blog - Page 16 of 47 - Naturals2Go

Protecting Your Business Investment and Your Future

The world was already changing at a rapid pace. Then, a global pandemic forced change into hyper-drive. While some businesses adapted quickly, others took huge financial hits and were forced to board their doors for good.

However, as history has proven time and time again, hardships and rapid change can be the beginning of something great when companies have the right plans and leadership in place.

“FedEx, Microsoft, and even Google were launched during recessions and very challenging times,” said Heath Falzarano, president of Naturals2Go. “We didn’t become the most recognized, most-awarded healthy vending business opportunity by standing still and resting on our laurels. When other companies pulled back on new investments over the last two years, we doubled down. We knew that embracing challenges head-on would help insulate our owner-operators and give them a competitive advantage. We know this high level of commitment to our operators costs us more in profits, but we also know this level of time and service is what it takes to position our operators for long-term success.”

True to their word, the team at Naturals2Go has invested heavily in the success of their owner-operators and turned adversity into prosperity. Here are just a few of the recent innovations that have further cemented Naturals2Go as the leading business opportunity in vending and unattended retail.

UVend Technology to Kill Viruses

Naturals2Go has invested in patent-pending technology on the newest machine. This UVend Technology uses UV light to kill up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, providing a safe experience that customers covet.

Nayax Contactless Payments

Cutting-edge payment technology allows customers to pay with mobile wallets, their phones, or even smartwatches. They no longer need to interact with restaurant or cafeteria staff or even handle money.

Revamped Training, Onboarding, and Locating

Naturals2Go doubled down on its training, onboarding, and support team to help existing and new owner-operators reach profitability sooner and address changing market needs quickly. By adding key members to an already strong training and support team, the brand is focused on helping owner-operators launch efficiently.

Originally published in the March, 2022 issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine:

Are You a Victim of Burnout Culture?

In the early days of the pandemic, burnout affected about 45% of the American workforce. By the summer of 2020, that number was up to 58%. And with the pandemic still affecting things, piled on top of factors like politics, family stress, and childcare issues, burnout is still at an all-time high. The question is, has burnout affected you?

Here’s how to tell if you’re feeling burnout:

You’re exhausted.

Everyone gets a little tired sometimes (especially on Mondays). But when you’re experiencing burnout, it’s more than needing an extra cup of coffee. If you’re truly exhausted most days and feel like you can’t take another step, you might be experiencing burnout. Work-related stress can make it feel impossible to move an inch, both physically and emotionally.

You’re cynical.

Expecting that task to go poorly? Ready to rip apart that meeting after it wraps? Lost all interest in work that you used to engage with? This kind of cynicism is another telltale sign of burnout. If you’re feeling negative about your work in this way, it might be time to make a big change.

You’re relying on substances.

The misuse or overindulgence in substances, including alcohol, drugs, or even food, can be a symptom of job burnout. It’s a way of coping with the stress you feel every day at your job. Obviously, this is a serious issue—you’ll want to make a change as soon as possible in order to curb this behavior.

You’re extra irritable.

When you’re constantly stressed at work, every little thing starts to get under your skin. If you’re finding yourself extra irritable with coworkers or even family members when you’re off work, burnout could have already taken hold. Irritability and anger is a classic sign of work-related burnout.

You feel useless at work.

Do you feel like your work doesn’t make a difference in the bigger picture, that your contributions are meaningless, that no one would notice if you didn’t do your job anymore? If you’re feeling useless and misunderstood at your job, you could be a victim of burnout culture. You want to do work that feels meaningful and rewarding to you, so it’s time to consider making a change in your life.

It’s Time To Make a Change

Are you worried that you’re a victim of burnout culture? Make a change for the better with Naturals2Go. Contact us today to learn more about the healthy vending industry and get started on your new journey.

How “Balanced” Is Your Work-Life Balance?

We hear a lot about work-life balance these days and with good reason. People are more stressed out with work than ever, no thanks to the pandemic. And that means it’s more important than ever to pay attention to your work-life balance and make sure it stays, well… balanced.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine how you’re doing with your own work-life balance:

Do You Think About Work Outside of Work?

How often do you think about work when you’re off the clock? If it’s something that’s constantly on your mind, including on nights and weekends, your balance might be tipping in the wrong direction. You should be able to leave work at work and “unplug” from your job once the day is done. If this isn’t you, it might be time to make some changes.

Do You Make Time For Family and Friends?

How often do you have time outside of work for family and friends? Do you feel like you socialize regularly in your time away from work, or do you feel like you rarely see loved ones because you’re so busy? When work starts cutting into the time you should be spending with your friends and family members, it’s time to make some adjustments, whether it’s cutting back on hours, switching to a new role, or finding a new job entirely.

Does Your Job Stress You Out Regularly?

Everyone has the occasional bad or stressful day at work; it’s almost unavoidable. But if you’re feeling stressed about your job constantly, your work-life balance is out of alignment. You’re focusing far too much on work in a negative way, and it can have serious mental and physical effects. Ask yourself how stressed you feel about work, how often, and it can tell you a lot about where your work-life balance is.

Do You Make Time For Yourself Away From Work?

Do you make time to indulge in things you like away from your job? Hobbies, interests, friends, and family, travel? Or is your time away from work simply spent recovering? Any healthy person needs to have things outside of work that boost their mood, so if you find yourself without time for things you enjoy, it’s time to make a change.

Get Your Balance Back

If your work-life balance isn’t where it should be, there’s only one person who can improve it: you. Take active steps to better your approach to work – ask for a change of responsibility or find ways to make time for yourself and things you enjoy. Your mental and physical health depends on it!

Vending Inventory Ideas by Location: Hotels

Hotels and motels make great vending machine locations because there is a fairly steady stream of foot traffic at most of these locations. And machines don’t just have to be in the lobby. Placing machines in ice machine areas on every floor and in areas like stairwells and side entrances can be very effective, too. But what sort of inventory should you stock your hotel vending machines with?

Here are a few ideas for popular items that would sell well at your hotel locations:

Snack Bars

If the hotel you service has a restaurant in it or attached to it, some guests will undoubtedly go there for breakfast and other meals. But if they aren’t interested in paying for a full meal, or simply not hungry enough to eat a full meal, the vending machine is the choice that makes sense. Snack bars and granola bars are the perfect options for this scenario – they offer consumers a portable, easy-to-eat, no-mess solution for a quick snack on the go.

Pretzels

Pretzels are a classic snack that almost everyone loves. They’re also low-mess, healthier than potato chips, and packed full of carbohydrates for a boost of energy. This kind of snack also sells well if the hotel you service hosts conferences or other types of gatherings. When groups break for lunch or a mid-morning coffee break, attendees will drift toward the vending machines for a convenient snack. Pretzels serve as an easy option for quick snacking or to take back to the conference.

Dried Fruit

Consumers looking for a healthy but delicious option can’t go wrong with dried fruit. It’s non-perishable and no-mess, and it’s delicious. Dried bananas, apples, or pears are always great options.

Jerky

Jerky is often a good seller in vending machines simply because consumers don’t expect to find it there, and are pleasantly surprised enough to make the purchase. And it’s a favorite with kids, so families traveling on vacation might rely on something like jerky to keep the kids satisfied in between meals.

Drinks

Usually, hotel guests don’t want to bother calling room service just for a drink. They’re much more likely to stop by the vending machines on the way up to their room, or on their way out as they’re heading into town. That’s why stocking your machines with drinks is a good idea. Water bottles are always top sellers, as are popular sodas, iced teas, and seltzers.

Smart Inventory Means Better Sales

Working with Naturals2Go makes stocking and maintaining your machines a breeze. Read more about filling your machines here and contact us to learn more about getting started in the healthy vending space.

Things to Accomplish Before Starting a New Business

You’re well aware that starting a new business isn’t as easy as snapping your fingers and having everything fall into place. It takes a lot of planning and hard work to even get off the ground – and after that, you’ll need a dogged perseverance to make your new venture a success. So, what are the things you should accomplish before starting a new business? Here’s a quick checklist of what to remember before getting things started:

#1: Conduct Market Research

Ask yourself who will be using your product or service, and why they need it. Where does your offering fit into the existing market? Are there other markets you could branch into? What kind of problem does your product or service solve for customers? And be sure to conduct research on the main competitors in your market, too. Find out what they’re doing right, and what you could do better.

#2: Make a Business Plan

Think of your business plan as the blueprint for your entire venture. Without it, you’ll be trying to build on something without a solid foundation. Your business plan clearly defines your goals, what and why you’re doing what you’re doing, and what the plan is to make it successful. You’ll use the business plan to outline details like what kind of start-up money you might need, whether or not you’ll need employees or contractors, and much more.

