Leveraging Your Network to Secure Your First Vending Location

When starting a vending machine business, many beginners focus on identifying the “best” types of physical locations—such as buildings or parking lots. However, this approach overlooks a far more effective entry strategy: using your personal network. For beginners, the key to landing your first vending location is not necessarily what you know, but who you know.

Key Insight: Your Network Is Your Net Worth

Instead of focusing first on scouting locations by type, begin by thinking about who in your network can connect you to high-traffic environments. This includes people you know directly, as well as connections through your parents, friends, roommates, coworkers, or extended family.

Practical Examples:

Scenario 1: Car Dealership

• If you're living in a place like Scottsdale and your roommate works with car dealerships, that’s an immediate opportunity.

• You could ask your roommate: “Can you set up a meeting with the general manager?”. Use this meeting to propose installing a modern vending machine in their dealership.

Scenario 2: Community Organization

• Suppose your sister works at the YMCA—another high-traffic, people-centered location.

• Use this connection to gain access to decision-makers and pitch your vending solution.

Scenario 3: Office Building Access

• If you work in an office building, even if you’re just on the second floor and there are multiple businesses above and below you, you’re in a prime environment.

• Pitch the property manager with this angle: People from multiple floors—each with their own offices—frequent one centralized lobby or common area. That’s where a smart vending machine can add real value by providing snacks or drinks where foot traffic naturally flows.

Core Principle:

All of these examples reflect one powerful principle: as a beginner, the fastest way to secure your first vending machine location is to leverage people in your network who already have access to high-traffic areas.

Action Step:

Make a list of everyone in your immediate and extended network—family, friends, coworkers, roommates—and identify which of them might have access to:

• Dealerships

• Office buildings

• Gyms

• Schools or campuses

• Community centers

Then reach out and ask for a warm introduction to a decision-maker. Come prepared with a clear and concise pitch focused on mutual benefit.

This module reinforces that relationships come before real estate when breaking into the vending machine business. Use your connections first—the locations will follow.