In the heart of Wellington, a young entrepreneur is making waves with his new business endeavor.
Landon Nicholson, a 10-year-old student with big ambitions, recently launched a vending machine business at the Wellington Community Center, capturing the interest of visitors and staff.
The inspiration for Landon’s business began at one of his sister’s basketball games. While helping out at the concession stand during a Wellington Wolves tournament, he noticed the demand for quick snacks and drinks. This experience sparked the idea, and with encouragement from his mother, Christina Nicholson, the owner of a local publicity and content marketing agency, Landon decided to take the plunge into business.
Mother and son teamed up to explore the vending world, reading a book about the business side of vending machines. Armed with newfound knowledge, they purchased a used machine, filled it with popular snacks and drinks, and installed it at the Wellington Community Center in mid-October.
Since then, Landon has been running his own vending business, stopping by weekly with Christina to restock and check on the machine.
The Wellington Community Center had been without a vending machine for several years after the previous one was removed due to a lack of regular upkeep. For employees and visitors, Landon’s new machine is a welcome addition.
Community members have expressed excitement about the return of convenient snacks and drinks, especially knowing that the machine is being regularly tended to.
“People seem happy to see a vending machine back,” Landon said with a smile. “I check in every week to keep it full, so everyone has their favorite snacks when they want them.”
The machine itself offers more than just snacks; it provides customers with a unique, interactive experience. A QR code on the front lets patrons provide feedback and even request specific items they’d like to see stocked.
From kid-friendly treats to healthier options, Landon is eager to hear from his customers and tailor his inventory to their tastes.
“I think it’s cool seeing people use the machine and finding out what snacks they like,” he said. “It’s fun to see the stuff that sells the most.”
Landon’s vending machine has quickly become a staple for the center’s visitors, providing a convenient and friendly snack stop. For this budding entrepreneur, it’s only the beginning of a journey into the business world.
“Teaching Landon how to track his profit and losses in a spreadsheet has been a rewarding experience,” Christina said. “He’s learning the nuts and bolts of running a business, from understanding his costs to making sure he’s turning a profit. It’s a hands-on lesson in financial responsibility that will hopefully serve him well in the future.”
Landon is already on the lookout for his next location.
“I think it would be awesome to have another machine somewhere else in Wellington,” he said. “I’m keeping an eye out for a good spot.”
