New Locations

Last year, I bought a soda route that included 7 machines on location. Most of the route has done as expected, but I lost two of the new locations. They were at apartments that got bought out. Although my service was excellent, the new owners had their own vendors they wanted to use. So now I am looking for locations again. Today, Dustin, Isabella and I are going to start the search for new locations. I have chosen to take my children with me as I search for locations because they will be with me when I fill up the machines. Originally, I had thought that having them with me would be a detriment, but I realized that not taking them with me would be a lie. I don't want anyone surprised when I show up to fill machines with a parade of little helpers. Dustin will hand out my business card and little Isabella will hopefully smile big. I think finding locations is the hardest part of the vending business. I find it hard to just show up at an apartment leasing office and ask if they need a soda machine. It seems like it would be easier to just get someone else to do it, but it is much better to do it myself. Then I know what the apartment looks like, who the people are in the office and how they responded. I used a locator for the first 2 machines that I had. I still have one of the locations, but the other one turned out to be a very poor producer. I know what I am looking for better than anyone else, so I will take the responsibility of finding the locations myself.

Time Flies

I am amazed at how time has flown by. I now have a new baby and 7 new machines. Isabella Jubilee was born in September. I had to contract with someone to help me with my machines through a difficult pregnancy. Isabella and I are doing great now. She is "helping" me with with my business by riding on my back. She has finally gotten use to the snugli and doesn't cry too much when I carry her to fill up the machines. As long as her tummy is full she is great. She usually just takes a nap while I work. The "helping" part is she acts as extra strength training so that I get back into shape faster.