One of the most challenging aspects of starting a vending machine business is finding the right locations to place your machines. While cold-calling businesses and walking into establishments with a pitch in hand can work, there’s another, often underutilized strategy for securing vending machine locations: leveraging your existing connections.

Whether it’s a family friend, a colleague, or someone in your professional network, using active connections can help you get your foot in the door when placing your vending machines. In this post, we’ll explore how tapping into your personal and professional networks can give you an advantage, how to approach these conversations, and why asking for referrals can expand your business beyond your immediate reach.

The Power of Personal Connections in Business

When starting a vending business, the first thing on your mind might be scouting potential locations like schools, offices, gyms, or retail stores. However, in the early stages of your business, don’t overlook the power of personal connections.

Business owners often prefer to work with people they know or who come highly recommended. Think about the businesses your family members or friends are involved in or those they have relationships with. A strong personal referral can be just what you need to get your machine placed in a prime location.

1. Leveraging Family and Friends

Many successful businesses have started by taking advantage of existing relationships. If you have a family friend who owns a business—whether it’s a small coffee shop, a local gym, or even a car dealership—that connection can be a key to securing your first vending machine location.

Here’s why it works:

• Trust and familiarity: People are more likely to say yes to someone they know and trust. If you’re a family friend or someone with an established relationship, the business owner will likely feel more comfortable partnering with you.
• Willingness to help: Family and friends often want to see you succeed, especially when you’re starting out. They may be more open to giving you a chance, even if they’ve never had a vending machine on their premises before.

2. Asking for Referrals

Sometimes, even if a friend or family member doesn’t own a business, they may know someone who does. This is where referrals can be incredibly valuable. A warm introduction or a strong recommendation can go a long way in making the difference between landing a new location or not.

For example:

• A family friend who’s in real estate might know property owners who would benefit from having vending machines in their apartment complexes or office buildings.
• A friend who manages a large office might recommend you to the HR team or facilities manager, who would consider installing a vending machine in their break room.

3. The Ripple Effect of Referrals

Once you successfully place a vending machine in one location, don’t hesitate to ask that business owner if they know others who might be interested in your services. Happy clients can be some of your best advocates. Whether it’s a landlord with multiple properties or a small business owner with colleagues, your initial contacts can open doors to even more opportunities.

How to Approach Your Connections Without Being Pushy

Tapping into personal and professional networks can feel intimidating, especially if you’re worried about coming across as pushy or overly sales-oriented. However, there are ways to approach these conversations that feel natural, mutually beneficial, and comfortable for both parties.

1. Frame It as a Business Opportunity

When approaching family or friends, it’s important to frame the conversation as a mutually beneficial opportunity rather than a favor. Explain how a vending machine could be a convenience for their customers or employees and how it could generate passive income for their business.

For example, if you have a friend who owns a fitness center, you could explain how a vending machine offering protein bars and healthy snacks could increase the value of their service to customers while also earning them additional income.

2. Be Transparent and Clear

Transparency is key when approaching personal connections. Be clear about what you’re asking for, whether it’s a placement for a vending machine, a referral, or simply an introduction. If someone can’t offer what you need, they may still be able to connect you with someone who can.

For instance, a simple conversation could go like this:

• “Hey, I’m starting a vending machine business, and I was wondering if you’d be interested in placing one of my machines at your store. I think it could be a good fit for your customers, and I’d be happy to share a portion of the profits with you.”
• Or, “I’m looking for locations for my vending machines, and I was wondering if you knew any other business owners who might be interested. It could be a great way for them to offer a convenient service to their employees or customers.”

3. Offer Value First

If you’re worried about imposing, try offering value first. You could offer to test out a vending machine for a short period with no obligation to keep it. If it works well, then you can discuss a long-term arrangement. This “no-risk” approach gives business owners a chance to see how beneficial a vending machine could be before committing.

For example, you might say:

• “I’d love to place a vending machine in your lobby. How about we try it for three months, and if it works out, we can discuss a longer-term commission arrangement?”

