The 2024 NAMA Coffee, Tea and Water event (CTW) has come and gone. For those who attended, takeaways varied, but everyone agreed that the CTW was focused on collaboration, engagement, networking and education - always a strong combination of features. On this edition of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation podcast, host Bob Tullio expresse…

No industry topics are off limits when Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation podcast host Bob Tullio interviews Matthew Marsh for the second installment with the founder of First Class Vending and Coffee. Much like the first installment of the Matthew Marsh interview, listeners can expect a fast pace, no shortage of opinions and a fair a fa…

According to Matthew Marsh, success is all about your work ethic. “It's about when you go to work and what you do when you get there,” he said. His strong work ethic explains the company’s emergence as a leader in the convenience services industry. In 30 years, First Class Vending has grown from two employees to more than 300 employees, from one lo…

As an account executive, have you ever had a situation where you were so excited after the initial appointment, after a proposal meeting – that you were 100% sure it was a done deal? Then suddenly, as we like to say in the quiet of a Midwest evening, you hear nothing but crickets. For people in sales, it can be a recurring nightmare. Why does it ha…

Back in May of 2024 – at the NAMA Show in Dallas – the host of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, Bob Tullio, was covering education sessions when he came across one session that had the audience overflowing into the hallway. The speaker, Gil Cargill, was talking about AI for business development. In this episode of Automatic Merchandis…

The host of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, Bob Tullio, has said it before. He loves hearing about the journey of both operators and suppliers. Robert Liva has a good story. The owner of GTP – Graphics that Pop, is an animated, entertaining, candid and knowledgeable individual, especially when it comes to marketing and to serving cli…

Welcome to the Home for Wayward OCs! Today’s episode features Claudia and her fearful OC Aggie Loomis, Hidden Rider Crypt! We discuss existential dread, Huge Pog Moment, fears and self-confidence, Elvira, and resonance. This episode contains brief mentions of ableism, fears, and parental death. Theme: “Violet” by Podington Bear Email: waywardocpod@…

From the supplier area (Connection Hub) to the line-up of speakers to the education sessions, NAMA's CTW for 2024 has been reimagined to help operators thrive in today's changing OCS climate. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, presented in cooperation with NAMA -it’s …

Two things will be clear to you after listening to this podcast. Operators are excited about smart market technology and there is no end to the creative solutions/equipment being offered by smart market developers. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio ta…

From day one, theft has been a concern for micro market operators. Watching hours of video or taking a time consuming and perfectly executed market inventory are two ways to establish whether theft is occurring, but then what? Proving your case to the client and gaining their support is the difficult next step. In this episode of Automatic Merchand…

From all indications, smart markets are a game changer. Driven by AI, featuring the security benefits of vending and the product merchandising power of a micro market, it is no wonder that smart markets are emerging as the next big thing. In the first part of a two-part episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, Tullio takes …

Welcome to the Home for Wayward OCs! Today’s episode features Ryan and his haunting OC Shane Hunter, the Spider-Specter! We discuss The Bronx, religious upbringings, A Bit of a Naruto Situation, family, and creativity. This episode contains brief mentions of gun violence, character death, ghosts, and spider bites. Theme: “Violet” by Podington Bear …

Over the years, there was always talk among operators about somehow using the front of a vending machine for advertising. Or maybe the little screen on a bean to cup brewer would work. Or – how about a monitor in a micro market? Ten years ago, it was just talk and it seemed like science fiction. Today, advertising in micro markets and on other paym…

As co-owner of Quality Vending & Coffee, Dean Prather is a hard-working operator with 34 years in the business. His invention, Q-Tote, is having an impact on the micro market industry. Dave Marler of Lightspeed calls it a “game changer.” Beyond his work, he is driven by giving back in several directions. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s …

Since the NAMA Show in May, while some operators are discouraged and turning away from coffee service, Bob Tullio has been beating the same drum, urging coffee service operators to ramp up their sales efforts. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, Tullio looks at the ups…

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio sat down with Holiday House co-founders Butch and Lynn Winkler, partners for 48 in marriage and business, Barbara Russell, the vice president of sales and marketing for the company. You won’t believe what Barbara’s ro…

Dean Prather's story at Quality Vending & Coffee in Kansas City, might remind you of Jon Holden's story at All Star Services in Michigan. Proof that son-in-laws can be a great hire! In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, Prather takes host Bob Tullio on a company tour of Quality Vending & Coffee, a company that ha…

More than ever before, technology is being associated with vending and micro markets. For many, it seems to have all happened overnight, right after the pandemic. In reality, pioneers like Evan Jarecki have been at it for a decade. Today’s episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, f…

There are plenty of reasons why the Atlantic Coast Exposition — often known as ACE — has emerged as more than just a regional event. It attracts attendees from beyond their core states of North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. In partnership with the Atlantic Coast Exposition, today’s episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation p…

Welcome to the Home for Wayward OCs! Today’s episode features Anthony and his detective OC Rain, Contract Rider Neon! We discuss retrowave, Don Quixote, the Contract Riders Cinematic Universe, Streets of Fire, and connections. This episode contains brief mentions of alcohol consumption and family death. Theme: “Violet” by Podington Bear Email: wayw…

Every now and again, Bob Tullio, the host of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, steps out of the convenience services industry and talks to people who sell something else for a living to see if he can learn anything new about sales. In this episode, Tullio talks to Angel Salvador, a Beverly Hills real estate professional who has…

As an operator, Orrin Huebner has worked for an independent company, started and sold two of his own, and managed a large branch for an industry giant. This wealth of experience has made him a sought-after consultant. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio…

