Here's a note I sent this morning to a friend that Facebook has allowed me to get back in touch with. I thought I would share it to illustrate how big an impact his thoughts have had on my family. You never, ever know what impact you will have on others around you. All this happened due to a short 2 minute conversation he and I had one day several years ago.
Joe,
I wanted to take a minute to thank you for planting the seed of an idea in my mind several years ago. During one of our conversations, you had mentioned purchasing some gumball machines and using them to teach your kids about money and business, etc. Just wanted to let you know what that conversation has meant for me and my family.
About 3 years ago rumors began to spread that our company was going to be bought out. Since the buyee normally has lots of people lose their jobs, I realized it was time for me to do something outside of work to create some more security for the family. Our conversation led me to purchase several books online about vending and over the course of a few weeks, I educated myself on the industry.
I started out buying a couple of used machines on Ebay and steadily learned who the reputable manufacturers and suppliers were. The next 1.5 years, I expanded to over 125 locations around our area. Vending both candy and gumballs, and eventually stickers/tattoos and capsuled toys.
15 months ago, I came up with an "out-of-the-box" idea and began a test with a friend of mine in his place of employment. The test was so successful that last February I officially started my company and began setting up distributors in different parts of the state. One year later, we're growing very very rapidly. We'll begin expanding in our second state in the next couple of weeks and the plan is to expand our concept nationally from here.
This part-time business will surpass my full-time income (I'm still in the job I thought I might lose) in 2009 and has truly added additional security and flexibility for our family. I hope to leave the corporate world within the next 18 months or so and take more control over my life and my time in the process.
Our company's need for custom graphic design work has also led our family to purchase an iMac and the Adobe Creative Suite software. My 12 year old son is being mentored by a friend from church who works in graphics design and he is already doing a bunch of design work for the company. Talk about great money for a 12 year old. He's starting his own graphic design company sometime this spring.
Sorry for rambling, but I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for planting that seed of an idea. You never know how big an impact you can have on those around you!
God Bless you and your clan! 
Stumble It!
Hey Pizza,
This is a great story! It makes me want to give vending machines a try myself. If I do, I definitely know who to contact.
Posted by: Steve C |MyWifeQuitHerJob.com | February 04, 2009 at 12:28 PM