blog - Page 23 of 47 - Naturals2Go

How a Vending Machine and Doritos Saved American Treasure Matthew McConaughey

At Naturals2Go, we’ve known for a long time how vital a role the vending industry plays in our daily lives. That’s why it was so fun to see how vending helped to breathe new life into Matthew McConaughey during the Doritos commercial aired during 2021’s Big Game!

You can check out this fun clip at the :36 second mark below:

While we are obviously having a bit of fun with this commercial, the real truth is that the vending industry does breathe new life into people all across the world, every day.

At Naturals2Go, we help make it convenient for people to eat healthy during their busy and hectic days. With contactless payment options, we also help make foodservice safer.

If you’re interested in learning more about vending, we’re here to help. Whether you’re interested in starting your own vending business, or you’re interested in bringing a healthy vending machine into your workplace, just let us know!

Franchise Dictionary Magazine Features Naturals2Go President Heath Falzarano

Naturals2Go President, Heath Falzarano was featured in the Februrary, 2021 edition of Franchise Dictionary magazine.

The article outlines how Heath originally invested as an Owner-Operator with Naturals2Go and saw such huge potential to help others achieve their life-long dreams of starting their own successful businesses.

The full original article appears in Franchise Dictionary magazine and the excerpt can be seen below:

What Does “Heart Healthy” Mean?

The phrase “heart-healthy” gets thrown around a lot these days. You’ll see it on restaurant menus, in commercials, and online. But what exactly does it mean? And most importantly, how can you actually keep your heart healthy in your day-to-day life?

Here’s how to live a heart-healthy life — it’s simpler than you might think.

Eat Right

Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to lower your risk of heart disease. A heart-healthy diet is one low in saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. Heart-healthy choices include things like foods high in fiber (whole grains, vegetables, and fruits), and healthy fats like those in olive oil or fish. So, instead of opting for a burger and fries for lunch, a side salad and a slice of salmon would be a much more heart-healthy choice.

Stay Physical

Staying active on a regular basis is another great way to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. A healthy adult should be getting at least two and a half hours of moderate physical activity every week. Even a brisk walk helps. The combination of eating right and maintaining a level of good exercise is simply the best way to make sure your heart — and the rest of your body! — stays in good shape.

Practice Healthy Habits

Outside of diet and exercise, there are a few healthy habits to practice in your daily life. First, don’t smoke. Smoking puts a lot of pressure on your heart, and even ingesting secondhand smoke regularly is very unhealthy. It’s also important to manage your stress levels, because too much stress contributes to problems like heart disease and high blood pressure. Last but not least, limit your alcohol consumption as well as the use of other drugs.

Know Your Numbers

Talk with your doctor about your family’s health history; heart disease often has a genetic component. And work with your doctor to learn about your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers. When you’re aware of where you’re currently at in terms of heart health, you know where you have to go next.

Make Some Heart-Healthy Choices Today

It’s never too late to start paying attention to your heart health. Follow the simple guidelines above and give your heart the love it needs!

Defining a Work-Life Balance as an Entrepreneur

When you’re an entrepreneur and act as your own boss, it’s very easy to get sucked in and end up being on the clock 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sometimes, even if you’re not actually working, you’re thinking about work. And that’s not good for you. Ultimately, it can lead to a case of burnout and start to affect your job and personal life.

Here are three suggestions on maintaining a healthy work-life balance as an entrepreneur:

Set boundaries.

Making defined boundaries for yourself is the first step toward achieving a healthy work-life balance. This can mean different things for different people. Part of it a time commitment; try setting designated work hours versus designated free-time hours. It’s also about unplugging from work when you’re not on the job. Put down the laptop and tablet, and make a point not to discuss work constantly with your partner, family, and friends when you’re not at the office.

Delegate.

One problem that entrepreneurs often run into is the lack of ability — or willingness — to delegate. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that everything on your plate is completely up to you. That will only make you overwhelmed and less able to complete the things you need to get done. Try delegating whenever you can.

Stop trying to multitask.

We used to think of multitasking as a kind of superpower, a thing to be applauded. Now, the thinking is starting to change. More and more, we’re realizing that multitasking is really something that can add undue stress and affect your performance negatively. Focus on one thing at a time, and do it well, before moving onto the next thing. Giving your full attention to one thing, rather than trying to split it among multiple things, is a much better approach.

Healthy Vending is the Perfect Solution

Are you looking for a career path that allows your entrepreneurial spirit to shine while also providing a great work-life balance? Healthy vending is the answer for you. Because of the many automated processes involved in healthy vending, and because of the self-sufficient and remote framework it operates within, it’s set up perfectly to provide a healthy balance between work and normal life. Contact Naturals2Go to learn more and get started on your journey.

