The Weird & Wonderful World of Vending

July 6, 2022
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he vending machine business.

You see lots of little vending routes for sale on BizBuySell, and many of these are just one- or two-person operations, tiny businesses really.

Then there is the one that today's guest Ujwal Velagapudi acquired:

βœ… Thousands of machines.

βœ… Millions in annual revenue.

βœ… Over a million dollars in cash flow.

Ujwal's business is at a whole other level, so if you've ever been curious about this weird and wonderful little industry, you're going to love this episode.

At over 100 minutes, it's a long one.

I wanted to get Ujwal's entire journey, not just the recent acquisition of the vending business.

Why?

Because it's an inspiring one.

Ujwal starts by buying a little commercial building he found on Craigslist.

Fire damage on one side, in a rough section of Detroit, selling for 20 grand.

And did I mention? Listed for sale...on Craigslist.

But he buys it.

And he parlays that first little acquisition into a portfolio of real estate.

Then a bar.

Then a gym.

Then a consulting business, an ecommerce business, an online business, and FINALLY the vending empire.

Ujwal is an acquisition entrepreneur's acquisition entrepreneur β€” a serial buyer.

What an interesting path.

And at 30 years old, he's really only getting started.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ujwal Velagapudi as much as I did. πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡

Sponsors

Oberle Risk Strategies logo

August Felker is a 2-time successful searcher β€” first with a traditional search fund; the second time around, he did a self-funded search.

Today August runs Oberle Risk Strategies, an insurance firm with a dedicated practice group for searchers and acquisition entrepreneurs like you.

If you've got a business under LOI, Oberle will provide complimentary due diligence on that business's insurance and benefits program. A great, no-risk way to get to know August & team.

They love helping searchers; they've worked with hundreds. Oberle is a specialty insurance brokerage for searchers, by a former searcher.

Check out the Search Fund Team at Oberle.

Read MoreStories

The Weird & Wonderful World of Vending

Ujwal Velagapudi acquired a multimillion dollar vending empire with thousands of machines & 7 figures of cash flow.

Key Takeaways

Introduction

Listen to the introduction from the host

he vending machine business.

You see lots of little vending routes for sale on BizBuySell, and many of these are just one- or two-person operations, tiny businesses really.

Then there is the one that today's guest Ujwal Velagapudi acquired:

βœ… Thousands of machines.

βœ… Millions in annual revenue.

βœ… Over a million dollars in cash flow.

Ujwal's business is at a whole other level, so if you've ever been curious about this weird and wonderful little industry, you're going to love this episode.

At over 100 minutes, it's a long one.

I wanted to get Ujwal's entire journey, not just the recent acquisition of the vending business.

Why?

Because it's an inspiring one.

Ujwal starts by buying a little commercial building he found on Craigslist.

Fire damage on one side, in a rough section of Detroit, selling for 20 grand.

And did I mention? Listed for sale...on Craigslist.

But he buys it.

And he parlays that first little acquisition into a portfolio of real estate.

Then a bar.

Then a gym.

Then a consulting business, an ecommerce business, an online business, and FINALLY the vending empire.

Ujwal is an acquisition entrepreneur's acquisition entrepreneur β€” a serial buyer.

What an interesting path.

And at 30 years old, he's really only getting started.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ujwal Velagapudi as much as I did. πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡πŸ‘‡

Sponsors

Oberle Risk Strategies logo

August Felker is a 2-time successful searcher β€” first with a traditional search fund; the second time around, he did a self-funded search.

Today August runs Oberle Risk Strategies, an insurance firm with a dedicated practice group for searchers and acquisition entrepreneurs like you.

If you've got a business under LOI, Oberle will provide complimentary due diligence on that business's insurance and benefits program. A great, no-risk way to get to know August & team.

They love helping searchers; they've worked with hundreds. Oberle is a specialty insurance brokerage for searchers, by a former searcher.

Check out the Search Fund Team at Oberle.

About

Ujwal Velagapudi

Ujwal Velagapudi
Olivia Rhye
Product Designer

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