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Setting Up Your Honor Boxes to Support Your Chosen Charity

Running an honor box vending route can be a rewarding and profitable business. However, adding a charitable aspect to your vending route not only increases goodwill but can also open doors to better placement opportunities and higher revenue. By donating a portion of your revenue to a chosen charity, you create a win-win scenario where you generate income while supporting a cause you care about. This blog will guide you through the steps to build a successful honor box route that benefits a charity.

Why Choose to Support a Charity?

When you run an honor box route, choosing to support a charity can provide several benefits. First, it increases the likelihood of businesses allowing you to place your honor boxes on their premises. Business owners are generally more open to supporting vending machines or honor boxes that benefit a cause rather than simply generating personal profit.

Additionally, supporting a charity can enhance your credibility, increase customer participation, and give you a sense of purpose. Customers feel more inclined to make a purchase when they know a portion of their money goes to help a cause.

Step 1: Choose a Charity

The first step is deciding which charity you want to support. Ideally, it should be a cause you feel passionate about. This could be a local animal shelter, children’s hospital, cancer research foundation, or any other reputable non-profit organization.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Charity:

 
  • Local Charities: Supporting a local charity increases the chances of community involvement and local business support.
 
  • Causes You Care About: Supporting a cause you’re passionate about makes the process more meaningful.
 
  • Charities with Vending Outreach Programs: Some charities have existing vending outreach programs and may already have a process for partnering with honor box vendors.

If the charity already has a vending outreach program, it’s beneficial to reach out and express your interest in participating. If not, you can still make donations on your own and work independently.

Step 2: Contact the Charity

Once you’ve selected a charity, reach out to them via email or phone. Let them know that you plan to donate a portion of your proceeds from your honor box route. If they have an official vending outreach program, they may already have guidelines, logos, or marketing materials for you to use.

If they do not have an existing vending outreach program, simply let them know you’d like to support their cause. Ask if they have brochures, pamphlets, or other materials you can place next to your honor boxes to promote awareness about their cause. This increases the visibility of the charity and could lead to more contributions.

Step 3: Customize your honor boxes with stickers and messages​​​​​​​
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Your honor boxes should clearly state that a portion of the proceeds will go to your chosen charity. This will encourage more people to make purchases or donations. Here are a few tips to optimize your honor box setup:

Include the Charity’s Logo: If the charity permits it, display their logo on your honor box.

Include a Simple Message: Write a short and compelling message like: “A portion of proceeds from this honor box goes to [Charity Name]. Thank you for your support!”

Optional Brochures: If the charity provided you with brochures or materials, place them next to your box.

Step 4: Place Your Honor Boxes

With your boxes designed and ready, the next step is to find locations willing to host them. You’ll find it much easier to get placement in high-traffic locations when you explain that part of the revenue supports a charity. Some prime locations include:
 
  • Restaurants
  • Beauty salons
  • Convenience stores
  • Auto repair shops
  • Small retail shops
  • Gas stations
  • Community centers
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When approaching business owners, confidently explain that a portion of the revenue goes to a specific charity. This often increases the chances of securing placement since business owners appreciate being part of a good cause.

Step 5: Track Your Earnings and Donations

It’s important to keep accurate records of your earnings and how much you donate to the charity. This not only helps you stay organized but also builds credibility. If the charity requests, you can provide documentation of your donations.

Simple Record Keeping Tips:
 
  • Track your revenue from each box.
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  • Deduct the cost of supplies (candy, honor boxes, etc.).
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  • Calculate at least 10% (or the agreed amount) for the charity donation.
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  • Keep receipts or confirmations of your donations.

This transparency will help you maintain trust with both the charity and the business owners hosting your boxes.

Step 6: Make Regular Donations

Based on the revenue you collect, set a schedule for donating the agreed percentage to your chosen charity. Whether you donate weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, ensure that the donations are made consistently.

Consider taking a photo of your donation receipt or getting confirmation from the charity and sharing it with the businesses hosting your honor boxes. This demonstrates that you’re true to your word and that their support is making a positive impact.

Step 7: Promote Your Efforts

Marketing your honor box route as a charity-supporting business can greatly increase revenue and public interest. Here are a few ways to promote your efforts:
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  • Social Media: Post photos of your honor boxes, donation receipts, and updates about the charity you’re supporting.
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  • Local Press: Reach out to local newspapers or news stations to feature your vending route’s contribution to a charity.
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  • Word of Mouth: Encourage family, friends, and business owners to spread the word about your vending route.
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  • Charity Events: If the charity hosts events, consider attending or sponsoring them to further promote your business.


Step 8: Stay Compliant

It’s important to abide by local laws and regulations when running a vending business. Additionally, since you are advertising that a portion of the proceeds go to charity, ensure that you are genuinely making those donations and keeping proper records.

Check with your local government or the charity for any specific regulations about soliciting funds or promoting charitable donations through vending.

Step 9: Scale Your Route

Once you’ve established a solid honor box route supporting a charity, consider expanding it. The more boxes you have, the more revenue you can generate — which means larger contributions to your chosen charity.

You can also reach out to other charities and offer to expand your support. This could lead to additional placement opportunities or collaborations that further boost your business.

Step 10: Evaluate and Improve

Periodically review your vending route’s performance. Take note of which locations generate the most revenue and which ones underperform. Replace underperforming locations with higher-traffic ones.
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Additionally, maintain communication with the charity to ensure you are aligned with their expectations and any guidelines they have. This ongoing relationship will strengthen your reputation and potential placement opportunities.

Conclusion

Building an honor box vending route that supports a charity is a fulfilling and profitable business model. It not only helps you generate income but also makes a positive impact on your community. By selecting a charity, designing effective honor boxes, securing prime locations, and maintaining transparency with your donations, you can successfully run a vending business that benefits both you and a good cause.

Remember, the key to success is authenticity and transparency. When people see that their contributions are making a difference, they are more likely to support your honor box. So get started today and turn your vending route into a force for good!

Calculating Profit Margins and Tracking Sales

Starting and managing an honor box vending route can be an exciting venture, offering a relatively low-cost way to break into the vending industry. Honor boxes, which operate on a trust-based system, allow customers to take products and leave payment in the box. While this simplicity is appealing, it's crucial to meticulously track your sales and calculate profit margins to ensure your business remains profitable.

In this guide, we’ll cover the fundamental aspects of calculating profit margins and tracking sales for your honor box vending route. With these strategies, you can improve operational efficiency, optimize your product offerings, and ultimately grow your business.

Understanding Profit Margins
Profit margin is the percentage of revenue that remains after all expenses have been deducted. It’s a key metric for determining how profitable your vending route is. For honor boxes, your revenue typically comes from snack or product sales, and your expenses include the cost of goods sold (COGS), operational costs, and any theft or loss.

Tracking Sales Effectively
Accurate sales tracking is the foundation of calculating profit margins and making informed business decisions. Here are key steps for tracking sales in an honor box vending route:

1. Use a Logbook or Spreadsheet
Record details from each honor box location in a centralized log. Key information to track includes:

Location name.
Products stocked.
Amount collected.
Products remaining (to gauge what sold).
Date of collection.
Spreadsheets or apps like Google Sheets can help you organize and analyze this data over time.

2. Calculate Sales per Product
After replenishing your honor boxes, calculate sales for each product.

3. Use Mobile Payment Options
Adding mobile payment options like Venmo or PayPal can improve accountability and sales tracking. Customers who don’t have cash can still pay, and you get real-time digital records of transactions.

Minimizing Losses
One challenge in honor box vending is dealing with theft or unpaid items. Losses can erode your profit margins, so minimizing them is essential.

1. Optimize Product Pricing
Choose products with a higher profit margin to offset occasional losses. For example, items purchased in bulk for $0.50 each can be sold for $1.

2. Position Boxes Strategically
Place honor boxes in high-traffic, trusted locations like offices or break rooms where accountability is higher. Avoid placing boxes in areas prone to theft.

3. Track Patterns
By keeping detailed records, you can identify locations with consistent losses and take corrective action, such as relocating the box or reducing inventory at that site.

