In the UK, there is a woman who decided to quit her job in the finance industry and instead started running vending machines to make a living. After years of hard work, she now owns 27 vending machines spread across 18 different locations selling beverages and snacks, earning her over £7,000 (approximately $9,020) per month, which is much higher than her previous income.
According to the report by Manchester Evening News on March 10th, the 26-year-old woman named Megan Healey, who resides in Manchester, used to work in photography and later in the finance industry with an annual salary of £27,000 (approximately $34,769).
Healey mentioned that due to a bad manager and a breakup with her ex-boyfriend, she decided to resign and start her own business. She spent 9 months researching how to operate vending machines, including maintenance and selecting suitable locations.
In June 2022, Healey bought a used vending machine for £700 (about $902) on eBay, initially lacking experience in operation and even placement locations.
She later advertised the vending machine on Facebook and found a location outside a store. Despite initially only earning £30 (about $39) per month, she did not give up. She was determined to earn more money.
Healey managed to sell the underperforming vending machine for a profit of £300 (approximately $386), which motivated her to invest in a new one. She placed it in a small care home in Manchester, generating an income of £300 per month.
She discovered through consumer analysis that people love drinking cola, so she purchased another vending machine placed in the care home, specializing in selling Coca-Cola. This vending machine in the summer could bring in £1,500 (around $1,935) per month.
Now, she oversees an empire consisting of 27 vending machines located in 18 different locations across Manchester, Liverpool, and Rochester.
Among all her vending machines, the top-selling product is Coca-Cola. The popularity of other products varies by location, but beverages sell better than snacks.
Currently, she spends two to three days a week replenishing the vending machines’ inventory, allowing her enough free time to engage in another job – selling sports shoes.
She has also started a course to teach her skills and help others establish vending machine businesses. She plans to hire someone for restocking in the future, as it is a small but tiring task.
She expressed her desire to grow, focusing on logistics in the future.