I co-own a vending machine with my 10-year-old

My son Landon and I started a vending-machine business when he was 10, over a year ago. He got the idea while helping at his sister's basketball tournament concession stand and noticing how many people wanted snacks and drinks. He first wanted a candy store, and I suggested starting smaller.

I'm a business owner — I started my own media company right after he was born — and we learned the basics from a book and YouTube videos. He asked the community center's front desk if they had a vending machine; they said they used to but didn't anymore. He offered one, they gave him the contact person, and we met with the village of Wellington.

We submitted a proposal listing what we'd sell and the prices, and they approved it. The contract gives the village a 26% commission, and Landon and I split the profits 50/50. In September of 2024 we bought a machine for $1,500, paid $843 to ship it, bought a credit-card reader for $385, stocked $265 of items from Costco, and put $17 in change to start.

vending machine, vending business, small business, wellington, commission rate, profit split, card reader, startup costs, costco, concession stand