Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Warren.
Hi Crystal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my vending machine business journey more than five years ago. I purchased one vending machine that nets $550 per month. I stocked the machine with my daughter and myself. I learned how to fix the machine when it had problems, and I also never paid a commission to have that machine there. I was so intrigued about the business that I grew the business into forming multiple streams of income in just vending alone. I grew my business to becoming a vending machine locator, fixing and flipping vending machines, and reselling locations. I got on Instagram and began teaching the business for free. I grew my social media platform to 120,000 followers, and I started teaching others how to get into the vending machine business as well as the hair and lash vending machine business. I was the first African American female and male to talk about the vending business online. It has been a pleasure to teach others about the business. I’m so elated I can help others get into the business. I also share motivational quotes on my page @Crissytutors on Instagram, which will very soon be merged into a platform to help single mothers and others start and keep successful businesses.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t always easy. I was laughed at before diving into the vending machine business. People see young females diving into a male-dominated industry and automatically assume it can’t be done. Not to mention, I was a single mom. I proved them wrong quickly. People also thought that there wasn’t any money in this business. I proved them wrong as well. I just thought it would be exciting to make some extra money. I never imagined it would be the gateway of me not working a full-time job.
We’ve been impressed with Vending Factory, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are proud to say we are officially a registered trademark! Vending Factory helps people find locations for their vending machine business. We offer help with new start-up businesses for lash and hair vending machines, PPE vending machines, and any other product vending machine someone wants to own. We also help people to grow their existing vending machine business. Vending Factory has helped over 1,000 people get into the vending machine business, and we plan on helping double that amount this year. We also have a FREE Facebook group called VendingFactoryTribe on Facebook.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the community of the city. As business owners, it’s imperative that we collaborate and grow together. If we stand together as business owners, all of us succeed, and we leave no one standing alone.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: VendingFactory.com
- Instagram: @VendingFactory1 (this has the 1)
- Facebook: @VendingFactory (this does not have the 1)
- Twitter: @Crissytutors (Owner)
