We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marissa Yarbrough a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marissa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I had two interactions prior to deciding to start my own creative vending machine business. The first was at Dragoncon when I came across the Drunken Dragon Hotel Vending Machine at the Vendor Hall. I had seen similar vending machines online, but never in-person and it was so fun to see. The second time I saw a creative vending machine in-person was in Asheville, NC at a brewery. It was filled with art and fun little treasures. I got a mystery bag and loved that I had something to do while my boyfriend went to go get beer.

It wasn’t until a year after those experiences, and I had decided that I really wanted to create my own business, that I recalled how much I enjoyed seeing those funky, cool machines in-person, and thought, why don’t I do something similar, but in my own way? I’ve always had some sort of side business, from selling owl and mustache plushies as a teen, to pinback buttons in college, and now I get to support other creative people with my vending machine.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The Crafty Box is a creative vending machine that offers an experience in the form of handmade goods, mystery bags, and creative products. People are looking for a unique, interactive experience they can’t get online while shopping.

You’ll find everything from hand-painted magnets to Atlanta stickers to surprise food hair clips, and so much more fun goods that you can’t believe you got from a vending machine!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Vending machines are not cheap, and then you have to account for hiring someone to move it, and because an artist to paint the machine, and it adds up!

I started this business by working very hard on getting a really great credit score, waiting until I became debt-free, and then I got a business credit card with one-year interest free.

Other people have gone the route of looking for grants or saving up money, and I definitely recommend that if you can.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Since this is a creative vending machine, and customers make sales when I am never physically there, I rarely ever get to meet customers in-person. However, on days when I restock the machine, I always say hi to the curious people taking a peek inside and invite them to take a look!

I view my relationships with artists as highly important as well and make sure to always stop by and say hi when I see them at a market or craft fair. Artists are some of the funniest, coolest, and hardest working people you will ever meet and the world is better off knowing them.

Working with other small businesses to host my machines, I always make sure to buy something when I stop by to re-stock my machine and I ALWAYS tip!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftyboxvending/