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Build Your Own Vending Empire

Naturals2Go and CEO Heath Falzarano were recently featured in the June issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine.

 

The article talks about the amazing opportunity in the smart vending and unattended retail space – an industry projected to grow to $26.4 billion by 2028.

 

Heath discusses how motivated people from all different backgrounds can run their own Naturals2Go vending business right from home. No employees. No expensive retail space. No limit to how fast or big you can scale.

 

If you’re interested in learning more, be sure to read the full feature article below and then talk to a Naturals2Go business consultant to learn more!

 

Healthy Eating Series: What is Intermittent Fasting?

Most people know what fasting is: withholding food and/or calories for a specific time, often with the goal of weight loss. But have you ever heard of intermittent fasting? This type of fasting involves restricting the number of calories you consume by only eating during certain hours of the day, or on certain days of the week. The theory behind this method of fasting is that by intermittently restricting your calorie intake, you’ll slow down your body’s metabolism and lose weight.  

 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the pros and cons of intermittent fasting so you can decide whether this dieting approach is right for you. 

Pros of Intermittent Fasting

One of the biggest benefits of intermittent fasting (IF) is that, unlike other types of dieting, there is no calorie counting – and there aren’t foods that are off-limits. While you should always make sure you’re getting the right balance of nutrition in your diet, IF doesn’t mean you can’t have certain foods you like.  

 

IF is a less strict weight loss approach than most formal diets. You’ll fast on one or two days of the week and eat normally every other day of the week. Plus, there is no time constraint – you can practice IF for as long or short of a timeframe as you’d like. There is no day count to reach, so you don’t have to worry about hitting a certain target. 

 

There is little hard data to support the success of intermittent fasting, but Harvard Medical School points out one study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2017 shows some promise. A group of overweight people were assigned to various fasting plans, while the control group continued with their normal eating habits. At the end of 12 months, the faster had lost weight compared to the normal eaters, who hadn’t lost weight.  

Cons of Intermittent Fasting

For people not used to skipping meals or not eating for extended periods, IF can be difficult because of the hunger and fatigue you may experience. Side effects can even include irritability, insomnia, headaches, and nausea. 

 

Another con of intermittent fasting: Many adherents overeat once their fasting period is over. Because you’re extra hungry and want to reward yourself after fasting, you may end up eating more than you would have otherwise, which could ultimately lead to more weight gain. 

 

Also, note that IF is not healthy for everyone. Those with eating disorders should not practice intermittent fasting. Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with diabetes, hypoglycemia, acid reflux, kidney stones, and other conditions should also stay away from this diet trend. 

Is Intermittent Fasting Right for Me?

Talk to your doctor to discover whether IF might be the right diet choice for you. It’s not wise to embark on an IF program without supervision from your medical provider.  

Healthy Lifestyle Through Proper Diet 

Healthy Lifestyle Through Proper Diet

Whether it’s intermittent fasting, another diet trend, or healthy eating, you need the right nutrition to stay healthy throughout life. Pay attention to what you fuel your body with – you’ll feel better when you do! 

 

Take Your Passion for Healthy Living to the Next Level

How to Clean Your Vending Machine

Maintenance is an essential part of keeping your vending machines running properly, and we’ve covered some tips in a recent post. Let’s look at one of the most essential tips: Keeping your machine clean.

  

Cleaning a vending machine isn’t as hard as you might think. Below, we’ve outlined five simple steps to make cleaning your vending machines a breeze. 

Step 1: Turn Your Machine Off

Always turn off and unplug your vending machine before beginning any kind of cleaning routine. It’s unsafe to work on equipment that is plugged in and has an electrical charge.  

Step 2: Remove Product

Next, remove all products from the interior of the vending machine. Since you’ll be using cleaning supplies and chemicals, you don’t want to risk any food or drink product becoming contaminated. Store your products securely where they won’t spoil while they’re out of the machine. 

Step 3: Clean Interior

Once you’ve emptied all product trays, wipe down the trays and dispensing mechanisms with a cleaning solution and a damp cloth. Remove all residue to ensure everything is clean and functions properly.  

Step 4: Clean Exterior

Wipe down the exterior of your machine with a clean, damp cloth. Use a sanitizing solution on frequently touched areas, such as the buttons, dispensing tray, dollar bill, and coin collectors. Use a glass cleaner solution to clean the window of the machine.  

 

During this stage, it’s wise to vacuum or sweep the area around the vending machine. Remember: customers don’t want to order snacks or drinks in a dirty area. Keeping the vicinity clean and tidy makes your machines much more attractive and likely to be used.  

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Once everything is clean and dry, you can return your products to the machine and reassemble it. Then, it’s always a good idea to test the machine once you’ve plugged it back in to ensure everything is working properly.  

Interested in Becoming a Healthy Vending Entrepreneur?

The healthy vending business is booming – it’s a great time to become a Naturals2Go owner/operator. Get in touch with our team to learn more and get started. 

 

Learn More About a Naturals2Go Vending Business

Is Sustainable Living the Same as Healthy Living?

Now more than ever, people are paying attention to how they live, what products they choose, and how those choices affect their health, well-being, and daily lives. Sustainable living has become very popular over recent years – but is it the same thing as healthy living? 

 

The answer is no. Sustainable living and healthy living are two different things. But what exactly are these two lifestyles, and what do they consist of? And are they diametrically opposed, or do they go hand-in-hand? Keep reading to find out. 

What is Sustainable Living?

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, sustainable living means understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world around us and finding ways for everyone to live better. As global climate change continues to worsen, more and more people want to do their part to help, and sustainable living is a great way to do that. 

 

What does sustainable living look like, exactly? Some examples include: 

 

    • Reducing plastic usage 
    • Composting 
    • Growing one’s own food
    • Buying locally
    • Avoiding processed foods
    • Reducing vehicle usage 

What is Healthy Living?

Healthy living is just what it sounds like: choosing to make healthy lifestyle choices for the betterment of yourself, your family, and the people around you. Examples of healthy living choices include things like: 

 

    • Eating whole grains, fruits, and fresh veggies 
    • Avoiding or cutting down on sugary snacks, processed foods, soda, etc. 
    • Exercising regularly 
    • Prioritizing mental health 
    • Reducing screen time 

Are the Two Compatible?

Are sustainable living and healthy living compatible? Absolutely! These two lifestyles are not opposed to one another; they go hand-in-hand. Many of the practices of sustainable living are also healthy living choices, and vice versa. If you make sustainable living choices, many will automatically be healthier for you – choosing to ride a bicycle to work rather than drive, for example, or growing your vegetables in a home garden. 

Ready to Give Sustainable or Healthy Living a Try?

It’s not as hard as you think. Take two or three suggestions above and start incorporating them into your daily routine. You’ll be surprised at how much it impacts your life! 

 

Take Your Passion for Healthy Living to the Next Level

Maintenance Checklist for Vending Machines

Almost any equipment, from vehicles to large power tools and everything in between, benefits from regular maintenance. Your vending machines are an investment – and you need to think of them as just that. Maintaining them properly is the best way to avoid problems before they happen, ensuring consistent revenue and keeping your customers happy all year round. 

 

Here are our top maintenance tips for your vending machines: 

Place Machines Properly

The first thing to remember when it comes to keeping your machines performing well is that placement matters – literally. First, try to avoid placing your machines in direct sunlight, as this can lead to overheating, which will wear out components faster, as well as UV discoloration. Also, be sure that machines are positioned level on the ground. Internal mechanisms are more likely to break when a machine is out of balance. Last but not least, ensure machines stay at least four inches away from any walls to support airflow to the back and sides of the machines. This further reduces the chance of overheating and broken components.  

Clean Machines Regularly

Our next maintenance tip is one of the simplest: Keep your machines clean. Wipe down your machines regularly and sanitize touch surfaces to remove bacteria. Use a compressed air canister or a microfiber cloth to clean your machines and their components. Focus on areas like: 

 

    • Condenser coils 
    • Bill validators 
    • Coin units
    • Delivery mechanisms 

Use a Surge Protector

It’s always advisable to plug your machines into a surge protector rather than simply plugging them into a power strip. This ensures protection for the electronic components that keep your vending machines running. Most surge protectors have a reset button or switch; be sure to test the surge protector every few months to ensure it is still working correctly.  

Need Help with Machine Maintenance?

We’ve got you covered. Naturals2Go offers full-service tech support to help answer your questions when experiencing a problem, ensuring that your machines continue to run smoothly. Plus, we cover all the basis during your hands-on training, so you’re set up to know everything you need when it comes to placing, maintaining, and running your vending machines. 

 

Ready to get started? Contact Naturals2Go today!

Learn More About a Naturals2Go Vending Business

 

Take Your Passion for Healthy Living to the Next Level

Veterans in Vending: Brian Fuery Builds Vending Empire and a Path for Other Veterans

Brian Fuery is a truly remarkable person. As a retired United States Air Force member he served our country proudly. That in itself is remarkable. But Brian didn’t stop there. His list of accomplishments are amazing:

 

      • Retired football player
      • Professional MMA fighter
      • Owner of Fuery-Us Fitness
      • Personal trainer and coach
      • Sports rehab specialist
      • 10-time World Champion and Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
      • UFC trainer
      • Owner of Sobe Security
      • Partner in a non-profit, 501c3 that helps children
      • Fluent in 5 languages
      • Avid chess player and music enthusiast/DJ

 

(He is truly an amazing person, and we would encourage you to connect with him on LinkedIn)

Vets in Vending

If all of this wasn’t enough, he has also embarked on a journey to help other Veterans achieve their dreams. His recent partnership with Naturals2Go has allowed him to create and lead the Vets in Vending program. He is helping those that have served time in our armed forces transition to the next phase of their lives as successful civilians and business owners.  Learn more about this amazing business opportunity>

 

Brian’s amazing story was recently featured in the May, 2023 issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine:

 

 

Are you a veteran looking for your next opportunity?

If you are a veteran (or know someone that is), and are interested in starting your own business, connect with Brian. Brian and the entire team at Naturals2Go are passionate about helping others transition to the next phase of their lives and become successful business owners.

Learn more today and start your journey with our Vets in Vending program!  

 

 

How is AI Being Used in Vending Machines and Unattended Retail?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being increasingly used in vending machines and unattended retail to enhance customer experience, optimize inventory management, and improve overall efficiency. Here are some examples of how AI is being used in this space:

 

Vending personalization:
AI-powered vending machines can analyze customer behavior and purchase history to offer personalized recommendations and promotions based on their preferences. As a Nautrals2Go owner-operator, we provide leading edge technology and a reporting dashboard that offers key market intelligence to drive profitability for your vending business.

 

Vending inventory management:
AI algorithms can analyze sales data and predict demand for specific products, enabling vending machines to optimize inventory levels and avoid stock-outs. Real-time updates and data from your Naturals2Go dashboard offers this in-depth look at inventory and lets you more effective plan your daily activities.

 

Predictive maintenance for vending machines:
AI sensors can monitor vending machines’ components and detect anomalies or potential issues before they occur, allowing for preventive maintenance to minimize downtime. With leading edge technology, Naturals2Go helps you eliminate any potential downtime that negatively impacts your customers and your profits. Preventative or predictive maintenance like this helps ensure your operations run smoothly and effectively.

 

Facial recognition for vending payment:
Some vending machines use AI-powered facial recognition technology to identify customers and offer personalized greetings or promotions. This increases loyalty and encourages repeat visits!

 

Cashless vending payments:
AI-enabled vending machines can process cashless payments or mobile wallet technology, making transactions faster and more convenient for customers. By outfitting our machines with the leading payment options from NAYAX your customers will have easy and convenient ways to pay which will drive repeat usage and more profit.

 

Vending machines with remote monitoring:
AI-powered systems can remotely monitor vending machines’ status and performance, allowing operators to quickly address issues and improve machine uptime. Your Naturals2Go dashboard offers the business insight you need to optimize inventory, location management, customer service and revenue generation.

 

How Much More Money Do AI-Enabled Vending Machines from Naturals2Go Make?

 

The increase in revenue generated by AI vending machines compared to traditional machines can vary depending on several factors, such as the location, product mix, and customer base.

 

However, studies have shown that AI-powered vending machines like those offered through Naturals2Go, can increase revenue by 30% or more compared to traditional machines. This is because AI can help vending machines better predict consumer demand and tailor product offerings to meet customer preferences, resulting in increased sales and customer satisfaction.

 

Additionally, AI-powered vending machines can offer a more personalized and engaging experience to customers, which can lead to increased loyalty and repeat business. AI can also help reduce operational costs by optimizing inventory management, reducing maintenance and downtime, and minimizing waste.

 

Overall, AI is helping vending machine and unattended retail operators to streamline operations, improve customer experience, and increase revenue by leveraging data-driven insights and automation.

 

Looking to Launch Your Own Smart Vending Business with AI-Enabled Vending Machines?

