The vending world is filled with junk food and soda. When a company like Vend Natural of Tennessee pops up to offer healthier options, it is a trend people are willing to embrace.
The nation is growing in ways that are not good for our health, and Vend Natural is hoping to fight our bad habits by making healthy food more accessible to people on the go. I recently spoke with Debra Smith about her goals for Vend Natural, and what inspired her to join the company.
Tell us a little about Vend Natural.
Vend Natural is a company with headquarters on the West and East coasts. The goal of creating Vend Natural is to shift how people think about snacking and to let them know there is a healthy alternative. With customers such as the USDA headquarters, the Philadelphia School District, and the University of Massachusetts, we knew Vend Natural was the company we needed to be a part of to become the local distributor here in Tennessee.
What inspired it?
The constant barrage of hearing how the obesity rate is skyrocketing in Tennessee, not to mention that today’s children have a life expectancy shorter than their parents is alarming and we knew there had to be something we could do to help even if it was in a small way. We’d researched many healthy vending companies and chose Vend Natural. From the years of experience in the industry, to the food choices that are in the machines, to the energy efficiency of those vending machines, we knew we’d chosen the right company.
What are some of the products we may find in your vending machines?
Clif Bars, Pirate’s Booty Chips, Late July Cookies, Tazo Tea, Hansen’s Soda.
Where are your machines found?
We are currently securing locations such as hospitals, schools, and businesses.
Do you have any plans to expand into different stores/states?
We are focusing on Davidson and Williamson Counties in Tennessee
What separates you from the competition? The largest factor separating us from the competition is that every partner is also a distributor. We run our own routes, test products, conduct machine maintenance etc. This allows us to understand the entire business. We are also the only company where the partners come with a vending background. This helps VN to understand where both traditional and healthy vending are heading.
Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish in the next year or so?
To grow our business to the point we have enough machines placed that people will automatically know that when they see our machine, they can get a snack that they will enjoy without feeling guilty.
What are some lessons your business has taught you?
So far, that people are excited to learn that there’s something out there that they’ve always wanted but didn’t know existed and it’s our job to bring it to them. We’ve also learned there’s so much more to vending that we would have ever imagined, not in an overwhelming way but in a way that makes us want to learn everything we can so we can exceed expectations in the items we offer as well as what our customers want.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
We want our customers to feel like this is their program. By avoiding th cookie-cutter machine, we bring a personalize service to every location.
Do you have any advice you’d like to offer fellow entrepreneurs who are just getting started?
If they are getting into healthy vending, each person should do their due diligence. Locations will be the key to success. Being prepared and getting the most amount of information will go a long way to ensuring success.