I can't post the list here because it would be a static thing, and you'll see that mine is a very dynamic list. I intend for it to grow and for the quality of the links to be clear to all.
You'll find the list at http://www.nextstepvending.com/business-types-to-target-for-bulk-vending-locations.php
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Finding the right locations
I've looked at a lot of lists, and eventually came up with my own. I've used Bing Collections, as described here, to compile a list of 100 businesses in my area that I plan to target this month. The categories I chose to target are:
Auto parts supply stores
Auto repair shops
Barber shops
Bars
Chinese Restaurants
Family restaurants
Gymnastics
Hair salons
Karate
Martial Arts
Mexican Restaurants
Oil change and lube stores
Pizza
Restaurants
Skating
Teriyaki (they are on every block here, like Starbucks. Your results may vary.)
Video stores
I'm building a web page so that my fellow vendors can rate their successes with these categories and add their own that I've missed. You'll find it here.
Auto parts supply stores
Auto repair shops
Barber shops
Bars
Chinese Restaurants
Family restaurants
Gymnastics
Hair salons
Karate
Martial Arts
Mexican Restaurants
Oil change and lube stores
Pizza
Restaurants
Skating
Teriyaki (they are on every block here, like Starbucks. Your results may vary.)
Video stores
I'm building a web page so that my fellow vendors can rate their successes with these categories and add their own that I've missed. You'll find it here.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Intro Script
I'm compiling a script for introducing myself and my vending service to the decision-makers at potential locations. In doing so, I expect to hear a lot of no's and I'm fine with that. I want to find customers who are really interested in hosting those machines. Here's what I've come up with so far:
Telephone intro script:
Hello could I speak to the owner or manager please. I am calling on behalf of Next Step Vending Service. Would you be interested in a small gumball machine placed in your business? We fill and service the machines at absolutely no cost to you!
I expect to modify and improve on this script as I go, but feel I've got a strong script to begin with.
When I receive a no, my plan is to suggest that if they have a change of heart in the future, they should check out my site at http://www.nextstepvending.com/ and consider us. I'm not looking for the hard sell. I want quality locations that are sincerely interested and value our service.
Telephone intro script:
Hello could I speak to the owner or manager please. I am calling on behalf of Next Step Vending Service. Would you be interested in a small gumball machine placed in your business? We fill and service the machines at absolutely no cost to you!
I expect to modify and improve on this script as I go, but feel I've got a strong script to begin with.
When I receive a no, my plan is to suggest that if they have a change of heart in the future, they should check out my site at http://www.nextstepvending.com/ and consider us. I'm not looking for the hard sell. I want quality locations that are sincerely interested and value our service.
Monday, September 28, 2009
30 Day Challenge
I have one machine still needing to be placed and the other, while placed, undoubtedly could use a better location. I know that locating is going to be my biggest weak spot because you really need to be a "salesman" to locate, and that's not me. But it could be! I believe that I can do anything if I just put my mind to it. I do want to ease myself into this, though, so although all indications lead me to believe that a face-to-face encounter with the decision-maker is always best, I've decided to practice my script (still working on that, more later) by making phone calls. Beginning October 1st, I will make at least 3 calls per day and a total of at least 100 during the month.
So, I have a few days left to work on my script, which I'll post when complete.
UPDATE: Script is posted here.
And I've been looking for a tool that would allow me to gather info on the businesses I want in my area. Most of the mapping tools out there will allow you to search for ONE type of business in any particular area, but I haven't yet found one that will allow you to search for multiple types of businesses. However, I do have something that will work until I find or create the tool I envision. Find out more here...
DAY ONE:
Day One has been a dismal failure and points out exactly why I am trying to do this in the first place. With the lack of free time and freedom during the day, my job consumes everything and by the time I got home, it really didn't seem like a suitable time to be making calls. The good news is that I have tomorrow off. I also have no desire to make calls on Sunday, so I'll be making quite a dent in my list tomorrow.
Still enthusiastic, ready to hit the phones hard tomorrow. I might just get that machine placed.
DAY TWO:
OK, so today I actually got off my duff and did something. I'm encouraged by items I've read that quote success at 10 - 25% of each business approached. I plan to approach 100 this month and only need one. Two would be better. Anything after that is gravy, so I've set the bar at what should be a very achievable goal, and success will help to spur me on, no?
So based on the above numbers, having made 10 calls today, at least one should have been a "yes" and it was... close. Here's what happened. I had a couple of flat-out "no's", a couple where they didn't speak English, and a couple more "try back later's." I also had a few that said the manager wasn't in and to call back after 2 PM. But then came my promising call. At least he's interested and I went by and dropped off some info, but he'd left for the day so I'm going to try to catch him again tomorrow.
A few things I've learned:
1) I shouldn't have waited an entire month to do this. Is isn't that hard and I WILL get those "yes's."
2) When told the owner or manager isn't in, I should ask for his/her name so that I can ask for him/her by name next time.
3) The Bing Collections that I've used to gather the business info is more suited to the face-to-face approach, but still has a major drawback. I want to be able to log who I called, what the response was, and the name of the person I contacted.
Tomorrow's another day!
DAY THREE:
I gave the restaurant owner a call and he isn't in on weekends. So I'll have to try him again on Monday. Other than that, I spent the day with my family. I'm definitely not making any calls on Sunday, so Monday I've got some catching up to do.
So, I have a few days left to work on my script, which I'll post when complete.
UPDATE: Script is posted here.
And I've been looking for a tool that would allow me to gather info on the businesses I want in my area. Most of the mapping tools out there will allow you to search for ONE type of business in any particular area, but I haven't yet found one that will allow you to search for multiple types of businesses. However, I do have something that will work until I find or create the tool I envision. Find out more here...
DAY ONE:
Day One has been a dismal failure and points out exactly why I am trying to do this in the first place. With the lack of free time and freedom during the day, my job consumes everything and by the time I got home, it really didn't seem like a suitable time to be making calls. The good news is that I have tomorrow off. I also have no desire to make calls on Sunday, so I'll be making quite a dent in my list tomorrow.
Still enthusiastic, ready to hit the phones hard tomorrow. I might just get that machine placed.
DAY TWO:
OK, so today I actually got off my duff and did something. I'm encouraged by items I've read that quote success at 10 - 25% of each business approached. I plan to approach 100 this month and only need one. Two would be better. Anything after that is gravy, so I've set the bar at what should be a very achievable goal, and success will help to spur me on, no?
So based on the above numbers, having made 10 calls today, at least one should have been a "yes" and it was... close. Here's what happened. I had a couple of flat-out "no's", a couple where they didn't speak English, and a couple more "try back later's." I also had a few that said the manager wasn't in and to call back after 2 PM. But then came my promising call. At least he's interested and I went by and dropped off some info, but he'd left for the day so I'm going to try to catch him again tomorrow.
A few things I've learned:
1) I shouldn't have waited an entire month to do this. Is isn't that hard and I WILL get those "yes's."
2) When told the owner or manager isn't in, I should ask for his/her name so that I can ask for him/her by name next time.
3) The Bing Collections that I've used to gather the business info is more suited to the face-to-face approach, but still has a major drawback. I want to be able to log who I called, what the response was, and the name of the person I contacted.
Tomorrow's another day!
DAY THREE:
I gave the restaurant owner a call and he isn't in on weekends. So I'll have to try him again on Monday. Other than that, I spent the day with my family. I'm definitely not making any calls on Sunday, so Monday I've got some catching up to do.
Compiling a List of Local Businesses
I wanted to compile a list of 100 businesses in my area to contact and have not yet been able to find a tool that will do exactly what I want. I may have to create one eventually, but in the meantime, I've found something that will suffice.
You want to start with Bing, Microsoft's new name for their search engine. You'll find it at http://www.bing.com/.
1) Click on Maps and enter your search criteria. For this example, I kept with the default "Espresso in Seattle". For my own purposes, I would want restaurants, bars, groceries, auto repair shops, salons, and such, but you can only enter one type of business at a time. And I chose to narrow my field by entering the zip code of my choice.
2) Once you have your search results, you'll see an "Add to Collection" link (I've circled one in red below.) You can click on this link even if you haven't yet created a collection.
You want to start with Bing, Microsoft's new name for their search engine. You'll find it at http://www.bing.com/.
1) Click on Maps and enter your search criteria. For this example, I kept with the default "Espresso in Seattle". For my own purposes, I would want restaurants, bars, groceries, auto repair shops, salons, and such, but you can only enter one type of business at a time. And I chose to narrow my field by entering the zip code of my choice.
2) Once you have your search results, you'll see an "Add to Collection" link (I've circled one in red below.) You can click on this link even if you haven't yet created a collection.
3) A Save dialog will appear. If you have no collections, it will show "Unsaved Collection." Click "Save." Repeat this step with each link you want to add to your collection.
4) Repeat Steps 1 - 3 for each additional business type you select until you have the number of links needed in your collection (Bing will allow up to 200.) When finished, click on "Collections," then "Open Your Collections."
5) You'll see your collection of links. Toward the top, you'll see, "This collection isn't saved yet. Save it now." Click on "Save it now."
6) Give the collection a title. If you plan to share this collection with a spouse, colleague, business partner, make it something clear. I chose "Businesses in 98003" for mine. And to share, you'll need to make sure the boxes below are checked.
7) That's all there is to creating the list. I compiled a list of 100 businesses of the various types I wanted in the area I wanted to concentrate on. To find out why, click here...
UPDATE: I just discovered that you can also export your data into a file to import to your GPS device. So this would be helpful in making face-to-face visits as well.
UPDATE: I just discovered that you can also export your data into a file to import to your GPS device. So this would be helpful in making face-to-face visits as well.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Staking claim to your machine
You need something attached to your machine that identifies it as belonging to you and also gives contact information in case of a problem or somebody wants to buy your route, sell theirs, whatever. The first machine I bought (used, of course!) had a piece of notebook paper with the owner's name and phone number written on it, scotch taped to the back of the machine. Now that inspires confidence, doesn't it? I'd certainly want that person putting his machines in my place of business and servicing them regularly... NOT!
Even though I'm new to this business, I know what kind of business I'd want to deal with if I were on the other side, and I aim to be that kind of business. So here's a sample of my ID Labels, which are simple return address labels.
Even though I'm new to this business, I know what kind of business I'd want to deal with if I were on the other side, and I aim to be that kind of business. So here's a sample of my ID Labels, which are simple return address labels.
I've also heard of vendor disputes over ownership of a machine. Therefore, I recommend that as well as the label on the outside, you place one on the inside of your machine as well. If the outside sticker has been removed and another vendor tries to claim that your machine is his, simply pull out your key, unlock the machine, and show him the label.
P.S. I'm also in the process of ordering a couple of polo shirts with my logo on them. I'll share those too when available.
The most important link!
My Next Step Vending business website is almost complete. Check it out here and please let me know what you think.
Next Step Vending Service
This site is for my bulk vending machine service in the Seattle Metro area. Currently I am focusing on gumballs and candy. However, many of my leads thus far have been for snacks & soda, so I may be branching out soon.
P.S. Thanks go out to Judy at By Word of Mouth Design for helping me to put my vision on the web.
Next Step Vending Service
This site is for my bulk vending machine service in the Seattle Metro area. Currently I am focusing on gumballs and candy. However, many of my leads thus far have been for snacks & soda, so I may be branching out soon.
P.S. Thanks go out to Judy at By Word of Mouth Design for helping me to put my vision on the web.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
To Dive Right In or Wade, that is the question...
Up to this point, I've taken the stand that I want to start small and build slowly, learning the business thoroughly along the way so that I don't make costly mistakes. However, I've had several interesting routes offered to me and I'm considering the pros and cons of jumping into the deep end, so to speak. Granted, you get your feet wet right away, but there are so many unknowns: is the water too hot, too cold, too deep, too shallow, are there rocks under the surface, etc. You get the idea.
So, I'm taking some time to think it all through. Even if I miss out on these deals, there will be others if I decide that's the way I want to proceed. The more I get into this business, the more I feel it's the perfect fit for me, so why not jump in?
I'll let you know what I decide.
So, I'm taking some time to think it all through. Even if I miss out on these deals, there will be others if I decide that's the way I want to proceed. The more I get into this business, the more I feel it's the perfect fit for me, so why not jump in?
I'll let you know what I decide.
Vending Resource List
I can't post the list here because it would be a static thing, and you'll see that mine is a very dynamic list. I intend for it to grow and for the quality of the links to be clear to all.
You'll find the list at http://www.nextstepvending.com/sources.php
You'll find the list at http://www.nextstepvending.com/sources.php
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Motivation
I have a wonderful wife and two children that mean the world to me. I have a mother that has always been there for me and now needs me to be there for her. They are what motivate me, make me strive to be a better person, and to succeed in life.
I believe for most people, there is a defining moment that makes them reflect on things. For me, it was the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” At the end, as Tom Hanks’ character is dying after saving Private Ryan, he looks at him and tells him to “Earn this. Earn it!” I realize that I have been given much in life, and strongly feel that it’s time that I “earn it.”
To this end, I have ventured out as a new business owner, stretching my boundaries and challenging myself to do more with my life. What about you? What motivates you? And more importantly, what have you done about it? Feedback encouraged.
I believe for most people, there is a defining moment that makes them reflect on things. For me, it was the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” At the end, as Tom Hanks’ character is dying after saving Private Ryan, he looks at him and tells him to “Earn this. Earn it!” I realize that I have been given much in life, and strongly feel that it’s time that I “earn it.”
To this end, I have ventured out as a new business owner, stretching my boundaries and challenging myself to do more with my life. What about you? What motivates you? And more importantly, what have you done about it? Feedback encouraged.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Placed my first machine!
It's been a slower process than I had first expected, but I am starting this business with no real capital to speak of. We've been living paycheck to paycheck, so finding even a few extra dollars is tough, but in the last couple of weeks, I managed to get business cards (they look a little something like this:)
I also bought candy to fill my first machine. I checked out prices at our local wholesaler, Cash & Carry, also Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and a few others. Ultimately, I ended up going to the bulk food section of our local discount grocery because I could get a good price for the quantity I needed without having to buy more than I needed or jump through membership hoops.
So I've been networking (but not nearly as much as I should, although having business cards to hand out will help!) and my wife has gone out to quite a few locations trying to pitch them on hosting one of our machines, but the first machine was placed by dear old mom! Yep, she contacted her sister and asked if her brother-in-law would consider letting me put a machine in his used records/CDs shop. It's not likely to be a dynamite location, but it IS a start, and perhaps he knows other business owners who wouldn't mind hosting machines. That's how networking works, after all.
More soon...
I also got matching labels to identify my machines and had some flyers printed up as well. Got them all done at http://www.vistaprint.com/ and if you play your cards right and read the fine print, watch out for their "gotchas", you can get a pretty good deal. The shipping cost more than my business cards, labels, flyers, and oh yeah, the custom pen.
I also bought candy to fill my first machine. I checked out prices at our local wholesaler, Cash & Carry, also Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and a few others. Ultimately, I ended up going to the bulk food section of our local discount grocery because I could get a good price for the quantity I needed without having to buy more than I needed or jump through membership hoops.
So I've been networking (but not nearly as much as I should, although having business cards to hand out will help!) and my wife has gone out to quite a few locations trying to pitch them on hosting one of our machines, but the first machine was placed by dear old mom! Yep, she contacted her sister and asked if her brother-in-law would consider letting me put a machine in his used records/CDs shop. It's not likely to be a dynamite location, but it IS a start, and perhaps he knows other business owners who wouldn't mind hosting machines. That's how networking works, after all.
More soon...
Monday, September 7, 2009
☆★☆ Craigslist ads ☆★☆
OK, so I thought I'd try my hand at placing a couple of ads on Craigslist.I'm looking to see if there are any routes for sale in my area, looking to locate some machines, and might be looking for a locator or locating service (haven't made up my mind on that one yet.) So looking through the ads, I noticed right away that the ones that caught my attention were those with special characters in the title. It didn't take long to find out how to duplicate them. A search of the internet told me to simply view the CL source page and find out how the other poster had done it. But I was thinking there had to be more out there and that I COULDN'T find easily enough. Wrote a quick Javascript to run through the codes and am posting the ones I found most usable here. There's a lot that isn't, but I didn't want anyone thinking that I was saving the best for myself, so from 8235 through 10240, I've included each number so YOU can decide what's important. There may be useful codes outside of this range, but I didn't find enough of them to make it worth taking up space in my blog. Feel free to experiment yourself. All you need to do is enter an ampersand (&) followed by a pound sign (#) followed by the numbers you choose and ending with a semi-colon (;). For example, #&9729; is a cloud, which seemed appropriate to me since I'm from the Seattle area.
It appears that Blogger won't interpret the code, so I'm placing it on my own website, and you'll find it here!
It appears that Blogger won't interpret the code, so I'm placing it on my own website, and you'll find it here!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Why vending machines? And why gumballs?
So I've wanted to be my own boss for a long time. Who doesn't? But I work long hours and barely get by right now, living from paycheck to paycheck. And I've finally realized that I am NOT going to win the lottery, especially since most weeks I don't even get around to buying a ticket. So I've been looking for something, but what?
