The Debrief: A Vending Machine Side Hustle

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Welcome to The Debrief. This week we interviewed Jason who runs a vending machine side hustle. If you didn’t catch it, feel free to check it out here before diving into this edition.

In this mid-week newsletter, we are going to investigate what we covered in our interview and breakdown the key takeaways and share some actionable advice for you to work on in your business venture.

Each debrief is designed to give you something to work on each week based off the advice given by our featured entrepreneur.

Let’s get into it!

Vending Machine Business

Key takeaways:

1. Start Small, But Strategically
   Jason began his vending machine business with just two refurbished units and a used van. His biggest early lesson was location matters more than quantity. Instead of scaling quickly, focus on placing machines in high-traffic areas where the product mix suits the audience. Better to have two well-performing machines than ten underutilized ones.

2. Tech and Data Save Time and Money
   Manual stock checking cost Jason countless hours and inefficiencies. Today, he uses remote monitoring to track inventory and plan restocks efficiently. His advice: invest in smart tech early. It enhances operations, saves fuel, and helps you respond faster to customer needs.

3. Personalization and Cleanliness Build Trust
   Jason tailors each machine’s contents based on its location—gym-goers get protein snacks, schools get kid-friendly options, and eco-conscious customers get sustainable packaging. He emphasizes that cleanliness and upkeep aren’t just maintenance—they’re part of your branding. A spotless, well-stocked machine increases sales and client satisfaction.

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How to start this business?

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