Chapter 1–2: Finding Machines & Your First Placement
How I hunted for affordable machines, avoided junk, and landed my first hotel location using a locator service and a simple pitch that solved real problems.
Vending Business Playbook
From Stimulus to Startup.
A Blueprint for Real Vending Profit.
Learn how I turned a stimulus check and a used drink machine into a real side business, with the exact routes, pricing math, and tools I still use today.
- Step‑by‑step launch roadmap (first 90 days)
- Real pricing examples & profit breakdowns
- Checklists, move kit, and product cheat sheet
PROACTIVE VENDING BLUEPRINT
From Stimulus to Startup
A vending guide for everyday operators who still have a day job.
- 6 story‑driven chapters
- Product Cheat Sheet for fast pricing
- 90‑Day Launch Roadmap
- Move Kit checklist for safe machine moves
Instant digital access • Read on any device
What You'll Learn Inside the Guide
The full story + the systems behind it. No fluff, just what actually worked in the field.
Chapter 3–5: Building a Hub & Route Rhythm
Using my job's warehouse as a central hub, planning routes around a full‑time schedule, and creating a rhythm that kept hotel, tire shop, and industrial locations happy.
Chapter 6: The Math Behind the Machine
Breaking down real Sam's Club receipts into cost‑per‑unit, setting profitable vend prices, and using a simple cheat sheet so you stop guessing at the shelf.
Small Business Insights You'll Take With You
LOCATION-FIRST RULE
Secure the right location before you invest heavy in equipment so you don't end up with machines sitting in a garage with no traffic.
BUILD FROM WHERE YOU STAND
Use places you already have access to, like your job, warehouse, church, or family businesses, as launch pads and low-pressure test locations.
MEASURE EVERYTHING TWICE
Walk the full path before you move a machine. Doors, turns, elevators, and timing all get checked so you don't lose a deal at the doorway.
ROUTE RHYTHM THAT PAYS
Plan routes around a central hub and your real life so machines stay full, customers stay happy, and the business fits around work and family.
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
Price from cost per unit instead of guessing so every slot in the machine actually pays you instead of just moving cash around.
SOLO OPERATOR MINDSET
Appreciate help, but still own the problems. The business moves when you move, and support is there to amplify you, not replace you.
DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SUPPORT
Surround yourself with people who see your potential and keep you grounded in your why when things get busy. The right support system makes the late nights and early mornings worth it.
BUILD IT LIKE IT'S REAL FROM DAY ONE
Even if you're starting with one machine, treat it like a real business. Professionalism in how you talk, show up, and operate shapes how fast doors open and how your vending brand grows.
More Than a Book. It's a Toolkit.
Readers don't just get stories, they get ready to use tools to launch and run smarter.
Vending Profit & Margin Calculator
Turn any Sam's or Costco receipt into real profit decisions. Punch in case price and unit count and get recommended vend prices with healthy margins.
- Auto-calculates cost per unit
- Margin-based price suggestions
- Perfect for both snacks and drinks
First 90 Days Launch Roadmap
A step-by-step checklist that walks you from "idea" to "income" in three months, based on exactly how I launched Proactive Vending.
- Month 1: Legal, banking, and finding your first machine
- Month 2: Placement, prep, and stocking for real demand
- Month 3: Route rhythm, tracking, and reinvesting
Move Kit Checklist
The exact gear and quick procedure I use when repositioning machines so you don't lose product, damage doors, or hurt your back.
- Core gear & consumables list
- Step-by-step move sequence
- Ideal for same-day emergency moves
Built for Everyday Operators, Not Gurus.
This blueprint is written for people who have families, full‑time jobs, and real responsibilities, but still want a vending business that actually pays bills instead of just looking good on Instagram.
- You're considering your first machine and want to avoid lemons.
- You already have 1–3 locations and want tighter routes and better pricing.
- You like real numbers, real stories, and real systems, not hype.
Author's Note – From Todd Blackwell, Founder of Proactive Vending
When those stimulus checks hit, my wife and I could've just upgraded TVs or taken a trip. Instead, we bought used vending machines, learned the game the hard way, and built a side business that helped pay for groceries, tuition, and more. This Blueprint is everything I wish I had on day one.
Real Systems You Can Use Immediately
No theory. These are the exact rules, checklists, and examples pulled straight from the Blueprint.
The Location‑First Rule
Location determines the machine, not the other way around. This one rule prevents most “wrong machine / wrong spot” money mistakes.
The Move Kit Checklist
Avoid the “it doesn’t fit” disaster. The guide includes a ready-to-use move kit list (appliance dolly, ratchet straps, door wedges, gloves, and more).
NAYAX Monitoring (Proactive Ops)
We show how NAYAX card readers support remote tracking, helping you watch sales trends, spot issues earlier, and run tighter routes.
Real Numbers Example
Not “fake math.” Example used in the guide: a Lance variety pack crackers case at $11.98 for 40 units works out to about $0.30 per pack, then you price from there with margin in mind.
Sample Small Business Insight: “If you can’t explain your vend price in one sentence (cost + target profit + location reality), you’re guessing. Guessing is how operators lose money quietly.”
Choose Your Blueprint
Start with the guide, or grab the full bundle with tools and move like a pro from day one.
Guide Only
$29.00
For self-starters who want the full story and strategy.
- Full PDF guide (Introduction – Conclusion)
- Chapter-by-chapter Small Business Insights
- Real numbers, real locations, real mistakes
Blueprint Bundle
$45.00
Best value for serious new owners.
- Everything in Guide Only
- Vending Profit & Margin Calculator (Excel/Google Sheets)
- First 90 Days Launch Roadmap checklist
- Move Kit & Route Rhythm one-pager
Tools à la Carte
Varies
For operators who just need the tools.
- Vending Profit & Margin Calculator
- First 90 Days Roadmap
- Additional templates and checklists
Current tools are priced at $12 for the Profit & Margin Calculator and $9 for the 90-Day Roadmap, with future tools planned in the $9–$12 range.
Have a quick question before buying?
Ask about the guide, the bundle, or the calculator.
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FAQ
Is this only for people in Richmond or Virginia?
No. The principles work anywhere people buy snacks and drinks, the examples use Sam's, Costco, and common US brands, but the math and systems apply globally.
Do I need a machine already?
No. Chapters 1–2 and the 90‑Day Roadmap are perfect if you're still in research mode and don't want to waste money on the wrong first machine.
How do I get the spreadsheets and checklists?
You'll receive a download link for the bonus tools with the Operator Bundle and Premium plans. They're set up for Excel and Google Sheets.
Can I read this on my phone?
Yes. The guide is delivered as a PDF that works on phones, tablets, and computers.