal -
Where do you think your vending machine would perform better: At an elementary school, or a high school? If you said high school, you’d be right! Turns out, 8 year olds don’t typically have cash on them for vending purchases. That’s a silly example, but an important point – the personnel of your location matters! Consider the personnel and why they may be more or less likely to purchase from your vending machine. Is there another source of snacks nearby? Do employees typically pack a lunch? Are potential customers close to their home? These questions, while sometimes speculation, can help you identify the value of a location.
Think Outside the Box -
Why limit yourself to traditional locations? Get creative and explore unique opportunities. Consider approaching local businesses, community centers, or even events and conferences. Beauty vending machines have taken off – often at the mall. Machines selling trading cards like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh are some of my personal favorites. I’ve even seen vending machines used at weddings! You never know when you may strike gold on a new type of business.
Remember, starting a vending machine business should be fun and rewarding. And perfect is the enemy of good! So put on your entrepreneur hat, explore your surroundings, and start making some money!
Stay tuned for more vending adventures, helpful insights, and lots of tasty content to come. Until then, keep those snacks stocked and those smiles on your customers' faces. Happy vending!