10-year-old co-owns – Together, a mother and her 10-year-old started a vending machine venture after he spotted demand at a community basketball event. More than a year in, the machine is still not profitable, but it has turned into a hands-on lesson in revenue, profit, patience, a
When Landon Nicholson and his mother, Christina Nicholson, bought their first vending machine, it wasn’t just about stocking snacks. It was about trust—between a kid who wanted to make money and an adult who knew how quickly excitement can outrun reality.
Landon got the idea over a year ago, during a Wellington Wolves tournament. He helped at the concession stand and started paying attention to how many people wanted snacks and drinks. The moment he saw the demand, the business plan started forming in his head. First, he pushed for a candy store. Christina told him, “Let’s start smaller.”.
They began learning right away, using a book and watching YouTube videos together. Landon also brought a personal drive to the project: he’s always wanted to make his own money. and he’s watched his mother be her own boss. Christina started her own media company right after he was born. so Landon has grown up with the idea that work can be flexible—and self-directed.
The first big step wasn’t buying inventory. It was finding a place to put the machine. During summer acting lessons at their community center. Landon went to the front desk and asked whether they had a vending machine. The staff told him they used to, but they didn’t anymore. Landon’s response was blunt and confident: “Do you want one?. That’s my business.”.
The community center gave him a contact person, and Landon and Christina set up a meeting with the village of Wellington. They prepared a proposal outlining what would be stocked in the machine and how much they would sell items for. The village approved it, and there was a contract.
Under the agreement, 26% of the commission would go to the village of Wellington. Landon and Christina would split the profits 50/50.
In September of 2024, they finally bought the equipment and began operating. The vending machine cost $1,500, and it was shipped for $843. To take payments, they purchased a credit card reader for $385. They also bought $265 worth of items from Costco and put $17 in change in the machine to start.
More than a year later, they’re still in the hole.
The community center isn’t very busy. Christina says they’re not splitting profits yet—but she still believes the experiment has been worth it.
The lesson that hit hardest for Landon wasn’t how to sell. It was how money works. Christina says a key moment came the first time they went to the vending machine to get cash. Landon was thrilled at the sight of all the dollar bills. Then Christina explained that just because the machine generated money didn’t mean it was automatically theirs.
She told him they had to pay the machine off, and that 26% goes to the village of Wellington for letting them place the machine at the community center. In that moment, Landon quickly learned the difference between revenue and profit.
There was another change too: the excitement didn’t last in the way he expected. At the beginning, Landon wanted to check on the machine once a week. He liked seeing what needed filling up and watching what people were buying. Now, Christina says, he’s still willing and involved, but the initial thrill has worn off. He still enjoys checking on it, but the novelty has faded.
Christina is trying to build patience into the business—and into her son’s mindset. She encourages him to review the numbers every month and prints out the P&L for him to see. Landon, she says, can be impatient, so she reminds him that making a business work requires work.
For Landon, the machine is also teaching business models and time. He sees how much effort goes into maintaining the inventory, and how busy the location actually is. Because of his age. the arrangement is simple but consistent: he goes to the community center to check the machine once a week for 15 minutes. He still asks her now and then whether he’s making money yet.
What surprised Christina most wasn’t that the business is slow. It was Landon’s confidence in the beginning—how naturally he approached adults and got the venture moving. Christina says he walked right up to the community center’s front desk. asked if they wanted a vending machine. and came home with a business card.
She credits that moment with something bigger than vending or snacks. Christina says she loves that he isn’t afraid to try. In her view, the experience is building the kind of confidence he’ll need to start more businesses.
vending machine business small business lessons child entrepreneur revenue vs profit village of Wellington community center P&L credit card reader Costco inventory
This is wild, a 10-year-old out here hustlin’ before school.
Not profitable yet?? So basically it’s a “lesson” and not really a business. Also I’m confused how a village approves a kid vending machine lol.
I read this like the kid already makes bank? Like it says co-owns so I assumed he’s getting checks. But if they’re not profiting then why co-own, wouldn’t the mom just own it? (Unless it’s like a side hustle tax thing or something.)
Good for him but also… vending machines are like pennies now, people just scan apps. I wonder if they even priced it right. YouTube won’t teach you how people actually react to snacks when they’re at a basketball game anyway. Still kinda love the confidence though, “that’s my business” is hilarious.