Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Thomas.
Hi Andrea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2020, I was a confused 22-year-old who wanted to do so much more in my life and do better but I didn’t know where to start.
At the time, I was working as a security guard at Nike, and day in and out I use to think about did I want to go back to school and get my degree for a better opportunity or did I want to try to have my own business again like did previously when I sold hair back in 2017-2019.
I wanted to go to school at the moment because I thought maybe that’ll be the best choice to finish what I started but I didn’t want to be another statistic that finished school with my degree and take years to get a job in my field.
On one of my breaks at work, I thought about getting into vending because I saw how the vending machines at my job would be selling out and I use to think dang the person who owns that doesn’t literally have to get up to make a coin they just have a machine that works for them and they collect.
So the past 4 months, I have done my research on vending and how to become legal and put my machines in locations, and also working on my proposals to get contracts to get a machine placed in a location.
In May of 2020, I purchased my 1st machine when my stimulus and paycheck dropped that same day and that same week I called everywhere at certain locations on who would want a machine at the location by Friday that same week every last place I called was interesting and gave a phone call back about setting up a machine in their place of business.
I was so excited but scared at the same time. In June of 2020, I set up my 1st machine and 2 weeks later I purchased my second machine I emptied my saving account because I had faith I’ll make it back and I did. Fast forward until December of 2020 I had 3 machines and I went back to school to finish what I started.
2 years later,24 year old me I have 6 machines and 3 locations and another business that deals with snacks A&A Exotic Snack business where I sell exotic snacks from around the world that launched in April and August of 2022 I’m receiving my dual degree in business administration and tech development my story still isn’t done yet I’m not stopping here I want to be making 7 figures before I’m 25.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There was no smooth road for me at all I had to struggle to make my dream come true.
I stopped pampering myself with mail dates and hair appointments to get my business started I worked 16-hour shifts to make enough for my bills and fund my dreams.
But I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world it Ts ought me I could get through anything
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Andrea’s ATM and Vending Services LLC and A&A Exotic Snack Shop?
I own and operate vending machines and sell exotic snacks from around the globe. I set up vending machines at locations that may be interested in one and offer a percent to the owner/owners of the establishment for letting me set up my machine and satisfy their workers and customer with tasty snacks and cold drinks.
I’m currently in the works to work on getting myself an ATM machine to expand my business more and more it’s not an easy route but I won’t give up at all. A&A ‘s Exotic Snack Shop launched in April of 2022 I came up with this concept in January because I thought about if I sell snacks already I can get into the foreign snack business as well.
I sell snacks from around the globe like lays, Snickers, KitKats, foreign sodas and etc.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like that my city is prominent in certain areas for great opportunities. I don’t really have a dislike about my city except for the unnecessary crimes.
Pricing:
- $5-15 for A&A’s exotic snack shop
- 15% for location placement at the property for the vending services.
Contact Info:
