How to Start a Vending Business Without Pain, Agony, and Losing Your Shirt

Most new businesses fail not from lack of passion or funding, but from a long process of trials and errors. These mistakes will cost time and money, neither of which is in abundant supply when starting your own business. Rest assured that it's possible to start a successful vending business without making costly mistakes.

The makers of the healthy vending machine have already made all the mistakes you could possibly imagine and are willing to pass their valuable knowledge on to entrepreneurs looking for a relatively risk-free venture. If you take advantage of these lessons, you will find it's much easier to earn high profits with your investment.

1. Putting healthy and unhealthy products together in the same machine.

Customers are so used to selecting the same brand-name junk food that they will choose it over a healthy item if they are side by side. Candy companies spend millions on advertising each year and that turns into sales at vending machines. Simply putting all healthy foods in your vending machines will boost sales of the healthy products.

2. Putting healthy machines next to junk food machines.

Similar to mistake #1, if people must choose between junk food and healthy food, side by side, they will typically choose the junk. Again, this goes back to advertising dollars spent and people's routines. To get them to break out of this junk food cycle, you need to allow only your healthy vending machines in an exclusive arrangement.

3. Putting new foods in old machines.

Getting customers to notice new healthy items means putting them in a new and exciting machine. No one will see the food if they don't first notice the machine. Adding convenience and technology to these machines also increases sales. More on that later.

4. Underestimating graphics.

Once you have new machines, you must make them stand out by using the right graphics. Much research has been done into which graphics appeal to customers and encourage them to buy.

5. Limiting payment options.

Giving your customers the ability to pay with credit and debit cards makes the vending process much easier. Hardly anyone carries cash and coins anymore and most people buy items throughout the day with their cards. Also, when customers pay with cards, it makes it easier for them to purchase higher priced items.

6. Putting food in your machines without knowing if customers will like it.

More research was done to determine which foods and drinks customers would purchase. If you only stock your machines with items you like, you're limiting your sales by not addressing customers with different tastes. Also, you can customize your machine with items that appeal to that particular location's customers.

7. Limiting your profits.

Take advantage of the LCD screen to sell advertising. This second revenue-stream is easy to set up and will make money with hardly any extra work. Companies have spent nearly $6 billion on digital advertising in 2009, so they know how important this type of marketing is. They would love to get their messages in front of your customers.

New healthy vending machines are built for first-time operators and come with all the training materials you’ll need to set them up by yourself. Training videos and customer service representatives will answer all of your questions. Your machines will be up and running in no time and you’ll be ready to start earning profits. If you purchase enough machines, healthy vending representatives will fly to your locations and set them up for you. These machines are extremely easy to load and they will not break down. Their remote monitoring software allows you to keep an eye on them anytime from any location. You will know immediately if an item needs to be restocked or if there is a vending malfunction.

If you've made the decision to purchase a healthy vending machine, you need to know what the next steps are. Their is a 5-phase system designed to get your business off the ground and earn solid profits. This 3-4 month process will virtually guarantee success with your healthy vending machines.

Phase 1: Research

Research your area and determine which locations would be best for your machines.

Phase 2: Outreach

Start a month-long, multi-tiered, customized direct mail campaign is launched. This campaign should target the top locations determined in Phase 1 and give these locations the information they need to determine if they’re interested in having a healthy vending machine.

Phase 3: Communication

Begin an extensive telemarketing campaign to target all locations from Phase 1.  Meetings with interested should locations are held with company representatives.

Phase 4: Meetings/Training

Conduct a series of 15-40 face-to-face meetings with you and the locations. Supply your locations with product samples and marketing items like a T-shirt or banner to assist you with the sales process. This allows you to grow your business on your own at a later time.

Phase 5: Follow-up

Since not all locations will sign a contract during Phase 4, this 1-2 month follow-up period is crucial to get the best locations as partners. Extensive communication and meetings during this time period will answer questions and assess interest from locations.

Now you can own a business without making mistakes and losing valuable time and a ton of money. And the products are healthy so you can feel good about what you're selling. The more money you make, the healthier your customers are. And that's a big bonus.