 

Naturals2Go is the longest-running, most-awarded, most-recognized vending business opportunity. We offer the world’s most advanced vending systems. Our AI enabled vending machines are designed with one function in mind…to serve you and your customers flawlessly. To learn more about starting your own AI Smart Vending Business, contact Naturals2Go today.

 

Related Content:

What is a Smart or Intelligent Vending Machine?

What are the Benefits of a Smart Vending Machine?

What Features do Smart Vending Machines Offer?

Naturals2Go Smart Vending Machine Overview

Naturals2Go Smart Vending Machine Technology

 

 

What are the Best Fitness Apps?

Thanks to today’s technology, we have a variety of fitness apps at our disposal to help with our physical health and exercise goals. These applications can help you maintain your workout routine and help provide accountability, motivation, and even guidance on the best exercise routines for you.  

 

The question is, with so many fitness apps out there, which one should you choose? 

 

Here are some of the top fitness apps to consider: 

Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer 

With easy-to-follow video instruction and workout sessions ranging from five minutes to 30 minutes long, Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer is a great choice for those who want a general fitness app at a great price (the app is free, with an optional pro version that costs $5.00).  

MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is a popular app that allows you to log your exercise stats and record your caloric intake, helping you meet your health goals quickly. Plus, it integrates with over 50 other apps to sync your workouts. MyFitnessPal is free to download, but you must pay the $19.99 monthly fee to access all of the app’s premium services. 

Sworkit

Sworkit offers a variety of classes with various goals, from strength and cardio to yoga, stretching, and more. This app is a great choice for beginner fitness enthusiasts, with flexible focuses based on your personal goals. Even better, no gym or equipment is required, and personal trainers are even available for one-on-one coaching. The app is free to download and $9.99 a month for the premium version. 

Zones for Training

Zones for Training monitors your resting and active heart rate, then gives you parameters to determine when you’re burning fat and reaching your peak activity level. Even better, the app integrates with the Apple Watch to monitor your pulse. This app is best for experienced exercisers looking for detailed data to help them maintain fitness goals – note that Zones for Training does not provide actual workouts, instead assisting exercisers in monitoring their health and fitness. 

AARMY

If you’re looking for a complete strength and cardio training program, AARMY is a great choice. It offers athlete-level programs that combine strength, cardio, and stretch through comprehensive indoor cycling and boot camp sessions. The cost is $35 a month or $350 a year, and you will need an indoor cycle for the spin classes. 

Good Luck on Your Fitness Journey!

Wherever you are with your fitness, try some of the apps above to see which works best for you and your goals. We wish you the best on your health and fitness journey! 

Take Your Passion for Healthy Living to the Next Level

Setting the Right Price for Vending Machine Items

As a healthy vending entrepreneur, you get to set the price for the products you sell from your machines. But it’s not always easy to determine what those prices should be – especially in today’s economy, where factors like inflation make things increasingly difficult. It’s tough to know how to set a price that lets you profit while keeping prices reasonable for your customers.  

 

Follow these guidelines to set the right price for your vending machine products: 

Follow the 2X Rule – but Adjust as Needed

The 2X rule is the standard for pricing items in the vending business. This means finding the wholesale cost for any given vending item – snacks might range from $.15 to $.75, and drinks from about $.25 to $1.00 – and doubling it. Doubling that price means you cover the expenses and profit from the sale.  

 

Remember this framework when setting your prices, but don’t be afraid to adjust as needed. Depending on the items you’re selling or what kind of demand you have for certain items, not to mention the geographical and demographic market you’re selling in, you may benefit by adjusting these prices up or down as needed. 

Group Similar Items Together by Price

It’s generally wise to group similar items by price. For example, make all varieties of the healthy chips you sell at the same price or close to it. Sell all juice drinks at the same price range. Price all veggie snacks in a similar range to one another. Having an item be an outlier on the expensive end probably won’t sell well, unless it’s a particularly high-demand item. 

Do Your Research

Last but not least – do your research on pricing your healthy vending items. Remember that healthy items generally cost more to purchase than junk food, so you’ll probably need to compensate with slightly higher pricing on your healthy items to make a profit. When you research proper pricing, popularity, and industry trends, you’re setting yourself up for success when it comes to pricing the items in your machines. 

Let Naturals2Go Help with Pricing

You’re not alone when it comes to pricing your vending machine items. With support from Naturals2Go, including location procurement and lifetime coaching, you can rest assured you’re setting your prices correctly. Contact our team to get started. 

A Business Opportunity That Benefits The Entire Family