Calculating Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
To calculate your profit margins accurately, you need a clear understanding of COGS. This includes:

Purchase price of each product.
Shipping or delivery costs.
Any packaging costs.
COGS Example:
If you buy a case of 1000 pieces of candy for $50 (including shipping), each piece of candy costs 5c. Selling these for 50c each provides a gross profit of 45c per piece of candy.

Breaking Down Expenses
Expenses beyond COGS can significantly impact your profit margins.

1. Travel Costs
Fuel and vehicle maintenance costs can add up quickly when managing multiple locations. To minimize travel costs:

Plan routes efficiently to reduce mileage.
Group nearby locations into the same trip.
2. Box Maintenance and Replacement
Honor boxes can wear out or get damaged over time. Track these costs and budget for replacements.

3. Theft or Shrinkage
Unfortunately, theft is a reality in honor box vending. While you can’t eliminate it entirely, maintaining detailed records and identifying problem locations can help reduce its impact.

Scaling Your Vending Route
Tracking sales and calculating profit margins also helps identify opportunities for growth.

1. Analyze High-Performing Locations
Determine which locations consistently generate high revenue. Consider adding more boxes in similar environments.

2. Introduce New Products
Experiment with new products to see what sells best. Healthy snacks, for instance, might perform better in office break rooms, while candy may sell better in retail settings.

3. Leverage Volume Discounts
As you scale, purchase products in larger quantities to reduce per-unit costs and increase profit margins.

4. Use Software Tools
Consider using vending route management software to automate tracking and improve efficiency. Tools like VendSoft or vending-specific apps can provide insights into profitability and inventory needs.

Monthly and Annual Profit Reviews
Regularly reviewing your financial performance ensures long-term success.

1. Monthly Reviews
At the end of each month, calculate:

Total revenue.
Total expenses.
Profit margin.
2. Annual Reviews
Assess your yearly performance to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Practical Tips for Success
Start Small: Begin with a few boxes and gradually expand as you refine your tracking and profit margin calculations.
Invest in Quality Products: Cheap or low-quality products might not sell well and could harm your reputation.
Focus on Relationships: Build trust with location managers to secure prime spots for your honor boxes.
Conclusion
Calculating profit margins and tracking sales for your honor box vending route are vital steps for running a profitable business. By keeping detailed records, minimizing losses, and regularly analyzing your performance, you can ensure steady growth and success.

While the honor system has its challenges, a systematic approach and diligent tracking will allow you to maximize profits while keeping operations simple and efficient.
 

Tips for Maximizing Income of your Honor Box Route

Running an honor box route can be a profitable and low-maintenance business, but like any venture, its success depends on your approach. Honor boxes are simple to manage, but maximizing your income requires a bit of strategy. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your honor box route:

1. Choose High-Traffic Locations
The key to success in an honor box route is finding the right locations. High-traffic areas with regular footfall are essential for ensuring consistent sales. Ideal locations include:
 
  • Local businesses (such as barbershops or nail salons)
  • Office buildings with a break room
  • Gyms or fitness centers
  • Gas stations or convenience stores

Make sure to check foot traffic before placing your boxes. Places with a steady stream of visitors who spend time in one place are often ideal.

2. Diversify Your Product Offerings
Not all products will sell equally well at every location. Consider offering a range of products such as:
 
  • Candy
  • Pinata mix
  • Gum and mints
  • Personal care items (hand sanitizer, lip balm)

Tailor your product offerings to match the demographic of each location. For instance, healthier snacks might perform better in gyms, while candy might sell better in convenience stores.

3. Optimize Your Pricing
Setting the right price is crucial. You need to balance affordability with profitability. We have found that “50c or 3 for $1.00” seems to be the best pricing.

Ensure that your pricing is clearly displayed, and avoid overpricing products to maintain trust with your customers.

4. Keep Your Boxes Stocked
Regularly check and restock your honor boxes. Empty or poorly stocked boxes reduce sales opportunities, and customers are more likely to use your service if they see well-organized and fresh products. Consider a weekly or bi-weekly route, depending on the traffic at each location.
At the same time, monitor which items are selling the best and adjust your inventory to focus on high-performing products.

