Jami Stufflebeam - First Steps HQ

05/31/2026

Vending operators, keep moving forward!

Every operator you admire had a season where things felt slow, confusing, and a little discouraging.

That’s part of the process.

The difference is they kept going, kept learning, and kept showing up until things started to click.

Don’t let one bad location, one slow machine, or one tough week make you quit.

Progress in vending is built by consistent action, smart decisions, and the willingness to learn as you go.

You do not need to have it all figured out today. You just need to keep taking the next step.

If you want support on that journey, I offer coaching and my locating course to help you build with more confidence and avoid costly mistakes. DM or comment below if we can help!

Fellow operators, lets provide some encouragement to those struggling right now. Comment below with some of your stories or recent wins!

05/29/2026

Connectivity an issue in your smart cooler? We have a solution!

05/20/2026

How do you know if a machine just needs adjustments or if the location isn’t the right fit?

That’s one of the first questions I get asked when an operator says a machine isn’t performing the way they expected.

Before you panic and move the machine, ask yourself these 5 questions:

Is it a viable location?
Look at employee count, foot traffic, and the type of people coming through the building. Some locations just don’t have enough activity to support strong sales.

Is the equipment the right fit for the location?
White-collar environments may be a better fit for AI coolers or premium options, while lower-income senior locations may need a more cash-friendly setup.

Is the machine in the right spot?
Vending is an impulse buy. If people can’t easily see it, access it, or remember it’s there, it will usually underperform. Make sure the machine is out in the open whenever possible.

Is the product mix and pricing right?
If prices are too high, sales can drop fast. A good benchmark is to compare your pricing to the local convenience store and make sure your product mix matches the people using the location. Actively ask for feedback via voting lists, whiteboards, and google forms.

Am I delivering the service I should be?
Out-of-stocks, broken equipment, and poor upkeep all hurt trust. You want people to rely on your machine instead of running to the gas station. If even after the machine is fixed, that trust still isn't rebuilt, and a machine swap might be the best answer.

Sometimes the issue is the location. Sometimes it’s the setup. And sometimes it’s a little of both. The key is knowing how to diagnose it before you make the wrong move.

What’s the biggest factor you’ve seen affect sales: location, product mix, or service?

Along those lines, if connectivity in your smart cooler is an issue, a new SIM option may be the answer - same cost, easy install, better connectivity. Respond "SIM" below or send me a DM if interested in learning more.

05/16/2026

**Are you tracking your numbers, or just guessing?**

One of the biggest mistakes I see new vending operators make is waiting too long to start tracking their money. You don't need fancy software or complicated systems - just a simple process that actually reflects how your business works.

Here's what I recommend:

**Sales**
Pull these from your VMS software or check your bank deposits. Your card reader system should show every transaction.

**Inventory & COGS**
Use one business credit card for all inventory purchases. That way, everything on that card counts as cost of goods sold. At the end of each month (or quarter), do a quick physical count of what's in storage, plus run a report from your VMS showing what's still in your machines. Adjust your COGS by the inventory you have on hand to get your true cost.

**Other Expenses**
Track everything else in QuickBooks or a simple Excel sheet—gas, supplies, fees, repairs, etc.

**Profitability**
Sales minus COGS minus expenses. That's it.

For a quick gut check, most VMS platforms let you input your product cost and run profitability reports by item or machine. For the full picture of how your business is really doing, QuickBooks or Excel will show you everything in one place.

The goal isn't perfection—it's clarity. When you know your numbers, you can make smarter decisions about what to stock, what locations are working, and how to grow.

*Need help setting up a simple system that works for your business? That's exactly what we do in coaching. DM me or comment "numbers" and I'll send you info.*

05/15/2026

Locations are the biggest challenge and barrier to entry for most operators in this business.

What if I told you that you could learn the ins and outs of landing locations in about an hour, and it would cost you less than a case of 12oz Red Bull?

Comment 'Red Bull'' below for more info.

Learn to land your own vending locations for $49 instead of paying $1,500+ per placement. 60-minute workshop with scripts, templates, and follow-up system.

05/15/2026

Alondra Gaddis - Munchie Mom and Soda Pop made me think of you!

#

05/08/2026

Now that's tenacity!

Alondra Gaddis - Munchie Mom and Soda Pop do you think this would count as foot vending for OF?

54.3K likes, 1319 comments. “𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀💞+𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺😕”

05/06/2026

Having connection issues with your smart coolers??? We may have a solution for you. DM if interested in learning more.

Check out Manny - Vending Circle’s post.

05/06/2026

If you are jumping on the AI Cooler bandwagon, there are a ton of choices in the market. Two manufacturers getting a lot of attention are Qingo, which is new to the US market, and Haha, the company that has been the standard for a few years now.

Truth is, they’re both solid machines. It really comes down to what matters most to you and how you plan to use it.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Build & cost: Qingo feels a bit more premium, while Haha comes in slightly cheaper
Backend & app: Qingo has a strong desktop dashboard with solid analytics + a decent app. Haha's mobile app is more intuitive, but the desktop side is limited
Setup & flexibility: Qingo has modular shelving, Haha requires manual shelf adjustments
Setup: Qingo lets you setup your merchant account, add products, and create templates before the machine arrives, Haha setup doesn't start until after machine delivery.
Payouts: Qingo offers daily or monthly payouts. Haha is on-demand, with 2 free withdrawals per month—after that, there’s a fee, at least right now. I hear weekly payouts should resume shortly.
Sales tax: Haha has built-in sales tax functionality. Qingo doesn’t yet (you’ll need to bake it into pricing for now).
Product library: Haha has a larger library (~20k items vs ~1,200 for Qingo). Both use a similar process to add products and it's fairly easy.
Market presence: Qingo has about 240k units worldwide. Haha has around 150k, but more units deployed in the US currently.
Models: Haha has 7 models to choose from including a stand up freezer and a double wide. Qingo has 2 models in the US currently, with 3 more - a double wide, chest freezer, and model with a display screen - coming later this year.
Expiration tracking: Qingo includes short-dated product tracking. Haha doesn’t have this feature
Security & design: Qingo has a full-length anti-theft panel and a mid-door lock. Haha’s lock is at the top and doesn’t include the side panel, but there is an anti-theft panel you can install after delivery.
Controls: Qingo keeps thermostat controls inside and lets you manage the compressor via the app. Haha’s thermostat is on the front, with the compressor switch on the back.
Monthly fees & End user experience: Same for both

At the end of the day, it’s less about “which is better” and more about which is a better fit for your operations and locations.

As a vending business coach and authorized smart cooler distributor, I’d be happy to help you figure out the right fit for your business.

Based on all of the above, what’s your preference - comment Qingo or Haha below 👇

Check out my website at www.firststepshq.com