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#206May 28, 20211:01:40

#187 - How Vending Machines are Generating Millions, The Next Bi…

About This Episode

Sam and Shaan explore the unexpected scale of Vimeo and the viral rise of the social app Paparazzi before diving deep into the economics of a boring vending machine business. They also brainstorm ways to disrupt the gifting industry using ghost kitchens and discuss the Hillbilly of the Week business model.

Episode Description

There are entrepreneurs quietly generating six figures working part-time in the vending machine business. Others have been able to scale to multi-million and even multi-billion-dollar figures in the industry. Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@TheSamParr) break down the vending machine industry with tons of numbers and exactly how some are pulling it off. The guys transition from a "boring" business to high-tech ones as they break down how Vimeo went from a College Humor project to competing with YouTube and earning an $8b valuation. They also talk about a trendy new pod that generated 500k downloads on its first day and they brainstorm on a fun concept: ghost kitchens for gifts. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. ---------

Show Notes

  • * (5:55) How Vimeo became an $8b company
  • * (14:26) The next big social app?
  • * (25:45) The millions to be made in vending machines
  • * (41:35) Ghost kitchens for gifts
  • * (53:00) Post-podcast free talk

Key Takeaways

1

Capitalize on mega trends by finding profitable niches; even a specialized video platform like Vimeo can reach an $8 billion valuation in the shadow of YouTube.

2

Target 'boring' businesses like vending machines using modern sales techniques and credit card technology to disrupt unsophisticated incumbents and generate high-margin cash flow.

3

Utilize existing 'desire paths' by building businesses on top of platforms like DoorDash where users already have saved payment methods and intent, such as instant gifting services.

Business Ideas Mentioned

Subscription Vending Machine Model

Boring Business

Post-Workout Recovery Vending Machines

Boring Business

Gifting Optimized Ghost Kitchen

E-commerce

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Quick Stats

Duration1:01:40
Guests0
Ideas Discussed3
Topics0