Crystal Warren was once a school teacher with only $1,000 in her bank account. Warren decided to start a side-hustle, so she purchased a vending machine for $650. This was in 2016.

Today, her company, Vending Factory has profited more than $242,000. 

“It was an AP, or an automatic-snack machine, and I placed it in a day-care center. When I bought it, I hadn’t realized that the machine was worth about $1,250, so I bought it at a really good price. At that day care, I made $450 in the first three weeks. I was not expecting that. ” 

Warren didn’t quit her job as school as teacher until 2020, four years after purchasing her first vending machine. She didn’t spend any of her profits, either. She put all of her money back into her business. 

“I want people to understand that they don’t have to quit their jobs just to pursue something else. They can have a goal, make good money in that business first, and let that help them decide if they want to quit,” Warren said.