Welcome to the Home for Wayward OCs! Today’s episode features Crest and his sword-wielding OC, Aquarius the Oshawott! We discuss imploding fanfic, knights, orbs, keys, and favorite protagonists. Theme: “Violet” by Podington Bear Email: waywardocpod@gmail.com Twitter and Bluesky: @waywardocpod and #WaywardOCpod Guest Form: https://forms.gle/YJJcmrqC…

1974 was quite a year. United States President Richard Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought for the heavyweight title, disco was becoming very popular, and a young man named Joe Webster started Newco Enterprises, a game changing event for many OCS operators. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser…

Jon Holden loves being an operator. He is grateful for the people he works with, the clients he serves and the job that he gets to perform every day. In this episode Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation – the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio talks to Jon Holden of All Star Services in Michigan, in a podcast th…

There is growing interest in the convenience services industry by newcomers – entrepreneurs who aspire to be operators. These newbies were seeking solutions at the 2024 NAMA Show while experienced operators found plenty of things to be impressed about. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation Podcast, host Bob Tullio explore…

Just about everyone who attended the event agreed that the 2024 NAMA Show in Dallas was the biggest gathering our industry has seen in a long time, if not the biggest ever. Beyond the expansive convention floor and large crowds, there was an unmistakable vibe – a clear change of direction, pointing to positive days ahead. In this episode of Automat…

Welcome to the Home for Wayward OCs! Today’s episode features Umar and the Awmaet Region from Pokemon Stone and Iron! We discuss Fakemon, Contract Riders, tradition vs. modernism, Design Limbo, and self-indulgence. This episode contains a very brief mention of parasites (the organism). Theme: “Violet” by Podington Bear Email: waywardocpod@gmail.com…

With the NAMA Show landing in Dallas, Texas this year, Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation Podcast host Bob Tullio thought this would be a good time to explore the journey of a Dallas operator, Louis Baresh of Executive Refreshment. Tullio says the first time he met Louis Baresh, he knew Baresh was on his way to being a bright star in the…

Fixturelite, based in Phoenix, Arizona, has been the industry’s leading supplier of micro market retail displays, equipment and design tools for ten years. But they didn’t start out that way. Steve Orlando and Troy Geis were successful operators who discovered the micro market business early on and realized that this new solution was going to be bi…

The 2024 NAMA Show in Dallas is just a few weeks away and from all indications, it will be one of the biggest gatherings the convenience services industry has ever seen. On this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation Podcast, in partnership with NAMA, it’s all about the NAMA Show in Dallas – May 7th through May 9th. Podcast host B…

Kim Miros doesn’t think much about being a successful female business owner. What she is truly proud of is where her business is now – capable of providing for herself, her employees and their families. Talking about it brings a tear to her eye. This new episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, Bob Tullio focuses on the journey of …

Welcome to the Home for Wayward OCs! Today’s episode features Raena and her archer OC Saera Keilley! We discuss web forums, soda, wedding interventions, Big Number, and being unbreakable. This episode contains mentions of alcohol, setting-relevant violence, and depression. Theme: “Violet” by Podington Bear Email: waywardocpod@gmail.com Twitter and …

A recent Wall Street Journal article points to vending as a strong investment trend of the 2020’s. Reports on social media portraying the vending business as easy money are drawing entrepreneurs toward the vending business. Can they be successful competing against established operators? This edition of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation …

For Linda Saldana, the co-founder of Seventh Wave Refreshments in Atlanta, there is plenty of joy to go around. That's why Vending & OCS Nation host Bob Tullio decided to tell her story in two parts. In our first podcast episode this month, we focused on Linda's journey. That episode was entitled, “To deliver joy, Linda Saldana brings faith, passio…

Storytelling is a powerful way to communicate with people - personally and in business. Knowing the fundamentals and understanding certain key strategies can make the difference when using storytelling to help clients and prospects make the right choices. In our last episode, featuring Linda Saldana of Seventh Wave Refreshments, she made reference …

Welcome to the Home for Wayward OCs! Today’s episode features Benny and his very marketable OC Shu! the Blue Oomachu! We discuss spreadsheets, The Chaos Storm, summer camp, Little Guy Energy, and muses. Theme: “Violet” by Podington Bear Email: waywardocpod@gmail.com Twitter and Bluesky: @waywardocpod and #WaywardOCpod Network: @cornerpodnet, corner…

Chances are, if you are in the convenience services business, you have heard the name, Linda Saldana. In 2023, Automatic Merchandiser named her as one of the "Most Influential Women in Convenience Services." In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, host Bob Tullio sat down with Linda Saldana to talk about her professional a…

A family business can change dramatically from one generation to the next. That’s exactly what happened after Jim Evans joined Evans Quality Coffee. He followed societal shifts to move the company from industrial/mobile catering to vending and coffee. On this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, host Bob Tullio gives you a view…

Bob Tullio, the host of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, is the first to admit that he loves telling his listeners a good success story, whether it is the story of an operator or supplier who has something special to offer. In this episode, we explore the journey of an entrepreneur who is a bit of a disrupter. Now in his early 30’s, J…

Welcome to the Home for Wayward OCs! Today’s episode features Tanner, Lindsay, and their Marvel multiverse, Earth-6677! We discuss Goo: It’ll Get Ya!, Ivan, Redeeming Reed Richards, A, and Claremont Dames. This episode covers the history of their universe to this point, so I’m just going to content-warn about general violence, sadness, and tragedy.…

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation podcast, host Bob Tullio explores two sides of Jennifer Fox, owner of Fox Vending in the Chicago area. It's about overcoming personal challenges and doing what it takes to succeed in business. You will hear the dramatic story of Dragonolia and Herren project, all driven by the loss of…