By offering this trial period, you lower the barrier to entry for business owners who may be hesitant, making it easier for them to say yes.

Tapping Into Professional Networks

Your professional network is another invaluable resource when it comes to finding locations for your vending machines. LinkedIn, industry associations, and even local business events are perfect opportunities to find connections that could lead to new placements for your vending business.

1. Using LinkedIn and Professional Social Networks

LinkedIn can be a goldmine for vending machine operators seeking new locations. By tapping into your professional connections, you can discover opportunities in a wide range of industries, from corporate offices to small businesses.

Here’s how to leverage LinkedIn effectively:

• Engage with your connections: Start by reconnecting with people you’ve worked with in the past. Engage with their posts, send a message, and casually mention your new vending business when the opportunity arises.
• Join industry groups: There are numerous groups on LinkedIn for business owners, property managers, and facilities directors who might be in need of vending services. By joining these groups, you can contribute to conversations and build relationships with potential clients.
• Post about your vending business: Sometimes, simply posting about your vending business can generate leads. Highlight the benefits of vending machines, share success stories, and ask if anyone in your network knows of businesses that could use a machine.

2. Industry Networking Events

Local business events, trade shows, and networking meetups offer another great way to connect with potential clients. Many cities and towns host business expos or networking events that attract a variety of industries. Vending services are needed in numerous sectors, from healthcare to education, so networking with a wide range of professionals can lead to unexpected opportunities.

When attending events:

• Have a pitch ready: Know your value proposition and be ready to explain the benefits of your vending services in under a minute.
• Bring business cards: It’s old-school, but business cards still work at networking events. Make sure you have a card with your name, business, and contact information so people can easily reach you.
• Follow up: After meeting someone at an event, be sure to send a follow-up email or message to keep the conversation going. A polite follow-up can remind them of your service and prompt further discussion.

Making the Most of Location Owner Referrals

Once you’ve established a relationship with a location owner and successfully placed a vending machine, don’t stop there. That business owner may have a network of other location owners or managers who might also be interested in your vending services. Asking for a referral, especially after your machine has been performing well, is one of the easiest ways to grow your business.

1. Timing Is Key

The best time to ask for a referral is after your machine has been up and running for a few months, and you’ve proven its value to the business owner. Once they’ve seen the benefits—whether it’s additional passive income, customer convenience, or happy employees—they’re more likely to recommend your services to others.

You might say:

• “I’m so glad the machine is working well for your business! If you know any other business owners who could use a vending machine, I’d love an introduction. I can offer them the same service and convenience.”

2. Incentivizing Referrals

If you want to encourage referrals, consider offering a small incentive to location owners who introduce you to others. For instance, you could offer them a bonus or a temporary increase in their commission for every referral they make that leads to a new location.

Here’s an example of how to structure this conversation:

• “We’re looking to expand to new locations, and I’d love to offer you a bonus for any referrals that result in a new placement. For every new location you help me secure, I’ll give you an extra month of increased commission.”

This win-win arrangement incentivizes your existing clients to think about who else might benefit from your vending services.

3. Building a Strong Reputation

When you use referrals to grow your vending business, it’s essential to maintain a strong reputation. Location owners who refer you to others are putting their name behind your services, so ensure that your vending machines are always well-maintained, stocked, and profitable for both parties. A solid reputation not only helps you secure more referrals but also strengthens the trust that business owners place in you.

Your Network Is Your Best Asset

In the vending machine business, location is key to success. But finding the right locations doesn’t have to rely solely on cold calls and unsolicited pitches. By leveraging the relationships you already have and seeking referrals from existing clients, you can secure more vending machine placements with less effort and more credibility.

Whether you’re tapping into your personal network, asking for referrals, or using LinkedIn and professional groups to reach new clients, your connections are one of the most valuable resources you have as a vending machine business owner. As your business grows, don’t be afraid to ask for introductions, offer value to your network, and expand your reach through the power of referrals.

In the end, a vending machine business thrives on relationships—so use yours to your advantage.