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's question comes from about 50 different DMs: "Is it too late to get into vending?"

Fair question. Social media makes it look like everyone and their cousin owns a machine now.

But here's what I know: one of my franchisees just installed their 6th vending machine, 6 weeks since training ended.

Let me break down what's really happening (and why 2026 might be the perfect time to start) 👇

PS. New YouTube video just dropped: "My Vending Machines Use Mind Tricks (Sales Exploded)" — watch me turn psychology into profit. Don't forget to Subscribe 😉

Vending looks different in 2026. That's true.

There will be more competition, more visibility, and more people trying to copy what works.

But the opportunity? Still wide open if you know how to play it.

Maybe that sounds like cope. Maybe I'm just protecting my business model. But I don't think so.

In this issue, I'll show you what's changed, what still works, and how beginners are locking in cashflow fast.

More people know about vending now but most still aren't doing it right.

They're guessing on products, choosing bad locations, and hoping it magically becomes passive. That doesn't work anymore.

Actually, it never worked. People just didn't talk about the failures.

Here's what's actually changed:

Bars and nightlife opened up as a whole new universe - While everyone fights over the same tired offices and schools, we discovered drunk people in a bar at 2 AM will pay $30 for a vape. God bless capitalism.

If AI can replace a job, it's probably NOT vending machines - Your AI can't restock ZYNs at 3 AM. Can't unclog a bill validator. Can't sweet-talk a bar owner. We're safe.

It's recession-proof - Economy crashes? People still need their vices. Still lose their phone chargers. Still get headaches. The worse things get, the more they need what we sell.

The opportunity's still there. You just have to play it the right way.

And that's what bothers me about the "it's too late" crowd. They want it to be like 2019. But nothing stays the same. You either evolve or you die.

Everyone's chasing the same types of locations and that's exactly why I went the other way.

One night, drunk at a bar (research, I swear 😅), I watched someone desperately searching for Advil. The bartender shrugged. "We don't sell that."

They left to find a store. Probably never came back.

That's when it clicked.

Bars, clubs, casinos—the nightlife space is wide open. These venues need what vending machines can offer.

Chargers when your phone's at 2%. Advil for tomorrow's regret. Gum for close conversations. ZYNs/vapes for the nicotine fix.

The items you can't get behind the bar. The problems that happen at 1 AM.

Most operators don't know how to approach these venues, let alone close the deal.

High-traffic locations aren't gone. You just need the right angle…and the right offer.

Everyone wants the hack. The secret. The shortcut.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: it's just smart locations and simple execution.

Most people I work with start with just 2–3 machines, but they place them in spots with built-in demand. Bars, clubs, nightlife venues where people actually buy.

They're not guessing products or hoping for traffic.

They follow a proven process, use what works, and treat it like a real business from day one.

No manifestation. No vision boards. Just work.

This is the moment you've been working toward: install week.

I still remember my first install. Hands shaking. Wondering if I just wasted $15K. Checking the app every 5 minutes.

Your machines are ready, your locations are prepped, and now it's time to bring it all to life.

You'll install each machine, stock it with your starter inventory, and activate your Nayax dashboard so you can track sales in real time.

The first time you see a sale hit your dashboard, it feels different.

Not like a YouTube ad promised. Not like passive income.

Like you actually built something real.

My franchisees reach this stage by week six or seven, depending on how quickly they locked their locations.

From here, it's officially game on.

The biggest threat isn't saturation, it's hesitation.

I watch people analyze this opportunity for months. Years. Building spreadsheets. Reading every Reddit post. Waiting for the "perfect time."

Meanwhile, someone who decided last month is already collecting revenue.

People wait too long, overthink, and miss out on years of cashflow.

If you're still asking "Is now a good time?"

You're asking the wrong question.

The right question is: "Am I ready to actually do this?"

But I've also turned away 100+ people who wanted easy money. Who thought this was passive. Who weren't ready for the real work.

If you've been thinking about getting in, now's the time.

But only if you're ready to build something real.

Click here to take the first step towards owning your own vending empire.

This opportunity is perfect if you have:

💵 $15K in available capital
🔥 Drive to build something real
💪 Commitment to make it work
💼 Sales experience (or willingness to learn)

Sound like you? Let's talk.

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter.

Hit reply and tell me I'm wrong. Or right. Or crazy.

I read everything.

-Ethan

P.S. Still on the fence? That's your answer.