Healthy Eating Series: Meal Prep Ideas for a Paleo Diet

The paleo diet is very popular among healthy living enthusiasts. It involves eating foods that are similar to what was likely eaten during the Paleolithic era between 10,000 and 2.5 million years ago. This means eating lean meats and fish, veggies and fruits, and seeds and nuts while cutting out processed foods, refined sugar, dairy, and farmed foods like grains, legumes, and potatoes.

If you’re on the paleo diet or are considering trying it out, here are some meal prep ideas to make your week easier:

Simple meat and veggie combos.

One of the easiest meal prep ideas is to cook up some lean meat or a slice of fish and combine it with cooked vegetables of your choice. Steak and green beans, salmon and broccoli, chicken with carrots and celery… the possibilities are endless. Pack up a few containers of these combinations and you have a tasty, simple lunch for every day of the week!

Ultra-healthy smoothies.

If you’re the type to enjoy a nutrient-packed smoothie for lunch or as a snack in between meals, there are plenty of paleo-friendly ways to do that. All you have to do is blend your favorite veggies — kale, spinach, etc. — with a few delicious fruits like banana, kiwi, or strawberry. Just leave out the dairy additive and you’re sticking to the paleo diet. You can even add nuts or seeds if you’d like.

Chicken or steak fajitas.

Think you can’t have your favorite indulgences if you’re following the paleo diet? Think again. Try whipping up some chicken or steak fajitas — just cook up the meat and your favorite veggies, like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms and mix with fajita seasoning and a bit of olive oil. Now, swap out the tortilla with a paleo-friendly option, or omit it altogether and just eat the fajita mix as-is. Delicious and easy! Here’s a chicken fajita recipe to get you started.

Easy and healthy salads.

Toss some lean meat (chicken is always a hit) over lettuce, spinach, kale, cucumbers, and your other favorite vegetables, and you have a simple and delicious salad that’s perfect for your on-the-go lifestyle. Skip the fatty salad dressing and croutons and you’ve got a great paleo meal ready to go in minutes.

Meal Prep Has Never Been Easier

Even if you’re not on the paleo diet, these ideas make for easy weekday or evening meals that you can prepare well in advance. And if you are a paleo eater, you don’t have to worry about running astray from your diet! Give them a try and see how you like them.

Do I Need an LLC for a Vending Machine Business?

Setting up a vending machine business isn’t as easy as sitting a machine somewhere and calling it a day. There are business licenses to consider, and one question tends to come up frequently: Do you need to make your vending machine business an LLC? Let’s take a closer look at this issue.

What is an LLC, exactly?

An LLC is a Limited Liability Company. It’s a legal entity that can be formed to own and operate a business. They’re quite popular, especially among small business owners, because they provide the same benefits that you’d get with a corporation, but they’re less formal and are generally easier and less expensive to form and run. They’re recommended for many people starting their own business, especially if you’re concerned with limiting your personal legal liability.

Should my vending business be designated as an LLC?

You don’t necessarily have to designate your vending machine business as an LLC, but it’s usually recommended. The great thing about an LLC is that your personal finances and property is protected in case of any legal action against you, and the profits from your business become your personal income rather than your company’s money, thereby saving you from getting taxed twice on that income.

LLCs are flexible and scalable, which is great for the vending machine operator as the business grows. And it’s simple — unlike a corporation, you won’t need to have a board, shareholders, officers, or other bureaucratic entities. Plus, it makes tax time a breeze. The profits or losses your business incurs pass through the business to the owner’s personal tax return. (This is called “pass-through” taxation.)

What about other licenses and permits?

Be aware that depending on your state or local municipality’s requirements, there may be other licensing and permit requirements to consider. Examples include a beverage license (if your machines sell beverages), food service license, inspection certification by the local health department, and more. Your best course of action is to get in contact with your city or state’s licenses, permits, and tax board to learn more.

Red Tape Making Your Head Spin?

That’s okay — we’re here to help. Get in touch with Naturals2Go, your partner in your vending machine journey. We’ll walk you through the red tape and help you get set up with everything you need to become a successful vending operator.

Don’t Let the Winter Blues Get You Down

The winter months can take a toll on many people, both physically and mentally. It can even result in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). But even if the problem isn’t that bad, it’s still tough to make it through the coldest months of the year. And it’s only going to be harder this year as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your self-care all winter. Here’s how:

Keep exercising.

