If you are looking for a true opportunity to be your own boss, the vending business can be rewarding.  There is no doubt.  You just have to be able to be in charge of yourself.  You also have to be able to invest money.  There is no getting into the vending business for free -- that's for sure.  But it can be done for a couple thousand dollars or so -- it depends upon what you're selling.  I have seen vending machine routes available online for as low as fifteen-hundred dollars.  The idea is you buy into a route set up by a company large enough to put resources into machines, machine placement, and product stock.  You'll be sharing profits with that company, of course.

If you have a drive to succeed, it is totally worth buying into a route.

So, you say you want to get into the vending business? Well, I've got some questions for you. Don't take the questions hard. I am here to help. The first question is -- do you want to be the boss? One great feature of getting into vending is you are the boss. If you are able to buy into a vending machine route, you will become at least, the boss of you. This is nicer than toiling for another, but we have been toiling for others so long as a culture -- trading time for wages -- that the next question is very important to ask. Can you be the boss? This is something you must ask. Whether you will only need to be your own boss, or you will hire others to work your route or routes, you need to ask yourself if you can be the person making decisions and watching the clock. This is very important in vending, as in most businesses.

Can you be a partner? This too, is a must-ask. If you aren't going to set up all your own routes with your own machines and stock, then you will be buying into a route. Doing this saves some headaches, but you may find it creates others. Buying into a route is similar to owning a franchise -- you have to play by the rules set up by the company selling you the franchise (the route). This is perfectly reasonable. They are after all, enabling your entry into the business at a much reduced cost.

Now that it's clear you'll be working in some capacity with others -- and that others will have expectations of you -- let's make certain -- do you really, truly want to be in charge of yourself? You don't have to be perfect. You do have to be persistent. We all make mistakes. Crucial to success is not letting those mistakes stop us -- don't let a failing make you gun shy.

Can you get up and do it everyday? Some days, you will just have to push yourself through it, go home, get some sleep, and get up and have a better day tomorrow. If you have the drive to succeed, that's all you need. You'll do great!

Do you see yourself being happy running a vending route a few years? This is crucial. You don't get into the black overnight in the vending business. I'd like to suggest a business model to you. It's not unlike my approach to being an entrepreneur. Use a vending route as a place to start your own, little-but-growing, empire. Make a goal to, after a year in vending, buy a new vending route -- a second one -- hire someone to work it, if you choose, and keep building. Buy another six months later, and six months after that, get into another industry.

Think about what you could be, what your vending business could turn into. Just be sure you truly believe you can be the boss.

If you have answered yes to all of the above, you are golden. I wish you all of vending's best.