👀 Behind the Scenes: What It’s Really Like to Manage 100+ Vending Machines

Hey there, Vendpreneur!

Welcome to Becoming a Vendpreneur—where every week I help you navigate the challenges of running a vending machine business, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your operation.

This week, let’s dive into what a typical day looks like when you’re managing over 100 vending machines. Here’s the breakdown:

• Morning Routine

• Afternoon Activities

• Evening Wrap-Up

But before we jump into more details, I want to share a few quick updates on my vending business, Pod Plug:

Business Updates

• 🏙️ Spent the week in Dallas for an intensive franchise sales training bootcamp. It’s a 7-step process that takes 6-8 weeks to award a franchise!

  

  A drawing of the lengthy, yet critical process of awarding a franchise 🏆

• 🤝 Met up with my partner, Jaime, in Dallas, and we’re pumped to launch Vending Machine LaunchPad in just 4 days—Sept 18th! If you’re interested in joining our exclusive program, hit reply to this email.

• 🚀 Closed 2 more accounts myself while in Dallas—one was a same-day close, and the other texted the next day wanting a machine installed ASAP. Realized how crucial it is for me, as the owner, to be where the action happens. Thinking about a temporary move... especially with franchising around the corner!

  

  Selfie of me and Brandon (our TX Regional Director) after a new installation 😁

• 👕 Finally got our company merch! What do you think?

  

  Pod Plug merch feat. The Vend Man (and Heather) 😎

Now, let’s dive into this week’s newsletter!

🔗 Best Links

Curated picks for Vendpreneurs

📱 Top Reads

• Consumers spent over $3 billion at food & beverage vending machines in 2023. Discover more 2024 vending trends here. 👉 (Cantaloupe)

• Smart Coolers: Are they the next big thing in vending? See how they’re transforming the industry.🧊 (Vending Market Watch)

🛠️ Must-Have Tool

• Essential Inventory Manager: This tool is my top pick for advanced inventory management. 🔄 (VendSys)

😱 Trending Now

• Free Narcan vending machines coming to Dallas! 🆘 (Dallas Observer)

• Gold Bar Vending Machines in South Korea: Experience the new face of luxury vending. 🥇 (The Japan Times)

Ever wondered what it’s like to run a vending machine business?

It’s a unique blend of early starts, strategic decisions, and hands-on work that keeps me moving from dawn till dusk.

From the moment my alarm rings to the end of the day, every task is a step towards success.

Today, I'd like to share a detailed look at what my typical day looks like with some new updates that might surprise you.

Here’s a peek into my daily grind. 👀

Early Morning: Revving Up

6:00 AM - 7:00 AM - Morning Start

My day kicks off at 6:00 AM.

Right away, I begin with some stretching & foam rolling to wake up my muscles, followed by a quick abs workout. It’s a great way to get energized.

After this, I take a quick shower and spend around 10 minutes meditating.

This morning ritual helps me clear my mind and prepare for the day’s challenges with a calm, focused mindset.

7:00 AM - 7:30 AM - Power Breakfast and Planning

After my morning routine, I make a protein shake and sit down to review my day’s schedule, which my executive assistant prepares for me.

I also take this time to read the Wall Street Journal (yes, I’m a nerd) to catch up on world news and market trends.

Morning: Streamlining Operations

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM - Warehouse Prepping

I, or my dedicated merchandiser, then head to our warehouse to start pre-kitting.

This involves organizing all the products I’ll need into totes (Home Depot HDX brand is my favorite), making them easy to transport to the vending machines later.

Our vending machines are equipped with smart technology that tracks which items are selling and which aren’t.

Using this data, I can customize the product selection to meet customer preferences, which helps in minimizing waste and maximizing sales.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Sales, Sales, Sales

Next, I check on our progress and strategize on reaching new customers via cold calling, emailing, and in-person visits, while keeping existing ones engaged.

I use HubSpot for this, an awesome tool for managing sales leads and our pipeline.

This tool is crucial for keeping our sales efforts organized and effective to make sure you’re following up at just the right time (and not letting too much time go by without speaking to your lead).

Mid-Morning: Communication is Key

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Communication and Meetings

This time is used for calls and meetings.

I talk to my team, meet with product suppliers, and discuss growth plans.

These meetings help us make sure everyone is on the same page and our business stays on track.

Noon: Quick Admin and Refuel

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM - Lunch Break

Lunch is my time to relax and recharge.

Stepping away from work, even briefly, is crucial for maintaining long-term productivity and creativity.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM - Admin Tasks

Just after lunch, I tackle quick administrative tasks—answering emails, finalizing my to-do list, and handling any urgent communications.

Clearing these smaller tasks helps free up my afternoon for deeper, more focused work.

Early Afternoon: Deep Dive into Work

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM - Deep Work Session

Post-lunch hours are dedicated to deep work.

This is when I tackle the MOST challenging projects.

Whether that’s planning a new marketing strategy, analyzing our sales data, or brainstorming ways to expand our reach.

This time is blocked off for work that requires undivided attention and critical thinking.

Late Afternoon: Sales, Sales, Sales

3:30 PM - 6:00 PM - Sales and Networking

The afternoon is all about driving sales. I reach out to potential locations, follow up with leads, and work on closing deals.

This time is vital for expanding our business and bringing in cash flow.

Evening: Wind Down and Fitness

6:00 PM - Gym

After a full day, I head to the gym.

Keeping fit is not just about physical health; it’s about mental well-being too.

Working out helps me unwind and the sauna is the perfect combo.

7:30 PM - Dinner

Dinner is a quieter time when I can relax and prepare mentally for the next day.

It’s also a moment to connect with family and friends, sharing stories and laughter, which is just as important as any business success.

So there you have it!

So there you have it—a full day in the life of a vending machine owner.

It’s a role filled with diverse tasks and constant learning, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter.

Hit reply and let me know what you found most helpful this week—I read every single reply and I’d love to hear from you!

See you next Saturday!

-Ethan

Whenever you're ready, here are 3 free resources that can help you:

1. 📚 Ultimate Guide to Starting a Vending Machine Business: a 90-page comprehensive and actionable guide on kickstarting your vending empire.

2. 🎭 Cold Call Scripts: Boost your confidence and convert conversations into contracts with my field-tested approach to reaching out to potential vending locations.

3. 📄 Location Contract Template: Now once you’ve secured your prime spot using the cold call scripts, it’s time to use my lawyer-built contract template. All your bases will be covered here.