#3: Remember to Factor In Work-Life Balance

When you’re starting a new business, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in it that you forget about everything else. This is especially true when it’s something you’re really passionate about. But remember that work-life balance is important. You won’t be very effective at your business venture if it consumes your entire life. Take time to think about how you’ll schedule time away from the job and make sure you don’t get burnt out.

#4: Get Ready to Grow

Sometimes, entrepreneurs launch a business with no concept of how fast they might grow, or how quickly. Be prepared to grow before you even get started; that way, you’re prepared when it happens. You don’t want to be left needing to scale up without the resources to do so.

Start Your New Venture With Naturals2Go

When you partner with Naturals2Go to start your business in the healthy vending space, you’re gaining a trusted partner that’s with you every step of the way, from hands-on training to location scouting in your city. Contact us today to learn more and get started!

Healthy Date Night Dinner Ideas for Two

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. If you’re thinking of staying in and avoiding the crowds, take date night up a notch and cook a meal yourself. And when you want something that’s as healthy as it is delicious, try these date night ideas for two:

Skinny Alfredo

There’s something about pasta that just makes sense for a romantic date night. And who doesn’t love fettuccine alfredo? Unfortunately, most alfredo recipes aren’t very healthy thanks to a lot of cream and butter. That’s where this skinny alfredo recipe takes things in a healthier direction. By substituting Greek yogurt and 1% milk in place of heavy cream, the recipe tastes just as delicious as the fettuccine alfredo you know and love without the extra calories and fat. Use whole-wheat pasta for an added health benefit, and you have a delicious and nutritious date-night meal you can feel good about.

Peach Salsa Chicken

This peach salsa chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and uses vibrant flavors like jalapeno, lime juice, sweet onion, and peach to make a unique take on pan-fried chicken. By mixing broth and a peach mixture together and stirring in rice as a base for the chicken, you’ll have a delicious meal on hand quickly that’s sure to impress your significant other.

Roasted Veggie & Black Bean Tacos

Taco night is always a good idea, and it’s the perfect date night solution, too. Ever wish you could make a healthier version for dinner? You’re in luck. Try these roasted veggie and black bean tacos. Without meat or dairy, they’re completely vegan – but there’s no sacrificing on flavor. The recipe combines the healthy punch of root vegetables with classic Mexican flavors like cumin and chili powder to make a delicious, nutritious, ultra-easy date-night meal.

Mediterranean Cod

Bring the romantic flavors of the Mediterranean Sea straight to your kitchen table with this delicious and healthy cod dish. The lean fish is topped with marinara sauce over a bed of spinach and zucchini for a meal that’s as tasty as it is good for you. The best part: It’s under 400 calories. Get the recipe here.

Time To Level Up Date Night

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or any day of the week that you decide to make date night, use the delicious and healthy recipes above to make it a special one. Your significant other will thank you!

Healthy Eating Series: Snacks for Weight Loss

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to lose some weight? You may make the mistake of thinking that you have to cut out things like snacks, but that simply isn’t true. It’s simply about changing the snacks you choose to eat. Instead of a sugary candy bar or fried foods, give some of these healthy snack options a try when you’re trying to lose weight:

Popcorn

Popcorn probably isn’t the snack you picture when you’re thinking of a treat that can help you lose weight. That’s because you’re thinking of movie-theatre popcorn, which is loaded with butter and salt. Instead, choose a healthier version of popcorn; it’s a whole grain, and it gives you plenty of fiber and even a bit of protein. All you have to do is stay away from popcorn with a ton of butter, sodium, and flavorings.

Mixed Nuts

Nuts are relatively high in fat, but they’re also high in fiber, so you feel full shortly after eating them. That means it’s easy to stick to small portion sizes. Choose healthy nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, and cashews for a delicious, portable snack that will fill you up without packing on excess pounds.

Apples and Peanut Butter

Apple slices and a bit of peanut butter make for a delicious snack, and it’s healthy, too. The apples provide plenty of antioxidants and other nutrients, while the peanut butter helps to satisfy that sweet tooth without going overboard on fat or sugar. It’s an easy snack to pack on its own or eat as a side dish during lunch.

Yogurt

Plain or Greek yogurt is another option for a healthy snack, and you could even add your own nuts, fruits, or granola for an added flavor and nutrition boost. Yogurt offers calcium, fiber, protein, and gut-healthy probiotics. Try to stay away from flavored yogurts, because they may introduce added sugars and extra calories to your diet.

