Creative Vending Revolution from Udemy

The Venderia is thrilled to bring you Creative Vending Revolution, a 6-part online course covering all the ins and outs of starting a successful, nontraditional vending machine business. And just like our vending machines, there is nothing boring about it.

This complete, self-paced online course covers:

Where to buy a machine & what features to look for
How to evaluate potential locations
How to pitch to and land excellent locations
How to customize and brand your machine
How price, source & package your products
Where to find and how to work with local collaborators
AND MORE

This course is brought to you by Taylor Valdés, owner & founder of The Venderia, a wild & whimsical, non-traditional vending machine business based in Portland, OR.

Established in 2013 with one very old, very glittery refurbished snack machine, eight years later, The Venderia is a now fleet of 20 machines in bars, boutiques, hotels and mixed-use spaces across the city. We retail the works hundreds of local artists from our machines, wholesale our own products nationwide, and now want to show you how to do it too.

PLEASE NOTE: Purchasing the course through Udemy does NOT get you access to the Creative Vending Weekly Workshop (a live, weekly zoom call with Taylor & other creative vending business owners) nor access to the Vending Magic wholesale superstore (a catalog of ready-to-vend products by a variety of makers), but you DO get the complete course video content & downloads. To get access to those resources, you must email [email protected]

What's inside

Learning objective

How to start a non-traditional vending business, from picking out machines and locations to stocking and pricing items in your machine.

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome

Students will be able to identify the crucial elements that make for a successful location to place a vending machine.

Location

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers the essentials of starting a vending machine business, including machine selection, location scouting, and product sourcing, which are all vital for new business owners

Teaches how to customize and brand a vending machine, which can help entrepreneurs create a unique and recognizable business

Explores non-traditional vending machine businesses, which may appeal to entrepreneurs seeking innovative business models

Requires emailing the instructor to gain access to additional resources, such as a weekly workshop and wholesale superstore

Taught by the owner and founder of The Venderia, which has eight years of experience operating a fleet of vending machines

Reviews summary

Guide to creative vending business

According to students, the Creative Vending Revolution course offers a unique and inspiring approach to starting a vending business beyond typical snacks and drinks. Learners appreciated Taylor Valdés's passion and experience, finding the content provided practical steps for everything from choosing machines and locations to branding and inventory. While many found it a great starting point for their venture, some reviews noted that the course focuses heavily on the creative and operational aspects and could benefit from more in-depth coverage of financials or legal considerations.

Workshop/wholesale access separate

"Didn't realize the live workshop and wholesale store access was extra until after purchasing the course here."

"The wholesale store sounds useful for sourcing, but it's not included with the basic course."

"Note that the live community features mentioned by the instructor are not part of the basic course package purchased here."

Taylor's experience shines through

"Taylor's energy is contagious, you can tell she loves this business and is genuinely excited to share."

"Her personal stories and real-world experience add so much value and make the concepts relatable."

"It's great to learn from someone who has actually built a successful business like this from the ground up."

Offers actionable steps for starting

"The course gives you clear steps from start to finish on getting a machine and finding locations, very actionable."

"Found the branding and inventory sections particularly practical and easy to follow. Good walkthroughs."

"This really broke down the whole process into manageable steps that didn't feel overwhelming for a beginner."

Inspiring approach to vending

"Loved how unique this concept is! It really got me thinking outside the box for my business."

"Taylor's creative vision is truly inspiring for anyone wanting to do vending differently; it's not just about snacks."

"Never thought of vending like this - it opens up so many creative possibilities beyond traditional machines. It's revolutionary."

Could use more business details

"Wish there was more detail on the financial planning side, like budgeting or ROI calculations."

"It's great on the creative and operational side, but less so on the pure business/numbers aspect that is crucial."

"Could use more on budgeting and forecasting specifically for this unique vending model."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Creative Vending Revolution with these activities:

Research Local Artists and Makers

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with the local art and maker scene to identify potential collaborators and inventory sources for your vending machine business.

Browse courses on Small Businesses

Show steps

Identify local art fairs and markets.
Browse online marketplaces featuring local artists.
Visit local boutiques and galleries.

Read 'Creative, Inc.' by Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho

Show steps

Gain insights into the business aspects of creative ventures, including branding, marketing, and pricing strategies.

View Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how the concepts apply to your vending machine business.
Brainstorm ideas for implementing the strategies discussed in the book.

Develop a Business Plan Outline

Show steps

Create a structured plan for your vending machine business, covering key aspects like target market, product sourcing, and financial projections.

Show steps

Define your target market and ideal vending locations.
Outline your product sourcing and pricing strategy.
Develop a basic financial projection for your business.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Design a Mock Vending Machine Wrap

Show steps

Visualize your vending machine's branding by creating a mock design for the machine wrap, incorporating your logo and brand colors.

Show steps

Research vending machine wrap design examples.
Create a digital design using graphic design software.
Incorporate your logo, brand colors, and product imagery.

Attend Local Art and Craft Fairs

Show steps

Connect with local artists and makers, scout potential inventory, and gather inspiration for your vending machine business.

Show steps

Research upcoming art and craft fairs in your area.
Attend the fairs and network with vendors.
Collect business cards and product samples.

Create a Location Pitch Presentation

Show steps

Develop a compelling presentation to pitch your vending machine business to potential location partners.

Show steps

Outline the key benefits of partnering with your business.
Create a visually appealing presentation with relevant data.
Practice your pitch and prepare for questions.

Read 'Vending Machine: Coined' by Ben Purvis

Show steps

Gain insights into the history, technology, and cultural impact of vending machines.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how the concepts apply to your vending machine business.
Brainstorm ideas for implementing the strategies discussed in the book.

