Beyond Snacks: How Modern Vending Machines Are Becoming Serious Revenue Generators

04/25/25 • 26 min

Vending machines consistently appear on "top 10 side hustle" lists for good reason - they can generate passive income while requiring minimal day-to-day involvement. In this exciting episode, we explore the untapped opportunities in this business, from building a profitable enterprise to helping other businesses make more sales and grow faster.

Today's guest, Scott Brown, owns Snax Depot, a thriving vending machine business that uses AI to optimize inventory and maximize profits. Scott reveals what it's really like to run a vending machine business and shares insights to help you start and succeed. He breaks down how his game-changing profit-sharing model and hands-off management approach create win-win partnerships with location owners, allowing them to generate more income.

Whether considering a side hustle or looking to add passive income to your existing business, this episode delivers practical insights you won't want to miss.

In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover:

The reality of running a vending machine business and why it's simpler than most people think.
How advanced analytics and predictive technology eliminate common vending machine frustrations like product hangups and inventory stockouts.
How to generate substantial passive income without any additional effort simply by hosting a smart vending machine.
And so much more!

If you're interested in vending machines for your business location or as a business opportunity, check out Snax Depot. Their AI-powered machines provide a hands-off experience for location owners while maximizing profits. Visit www.snax-depot.com or call 781-269-1169 to learn more.

To be a guest on our next podcast, contact us today!

Do you have a brand that you’d like to launch or grow? Do you want help from a partner that has successfully launched hundreds of brands totaling over $2 billion in revenues? Visit HarvestGrowth.com and set up a free consultation with us today!

Whether considering a side hustle or looking to add passive income to your existing business, this episode delivers practical insights you won't want to miss.

In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover:

The reality of running a vending machine business and why it's simpler than most people think.
How advanced analytics and predictive technology eliminate common vending machine frustrations like product hangups and inventory stockouts.
How to generate substantial passive income without any additional effort simply by hosting a smart vending machine.
And so much more!

To be a guest on our next podcast, contact us today!

Previous Episode

Walking the Path to Growth: Building a Fast-Growing Retail and Direct-to-Consumer Brand

Today, we’re talking with Laina Gossman, the innovative founder of Soul Insole, who tackled a problem many of us know all too well: uncomfortable shoes and foot pain that make every step a struggle. Her brilliant solution? A compact, micro-sized orthotic that provides powerful support—without hogging space in your favorite shoes. Yes, even those chic sandals and stylish dress shoes.

Laina walks us through her journey, from the spark of an idea to building a successful brand that's now featured online and in retail stores across the country. And she didn’t stop at one breakthrough product—Soul Insole has expanded to include metatarsal pads, heel lifts, and full-length insoles to meet a variety of foot care needs.

Tune in for Laina’s inspiring entrepreneurial story and gain valuable insights on everything from landing media spots like Good Morning America to getting the most out of marketing agencies. She also shares the power of being your brand’s biggest advocate—and how smart follow-ups can get your product onto the shelves of your dream retailers.

In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover:

Strategies for landing major PR opportunities like Good Morning America through persistent follow-up
Tips for vetting marketing agencies to avoid wasting resources on ineffective campaigns
The power of building genuine relationships with distributors to access retail channels
Leveraging trade shows and conventions to prove product effectiveness to key industry players
Balancing persistence with respect when pursuing business growth opportunities

Are you struggling with foot discomfort or pain? Visit www.soulinsole.com to discover how Soul Insole's innovative micro-sized orthotics can enhance comfort without cramping your style or your shoes.

To be a guest on our next podcast, contact us today!

Next Episode

Zorbent's Journey from Nuclear Cleanup to Household Solution

In this special episode, Jon LaClare sits down with Marc Joest, the innovative mind behind Zorbent and a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of hands-on business leadership. After years of working together, Marc opens up for the first time about the incredible journey of Zorbent — a product originally developed to encapsulate nuclear waste — and how it evolved into a household and industrial essential used across the country.

Marc dives into the science that sets Zorbent apart: a groundbreaking absorbent that doesn’t just soak up spills but locks them in with molecular-level encapsulation, keeping hazardous materials safely contained for over two decades. This isn't your typical absorbent — it's nuclear grade.

You’ll hear how Zorbent landed partnerships with industry giants like UPS and Mobil 1 (ExxonMobil), and how Marc’s ability to listen, pivot, and innovate turned a single product into a 15-product line used in everything from wildfire disaster zones to flood mitigation efforts where traditional insurance falls short.

If you want a behind-the-scenes look at real-world innovation, problem-solving, and brand growth — this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: