Meet Stefanie Lazcano | Musician and vending machine owner/operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stefanie Lazcano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stefanie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Being a part time touring musician meant that I had to leave town and miss work for weeks at a time. I wanted some sort of passive income where I could set it and forget it during those times that I would be on the road. I figured having some vending machines could fulfill that role. While it sometimes feels like logistical gymnastics, starting this business has proven to work for me in the way I intended.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Starting the business was not rocket science, however it was not easy either. It took a lot of focus and research, and the start up costs were not nothing. I overcame the challenges by just taking them one at a time and learning how to do things more efficiently. I taught myself how to upgrade the electronics on the machines and repair them myself, which reduced costs of maintenance and expansion. Something that sets my business apart is that I examine the customer base and determine my inventory based on them. No two machines are exactly alike and I like to cater to the crowd. For example, you can find guitar strings in my vending machines that are at music venues, while another machine might have playing cards or puzzles for friends to play while having a drink on a patio. I have even curated my own Snack Town Mix Tape, featuring local artists, that was a vending machine favorite.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In Denton, I would take them for a nice outdoor lunch to the Austin st. food trucks at Eastside, so many options for food and good beer. Then walk over to Recycled Books, and the Mini Mall for some interesting purchases. I would want to pop in to Harvest House for a game of pool there on the patio, and maybe stay for Karaoke on a Tuesday. Rubber Gloves is always having the most interesting shows, so I would want to take them there, for sure. Of course we would check the marquee at Dans and check out the shows that week. And last but not least we would have to go to the Andy’s Basement, where they have been having Cumbia dancing on the weekends until 2am.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Big shoutout to Chad Withers, manager of Rubber Gloves Rehersal Studios in Denton Tx. I came to him with my idea to put a vending machine there and his encouragement gave me the confidence to move forward with the idea, and ultimately expand the business around town. Shoutouts to all the other businesses that have supported my endeavor, John and Alex from Harvest House, Jazz from Lucky Lou’s, and Bruce over at Hulcher have all been great support and hosts for my machines. I want to give a huge shoutout to all of the staff at these establishments, they always make me feel welcome as the “Mayor of Snack Town” and it always warms my heart to get to hook them up with some snacks, and have a chat and a cheers with them. And of course I have to give a big shoutout to my Mom who helped me expand the business while recovering from startup costs, I owe her a few more Payday candybars. Haha.

Instagram: @silky_jo

Image Credits
Ellie Alonzo