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MEET KAY BOOKER OF CANDY LADY VENDING
Congratulations on your business success, can you share with the community who the Candy Lady is and your inspiration behind creating it?
A: Every neighborhood had a candy lady! Now my machines are the representation of the candy lady’s one stop shop. When I first thought about my vending business model, I was thinking what most reminded me of what I was venturing into and I instantly thought of the neighborhood candy lady.
What was your turning point to start a vending machine business and how has the journey been?
A: Vending kind of found me. I was teaching multiple streams of income to my nonprofit students. When the pandemic hit we had to pivot from their kid run business models and develop ways they could continue to learn. One of the students picked vending machines. We purchased a machine, learned together and we’ve been doing it ever since. Since then I can honestly say I have learned so much about vending. The different forms, how to make money in different ways through vending, parts and repairs. Nonetheless the journey has been eye opening.
What systems/programs do you use to help with time management and organization to better your business success?
A: My calendar is everything for me. My organization is also at its best when I use my project management system Trello. I score my task by their status. Complete, incomplete, in progress, or on hold. That helps me to not get overwhelmed and lets me know where to structure my organizational focus.
For others wanting to get into the vending machine business: what is the first thing they should do and what advice would you tell them?
A: Learn as much as you can about the industry. I think what I wish I had the most when I started, was a mentor. There are so many things I learned from making simple mistakes. Some that cost me more than I realized. The best thing I can also say is, don’t put the cart before the horse. Take your time. You’re not in a race but a marathon. I remember buying way more machines than I needed for a space. Only to have to move them out of that space and store it elsewhere. While I was thinking I knew exactly what I was doing, I cost myself moving and storage fees simply because I didn’t do my due diligence and measure the space. That’s simple, so knowledge is everything in any industry, but especially vending.
How important is the location of the vending machine business?
A: It’s one of the keys to vending. It’s essential to have a performing location that will meet your standards and goals. For me when I first started, I knew I needed practice. I didn’t want a super high performing location. I call these “starter locations.” I’m glad I did have a starter location because I was also working two jobs at the time. Once I got the hang of it I was ready for more. Now my location with the largest customer size is over 900 members.
What are the risks involved?
A: Whew. No risk, no reward. I’ve had machines broken into, damaged, issues with movers, machines needing repairs, you name it. Things can go bad, just like any business model. I think monetary risks are low, as far as start up investments and upfront costs. Truly speaking the risks mentioned are the many things that come with running a business.
What is a typical day like for you? How many hours do you spend on your business? Please breakdown by hours (7:00 am, 8:00 am etc.)
A: No day is the same!! LOL. Vending can pull me in many directions some days. Now a lot of my day consists of operation oversight. Some days I’m closing new locations. Other days I may be somewhere showing a machine to sell to another vending operator. Typically between 7:00am-9:00am I’m responding to emails and reviewing my schedule for the day, all things office that’s everyday. By 10:00am I’m typically in meetings or showings for machines or locations. Because the routes are in different cities, I typically plan days in advance to schedule visits. That typically would occur in the afternoons, but not daily. On Wednesday evenings I meet with my vending students at 7:00pm. Honestly speaking I’m always working on my business, it just looks different. Sometimes it’s not directly hands on with a machine, but I’m always doing something vending related.
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What is more important to you personally; money or success?
A: Success for sure. If you’re successful in what you do, you will find resources and tools like money. Money matters, but it’s not my “why.”
What books would you recommend for entrepreneurs to read? Any books that inspire you?
A: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It changed my life. I recommend this book to everyone.
How did you grow your customer base and following?
A: By being consistent. My following grew organically because of my consistency. My customer base grew mainly from word of mouth, referrals and marketing.
How do you balance social media marketing and the day to day administrative tasks of running a business?
A: The best thing that works for me is recording content as I go. That way I’m actually killing two birds with one stone. Sometimes it doesn’t always go that way and I have to set out time for one or the other. It really depends on the demand whether I’m posting or creating the content and how busy I am with other things. One thing I want to start doing is recording my cold calls for people to learn from, but I always forget to press record.
In what ways can you elevate your vending machine investments to grow the business?
A: Following the money/business trends. Right now I’m entering into some newer models and forms of vending. I like to call it the “new boom or next wave” for the vending/merchandising industry. For me it scales the business higher because it’s a fresher look, and more corporate companies are showing interest in it. It’s called “micro markets.” I tell people its advanced vending because it definitely puts you in an arena where you’re viewed as more of a convenience store/mini mart, so it’s everything Candy Lady Vending represents!
How do you protect your peace with clients (business relationships); what boundaries do you set?
A: With vending there aren’t really any issues. My clients don’t typically give me a hard time. They know the support line is always available to them. I have clients who I generally only communicate with via email unless it’s an emergency. Some of the clients who I have direct contact with (typically the owner or manager), aren’t on site when restocks take place. I always leave snacks for my person of contact too, so the relationship is always pretty sweet.
What has been your biggest professional disappointment and how did you overcome it?
A: The time I purchased the two machines for the location. The location wasn’t spacious enough for both a soda and drink machine, instead I should’ve just purchased a combo machine. I had to move it and put it in storage! From that day forward, I never moved into a location without getting proper measurements.
What’s next for the Candy lady?
A: Advanced vending, more micro markets and newer forms of vending, and more courses coming this spring! Everyone wants to know when the next bootcamp mentorship program is, so we will be releasing dates soon to help others learn what it takes to be a vending boss.
Related Article: How to Charge for your Next Online Workshop
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5 Spotlight Questions!
What is your daily self-care routine?
Prayer
Best advice you received…
Favorite thing to do when you have alone time…
Read
What would you tell your eighteen-year-old self?
You have no idea the things you will accomplish.
What would be your natural talent if you weren’t doing this?
Acting
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