It tends to be harder to exercise during the winter, when it’s too cold to simply slap on a pair of running shoes and take a jog around your neighborhood. But it’s important that you keep up some level of physical activity. Even if you’re just doing pushups or jumping jacks on the living room floor, it’s good for you. And exercise releases endorphins that push those winter blues away.

Eat right.

Eating properly is important all year round, and wintertime is no different. Feed yourself with nutritional meals whenever you can — make sure you’re getting the right balance of carbohydrates, fats, protein, and vitamins and minerals. Try adding a supplement if you think one area or another might be lacking. (Check with your healthcare provider first!) Try to stay away from sugary drinks and processed foods, and eat whole and natural foods whenever you can.

Try to be social.

It’s harder than ever to be social as we continue to navigate the pandemic, but make sure you’re taking some time to be with others, even if it’s in a virtual way. Few things can boost our mood like spending time with loved ones, so don’t ignore that Zoom call from your family or your virtual happy hour with coworkers. Social activities are important for the mind — being alone too often will only make you feel worse.

Spend time outdoors.

One of the reasons that seasonal affective disorder gets worse in the winter is because there’s less natural sunlight. Try to offset this by spending time outdoors, even when it’s cold. Go for a walk on your lunch break or explore some outdoor winter activities near you. Remaining cooped up inside constantly is never good for you!

Make the Most of Your Winter

Don’t let the winter blues affect your life. Be proactive about staying active and positive this winter and focus on the good things. That’s what will keep you going strong until spring!

On Her Terms: Growing a Business and a Family

This article originally appeared in Franchise Dictionary Magazine

Lyndsey Wolfsmith wanted more than an interesting work life; she wanted a life. She found both with Naturals2Go, which has enabled her to build her business while raising a growing family.

Naturals2Go is a business program offering healthy snacks, quick meals and drinks utilizing the latest technology in automated retail with services and support unmatched in the vending industry.

Wolfsmith had a lengthy career as a management consultant for large programs for an international corporation. She enjoyed the work but struggled to maintain a healthy work-life balance. So, she began searching for opportunities that would allow her to work on her own terms.

Her first foray into business ownership began as a franchise consultant, representing hundreds of brands, including Naturals2Go.

When she became pregnant with her oldest daughter, now 8, she decided to represent the Naturals2Go business opportunity full time as a member of the franchise development team.

“I really loved the brand because it filled a specific niche that a lot of other businesses could not,” she says.

A year later, Wolfsmith decided to invest and become an owner-operator. With six and a half years of ownership, she now owns 11 machines and is looking to grow. “I started with 10 machines, but we decided to expand our family and I had two more children who are now 3 and 4 years old. But I’m ready to start growing the business, and just recently hired someone part-time to help refill the machines.”

Wolfsmith loves the vending business because it fits well into her lifestyle. “It allows me to include my children. They like to accompany me to certain locations, which unexpectedly has created a stronger bond with those locations. Clients get to know the whole family. It’s a good way to show kids how to be well organized and self-sufficient, and it gives them a way to be involved.”

Watch an on-demand tutorial about this amazing business opportunity now>

Help Others Conquer Their 2021 Health Goals Through Healthy Vending!

You probably know people who are making health-related resolutions as we enter into the New Year. Or, you might be making them yourself. As a vending owner and operator, you’re in a unique position. You can actually help others conquer their health goals through your work!

Give your customers what they want.

Healthy vending has been a successful business opportunity for years. In the last decade, healthy eating has been popularized by research, culture, and science. And good nutrition has entered the political sphere as well, with politicians, government bodies, and more localized institutions like schools focusing on health and wellness more than ever before.

To put it simply, your customers don’t want junk food when they visit the vending machine — they want a healthy snack. And you can provide that. Stock your machines with the healthy foods consumers are looking for, and you’re sure to see a positive impact on your business.

Placement is key.

It does no good to stock your machines with healthy choices if they’re not placed in locations that get you results. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more difficult than ever to make that happen. It’s important to consider where the foot traffic is, now that many fruitful locations aren’t nearly as busy thanks to shutdowns. Places like gas stations, office complexes, apartment buildings, supermarkets, and medical facilities are still proving to be effective locations for healthy vending machines.

It’s the perfect time.

What better time to help others with their healthy eating resolutions than the start of a new year? When people realize how easy it is to eat healthy snack foods, especially on-the-go when time is limited, they’re that much more likely to stick to their resolutions and keep eating healthy throughout the year. By providing that option through your business, you’re helping others achieve their goals.

What Are You Waiting For?

Are you ready to get started on your healthy vending journey? Contact Naturals2Go to find out how to launch your own vending business and start seeing results.