5. Establish Positive Relationships with Location Owners
Your relationship with location owners is critical. Treat them as business partners and make sure they are satisfied with the placement of your honor box. Be polite, professional, and always ensure their space remains tidy. Some may request a small commission or donation for allowing you to place your box. Rather than pay them, give them an occasional inexpensive gift.

6. Implement Loss Prevention Measures
While honor boxes rely on the honesty of customers, there’s always a risk of theft or underpayment. Here are a few ways to minimize losses:
 
  • Use clear signage that reminds customers the box operates on an honor system.
  • Regularly empty the cash from the box to avoid having large amounts on hand.
  • Some operators use boxes with small windows, so customers can see that others have paid.
  • Keep records of your inventory to track discrepancies.

7. Leverage Technology
Tracking your sales manually can be time-consuming. Consider using software or apps designed to help route operators keep track of inventory, sales, and the best-performing locations. This can streamline your operations and help you make data-driven decisions about where to focus your efforts.

8. Expand Your Route
Once your honor box route is running smoothly and you have a good understanding of your best locations, consider expanding. Adding more boxes to your route or venturing into new neighborhoods can increase your income significantly. Just make sure you can handle the additional time commitment for restocking and maintenance.

Final Thoughts
Running an honor box route offers a flexible, low-overhead way to generate extra income, but to truly maximize your earnings, you need to be strategic. By choosing the right locations, managing your product offerings, and keeping a close eye on performance, you can turn your route into a profitable business. Remember, the key to long-term success is consistency, customer trust, and building strong relationships with your location partners.
 
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Boost Efficiency: Let Telemarketers Secure Your Honor Box Locations

Running a successful honor box vending route requires strategic planning, particularly when it comes to finding optimal locations. One of the most efficient ways to secure locations for your honor boxes is by leveraging the skills of telemarketers. Here’s why using telemarketers can be both cost-effective and productive:

1. Cost Efficiency
Hiring telemarketers to find locations for your honor boxes can save time and money compared to other methods like driving around or using field agents. Telemarketers can reach multiple potential locations in a fraction of the time, reducing fuel and travel expenses. You can also hire telemarketers on a part-time basis or outsource the job, making it more affordable than employing a full-time salesperson.

2. Focus on High-Quality Leads
Telemarketers are trained to ask the right questions and quickly identify businesses interested in hosting honor boxes. This screening process helps to ensure that you’re only pursuing locations that have a higher likelihood of accepting your offer, reducing wasted time on cold leads.

3. Increased Productivity
Using telemarketers allows you to scale your outreach efforts. A single telemarketer can contact dozens of businesses per day, exponentially increasing the number of potential placements for your honor boxes. As they handle the calls, you can focus on other important aspects of your vending route, such as maintaining or expanding your inventory.

4. Faster Location Acquisition
Time is money, especially in the vending industry. Telemarketers can find and secure locations much faster than if you were visiting businesses in person. This speed allows you to grow your route quickly and efficiently without needing to personally meet each potential location owner until they’ve expressed interest.

5. Consistency and Professionalism
Telemarketers bring a professional approach to pitching your honor boxes to potential business owners. Their consistent messaging ensures that each potential location receives the same information, eliminating confusion and improving your chances of securing a spot.

6. Adaptable and Scalable
Another key benefit is the flexibility telemarketers offer. You can adjust your outreach efforts depending on your vending route's needs. Whether you're looking to expand to new areas or focus on a specific demographic, telemarketers can easily shift focus without the overhead of in-person visits.

Conclusion
Using telemarketers for finding locations for your honor box vending route is a smart and cost-effective strategy. It not only saves you time and money but also enhances productivity and efficiency by ensuring you get the best possible locations with minimal effort. By outsourcing this crucial task, you can focus on growing and optimizing your vending business. We can help you get this going.
 
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Benefits of Running a Vending Route

Although the benefits are too numerous to mention, we have compiled a list of enticing benefits that will have you asking: “When can I start?”

Flexible Schedule: You make your own work schedule. You’re in control.

Part-Time or Full-Time: Great as extra income, very substantial as full-time income. You can even start part-time and earn extra money now, expanding if and when you desire.

Excellent income: Most vending route drivers earn an above average income.

Stay local: Custom routes are created near your home, so driving around can be kept to a minimum.

Greater productivity: You can often do your work when you're most productive. More flexibility to take care of personal appointments and errands. More time to tend to your other responsibilities without jeopardizing your “job”. Whether attending a routine dentist appointment or picking a sick kid up from school, with vending, you can work your schedule to where you can fit in important happenings without having to take time off.

More time with loved ones: The typical 9-to-5 work shift takes up most of your day and can be especially difficult to attend your child’s events, family functions or other important happenings in life. Long hours in the office can limit the amount of time you’re able to spend at home with your loved ones, especially if you work night shifts or long days.

Running a vending route allows for more quality time with family since you’re more likely to be nearby, and easily able to adjust your schedule.

Working in an office full-time fills up most of your day, and leaves you with little time to yourself, especially after commuting. It can be so draining that by the time you do get home, you probably won’t have the energy to meet with your friends and family.

No more office distractions: Fewer interruptions from office meetings and “chitchat”. No more feelings of dread at the idea of returning to the office.

Less sickness: Even as companies are reconfiguring workplaces with plexiglass barriers on desks and special air filters, being on your own, driving around can keep you much safer from communicable diseases.

More time for fitness: You should be able to squeeze in more time for workouts. Go to the gym, take a walk, play sports etc. There are also plenty of other things you’ll have time to do around the house to keep you moving: laundry, cleaning, etc. All of those little things that can keep you active.

Tax Break Eligibility: Vending route drivers are more likely to be eligible for tax breaks.

Better Work-Life Balance: Sleep in. Take the day off. Book a vacation with confidence. You call the shots. Doing the things that you enjoy when you choose to can ultimately improve your work-life balance and overall mental health.
 
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Maintaining an Organized Vending Route

  • Keep a logbook to help you track your routes, candy purchases, expenses, and other important information. You can use a paper logbook or an electronic logbook app.
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  • Make a schedule to help plan out your route ahead of time to stay on track and avoid wasting time. Use a planner or calendar to keep track of your schedule.
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  • Keep your vehicle organized. This will ensure you have all the necessary equipment and supplies you need for your job, and keep them organized in your vehicle. This includes tools, maps, and any other items you may need while on the road.
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  • Stay up-to-date with your driver's license, insurance, and vehicle registration, making sure all is current. Make sure you also stay informed about any changes to traffic laws or regulations that may affect your routes.
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  • It's important to stay focused and alert while driving, so be sure to take breaks when you need them. Plan your breaks in advance so you can stay organized and avoid last-minute delays.
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By following these tips and putting in a solid effort, you can stay organized and efficient while running your vending route.
 
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Servicing Your Honor Box Vending Route Like a Pro

Once your honor boxes are placed in locations, you will need to allow for a bit of time for them to bring in the money. It is a little like fishing; you bait the hook, cast out the line, and reel in the catch. In this case you have loaded up the boxes with candy, set them at the location, and you are now waiting for the right moment to “reel in the catch”. When first starting out, it is best to wait approximately one to two weeks to return to the first stop.

Load up your vehicle with as many boxes as possible. Bring a Tupperware/Rubbermaid bucket to dump all of the bills and coins into. Also, bring a trash bag for the trash scraps that you will inevitably encounter while servicing your box. Bring a sharp knife to cut into the piece of tape sealing the entry of the coin box part of the boxes. You will need a roll of packing tape to re-seal your boxes.

An extra trash bag sometimes comes in handy. If it starts to rain, you can cover up the box while you are running in and out of the locations.

Walk into the location with a box that’s pre-loaded with candy so that you can “swap” that pre-loaded box for the one that’s already been there a while collecting money. It’s always best to service that way, so that you are not standing around the location making a scene while opening, refilling the candy and collecting the money. Do all of the money emptying and candy refilling while inside or around your car. This will enable a smooth and quick operation.

Once you are back in your car, take accurate notes so that you are able to service and supply your boxes efficiently. When you have determined that a particular location is a high-volume location, take note so that you can increase the inventory and service the location more frequently. Same goes for a slower location. A pen, yellow highlighter and a clip board with your note pad/locations list fastened to it would come in handy for all of this.

Put the bills in one stack. You can roll up the quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies and put them into paper tubes if you like, but these days all of your coins can be brought straight into the bank. Most banks have a change counting machine available. Credit unions will usually have a change counting machine that you can use at no extra charge if you have an account with them. And you can have it all deposited directly into your account!

Make sure you are sending money to your charity regularly. It is a privilege that you are able to represent them, and it sure feels good to you when you are making your monthly pledge. Keep records so that you are reminded to pay monthly. You should also keep those records for tax purposes.

Helpful Tips:
 
  • Try to service your locations in daylight hours. You are dealing with cash, so you will want to play it safe.
 
  • Drive carefully, and park carefully.
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  • Prepare as many boxes as possible while at home to minimize the need to load up boxes with candy and lollipops while on the road.
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  • Bring a squirt bottle of all-purpose cleaner like, Oxy-Clean, Comet, Spic and Span, Windex, etc. to give your boxes a quick shine.
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  • Repair any damaged boxes with cardboard scraps and packing tape.
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  • Be polite and courteous to other vending, brochure, magazine, etc. displays. Do not assume that anyone particular competitor did anything to your boxes. Any kind of “retaliation” will come back to haunt you, so don’t jump to any conclusions.
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  • Try to help keep the area around your box neat, tidy and clean. Throw away any old brochures, trash etc.
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  • Reward your location owners and workers as much as possible. Which brings us to…

Another Helpful Tip: Give occasional gifts

Gifts usually encourage workers and store owners to guard over your box. It also increases the likelihood that they will let you leave your candy box in permanently.

Small gifts are all you need to give to any store owner, manager or employee. You can find small, inexpensive gifts at Dollar Stores, Walmart, Target, Staples, Office Depot and other discount stores. We also recommend Amazon.com or Ebay.com for some excellent deals on bulk items. Keep a few on hand and in the car when running your route.

Inexpensive Gift Ideas:
 
  • Calculators
  • Key Chains
  • Pens
  • Can Coolers
  • Promotional Gifts

Act Professional!

Even though vending is generally a laid back, simple job, it is important to act like a true professional. Adhere to a high set of standards. Maintain skill, good judgment, and polite behavior, and you will be greatly rewarded.
 
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Dressing for Success

Even though vending is a simple, laid-back business, the importance of looking professional cannot be understated.

It is not expected for you to wear suit and tie. That would be overdoing it, and that “look” would actually make things backfire.

Dressing in business casual is strongly suggested for maximum results. Save the torn-up jeans and wrinkled t-shirt for your free time when you are not working. As you are starting a vending business, you will want to make sure you put your best foot forward, and that means no flip flops!

Everybody has strong points that they can accentuate.

For Men: Putting on a nice button-up or polo shirt is a very good professional step that will make you look positive all the way. With all of the extra pockets, cargo pants or shorts can be functional along with being a smart look. Sensible and comfortable shoes are a good call.

For Women: Business casual is the standard dress code for running a vending route. Basically, any appropriate outfit that appears smart without seeming overly formal. You should dress in what you feel most comfortable, and still look professional and trustworthy. There’s no need to wear a suit, but you should still aim for a polished look. Make sure to wear comfy shoes, there’s no need to wear heels. And make sure you don’t overdo the jewelry or accessories.

In warm weather, light colors and attire with light and breathable materials are ideal for warm weather. Avoid overly tight styles that can generate heat. In the winter layering with a light sweater can be appropriate for the cold weather.

Dressing the part is also good for programming your mental psyche. The feeling of putting on work clothes puts you in motion for success. It’s like getting into character for a movie star or actor.

By setting yourself apart from everyone else, chances are you will be able to get into those extra profitable accounts while your competitors are left in the dust.

Whether you are doing soda machines, bulk candy vending or simple honor boxes, these common sense rules apply.

These days, there’s quite a few competitors that do not behave professionally. You will have a great advantage over them by following these simple rules and dressing for success!

Questions?
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