Career center

Learners who complete Creative Vending Revolution will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Vending Machine Operator

A vending machine operator manages and maintains vending machines. This involves selecting suitable locations, sourcing and stocking products, handling pricing, and ensuring the machines are well-maintained. The Creative Vending Revolution course is directly relevant, as it covers all the ins and outs of starting a successful, nontraditional vending machine business, including evaluating potential locations, customizing machines, and pricing products. Furthermore, the course discusses where to buy a vending machine and what features to look for. This course helps build a strong foundation for a vending machine operator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vending Machine Operator

Retail Business Owner

Retail business owners manage their own stores or shops. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for retail business owners who want to diversify their income streams by adding vending machines to their existing retail operations. This course gives critical information on selecting and branding machines, choosing locations, and pricing inventory. The course also delves into sourcing, and packaging products. The instructor's experience running The Venderia can provide valuable insights for retail owners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Retail Business Owner

Small Business Consultant

A small business consultant advises individuals on starting and growing their businesses. This includes market research, business plan development, and operational strategy. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for consultants who want to add vending machine businesses to their areas of expertise. The course offers a comprehensive overview of the nontraditional vending machine business, from acquiring machines and pitching locations to branding and stocking them. Learning this course, a consultant is better equipped to advise aspiring vending machine entrepreneurs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Small Business Consultant

Sales Representative

Sales representatives sell products or services to businesses or individuals. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for sales representatives to understand the vending machine market if they are responsible for selling products or services to vending machine operators. The course can help the sales representative to more effectively pitch the value of their products or services to vending machine businesses. Understanding the vending business's operations and challenges can greatly enhance sales strategies and relationship building.

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Business Development Manager

Business development managers identify and pursue new business opportunities for a company. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for business development managers who are exploring new markets or product lines for their organization. The course provides insights into the nontraditional vending machine business model, including location selection, machine customization, and product sourcing. This enables the business development manager to evaluate the potential of vending machines as a new revenue stream or distribution channel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Merchandise Planner

Merchandise planners forecast trends and plan inventory levels for retail businesses. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for merchandise planners who want to expand their knowledge of alternative retail channels, such as vending machines. The course covers inventory strategies, including how to price, source, and package products for vending machines. It also discusses working with local collaborators, which is crucial for curating unique and appealing product offerings.

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Location Scout

Location scouts find suitable locations for film shoots, events, or other business activities. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for location scouts who want to expand their expertise in identifying profitable locations for vending machines. The course specifically addresses how to evaluate potential locations and pitch to land excellent spots. Knowing the criteria that make a location ideal for vending machines can be a valuable asset for location scouts.

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Product Sourcing Specialist

Product sourcing specialists find and negotiate with suppliers to obtain products for a business. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for product sourcing specialists who want to understand the unique requirements of sourcing products for vending machines. The course covers how to price, source and package products, as well as how to work with local collaborators. This helps product sourcing specialists to make informed decisions about which products to source and how to negotiate favorable terms.

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Marketing Coordinator

Marketing coordinators support marketing campaigns and initiatives. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for marketing coordinators who are working with vending machine businesses or want to learn about marketing strategies for this unique retail channel. The course covers how to customize and brand a vending machine, so the marketing coordinator can tailor their strategies to promote the vending machine business.

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Operations Manager

Operations managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for operations managers who are responsible for managing vending machine businesses or want to improve their understanding of this type of operation. The course covers all aspects of running a vending machine business, from selecting machines to stocking and pricing products, giving the operations manager insight into optimizing efficiency and profitability.

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Route Driver

A route driver delivers goods or services along a predetermined route. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for route drivers that want to start their own vending machine business. The course focuses on the ins and outs of the vending machine business, which includes how to select a location, pitch new locations, buying the physical machines themselves, and how to handle inventory. This course provides the basic knowledge necessary to make informed decisions.

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Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives handle customer inquiries and resolve issues. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for customer service representatives in a nontraditional vending machine business. The course focuses on the vending machine locations, so the customer service representative is better prepared to help a customer. The course also provides the basic knowledge necessary to make informed decisions.

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Event Planner

Event planners organize and coordinate events. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for event planners, who want to incorporate vending machines into their events. The course focuses on branding and customizing a vending machine, so the event planner to tailor the machine to the theme.

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Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for graphic designers who want to brand or customize vending machines. The course focuses on branding and customizing a vending machine, so the graphic designer can tailor their designs to promote the vending machine business effectively. This can help graphic designers expand their skill set.

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Accountant

Accountants prepare and analyze financial records for businesses. The Creative Vending Revolution course may be useful for accountants, who want to consult for vending businesses. The course focuses on the vending machine locations, so the accountant is better prepared to provide financial advice to the business owner. The course also provides the basic knowledge necessary to make informed decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Creative Vending Revolution.

Creative, Inc.

Save

Guide for creative entrepreneurs looking to build a business around their artistic talents. It covers topics such as business planning, marketing, and financial management. Given the course's focus on creative vending, this book can help students turn their creative ideas into a successful business. It is particularly helpful for those with an artistic background.

Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to...

Paperback

Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a...

Kindle Edition

Alter Ego

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the history, technology, and cultural impact of vending machines. It explores the evolution of vending machines from simple dispensers to sophisticated automated retailers. While not directly focused on creative vending, it offers valuable context and insights into the industry. This book is best used as additional reading to provide a broader context.

Alter Ego: A Novel

Paperback

Creative Vending Revolution

What's inside

Learning objective

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Guide to creative vending business

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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