Hummus

Hummus is a spread made from chickpeas. It’s delicious, nutritious, and a great choice for a healthy snack. Cut up veggies like celery or carrots and dip them in hummus, or grab a handful of whole-grain crackers to eat with it. Put it in a Tupperware container to take with you to work or school, and you have a great portable snack, too.

Snacks Don’t Have To Be Junk Food

Chocolate, candy, and other junk food are not the only options when it comes to snacking. Believe it or not, you can have delicious snacks that help you keep up with your weight-loss goals. Give the above options a try and see how you like them!

3 Reasons to Own a Franchise or Business Opportunity

When it comes to owning your own business, there are essentially two options: starting one from scratch with no support or joining a business opportunity or franchise. There are many advantages to owning a franchise or business opportunity, and it may suit your needs better than building a business from the ground up. Let’s take a look at just three of the best reasons to launch a business opportunity or franchise:

It’s Cost-Effective

While buying a franchise or starting with a business opportunity doesn’t necessarily mean instant financial success, it tends to be more of a guaranteed cost-effective move than launching your own small business. Because you’ll be skipping the startup stage of the business—conducting market research, creating and testing a product or service, then scaling up—you’ll be spending a lot less than you would otherwise.

One of the great things about becoming a Owner Operator with Naturals2Go is that as a business opportunity provider, we don’t charge franchise fees. That saves you even more money and is one of the key deciding factors for many entrepreneurs choosing us over our competitors.

You’ll Get Help With Training

When you become an Owner Operator with a business opportunity, plenty of others have come before you. That means there is an easy-to-replicate training program that has already been used successfully many times. You’ll be up to speed quickly, and your employees can quickly be brought up to speed on processes, procedures, and workflows as well. That’s a lot easier than creating training materials yourself.

During Naturals2Go’s comprehensive training program, you’ll learn every aspect of running and operating a successful vending business, including loading, servicing, and optimizing your machines.

The Business Plan Is Already In Place

A franchise or business opportunity operator also has the benefit of a proven business plan behind their venture. You don’t have to worry about whether or not your business will be successful—if you run it properly, it’s a proven commodity in the market. Customers will use your product or service, guaranteed.

Hundreds and hundreds of healthy vending machine operators have found success with Naturals2Go. And because our on-site locators come to your city to help place your machines effectively, you can rest assured they’ll prove profitable. Plus, our lifetime coaching program means you have another operator available at all times to assist in whatever way you need.

Join The Winning Team At Naturals2Go

Interested in learning more about the healthy vending industry and the business opportunity that Naturals2Go has to offer? Contact a member of our team today to get started on your journey in the healthy vending space.

Motivational Quotes for a Healthy Lifestyle

We would all like to live a little healthier. That’s only been hammered home more vividly over the past two years or so. But let’s be honest: It’s not always easy to stick to that diet, or that exercise regimen, or the commitment to giving up that vice. Sometimes, we need a little inspiration.

Read on for a few motivational quotes to inspire your healthy lifestyle:

“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save and preserve it.” – Plato

One of the earliest great intellectual minds in human history was aware of the value of good health. Plato’s words still ring true today. Being inactive is not good for your body or your mind. Staying active is good for your entire self.

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

This quote serves to remind us of an important fact that is easy to forget: We only have one body. That means it’s imperative that we treat it well. If you neglect your bodily health, it can be difficult to reverse the trend and get back to the healthy self that you once were. Being proactive about your good health is a much better approach.

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” – Irish Proverb

Aside from eating well and exercising, getting regular sleep is incredibly important for your overall health. And don’t forget that laughing, socializing, and feeling good with your friends and family is just as beneficial as exercise, diet, and sleep. Your mental health directly affects your physical health and vice versa. Sometimes, a little laughter and a good sleep can work wonders.

“Health is not about the weight you lose. It’s about the life you gain.” – Unknown

Rather than focusing on numbers on the scale, focus on how you feel. If you haven’t lost the number of pounds you would have liked to but you’re loving the way you look, then you’re succeeding. It’s as simple as that. A healthy lifestyle does not always have to correlate to a specific weight or body type.

Live Healthy To Feel Great

Whether you want to exercise more, eat better, or get more sleep, having the motivation to push toward your healthier living goals is important. Keep the above quotes in mind next time you need a little boost.