westlakevending Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 would like to tell you a little about myself. I am a 23 year old enterpenuer with a college business background. I started out vending with a double head setup at a bar with peanuts which grew where I am today. I own and operate over 200 oak vista machines. Since I am still living at home, i decided to take this jump into financial freedom and then move out. Every week my accounts are getting larger which isn't a problem for me to keep up with them since I am now a fulltime vendor. I do have one piece of advise that I would like to pass along to other vendors : SERVICE YOUR ACCOUNTS. I don't know how many times I have spoken with gatekeepers of a business and they dont want bulk vending because the last operator never serviced his machines. As I stated above, I work with the Oak Vistas not only because of the price but they are a very simple all metal machine to work with. My business goals over the next 5 years is to own and operate a fleet with 1000 locations. For those of you out there starting out on your vending venture.....just remember..... nothing to it but to do it! Thanks Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caserri Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Shawn, Great post! I hope there will be some new operators here who read your story and find inspiration. We have so many people come through here looking for answers to their vending questions, it's nice to have success stories like this for them to read as well. It gives them a sense that this can be done. If anyone else would like to share their success story please do so. If we get enough I'll open a forum just for inspiring stories like this. Thanks again! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchboy Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Shawn, Your story is inspiring.......Do you do your own locating, or do you use the services of a locator? Are your machines charity or commision or a combination of both? Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westlakevending Posted August 24, 2007 Author Share Posted August 24, 2007 Hello, I do my machines under a national charity, there are many of them out there such as National Cancer Society, VCA, Jerrys for kids ect.... But i have found the best to be the american assoc. for lost childern. I do my business about half and half on using a locator and doing it myself. I am going to focus over the next few weeks doing the locating myself and saving money. With the summer temps. as high as they are its too hot to be out and about. The best way to get locations quick is to use a locator and call yourself for the same zipcode that way you are hitting every location possible! If you have any other questions feel free to ask Shawn PS: REMINDER: IF YOU ARE NEW TO VENDING HERE IS A LITTLE TIP: WHEN YOU GET AN ACCOUNT TAKE CARE OF IT EVERY SINGLE 30 DAYS....DO NOT LET ACCOUNTS BE NEGELECTED BECAUSE YOU WILL END UP LOSING YOUR ACCOUNT AS WELL AS GIVING BULK VENDING A BAD NAME TO BUSINESS OWNERS.... AINT NOTHING TO IT BUT TO DO IT-SHAWN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joebob051977 Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 What's your locating approach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karrie62699 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Very inspiring !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdavid Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Great post and informative! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendboy Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Nice post, sounds like you got it goin on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAS Enterprises Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 This is a very inspirational post considering I was your age when you were born. I should have had the conviction to build this type of business, I could be a multi-millionaire by now. What is your product line, I've been reading a lot about toys lately, and that is something I hadn't considered when I started researching this business 2 weeks ago, but it makes sense that it is popular. What are your thoughts on the subject? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Coast Vend LLC Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Welcome to VENDiscuss.com Shawn. We are glad you decided to join our vending family. Look around and ask as many questions as you like. We are all here for the same reason. Welcome Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shvend Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 What's up Shawn? Good to have you hear and I am sure you will do well in the vending business. Sounds like you have already learned some tricks of the trade. Luke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nepavend Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 If you have locations with kids, toys are ALWAYS a good idea to have a staple product in many markets. I use a gum/toy double as a baseline entry machine in nearly all of my locations and go through a lot of them. Plus, toys never go bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cash4life Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Hello I am new to forum great info so far my question is I have the opportunity is cleaning every week bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skaught Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Good to hear someone else near my age is involved in vending. I can't wait to learn more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candylair Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I just purchased 25 units today from Vendstar! I'm so happy to find this forum. I'm from WA state. I can now ask questions in case I need some advice. I can't wait to get started! Cheers everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antoniocinisi Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I just purchased 25 units today from Vendstar! I'm so happy to find this forum. I'm from WA state. I can now ask questions in case I need some advice. I can't wait to get started! Cheers everyone!well your first piece of advice is:dont buy new vendstars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendingdelaltiplano Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Hello Shawn: I´m a 25 elementary teacher here in Mexico, and I started almost one year ago in the vending business. Your story has inspired me, and I´m determined to work hard to grow in this business to get financial freedom, or at least, not being a person that depends of his job to have money in his pockets. According to Robert Kiyosaky, we need to be B ( owners of their own business) or I (Investors), this a good area to start. Greetings from Mexico my friend. Abdón Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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