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, I want to share a story about how I almost gave up on vending machines (& what turned things around for me). Here’s what I’ll cover:

• The Fall

• The Grind

• The Breakthrough

• The Key Takeaways

🔗 Best Links

Curated picks for Vendpreneurs

📱 Top Reads

• 🎟️ Ever thought of buying lottery tickets from a vending machine? Discover how it works in Texas. (KXAN)

• Singapore is home to some of the most creative and unique vending machines you’ll ever see. (The Straits Times)

😱 Trending Now

• This vending machine is pure creativity. It sells prints and stickers, and it’s perfect for art lovers! (TikTok)

• Can’t get enough of Dubai chocolate? 🍫 These vending machines let you grab a bar of your favorite treat. (TikTok)

I started my vending business in 2019, and my very first machine brought in $4,000 in the first month.

That’s when I realized I had found something amazing.

I took a loan from friends and family, bought more machines, hired a sales team, and worked hard to secure more locations.

By the end of the year, I was making $80,000 a month in revenue.

Then 2020 came… 👇

Section 1: The Fall

🗓️ MARCH 2020:

COVID hit, and it hit hard. 🦠

I had to lay off one of my Austin salespeople and personally fly to Austin to restock the machines myself for a month.

Desperate to stay afloat, I scrambled to hire a part-time merchandiser.

I relocated over 30 machines from across the country to Dallas, fighting to hold on to as many as possible.

Still, the losses were devastating.

90% of new contracts disappeared almost overnight. Some partner bars went bankrupt, leaving machines stranded.

And to make matters worse, I lost several machines in Texas.

Section 2: The Grind

🗓️ APRIL–DECEMBER 2020

Revenue took a massive hit, dropping by 90%.

But I refused to give up.

I pivoted hard, shifting my approach and rebuilding step by step. By December, revenue had bounced back by 50%.

I turned the downtime into a chance to grow. I read every business book I could get my hands on and sharpened my strategy for the future.

Section 3: The Breakthrough

Looking back, the chaos of 2020 taught me valuable lessons that helped me come back stronger:

• Stay Persistent: Success comes from pushing forward, even when it feels impossible.

• Adapt Quickly: Pivoting fast — whether relocating machines or changing strategies — was key to survival.

• Keep Learning: I used downtime to read business books and refine my approach, which paid off in the rebound.

• Build Strong Partnerships: Reliable locations and suppliers made all the difference when it was time to rebuild.

• Plan for the Unexpected: Being prepared with reserves and flexibility is now my top priority.

These lessons didn’t just help me recover, they helped me grow.

Section 4: Takeaways for You

When things go wrong, step up and get the job done yourself if that’s what it takes.

Always have a backup plan because unexpected challenges will pop up. Use downtime to sharpen your skills or learn something new. Trust me, it’ll pay off big later.

Back in 2021, when the world started getting back on track after COVID, I made some major moves.

I hired a Texas Regional Director and landed our highest-grossing location in Austin. This account pulled in $16,000 in just one month!

From there, I kept the momentum going. As businesses reopened, I started locking in 1–2 new locations every month.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve hit $4 million in sales revenue. 🥳

Here’s your reminder: setbacks don’t mean you’re done.

Sometimes, your hardest moments turn into your biggest wins. Keep pushing, stay focused, and you’ll get there too!

And That’s a Wrap!

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

Before you go, here are 3 ways I can help you get started in vending:

1.) Pod Plug Franchise - With a super low-cost entry franchise, you’ll get three smart machines, starting inventory, and hands-on training. Join the waitlist!

2.) Nayax - Add cashless payments to your machines with Nayax card readers. Use my promo code “ETHANPROMO” for a nice little discount.