I've explored a lot of different ideas but most require a lot of capital to start. I don't have it. Or experience I don't have. Whatever. When I stumbled on gumball machines, it seemed the perfect answer. You can start with as little as ONE MACHINE and it's definitely something you learn as you go. If you buy that machine used, your startup costs will be less than the price of a latte every day for a month. You can scale your business to your goals, a part-time gig to supplement your income or full-time to support your desired lifestyle.
There are a lot of people out there already doing exactly this, so by networking with them, I will have all the training I need. And that's the reason for this blog... I want to share my experiences so that I can in turn help others to achieve financial independence.
I've explored a lot of different ideas but most require a lot of capital to start. I don't have it. Or experience I don't have. Whatever. When I stumbled on gumball machines, it seemed the perfect answer. You can start with as little as ONE MACHINE and it's definitely something you learn as you go. If you buy that machine used, your startup costs will be less than the price of a latte every day for a month. You can scale your business to your goals, a part-time gig to supplement your income or full-time to support your desired lifestyle.
There are a lot of people out there already doing exactly this, so by networking with them, I will have all the training I need. And that's the reason for this blog... I want to share my experiences so that I can in turn help others to achieve financial independence.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tools I use
This section will hold links to tools that I'll be using in my vending business. Check back soon!
A great forum whether you're a newbie or a pro...
I recently found and joined the following forum and have found it to be extremely helpful. There are beginners like myself and others with well-established profitable vending businesses. Everyone I've talked to has been very helpful.
http://www.vendiscuss.com/forum
http://www.vendiscuss.com/forum
Finding a location!
August 25th, 2009
Okay, so today at 2:00pm I set out to find a location for 1 of our gumball/candy machines!
I went to two locations. The first one was the office for our apt. complex. They told me that they are not interested, but thanked me for asking them!
"I thought,, okay...Well maybe the next location!"
I told her thank you for your time, and left!
The next location was a grocery store.
I asked to speak with the manager. So she called him out and I introduced myself, telling him who I am and who I am with and he told me from the begining that he is not interested but also thanked me for stopping by!
So strike two, but I am not backing out! Tomorrow is another day!
Okay, so today at 2:00pm I set out to find a location for 1 of our gumball/candy machines!
I went to two locations. The first one was the office for our apt. complex. They told me that they are not interested, but thanked me for asking them!
"I thought,, okay...Well maybe the next location!"
I told her thank you for your time, and left!
The next location was a grocery store.
I asked to speak with the manager. So she called him out and I introduced myself, telling him who I am and who I am with and he told me from the begining that he is not interested but also thanked me for stopping by!
So strike two, but I am not backing out! Tomorrow is another day!
Remodeled one machine
So my wife and I went to Home Depot and bought some sand paper, red paint and black paint!
I then took apart one of our machines and I did some work on it! I did some sand papering, painted it a beautiful red color with a black stand!
I also put in the new lock that I had ordered for it!
It really looks like a brand new machine!
We are really excited!!!
I then took apart one of our machines and I did some work on it! I did some sand papering, painted it a beautiful red color with a black stand!
I also put in the new lock that I had ordered for it!
It really looks like a brand new machine!
We are really excited!!!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Big Day!
Sunday August 16th, 2009
My wife and I purchased our first two machines!
We both are excited about this business!
Although, when I arrived back at home, my wife and I discovered that they are not what we had expected!
They both need to be worked on, painted and need keys! So we went ahead and got online and we ordered the keys for the two machines, which should arrive sometime at the end of this week!
On top of that we still have not found a nice place to put our machines!
We realized that starting out in a new business is not as easy as you may think it to be!
But it still was a great deal and my wife and I are not giving up!
My wife and I purchased our first two machines!
We both are excited about this business!
Although, when I arrived back at home, my wife and I discovered that they are not what we had expected!
They both need to be worked on, painted and need keys! So we went ahead and got online and we ordered the keys for the two machines, which should arrive sometime at the end of this week!
On top of that we still have not found a nice place to put our machines!
We realized that starting out in a new business is not as easy as you may think it to be!
But it still was a great deal and my wife and I are not giving up!
The Next Step
The past few weeks we have been playing with the idea about taking the next step in life. I have always had the entrepreneurial spirit, but never found anything that felt right to pursue. Last month, my wife and I were out and saw some people feeding quarters into a vending machine. It made us think... http://www.nextstepvending.com/ was born!
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